Iowa

Iowa Schools Gear Up for Major Classroom Changes: New Laws Target Cellphone Use and Fetal Development Education

by

CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa — As the new school year unfolds, two significant laws are set to reshape classroom dynamics across Iowa. The legislation, which targets cell phone usage and educational content, aims to establish clearer boundaries and enhance parental communication in school settings. One of the newly enacted laws mandates that school districts develop policies prohibiting cell phone use during instructional time. Several districts, such as Iowa City, already had similar regulations in place prior to the law’s passage, indicating a trend toward minimizing distractions in the classroom. Additionally, the law necessitates that schools implement … Read more

Federal Court Halts Key Iowa Pharmacy Law, Citing First Amendment and ERISA Violations

by

Des Moines, Iowa — A federal court has temporarily blocked the enforcement of significant elements of a new state law designed to regulate pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs) and health plans in Iowa. On July 21, 2025, the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Iowa issued a preliminary injunction, citing potential conflicts with the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA) and the First Amendment’s protection of commercial speech. This ruling follows a temporary restraining order issued by the court on June 30, a day before the law was set to take effect. … Read more

Legal Showdown Set for September: Iowa AG’s Suit Against Sheriff Over Social Media Dispute Heats Up

by

POLK COUNTY, Iowa — A significant legal proceeding is set to unfold as a new hearing date has been scheduled for September 12 in the lawsuit filed by Iowa Attorney General Brenna Bird against Winneshiek County Sheriff Dan Marx. This development follows an earlier scheduled hearing that was slated for July 18. The lawsuit stems from an incident in which Sheriff Marx allegedly disregarded direct instructions from Bird to amend a Facebook post about U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). Instead of complying with the request and substituting the post with one from the Attorney … Read more

Iowa Woman Convicted of First-Degree Murder in Shocking Husband’s Death Case

by

A jury in Des Moines, Iowa, has convicted a woman of first-degree murder in the death of her husband. The verdict, delivered late Monday, followed a trial that highlighted the tumultuous relationship between the couple and the events that led to the tragic incident. During the proceedings, prosecutors argued that the defendant, identified as 42-year-old Laura Johnson, intentionally took the life of her husband, 45-year-old Mark Johnson, in their home last year. Evidence presented included 911 calls, eyewitness testimonies, and forensic analysis of the crime scene. Defense attorneys contended that Laura acted in self-defense, claiming … Read more