(Des Moines, IA) — Over 100 Iowans gathered outside the governor’s mansion in Des Moines to protest against the policies of Governor Kim Reynolds on Saturday. Chanting “people over politics,” demonstrators aimed to emphasize the importance of community empowerment over state governance. The protest, organized by Heather Sievers of Advocates for Iowa’s Children, saw participants expressing discontent with various government initiatives, particularly Governor Reynolds’ proposed changes to Iowa’s Area Education Agencies – a call for more excellent representation and respect for the people’s will in government decision-making processes.
Meanwhile, colleges and universities in Iowa expect to receive federal student aid awards in mid-March, several weeks later than usual. The delays came after the Department of Education redesigned the FAFSA federal student aid application form, and there were problems with the new form submission process. According to a report given this week to the Iowa Board of Regents, the delay means parents and students will have a smaller window for comparing colleges and financial aid awards before choosing a school.
