Out-Of-State Groups Spending Over $175M On Iowa Congressional Races
(Des Moines, IA) — An analysis of campaign finance data shows outside groups have spent more than 39-million dollars in Iowa’s battleground congressional races during the 2026 midterm cycle. The Des Moines Register report shows five out-of-state groups alone are responsible for 25-million dollars in spending on three closely-watched Iowa House races which could determine control of the chamber. Outside spending on the Senate race between Republican Ashley Hinson and Democrat Josh Turek has exceeded 137-million dollars.
Alliant Energy Secures $5 Billion Loan To Lower Costs, Strengthen Grid In Iowa, Wisconsin
(Washington, D.C.) — Alliant Energy has secured a five-billion-dollar federal loan designed to help its customers in Iowa and Wisconsin. The U.S. Department of Energy says the loan will enable Alliant Energy to lower electricity costs, expand power generation and strengthen grid reliability. The projects are expected to deliver more than a billion dollars in electricity cost savings. Alliant serves more than a million customers across the two states.
Survey: Data Centers Not Major Priority For Voters In This Year’s Elections
(Des Moines, IA) — A new survey of registered voters in five battleground states, including Iowa, shows data centers are not a major priority for voters in this year’s elections. The survey from Infrastructure for America finds only three-percent of voters mentioned data centers when asked to name the most important issue facing their state. More than two-thirds of voters surveyed said they would still vote for a candidate they agree with on most issues but disagree with on data centers. Only six-percent of voters said data centers are among the top two issues that matter most to their vote.
Task Force Recommends More Resources to Combat Medicaid Fraud
(Des Moines, IA) — Recommendations aimed at preventing fraud, waste, and abuse in Iowa’s Medicaid program are being submitted to Governor Reynolds. Iowa’s Medicaid Fraud Elimination Task Force says the states Medicaid spending has increased 129-percent since 2013 while the Medicaid Fraud Control Unit’s budget has grown by 31-percent. The recommendations include hiring more investigators and prosecutors, creating a civil fraud team to pursue cases under the Iowa False Claims Act, and increasing penalties for Medicaid fraud.
Iowa’s 8th Case Of Bird Flu Detected In Sac County, Gov. Reynolds Issues Disaster Declaration
(Sac County, IA) — Iowa’s eighth case of bird flu has been confirmed. The USDA says highly pathogenic avian influenza was detected at a commercial turkey site in Sac County. In response, Governor Kim Reynolds has issued a disaster declaration for the northwest Iowa county. The proclamation will allow Iowa Homeland Security and the state Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship to help with tracking, monitoring, and containing the virus. The declaration will be in effect through November 27.
