Iowa Becomes First State To Receive Federal Education Funding Waiver
(Denison, IA) — Iowa is the first state to receive a Returning Education to the States funding waiver. The announcement was made by Education Secretary Linda McMahon and Governor Kim Reynolds at an elementary school in Denison on Wednesday. The waiver allows the state to circumvent certain reporting and compliance requirements to increase flexibility in spending federal funds. It comes after Reynolds submitted a proposal to the Department of Education in March, emphasizing the importance of student achievement over federal compliance. McMahon says the waiver allows the state to cut paperwork, simplify educational activities, and streamline funding.
Three Iowa Candidates Release 2025 Fundraising Data
(Des Moines, IA) — Three candidates up for election in 2026 release fundraising totals for 2025. Democrat Rob Sand reported more than nine-point-five-million dollars in his campaign for governor. Republican Zach Nunn reported that his campaign raised more than 3.5 million dollars in his race to return to the U.S. House. Democrat Nate Willems is running to be Iowa’s next Attorney General, and his campaign announced it has raised more than 725,000 dollars. Iowa’s Primary Election is set for June 2nd, while the General Election is set for November 3rd.
Des Moines Metro Sees Decline In Homicides In 2025
(Des Moines, IA) — The Des Moines Police Department says homicides decreased by nearly double-digits in 2025. Data shows there were 13 homicides in the Des Moines metro area last year compared to 22 in 2024. Of the 13 killings this year, eleven were shot with guns, and four involved law enforcement officers. No one has been charged in three of the cases. An average of 18 homicides per year was recorded from 2017 to 2021.
Driver Sentenced For Crashing Into East Village Hotel
(Des Moines, IA) — The man who fled police and crashed into a hotel is going to prison. Derrick Wilson led police on a high-speed chase in June of 2025 that ended when he crashed into the Embassy Suites Hotel in East Village. The chase started when police discovered Wilson attacking pedestrians with his car on Robert D. Ray Drive. He pleaded guilty to charges in November and was sentenced to five years in prison on Monday. The hotel only suffered cosmetic damage from the crash.
