Senator Renee Hardman Becomes First Black Woman In State Senate
(Des Moines, IA) — Iowa State Senator Renee Hardman is the first Black woman in the state Senate. She was sworn in to start the 2026 legislative session on Monday after winning a special election in December following the death of Senator Claire Celsi. Hardman will serve on six committees and be the ranking member of the Local Government Committee. Her historic win was celebrated by state Democrats not just for the notable moment, it also prevented a Republican supermajority in the chamber. She previously served on the West Des Moines City Council.State Legislators Identify Property Taxes As Top Priority
(Des Moines, IA) — Lawmakers are identifying property taxes as a top priority during the 2026 legislative session. A bill from Senate Republicans was introduced on Monday. In 2025, attempts were made to craft a bill on property tax reform, but lawmakers were unable to reach an agreement. Republicans control both legislative chambers and hope to send a bill to the governor, also a Republican, later this year. Iowa has the 11th-highest tax burden in the nation, according to a study by the Tax Foundation, and the 10th-highest property tax rate, according to Rocket Mortgage.
Iowa Farmers’ Produce Record Corn And Soybean Crop In 2025
(Des Moines, IA) — The USDA says Iowa farmers had a record year in corn and soybean production. Data from the 2025 Crop Production Annual Summary shows Iowa farmers harvested two-point-77 billion bushels of corn in 2025 and 596 million bushels of soybeans. The corn crop was the second-highest yield of corn ever, and it was Iowa’s third-largest soybean harvest. Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig says Iowa farmers delivered again despite highly variable economic and atmospheric conditions. He said a congressional farm bill would be a major boost to the industry.
Sioux City Teenager Asks To Move Case To Juvenile Court
(Sioux City, IA) — A teenager accused of first-degree murder is asking to move his case to juvenile court. JK Athree is accused of stabbing his victim 16 times on January 1st and then asking family members to assist in helping him cover it up. Family members said they called 911 after he became aggressive and tried to flee. JK Athree allegedly admitted to stabbing Jermel Ellington three or four times after an argument that had been brewing for the past month. First-degree murder charges are excluded from the juvenile court system under Iowa law.
High-Speed Chase Ends In Crash On Interstate 235
(Des Moines, IA) — A man is in custody after a high-speed chase on Interstate 235. Des Moines Police say 64-year-old Thomas Leonard Campbell was spotted in a stolen Chevy Tahoe around 3:00 p.m. near 6th Avenue and University Drive. When officers attempted a traffic stop, Campbell took off eastbound on I-235 at speeds over 100 mph. Campbell then crashed near the Guthrie Avenue exit after hitting another vehicle and getting wedged underneath a semitruck trailer. He is now facing felony eluding charges and eight other misdemeanor traffic offenses to go along with previous warrants out for his arrest.
