Five ACA Marketplace Insurers Ask Iowa To Approve A Rate Increase
(Des Moines, IA) — Obamacare premiums could be on the rise in Iowa. Five Affordable Care Act marketplace insurers are asking the Iowa Insurance Division for permission to increase their rates. Iowa Total Care wants a 16-percent increase, UnitedHealthcare and Oscar Insurance are asking for a 12-percent increase, and Avera Health Plans want almost 15-percent. Wellmark Health Plan of Iowa, the state’s largest insurer, is asking for a nearly five-percent increase that would affect almost 80-thousand Iowans. The rate increase requests come as more families drop coverage, after Obamacare tax credits were allowed to expire last year as part of the Big Beautiful Bill.
U.S. Senate Appoints Iowa Native to United States Court of International Trade
(Washington, DC) — An Iowa native will serve on the United States Court of International Trade after being confirmed by the U.S. Senate. The Senate voted to confirm Kara Marie Westercamp as a judge on the court. Westercamp is a native of Cedar Rapids and received undergraduate and law degrees from the University of Iowa. The United States Court of International trade has jurisdiction over cases involving trade and customs law and is composed of nine judges, appointed for life by the president and confirmed by the U.S. Senate.
Chick-Fil-A Warns Iowans About June Data Breach
(Des Moines, IA) — Chick-fil-A is warning customers in Iowa about a June data breach that exposed their personal information. The fast food chain says a cyber attack on its website and mobile app exposed information including customers names, email addresses and the last four digits of their credit or debit cards. The company says it forced log-outs on affected accounts and removed stored payment methods. Chick-fil-A is advising customers in Iowa and nine other affected states to change their account passwords, freeze their credit and put a fraud alert on their credit reports.
More Layoffs At Wells Fargo’s West Des Moines Campus
(West Des Moines, IA) — There’s another round of layoffs at Wells Fargo. The Iowa WARN website says 20 Wells Fargo employees from the West Des Moines campus are receiving pink slips. Their last day will be on September 19th. Forty-three additional positions will be eliminated August 22nd. The bank has laid off 301 employees in the Des Moines metro in 2026.
USA Today: Iowa State Fair Nominated In 10Best State Fairs Poll, Voting Open Until Sunday
(Undated) — Voting is open to decide the best state fairs in the U.S. The USA Today 10Best poll allows the public to vote for their favorite out of 20 state fairs nominated by a panel of experts. The Iowa State Fair is one of the nominees, alongside fairs in other Midwest states including Illinois, Indiana, Minnesota, and Ohio. Voting will be open until Sunday, July 26.
RAGBRAI Offers Additional Challenges On Day 5
(Marshalltown, IA) — RAGBRAI cyclists can up the ante on today’s ride across Iowa. RAGBRAI riders will travel just over 83 miles from Marshalltown to Independence. But they have the option to add 21 more miles by taking the Century Loop. Those up for an even bigger challenge can take on the historic America 250 Double Loop, requiring them to ride 76 more miles more to celebrate the country’s 250th birthday. RAGBRAI will end in Dubuque on July 25th.
