News

IDR Announces: Homestead Tax Exemption for Claimants 65 Years of Age and Older

Published by editor on Wed, 05/31/2023 - 9:53am

On May 4, 2023, Governor Reynolds signed House File 718, establishing a homestead tax exemption for claimants 65 years of age or older.

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Governor signs education bills, including ban on school books depicting sex

Published by editor on Wed, 05/31/2023 - 9:50am

Gov. Kim Reynolds signed several of her priority education bills into law Friday, including “parental rights” legislation that would ban books that depict sex from school libraries.

Reynolds signed seven education bills into law during a private event Friday. Changes to Iowa’s education system — and how LGBTQ students and topics are approached — have been the top priorities for Republicans in the 2023 legislative session.

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Fentanyl-related drugs permanently made criminal under bill passed by U.S. House

Published by editor on Wed, 05/31/2023 - 9:48am

WASHINGTON — Lawmakers in the U.S. House passed bipartisan legislation Thursday in an effort to curb staggering overdose deaths from illegal fentanyl substances that are illicitly produced and up to 50 times stronger than heroin.

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'Peace out!' The Class of 2023 is one for the record books

Published by editor on Tue, 05/23/2023 - 3:16pm

To the fittingly bombastic rhythm of Pomp And Circumstance courtesy of Mr. Schwake and the High School Band, the 55 graduating seniors of the Eagle Grove Class of 2022 made their way down the aisle formed by the folding chairs set out in the Elementary School gymnasium. Doing their best to contain their enthusiasm and maintain a stately cadence, they went two by two, until Class Valedictorian Braxton Steil brought up the rear as the sole lone walker. And then they took their seats of honor at the front of the hall.

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Supervisors Approve Tax Rebates for Major Employers

Published by editor on Tue, 05/23/2023 - 3:12pm

The Wright County Board of Supervisors approved over $575,000 in tax rebates for two companies at the May 22 meeting.

Prestage Foods will receive $548,790 in rebates, based on their certified employment. There are 650 employees who work at the facility for Prestage; that number increases to nearly 1,000 when contracted services such as cleaning and food service are counted.

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Unpacking the Rec Center Reaudit Report

Published by editor on Fri, 05/19/2023 - 11:54am

Following an audit request by members of the local citizens group calling themselves the "Betterment Committee" the Iowa State Auditor's office released a report last week on their reaudit of the City's Recreation Center project.

Breaking the report down, there are a few key findings:

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Auditor of State Rob Sand: 'I have the guts to take them on'

Published by editor on Fri, 05/19/2023 - 11:52am

Iowa's only Democrat in statewide office has been in the news a lot lately, primarily as a result of Republican efforts to hamstring his office's authority. Recently his office made news here in Eagle Grove, when it issued its reaudit report on the city, centering on the Rec Center project. Sand's investigation was prompted by the Eagle Grove group calling themselves the "Betterment Committee" – whose most vocal members have staked out far right Republican positions on several issues.

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Paint it great?

Published by editor on Fri, 05/19/2023 - 11:49am

Workers are seen here painting one of the downtown buildings renovated as part of the downtown revitalization project, in a final finishing touch.

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From April snow showers to Mother's Day flowers – Eagle Grove is in bloom!

Published by editor on Wed, 05/10/2023 - 2:27pm

With Mother's Day (May 14th) and graduation (May 21st) just around the corner, and the unseasonably cold and occasionally snowy weather of the past few weeks seemingly behind us, the city of Eagle Grove is fully and gloriously in bloom! And with the gorgeous warm weather and the first crop of flowers of the season in bloom and in stock, business is booming at Eagle Grove's flower shops.

"We are very busy," said Ann Wilde of the Eagle Grove Greenhouse, "it's nice out and the greenhouse is open! So that keeps us super busy."

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What you need to know about 2023 legislative session: Bills that passed, died, and Iowa’s newest laws

Published by editor on Wed, 05/10/2023 - 2:19pm

The Iowa Legislature passed many significant — and many controversial — pieces of legislation in the four months of the 2023 session, but many still await Gov. Kim Reynolds’ signature before becoming law.

The governor has until June 3 to sign dozens of new laws addressing Iowa’s workforce and health care shortages, making changes to K-12 education and reducing government spending and taxes.