DES MOINES, Iowa (Gray Media Iowa State Capitol Bureau/KCRG) – Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds, a Republican, surprised a lot of people late Friday morning when she announced via video that she would not seek re-election in 2026. Reynolds, a former Clarke County treasurer, state senator, and lieutenant governor, has served as governor since 2017 and is the only woman in the state’s history to hold the position. In February, Reynolds said that she would run on her record, but stopped short of declaring a run. One Republican already announced that he would run next year. Brad Sherman, a pastor in Williamsburg and former one-term state representative, announced his campaign in February. Other Republicans most mentioned by party insiders as possible candidates now that Reynolds is not running include Iowa Attorney General Brenna Bird, Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig, Iowa U.S. Representative Ashley Hinson, Iowa U.S. Representative Zach Nunn, and State Senator Mike Bousselot of Ankeny. Chris Cournoyer is currently Iowa’s lieutenant governor.
AMES, Iowa (Iowa Capital Dispatch/KCRG) – Iowa State University has been awarded more than $2 million from the U.S. Department of Agriculture to carry out six research projects that will help prevent and combat animal disease outbreaks. The Iowa awards were part of an announcement from the USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, or APHIS, of $15.3 million for research that enhances preparedness, detection and response to “the most damaging diseases that threaten U.S. livestock.” ISU officials say the projects will generate free resources for producers and animal health professionals. Some of the projects build on general biosecurity protocol, like “Disinfection 201” which received $315,000 to further develop an existing online module with disinfection guidance for different species and diseases. The “just-in-time” project was awarded $447,000 to develop an on-demand library of information to expedite an outbreak response, and another would make general biosecurity protocol trainings more relevant to small and niche producers. The funding is part of the National Animal Disease Preparedness and Response Program which was authorized by the 2018 Farm Bill.
CORALVILLE, Iowa (KCRG) – Two escaped miniature horses were caught and returned to their owners. On Saturday afternoon, Coralville Police Officers were called out to the youth sports park on Dempster Drive for two miniature horses that were reported loose on the soccer fields. Officers found the horses and spent about 45 minutes trying to corral them. Once coralled, officers were initially unable to find the owners of the horses. However, they were later notified by Forever Green of two escaped horses. Buttercup and Butterscotch were safely returned home. In a Facebook post, The Coralville Police Department wanted to thank a friendly homeowner along Dempster Drive for letting them temporarily keep the horses in their backyard, as well as Colony Acres Family Farm, who assisted with a trailer and temporarily homing the horses.
NEW VIENNA, Iowa (KCRG) – An unknown number of livestock were injured after a barn fire in Dubuque County. Authorities were called to the 28,000 block of North Bankston Road near New Vienna around 9:20 Friday night for reports of a structure fire. Upon arrival, they found a barn was fully engulfed. The owners were not home at the time of the fire. The Dubuque County sheriff said no one was hurt, but an unknown number of livestock were injured in the fire. They said the fire is not suspicious in nature and remains under investigation.
