Scavo High School art students paint a mural at the Des Moines Public Schools Transportation building. (Photo courtesy of Des Moines Public Schools) Public schools and universities in Iowa would face new restrictions related to teaching about racism, sexism and discrimination under a bill that is advancing in both the Iowa House and Senate. House Study Bill 258 is one of … [Read more...] about Lawmakers look at restrictions on the teaching of ‘divisive concepts’ in schools
Iowa
Families take a back seat to big business in Iowa Legislature
How family friendly is Iowa's Legislature? (Photo by Photo by Juliane Liebermann via Unsplash) Republicans in the Iowa Legislature like to proclaim they are pro-life and pro-family. Most of the time, they act that way, pushing bills that they believe support parents and families. But what happens when their pro-life, pro-family agenda gets in the way of another one of their … [Read more...] about Families take a back seat to big business in Iowa Legislature
Meatpacking plants have been deadly COVID-19 hot spots – but policies that encourage workers to show up sick are legal
Nearly 1,000 workers at this Smithfield Foods pork-processing plant in South Dakota contracted COVID-19 between mid-March and mid-April 2020. (Photo by Kerem Yucel / AFP via Getty Images) Working in meatpacking plants has always been dangerous. A recent study shows that it became deadlier in the era of COVID-19, even as company profits soared. This analysis, published in … [Read more...] about Meatpacking plants have been deadly COVID-19 hot spots – but policies that encourage workers to show up sick are legal
Bill would give Iowa nursing homes notice of residents’ surveillance cameras
Iowa legislators are considering a bill that would require the families of nursing home residents to notify the facility before installing a surveillance-type camera in their loved one’s room. (Photo by Getty Images.) Iowa legislators are considering a bill that would require the families of nursing home residents to notify the facility before installing a surveillance-type … [Read more...] about Bill would give Iowa nursing homes notice of residents’ surveillance cameras
Sweetheart deals with taxpayer dollars violate the public’s interest
The Des Moines City Council is considering incentives for a downtown soccer stadium, hotels, housing units and related developments in these areas. (Image courtesy city of Des Moines) The ever-expanding use of taxpayer dollars and sweetheart deals by public officials to incentivize and subsidize the private projects of some of the wealthiest corporations is a violation of the … [Read more...] about Sweetheart deals with taxpayer dollars violate the public’s interest