Iowa

500-plus AmeriCorps members at 15 programs gone across Iowa after DOGE cuts this month

Published

7 months ago

May 1, 2025

500-plus AmeriCorps members at 15 programs gone across Iowa after DOGE cuts this month

Part of a series.

When the order rescinding federal funding this year for AmeriCorps dropped on April 15, 568 people doing a wide array of service work stopped for at least 15 Iowa nonprofit, faith-based and community organizations.

Indian Creek Nature Center, the 400-acre Cedar Rapids attraction with scenic trails, an amphitheater, outdoor classrooms for children and classes, abruptly lost a team of 10 that did more work removing invasive species and conducting prairie burning in six weeks than the staff and volunteers could do all year.

But it lost the possibility of having any more corps members return for the rese of what was supposed to be eight months of service work.

“We hope there is a pathway for these programs to come back,” director John Myers said. “These people only get paid a stipend for what really is a national public service program that enables young people to get on-the-job experience.”

President Donald Trump and DOGE, the Department of Government Efficiency, have made headlines over the past four months amid roughly 140 executive orders, slashing tens of thousands of federal workers and laying waste to a wide array of federally funded programs amid campaign promise to squeeze the size of the budget and ease mostly wealthier Americans’ tax burden.

However, President Trump’s federal government has spent about $220 billion more in his first 100 days compared with the same period last year, and is spending more every day than was spent in nine of the last 10 years, according to a analysis released Wednesday of the Treasury Department’s daily financial reports by CBS News.

The exception, the news agency said, was 2021, when the government was spending trillions to fight the coronavirus pandemic and prevent an economic collapse.

With a budget of roughly $1 billion, AmeriCorps has long provided on-the-ground support to essential community programs in schools, food banks, homeless shelters, youth organizations, veterans’ facilities and other nonprofits — in much the same way the Peace Corps does abroad.

But there one day and gone the next was a helping hand for a wide mix of Iowa organizations with disparate needs: Iowa Legal Aid had been using corps members to help Iowans access legal information, resources and support.

Youth Connect, based at Iowa State University, used corps members to help with a child-welfare program, helping youth transition from foster care to independent living.

The University of Iowa had obtained an AmeriCorps grant to expand its public health program.Polk County Conservation had been using its funding for an environmental education program, engaging Polk County teens, building its volunteer programming and increasing adaptive programming with veterans.

The Economic Development Authority of Iowa used AmeriCorps members to address food insecurity and provide resources for Iowans in need.

World Relief, the humanitarian arm of the National Association of Evangelicals in Scott County and Camp Fire Heart of Iowa, both received funding so corps members could do self-sufficiency work with refugees.

Since 1993, when AmeriCorps was created in the National and Community Service Trust Act signed by President Bill Clinton, the program enjoyed bipartisan support in Congress, sending tens of thousands of corps members into American communities.

The abrupt end this month to funding for AmeriCorps programs in all 50 states, several territories and Washington, D.C., promises to shutter more than 1,000 programs and end service opportunities for more than 32,000 AmeriCorps workers, according to America’s Service Commissions, the nonprofit that represents AmeriCorps’ state and territorial service commissions.

Chad Driscoll, training and technical assistance manager for the ASC and a Bondurant City Council member, is among those urging Iowans to contact their congressional delegation to protect the national service program.

Driscoll could not be reached April 30 for comment.

The White House, when it rescinded an estimated $400 million in remaining federal funding this month, cited “improper” payments totaling over $40 million to AmeriCorps, which already had been reported and largely addressed. About 85% of its 500 employees were sent home, uncertain of the program’s future.

Iowa Department of Health and Human Services, which also lost AmeriCorps funding, said the money was rescinded “in an effort by the federal government to rebuild the program,” according to Alex Murphy, communications director. “Iowa HHS is reviewing the areas impacted and determining what priority programming can be absorbed elsewhere.”

The cuts prompted about two-dozen states, including Illinois, Wisconsin and Minnesota, to sue the Trump administration for cancelling grants worth millions for projects across the country from the independent federal agency. It alleges DOGE illegally reneged on $557 million in congressionally approved funding this year. The state of Iowa is not a part of that federal lawsuit.

The lawsuit alleges shutting down AmeriCorps violates both the Administrative Procedures Act and the separation of powers under the U.S. Constitution.

“Congress has created AmeriCorps and the programs it administers, and the president cannot incapacitate the agency’s ability to administer appropriated grants or carry out statutorily assigned duties. Further, by dismantling AmeriCorps and its programs, which are creatures of Congress, the Trump administration has violated the executive branch’s obligation to take care that the law is faithfully executed,” a press release issued by Minnesota’s attorney general says.

At stake for those serving in AmeriCorps positions in Iowa were promised stipends and access to certain student loans. Those in AmeriCorps’ National Civilian Community Corps received basic expenses and housing for roughly 10 months of service.

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Iowa

Addy Brown tallies triple-double as Iowa State women beat Norfolk State

Published

17 hours ago

November 16, 2025

Press Room

Addy Brown tallies triple-double as Iowa State women beat Norfolk State

AMES – As Addy Brown reached her outstretched arms over Iowa State teammate Arianna Jackson in the fourth quarter and grabbed her 10th rebound of the game, the Hilton Coliseum fans rose to their feet to cheer and celebrate a historic performance.

Brown’s fourth-quarter rebound was the final thing she needed to tally the Cyclones’ first triple-double in more than a decade. She finished with 11 points, 10 rebounds and 11 assists as No. 18 Iowa State rolled to a 98-52 win over Norfolk State on Nov. 16.

The triple-double was Iowa State’s first since Nikki Moody accomplished the feat on Nov. 29, 2014 against Wyoming. Brown, one of Iowa State’s most versatile players, has come within striking distance in the past but couldn’t accomplish the feat until Sunday.

Brown entered the fourth quarter with nine points, 10 assists and eight rebounds. Her teammates quickly made sure she had a shot at history, finding her for a quick basket early in the final frame. Brown then corralled a quick rebound for her ninth of the game.

No. 10 game came with a defensive rebound with 9 minutes and 5 seconds remaining, as she and Jackson went up to grab a miss. Brown, to the excitement of fans, secured it.

Shortly after, Brown checked out of the game to a giant ovation from the fans. Her teammates, waiting for her on the bench, cheered her on as well.

Audi Crooks, who poured in a single-game school record 43 points in Iowa State’s previous game, finished Sunday’s contest with 19 points and 10 rebounds. Crooks was perfect from the field, connecting on all eight of her shot attempts before checking out early in the fourth quarter.

The Cyclones improved to 5-0 for the first time since the 2022-23 season. That team went on to win a Big 12 Conference Tournament title and play in the NCAA Tournament.

But the star of the show was Brown, who connected on 5-of-9 shots from the field in 26 minutes of action. The day was a big one from start to finish for her. It began with Brown being honored prior to the start of the game for reaching the 1,000-point plateau during Iowa State’s previous contest.

Tommy Birch, the Register’s sports enterprise and features reporter, has been working at the newspaper since 2008. He’s the 2018, 2020 and 2023 Iowa Sportswriter of the Year. Reach him at tbirch@dmreg.com or 515-284-8468.

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USC survived a dogfight vs. Iowa — now the biggest test of Lincoln Riley’s tenure awaits

Published

1 day ago

November 15, 2025

Press Room

USC survived a dogfight vs. Iowa — now the biggest test of Lincoln Riley’s tenure awaits

LOS ANGELES — As Lincoln Riley walked toward the Coliseum tunnel following USC’s gritty, 26-21 comeback win against 21st-ranked Iowa, he shared an animated embrace with Trojans offensive coordinator Luke Huard.

Riley was more fired up than usual, and understandably so. The Trojans’ physicality and toughness have been questioned ever since he took the job four years ago.

And after USC fell behind by 14 points in the first half — tied for its largest deficit of the season — it demonstrated the sort of toughness and resilience it’s often lacked during Riley’s tenure. The Trojans got off the mat after the Hawkeyes knocked them down in the first half and scored the game’s final 19 points.

fire us up coach 😤‼️ pic.twitter.com/qtLnYt8oyk
— USC Football ✌️ (@uscfb) November 16, 2025
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“Culture win right there, man, if there ever was one,” Riley said.

Now that USC (8-2, 6-1 Big Ten) survived that dogfight, all that awaits is one of the biggest games of Riley’s tenure when USC travels to eighth-ranked Oregon next week. Win and a trip to the College Football Playoff seems likely — in the 80 percent range, according to Austin Mock’s model. Lose, and the season could still be viewed as a positive step forward, if USC finishes 9-3, but that would be four years under Riley without a Playoff appearance.

On Saturday, USC narrowly defeated the same Iowa team that Oregon barely beat the week before. But the Trojans will likely enter next week’s matchup in Eugene — a place where they haven’t won since 2011 — as a considerable underdog.

On Saturday afternoon, the concerns were all on display in the first half. They resided where they usually do under Riley: on defense.

Even though rain was falling throughout the afternoon in the Coliseum, Iowa still felt confident enough to attack USC’s secondary down the field, and it had success early on. That’s with an offense that ranked 133rd nationally in passing yards per game.

Iowa had a good amount of success on the ground, too, finishing with 183 rushing yards and on a 5.5-yard average.

A team like Oregon, balanced on offense, figures to stress USC’s defense in much more significant fashion next weekend.

But give credit to the defense and coordinator D’Anton Lynn for the second-half play. The Trojans shut out Iowa over the final two quarters and have given up just six second-half points over the past three weeks.

It also did that without safeties Kamari Ramsey and Bishop Fitzgerald, who were banged up during the game.

“We just keep coming and we have all year,” Riley said. “That was a big, big time win. Team win. To come back and get that done was a really cool feeling.”

While the defense did its part, the Trojans won this game largely because they have two of the best wide receivers in the country in Makai Lemon and Ja’Kobi Lane, a pair that applies a ton of pressure on opposing defenses. It’s also the reason this team has a puncher’s chance in every game it plays.

Iowa’s defense is great and entered the game ranked sixth nationally in scoring (13.7 ppg) and seventh in yards per play allowed (4.3). That’s impressive, but Lemon and Lane rendered those stats meaningless.

Lemon had receptions of 12, 24, 26 and 35 yards in the second half and caught a third-quarter touchdown. Lane had receptions of 10, 12 and 14 yards in the third quarter and drew a 15-yard pass interference penalty in the fourth.

Iowa’s defense didn’t even play that poorly. The Hawkeyes defensive backs were in good position a majority of the time. Lane and Lemon were just better, and that’s what spearheaded the comeback.

Makai Lemon isn’t the biggest dude. Catch radius is pretty small. But if it’s in the radius, it’s his. That matters, too
Kid’s a stud pic.twitter.com/DsxO3IDwgw
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— Trevor Sikkema (@TampaBayTre) November 15, 2025

Lemon finished with 10 receptions (on 11 targets) for 153 yards and a touchdown. Lane had seven for 65 yards. Quarterback Jayden Maiava completed 23 of 32 pass attempts for 254 yards and one touchdown. Most importantly, he protected the football, which will be key against Oregon. USC has committed costly turnovers in its two losses (at Illinois and at Notre Dame) this season.

Running back King Miller added 83 yards on the ground. And there was some good news on the injury front. Waymond Jordan, the team’s No. 1 back, didn’t play but was listed as questionable — a sign of progress after he missed the previous three games with an ankle injury sustained against Michigan.

The status of left tackle Elijah Paige, who left the game in the first half with an undisclosed injury, will be worth monitoring this week. USC’s offensive line was fine in his absence, but Oregon’s defensive front will pose a very difficult challenge.

Next week will be the biggest game USC has played since the 2022 Pac-12 title game in Riley’s first season. That was a Trojan team that overachieved after a 4-8 season the year before. Even though USC lost to Utah in Las Vegas that night, it felt as though the program would have more chances to reach the Playoff in the coming years.

Two massively underwhelming seasons followed and showed just how difficult it might be for USC to get over that hump.

The stakes next week couldn’t be higher. It’s a chance for Riley to make a statement after losing some of his shine the past few years.

Linebacker Eric Gentry is one of the few holdovers from that 2022 team that fell just short of a Playoff trip.

“It’s a one-week season,” Gentry said after beating Iowa. “So it’s win or go home right now, and there (isn’t) a go home. We’ve got to win. I think the whole team is understanding of what the culture is. Just fight to the last second, not in denial or feel like something bad is going to happen. Coach (Riley) said: ‘Don’t hope for (anything). Make it happen.’”

The odds will be against USC next week in Autzen Stadium. But these are the games Riley was brought to Los Angeles to win. Now it’s up to him and the Trojans to finally make it happen.

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