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Election 2024: How changes to Iowa education could drive voter turnout

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Election 2024: How changes to Iowa education could drive voter turnout


DES MOINES, Iowa (Gray Television Iowa Capitol Bureau) – Since the last election, Iowa lawmakers have passed sweeping changes to education. That includes creating private school vouchers, banning books that depict sex acts from school libraries, and restructuring of the Area Education Agency system.

Democrats are trying to use these changes to try and win back seats in the legislature.

At the Iowa Democratic Party’s Liberty and Justice Celebration Saturday, Democrats centered their speeches mainly around education and abortion.

Retiring Iowa Senate Minority Leader Pam Jochum said, “I know first-hand how important the Area Education Agencies are to every child and every family who has a child with special needs. You never mess with Mama Bear.”

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Iowa House Minority Leader Jennifer Konfrst said, “Iowans hate vouchers and we’re going to make ‘em pay.”

IDP Chair Rita Hart said, “Iowa Democrats value our educators and we are ready to go to bat for you.”

University of Iowa Political Science Professor Tim Hagle says in this election, No Party voters will make the difference. “Those No Party voters by and large tend to focus on, you know, the kitchen table issues. Jobs, the economy, healthcare but also kids. And especially if you’re talking about how their kids are going to be doing in school,” Hagle said.

Hagle says he expects Democrats to make the case that due to these changes passed by Republicans, schools are in tough shape. If voters buy that message, he says they could have some success.

But – Hagle says Republicans will try to appeal to No Party voters as well. “Republicans are going to make counter argument saying, ‘Well, the reorganization of the AEAs was needed and the voucher program provides education opportunities for, you know, kids that may be in schools that don’t aren’t a good fit for them for whatever reason,” Hagle said.

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Hagle says 40% of Iowans are registered as Republican, 30% are registered as Democrat, and another 30% are no party.

Hagle says Republicans are doing a better job at registering new voters than Democrats. “The last couple cycles, Republicans have done very well in terms of new party registrations and party switches which is why they have the plurality at this time,” Hagle said.

Hagle also adds that Iowans like incumbent lawmakers and aren’t likely to vote them out unless they’ve done something wrong.

Conner Hendricks covers state government and politics for Gray Television-owned stations in Iowa. Email him at conner.hendricks@gray.tv; and follow him on Facebook at Conner Hendricks TV or on X/Twitter @ConnerReports.

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Two Iowans sentenced to prison for creating child pornography

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Two Iowans sentenced to prison for creating child pornography


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Two Iowans will spend decades in federal prison after pleading guilty to separate child exploitation offenses.

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Martin Menjivar, 59, of Iowa City, was sentenced Thursday, March 26, to 42 years in prison after pleading guilty to sexual exploitation of a child and child pornography possession. It comes days after Pry’Shayn Mosley, 21, of Fort Dodge was sentenced to 25 years for exploitation and receipt of child pornography.

Iowa City man picked up children from school, abused them

Menjivar, a citizen of Honduras, was charged in May 2025. In court filings, prosecutors say Menjivar was entrusted to pick up children, some as young as 5, from their elementary school and bring them to his wife’s home for after-school babysitting. In at least two cases, Mejivar used that access to get children alone and touch them inappropriately, recording the interaction on video.

Investigators reportedly found dozens of illicit images and videos on Menjivar’s electronic devices. Menjivar also previously worked as a school photographer in Honduras, and investigators found he had hundreds of photos from his former employment that focused on children’s clothed genitals.

“Defendant’s horrific actions of creating and collecting child pornography show violence against young, vulnerable children and a severe danger to the community,” prosecutors wrote in presentence filings.

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Menjivar also has been charged in Johnson County with second-degree sexual abuse against two different children, apparently in relation to the same conduct. That case remains pending, with a plea hearing scheduled in May.

Fort Dodge man gets 25 years for enticing children

Mosley, who was sentenced March 23, was charged in January 2025. Prosecutors alleged that in 2022, he enticed two minors to engage in sexually explicit conduct, photographed or recorded it, and distributed the resulting pornography to others, including additional children.

In addition, during a warrant search that located drugs, guns and electronic devices containing child pornography, Mosley tried to get a juvenile at the scene to conceal drugs from the investigators.

Mosley pleaded guilty to sexual exploitation and receiving child pornography. Additional drug, pornography and exploitation charges were dismissed as part of a plea deal.

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Menjivar was prosecuted by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Iowa, while Mosley’s case was handled by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Iowa. Attorneys for Menjivar and Mosley did not immediately return messages Thursday seeking comment.

William Morris covers courts for the Des Moines Register. He can be contacted at wrmorris2@registermedia.com or 715-573-8166.



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Jada Williams among eight Iowa State players headed to transfer portal

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Jada Williams among eight Iowa State players headed to transfer portal


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Iowa State’s first-round exit from the 2026 Women’s NCAA Tournament has triggered a mass exodus, with a reported eight players leaving the team to enter the transfer portal.

Junior forward Addy Brown announced her decision to “move on” from Iowa State and enter the transfer portal in a social media post on Tuesday, March 24.

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“This decision comes after a lot of thought about my future and goals,” Brown wrote in a post shared to social media. “While it’s never easy to move on, I believe this is the right step for me and I’m excited for what’s ahead as I continue to grow and chase my dreams.”

By Thursday, March. 26, several other players followed suit. Junior guard Jada Williams confirmed she’ll be “pursuing my dreams elsewhere” for her senior season. She added in a social media post, “Iowa State will always have a place in my heart and I’ll never forget the Iowa State way.”

Williams transferred to Iowa State for the 2025-26 season after playing for Arizona for the first two years of her career. William averaged career-highs in points (15.3), assists (7.7) and field goal percentage (41.7) in her lone season at Iowa State.

Iowa State freshman guard Reese Beaty, freshman guard Freya Jensen, sophomore guard Reagan Wilson, sophomore guard Aili Tanke, junior forward Alisa Williams and junior center Lilly Taulelei all intend to enter the transfer portal, according to On3’s Talia Goodman.

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The transfer portal opens on Monday, April 6, following the NCAA Tournament championship game on Sunday, April 5.

Could Iowa State junior center Audi Crooks be next? Crooks declined to answer whether she would return next season following Iowa State’s 72-63 loss to Syracuse on Saturday, March 21. She instead said, “We’re all still processing everything and just being there for each other right now is the priority. That’s the main thing, making sure everybody is mentally OK through this tough time.”

Crooks had 37 points (17-of-25 FG) and five rebounds in the losing effort against Syracuse.

Reach USA TODAY National Women’s Sports Reporter Cydney Henderson at chenderson@usatoday.com and follow her on X at@CydHenderson.

The USA TODAY app gets you to the heart of the news — fast. Download for award-winning coverage, crosswords, audio storytelling, the eNewspaper and more.

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