Iowa
Here’s the path forward to protecting Iowa farmers and Iowa property rights | Opinion
Iowa needs a compromised approach to eminent domain.
What is the Summit Carbon Solutions pipleine project?
Ames, Iowa-based Summit Carbon Solutions wants to build a pipeline across several states to trap carbon dioxide from ethanol plants and bury it.
Iowa has an important question to answer: How do we balance keeping Iowa’s farmers and ethanol industry competitive with the fundamental protection of private property? The proposed carbon capture pipelines, like Summit Carbon Solutions’, force this question into the forefront.
While those in favor of the pipeline view such projects as vital for Iowa’s ethanol industry, the reality is far more complex, driven by private gain and misdirected environmental concern.
The crux of the issue is the controversial use of eminent domain. Historically reserved for public infrastructure like roads and schools, its application for a private, for-profit pipeline has unfortunately been upheld in federal court. These projects are fueled by billions in federal 45Q tax credits, turning taxpayer dollars into private profits.
Even more concerning, a majority of the captured carbon is slated for Enhanced Oil Recovery (EOR), effectively using public subsidies to extract more fossil fuels — a practice that unequivocally undermines genuine carbon reduction goals and highlights the costly, inefficient nature of these pipelines for true climate action.
Yet, one must acknowledge the challenging position of Iowa’s ethanol industry. Facing competition and the necessity to access low-carbon fuel markets like California’s, our ethanol plants feel economically compelled to participate in these projects. It’s a bitter pill: being “forced to play the game” to remain competitive (some estimates calculate a reduction of $0.75 per bushel of corn without the pipeline), even if the means raise profound concerns about property rights — in addition to the aforementioned dubious utility of carbon capture pipelines. This is an unfortunate, but necessary Faustian bargain that must be carefully measured.
Iowa needs a compromised approach to eminent domain. First, mandate a high threshold of voluntary easements of 80% to 90% before eminent domain can be considered. This at least forces the opportunity for genuine negotiation and significantly strengthens landowners’ property rights. Given that these negotiations are frequently far from good faith, such a mandate is necessary.
Second, for the few remaining landowners facing condemnation (if that high threshold is met), mandate enhanced compensation, at least 125% of the appraised fair market value. “Fair market value” is almost always insufficient, failing to account for the long-term impacts on farming operations, soil health, or the inherent coercion of an involuntary taking. Drawing inspiration from models in other states, this multiplier ensures landowners are more justly compensated for contributing to a private entity’s profit, especially in a project whose viability is heavily subsidized by taxpayers.
This approach allows Iowa’s agricultural industries to remain competitive, while stemming eminent domain abuse. We must respect private property rights, keep Iowa’s ethanol industry competitive, and ensure that private gain does not come at the undue expense of Iowa’s landowners.
Michael Brixius is a pharmacist and the current Story County GOP organizational chair.
Two people are dead after a Dubuque bar fight escalated, with one man shooting another and then being killed by police.
An officer with the Dubuque Police Department was outside the Odd Fellows bar just before 1 a.m. Sunday, Jan. 4, when he witnessed a physical altercation, according to a news release from the Dubuque Police Department.
As the officer exited the patrol vehicle, an adult man allegedly used a handgun to shoot one of the people involved in the fight. The officer fired at the offender, who then ran into the bar.
The victim who was shot first was provided medical treatment by officers at the scene and then transported to MercyOne Hospital in Dubuque.
The offender was treated by police officers inside the bar and then transported to UnityPoint Finley Hospital.
Both were later pronounced dead.
The names of those involved are not being released at this time pending notification of family members.
The incident is being investigated by the Dubuque Police Department and the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation. The officer involved was not injured and has been placed on critical incident leave in accordance with the department’s policies.
Nick El Hajj is a reporter at the Register. He can be reached at nelhajj@gannett.com. Follow him on X at @nick_el_hajj.
With the season coming out of the holiday break, now is the perfect time to take a look at the top Iowa high school girls basketball players by grade.
These are just some of the top players in Iowa and not a complete list of all of them. Statistics are based on those uploaded to the Bound website by January 4, 2026.
Here are the top junior girls basketball players in Iowa high school basketball:
A high-level producer, Maggie McChesney heads into 2026 averaging 23.6 points, nine rebounds, 2.7 steals, 2.6 assists and over two blocks per game.
The next standout from North Union, Ainsley Ulrich is posting nearly 23 points with six rebounds, and over three steals a night.
Flirting with averaging a double-double is Izzy Gilbertson, as the junior stands at 21.7 points, 9.7 rebounds, four blocks, 3.6 steals and three assists.
Along with posting 20 points and grabbing six rebounds, Cora Sauer also adds four steals and three assists.
A big sophomore season has carried right over for Melina Snoozy, as she leads the Crusaders with 20 points, eight rebounds and 3.5 steals a night, along with averaging a block per game.
Up north is Riley Meyer, a 20-point scorer per game who adds six rebounds and two steals.
Sitting right under 20 points a night is Addy Wolfswinkel, as she is also averaging five rebounds, three assists and three steals.
A standout on both ends, Maryn Franken posts nearly 20 points and over eight rebounds per game with three steals and 1.4 blocks.
Following in the footsteps of Audi Crooks, Graclyn Eastman has been nearly unstoppable for the Golden Bears, scoring 19 points per game with nine rebounds, 3.5 steals, 2.6 blocks and two assists.
Another Maroon standout named Muller, Katie is scoring over 18 points per game with six rebounds, 3.5 assists and over a block and steal.
One of the top players in the North Central Conference, Hayden McLaughlin has taken over as the No. 1 option for the Bulldogs, scoring 17 points per game with nearly six rebounds and two steals.
The Hawks rely on KeaOnna Worley to do a lot, and she delivers nightly, scoring 16.5 points with nearly five assists, four rebounds and two steals.
The balanced Comets are led by Campbell Schulz, as the junior posts 14 points, 4.6 rebounds, four assists, three steals and nearly three blocks.
Forming a powerful 1-2 punch with Addy Wolfswinkel is Deidra Doeden, who averages 18 points and 13.5 rebounds per game.
Down low for North Mahaska is Natallya Linder, a nightly double-double at 15.7 points and 13 rebounds to go along with 2.6 steals, 2.3 assists and a block.
The last name has long been a staple for Pella Christian, and Rachel is carrying it on now, averaging 14 points, 11 rebounds, four assists, two steals and a block per game.
The forward is a threat all over the court for the Falcons, posting 18 points, 11.6 rebounds, two steals, two assists and a block.
Triple-doubles are in the future for Aniya Hardee, as she is averaging nine points, 8.2 rebounds, 7.6 assists and nearly five steals per game.
Penn State landed Iowa State’s pair of quarterbacks earlier Sunday, including starter Rocco Becht, in a splash move. Now, the Cyclones’ leading receiver is coming with them.
Wide receiver Brett Eskildsen committed to Penn State via the transfer portal, becoming the seventh Cyclone to join the Nittany Lions this weekend. He announced the move on social media.
Eskildsen recorded 30 receptions, 526 yards and five touchdowns as a sophomore in 2025. He also appeared in all 13 games as a freshman but made just two catches for 17 yards.
The 6-1, 200-pound wideout is from Frisco, Texas, and is a three-star in the 247Sports transfer rankings (No. 118 overall, No. 30 WR). He was a three-star out of high school as well, where he had more than 1,5000 career receiving yards.
Becht’s top man from 2026 is now in place. He’ll also be able to throw to standout Penn State freshman Koby Howard and quick youngster Tyseer Denmark, who have confirmed their returns thus far.
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