Iowa

Iowa bill looks to ‘sever’ state’s remaining ties to greyhound racing

Published

4 months ago

January 21, 2026

Iowa bill looks to ‘sever’ state’s remaining ties to greyhound racing

Iowa’s licensed casinos would be banned from allowing simulcast greyhound races under a bill moving forward in the Iowa Senate, potentially ending the state’s remaining ties to the almost-extinct industry.

The bill, Senate Study Bill 3002, would remove the Iowa Racing and Gaming Commission’s authority to issue licenses permitting facilities to allow simulcast dog races starting July 1, 2027. It advanced in a Senate subcommittee hearing on Tuesday, Jan. 20.

The state’s last surviving greyhound racing track, the Iowa Greyhound Park at Q Casino in Dubuque, closed in 2022. It was among the last remaining live racing tracks in the nation. West Virginia is now the only state that has any live tracks, and dog racing is illegal in 44 states.

The closure of Iowa Greyhound Park followed many others around the country, as animal-welfare activists have raised objections to the treatment of racing dogs. The number of Iowa breeders had dwindled and a few had been in legal trouble.

Florida voters moved to ban greyhound racing by 2021, though the state had the most live racing tracks in the country at the time — accelerating the industry’s decline.

Only Prairie Meadows Racetrack and Casino in Altoona, the Wild Rose Casino and Resort in Clinton and Horseshoe Council Bluffs operated by Caesars Entertainment offer simulcast dog racing. In 2024, the most recent data available, those facilities recorded $2.4 million combined bet on simulcast dog racing.

In 2014, former Gov. Terry Branstad signed a law that allowed two Iowa casinos to get out of greyhound racing as casinos had complained they were subsidizing a dying business. It shuttered the Bluffs Run track in Council Bluffs in 2015 and shifted management of the Greyhound Park in Dubuque from the casino to the Iowa Greyhound Association.

Sen. Ken Rozenboom, R-Pella, said he only recently learned that legislation didn’t entirely erase ties to dog racing at Iowa’s casinos.

“The dog racing industry has fallen in disfavor around the country,” Rozenboom told the Des Moines Register. “It’s clearly not a popular thing anymore. And in my view, it’s time to, at the state of Iowa, completely sever any relationship we have with greyhound racing.”

As written, lobbyists representing casino operators that simulcast dog racing believe the bill would only affect the Clinton casino, which is governed under a different code section than the other two facilities.

Rozenboom said he would look to tweak the bill’s language to reflect his intention to implement a ban of simulcast dog racing at all of Iowa’s licensed casinos.

Animal welfare advocates say industry is not ‘forward looking’

Animal welfare advocacy groups including Humane World for Animals, Animal Rescue League Iowa and GREY2K USA Worldwide supported the legislation.

Carey Thiel, executive director of GREY2K USA Worldwide, which advocates to end dog racing, said Iowa lawmakers should advance the proposal because of the dog racing industry’s animal welfare problems. He said greyhounds sustain injuries that are sometimes fatal, are confined in small cages and use live rabbits for training.

He said Iowa’s 2014 bill signaled this industry should not be supported and thought that allowing simulcast dog races was a “loophole” left in the law.

U.S. Rep. Zach Nunn, a Republican who represents south-central Iowa’s 3rd Congressional District including Des Moines, introduced a federal bill that looks to close such loopholes. It would implement a national ban on greyhound racing, prohibit gambling on live and simulcast greyhound races and outlaw the export of American greyhounds for racing abroad.

“This is not an industry that is a forward-looking industry,” Thiel said. “… This is an industry that’s going to go away.”

Some casino operators push to preserve simulcast dog racing revenue

Lobbyists for the Horsemen’s Benevolent and Protective Association, Iowa Thoroughbred Breeders and Owners Association, Wild Rose Entertainment and Caesars opposed the legislation. Prairie Meadows is registered as undecided because the way the bill is written doesn’t affect the facility.

Jon Moss, executive director of the Iowa Horsemen’s Benevolent & Protective Association, disputed that this allowance was a “loophole.”

He raised concerns about the thousands of dollars in revenue that would no longer flow to West Virginia’s remaining two live dog racing tracks or to the Horsemen of Iowa Simulcasting Association. The association, which is its own standalone entity launched in 2023 as simulcasting waned at brick-and-mortar-facilities, has an agreement only with the Clinton facility.

“It’s not just a little hit or slap on the wrist to the operations of West Virginia,” Moss said. “It’s a death knell to the simulcasting operation operating currently.”

Jeff Boeyink, a lobbyist representing Wild Rose, said the Clinton facility has received lots of traffic from Dubuque since its casino ended simulcast dog racing.

“Contrary to popular belief, not all casino businesses in Iowa are robust and have large margins, particularly in places like Clinton,” Boeyink said. “Margins tend to be relatively thin, and so every amenity that you have that brings patrons into the business is meaningful to you.”

Senator has ‘goal to get this over the finish line’

Rozenboom, who fundamentally opposes gambling and is chair of the Senate State Government Committee taking up this bill, said that revenue is money “out of Iowans’ pockets, some whom probably can’t afford it.”

“I will be sensitive to concerns expressed, but I certainly have a goal to get this over the finish line,” Rozenboom said.

Sen. Jason Schultz, R-Schleswig, wanted more information but supported advancing the measure out of subcommittee but said “that’s not a promise of support going forward.”

Sen. Catelin Drey, D-Sioux City, did not sign off on the measure because she wanted to better understand the proposal’s impact.

The legislation heads to the full Senate State Government Committee for further consideration.

Marissa Payne covers the Iowa Statehouse and politics for the Register. Reach her by email at mjpayne@registermedia.com. Follow her on X at @marissajpayne.

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Iowa

Iowa Lottery Mega Millions, Pick 3 Midday results for May 8, 2026

Published

5 hours ago

May 9, 2026

Press Room

The Iowa Lottery offers several draw games for those aiming to win big with rewards ranging from $1,000 to millions. The most an Iowan has ever won from playing the lottery was $343 million in 2018 off the Powerball.

Don’t miss out on the winnings. Here’s a look at Friday, May 8, 2026, winning numbers for each game:

Winning Mega Millions numbers from May 8 drawing

37-47-49-51-58, Mega Ball: 16

Check Mega Millions payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Pick-3 numbers from May 8 drawing

Midday: 0-5-8

Evening: 9-9-2

Check Pick-3 payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Pick-4 numbers from May 8 drawing

Midday: 0-2-7-3

Evening: 0-7-0-6

Check Pick-4 payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Millionaire for Life numbers from May 8 drawing

14-16-21-43-51, Bonus: 03

Check Millionaire for Life payouts and previous drawings here.

Feeling lucky? Explore the latest lottery news & results

When are the Iowa Lottery drawings held?

Powerball: 9:59 p.m. CT on Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday.
Mega Millions: 10:00 p.m. CT on Tuesday and Friday.
Lotto America: 9:15 p.m. CT on Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday.
Lucky for Life: 9:38 p.m. CT daily.
Pick 3 (Day): 12:20 p.m. CT daily.
Pick 3 (Evening): 10:00 p.m. CT daily.
Pick 4 (Day): 12:20 p.m. CT daily.
Pick 4 (Evening): 10:00 p.m. CT daily.
Millionaire for Life: 10:15 p.m. CT daily.

This results page was generated automatically using information from TinBu and a template written and reviewed by an Iowa editor. You can send feedback using this form.

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Iowa

Iowa SNAP restrictions raise concerns over confusion, impact on summer food aid

Published

17 hours ago

May 8, 2026

Press Room

Iowa SNAP restrictions raise concerns over confusion, impact on summer food aid

IOWA — Iowa’s new restrictions on SNAP benefits are drawing concern from advocates who say the changes could make it harder for families to buy food and could put future summer assistance for children at risk.

The state’s SNAP waiver took effect January 1, 2026, limiting what items can be purchased based on Iowa’s taxable food list. While that includes widely discussed restrictions on soda and candy, the policy also affects certain prepared foods, creating confusion for shoppers.

“Something as small as whether or not a utensil is included in a food item actually impacts whether or not you can continue to purchase that item using your SNAP benefits,” Paige Chickering, Iowa State Manager for the Save the Children Action Network, said.

Advocates say the rules can be difficult to navigate, especially for people relying on quick meals. Items like prepackaged salads or sandwiches may or may not qualify depending on how they are packaged.

At the same time, new legislation slated for the next session at the statehouse could make those restrictions more permanent by requiring Iowa to continue seeking federal approval for the waiver.

That’s raising additional concerns about the future of Summer EBT, also known as “Sun Bucks,” which provides food assistance to children when school is out.

“This makes that food assistance dependent on a decision made in Washington, D.C. that is just arbitrary and not really dependent on the needs of Iowans and Iowa children,” Chickering said.

The program is expected to help around 220,000 children in Iowa during the summer months. Advocates worry leaving it up to federal approval of the waiver could jeopardize that support if policies change. They also point out that SNAP plays a major role in addressing hunger compared to other resources.

“We know that for every one meal provided by an emergency feeding organization, SNAP provides nine,” Chickering said.

Advocates say they support improving nutrition but argue there are more effective, evidence based ways to do that without limiting food choices.

For now, organizations across Iowa are working to help families understand the new rules, while also pushing lawmakers to reconsider how the policy could impact food access moving forward.

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Iowa

Harkin backs Turek for Iowa Senate

Published

1 day ago

May 8, 2026

Press Room

Scoop: Iowa Democratic state Rep. Josh Turek snagged a major endorsement for his Senate bid from former Sen. Tom Harkin.

Harkin, who retired in 2015, was the last Democrat to represent Iowa in the Senate. Turek is locked in a competitive primary with state Sen. Zach Wahls in a race that has divided major factions of the Democratic Party.

“I have a pretty good idea of what it takes to win an election, and then to faithfully represent all Iowans, not just those who voted for you,” Harkin said in his endorsement. “That’s why I’m supporting Josh Turek.”

Harkin served in the Senate for 30 years and is the author of the Americans with Disabilities Act. Turek, who was born with spina bifida and uses a wheelchair, was 11 when the ADA was enacted.

Harkin is a widely sought after endorsement in the Hawkeye State. His decision to wade into the race is notable because Harkin also has a relationship with Wahls.

Wahls called Harkin “one of my closest political mentors,” and said the former senator officiated his wedding in 2021.

Iowa’s Senate primaries are June 2.

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