Iowa
Iowa bill would create legal immunity for pesticide manufacturers
DES MOINES — Iowa Senate lawmakers advanced, for the second time, a bill that would protect chemical manufacturers from lawsuits over failure to warn consumers about potential adverse health effects.
The bill, Senate Study Bill 3188, was supported by Bayer, the manufacturer of the glyphosate-based herbicide Roundup. Bayer has been hit by lawsuits from individuals claiming it failed to warn consumers of the potential health risks of Roundup.
The company has won some lawsuits against individuals alleging Roundup caused their cancer, but in other cases it has been found liable. Bayer spent more than $10 billion settling most pending claims in 2020.
Under the bill, pesticide manufacturers could not be held liable for failing to warn consumers about adverse health effects in a way that exceeds the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency labeling requirements. The bill stipulates that the immunity would not apply to Chinese state-owned companies, singling out the massive agriculture and chemical company Syngenta.
The bill was advanced by the two Republicans on a three-member subcommittee Monday. It is eligible for a hearing in the full Senate Appropriations Committee.
Bayer purchased the Roundup maker Monsanto in 2018. The company has multiple crop science plants in Iowa, including a plant in Muscatine that manufactures Roundup.
Lobbyists for Bayer and major farm groups supported the bill and told lawmakers on Monday it would prevent unfounded lawsuits against the company, which creates a vital tool for farmers.
Brad Epperly, a lobbyist for Bayer, said existing law and EPA regulations prevent Bayer from providing warnings that exceed EPA requirements. He said complying with EPA rules satisfies the company’s duty to warn.
Bayer has said it will seek a U.S. Supreme Court ruling to determine whether state-level duty-to-warn claims are preempted by federal law. A federal appeals court in February decided that those claims can be considered, and allowed a lawsuit to go forward.
“We are not in a position where we can make that kind of warning,” he said. “There’s no regulatory body in the entire world who finds this carcinogenic.”
Debate over Roundup health risk
Glyphosate-based herbicides like Roundup have received significant scrutiny over health claims. The EPA found glyphosate is “not likely” to be carcinogenic and has determined there are no “risks of concern to human health,” but a U.S. appeals court in 2022 vacated those findings for procedural reasons and required the agency to reconsider.
A World Health Organization cancer agency found glyphosate in 2015 to be “probably carcinogenic to humans,” but European Union regulators have found that there was not sufficient evidence for that categorization.
Environmental groups and some individuals objected to the bill, saying it would take away the ability of farmers to seek compensation when a company sells dangerous chemicals without proper warning.
Alicia Vasto, the water program director for the Iowa Environmental Council, said that there have been other chemicals approved by the EPA that were later found to be dangerous.
“This bill would prevent Iowa farmers and rural residents from seeking justice in the future,” Vasto said. “Time and time again, research has uncovered the dangers of pesticide after the EPA has declared a product safe for use.”
Bill would exempt Chinese-owned companies
A similar bill made it partway through the lawmaking process this year before failing to pass out of either chamber before a deadline. The new bill adds language exempting Chinese-owned companies from immunity.
A lobbyist for Syngenta, which is owned by the Chinese state-owned enterprise ChemChina, called the bill “discriminatory.” Kellie Paschke, representing Iowa trial lawyers, said the provision may be unconstitutional.
Sen. Mark Costello, R-Imogene, who is a farmer, said he’s concerned that if Bayer receives too many punitive court rulings related to Roundup, farmers could lose access to the product. Costello said consumers could still sue the company over specific harms, just not over a duty to warn.
“If they find out they’ve been lying to us or misrepresenting things, or if it ends up that it really is dangerous, and it’s proven, then they can still sue under this statute,” he said.
Sen. Bill Dotzler, a Democrat from Waterloo, declined to advance the bill. He said he thinks there’s evidence that Roundup contributes to instances of non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma and other cancers.
“I think the label should say some kind of warning that this could affect your health,” he said.
While most of the focus for the Iowa State Cyclones will be on the football program for the next couple of months, the basketball program will also be getting set soon for a new campaign. Coming off a strong season, expectations for them will be high.
The 2025-26 season will go down as a memorable one for the Cyclones. This was a team that exceeded most expectations and ended up being one of the best teams in the country.
Iowa State started out the campaign with a 16-0 record, and the group looked like a real contender. While there were some hiccups during a challenging conference schedule, the Cyclones were one of the best teams in the country.
In March Madness, Iowa State was a number two seed, proving to be one of the top eight teams in the country. As they get set for next season, their goal will undoubtedly be to be ranked highly again. However, they may have to prove themselves a bit.
Joe Lunardi of ESPN recently updated his very early bracketology report for the upcoming 2026-27 campaign for the Cyclones. After being a number two seed last year in the NCAA Tournament, he currently has them on the five line.
Iowa State Has Work To Do
While being a five seed in the NCAA Tournament would indicate a Top 25 season for the Cyclones, expectations for the program are higher than that at this point.
Iowa State has become one of the more consistent programs in the country over the last several years, and they will undoubtedly want to take a step forward this coming season.
Due to a lot of production leaving, it is understandable that how they are viewed now could be very different from how they are perceived come March. Due to all of the new players that are coming in, it is going to take time for them to gel.
The Cyclones have a few key returning players led by Killyan Toure, Jamarion Batemon, and Blake Buchanan. Both Toure and Buchanan were starters for the team last season, and that should remain the same this year. However, Batemon also played a significant role coming off the bench, and his scoring ability might put him next to Toure in the starting lineup this coming year.
Overall, while the team did lose a lot of production, they have a good amount of depth with the new players coming in and some key freshmen returning. If things go right and the team gels quickly, they should be better than a five seed.
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Iowa State coach T.J. Otzelberger on Tre Singleton player comparisons
Iowa State coach T.J. Otzelberger on Tre Singleton player comparisons
It didn’t take Tre Singleton long to learn the lesson that has dawned on so many Iowa State basketball transfers before him.
“There’s not much to do around Ames,” the Northwestern transplant said July 14, “besides get better and be good at basketball.”
Perhaps not a slogan the Ames Chamber of Commerce will be adopting any time soon, but a sentiment – and, maybe, self-fulfilling prophecy – that the Cyclones themselves have turned into something of a brand, going back to the early days of Fred Hoiberg’s Transfer U tenure.
Get in the lab. Get better. Get wins.
Repeat.
“Cut all the distractions,” Singleton said of the setup. “It helps you key in on the things you need to work on to get better at.
“It helps me come in here every day with the focus of being better.”
That’s a focus Iowa State and its fans hope they’ll be able to appreciate this winter when Singleton is expected to take on a significant role for a Cyclones team that will reconfigure itself after losing three starters off last year’s Sweet 16 squad.
Most notably, Singleton has the look and feel of a Joshua Jefferson approximation. At least in terms of style and role. Expecting a transfer coming off a promising, but certainly not elite freshman season to just slide into the spot previously occupied by an All-American and first-round NBA Draft pick would probably be … unwise.
“I think it’s best to stay away from any comparisons to other guys because Tre needs to be the best version of himself,” said Iowa State coach T.J. Otzelberger. “There’s differences between him and Joshua, even though I know there’s a natural inclination to draw that comparison.”
That natural inclination comes from their similar size (both 6-foot-8 though Jefferson has 30 pounds on 215-pound Singleton), versatility as playmaking power forwards, ability to rebound and high-IQ play.
I think the expectation for Singleton (and Iowa State fans) is to see if the sophomore can operate in that same Jefferson role, if not with the same sort of production and overall impact.
“We see him as somebody who can create advantages for us offensively to make plays,” Otzelberger said. “He’s a gifted passer. He takes a lot of pride in making the right play.”
I think the high-end hope would be that Singleton can approach that Jeffersonian impact in a year or two.
“Tre,” Otzelberger said, “is a very gifted player.”
Singleton’s bet on Iowa State’s development model and the Cyclones’ bet on Singleton to maximize it seems like the sort of transfer portal match that’s often overlooked amid doom-and-gloom bellyaching about player movement.
I’m sure the dozens (dozens!) of Northwestern hoops fans would disagree, but Singleton’s move from a middling Big Ten program with a sparse NBA track record to a Big 12 contender with a strong developmental program seems like not only an inoffensive use of the portal but one that rewards both ascendant players and programs.
We’ll see how it plays out, but Singleton and Iowa State feels like a win-win marriage of skillset, opportunity and culture.
“I chose Iowa State,” Singleton said, “because it fits me as a person. “
Besides, Evanston has the lakeshore and a world-class city 20 miles away. Which, sure, I’d call amenities, but aspiring NBA players might consider distractions.
You take your wins where you can get them, I suppose.
Iowa State columnist Travis Hines has covered the Cyclones for the Des Moines Register and Ames Tribune since 2012. Contact him at thines@amestrib.com or (515) 284-8000. Follow him on X at @TravisHines21.
See the unique cotton candy art at the Iowa State Fair
Cotton candy has been a popular treat at the State Fair for decades, but one family is pushing the fluffy limit on the sweet classic.
It’s all about the food at the Iowa State Fair, and a panel of judges has named their top new foods coming to the fair in 2026.
From an initial list of 84 entries, the field was narrowed to 11 contenders. Judges tasted each of the 11 new foods and voted for three finalists during a Facebook livestream event from the fairgrounds on Tuesday, July 14.
Those three will compete for fairgoers’ votes for the 2026 Best New Food at the Iowa State Fair.
Last year, Winn & Sara’s Kitchen’s bacon chicken ranch eggroll took home the top honor.
These three finalists will face off in public voting Aug. 13-19 at the Iowa State Fair. The winner will be announced Aug. 21.
What are the top three new foods at the 2026 Iowa State Fair?
All-American Scrambled Egg Roll
Winn & Sara’s Kitchen will try for its third-straight win with a breakfast offering. The All-American Scrambled Egg Roll is stuffed with bacon, sausage, hash browns, eggs and cheddar, finished with cheesy ranch.
- Cost: $15
- Vendor: Winn & Sara’s Kitchen
- Where: Next to the craft beer tent, west of the Jacobson Building
Porky Parm Gnocchi
The Pork Parm Gnocchi features gluten-free potato gnocchi with sausage, parmesan cream and pesto. It’s topped with an America 250 flag and a suvenir piggy pal.
- Cost: $14
- Vendor: Destination Grille
- Where: Between the Jacobson Building and the Craft Beer Tent
Ultimate Minneapple Pie
An offering from a Minnesota State Fair vendor making its first Iowa State Fair appearance, the Ultimate Minneapple Pie includes fried apple pie with ice cream and apple syrup.
- Cost: $14
- Vendor: Minneapple Pie
- Where: Near the Anne and Bill Riley Stage
More standout new foods at the 2026 fair
Here are the eight other items that rounded out the top 11:
- 1776 Dubai Strawberries from The Strawberry Station, $19. Fresh strawberries topped with milk chocolate, pistachio crème and crunchy kataifi. Find it at West Marketplace.
- Cajun Cluck ’N’ Chaos from Cluckin’ Coop, $14. Cajun chicken sloppy joe with slaw, spicy pickles, pickled egg and pickle cotton candy. This lunch-cafeteria special is served right across the street from the Animal Learning Center at Little Hands on the Farm.
- Crunchy Lamb Wrap from HoQ, $19. Deep‑fried naan stuffed with risotto, lamb and cheese. Located east of the Administration Building.
- Garlic Dill Pickle Cheese Curds from Brad and Harry’s Cheese Curds, $9. Garlic‑dill mashup curds. You can find Brad and Harry’s Cheese Curds west of the Jacobson Building.
- Star Spangled Swine from Whatcha Smokin’ BBQ, $15. Pork belly with apple‑chipotle rub and honey crystals. Located next to the Iowa craft beer tent, west of the Jacobson Building.
- Strawberry Bliss from Iowa Specialty Crop Growers Association, $8. Shortbread, strawberry, meringue and milk chocolate. Located in the Agriculture Building, under the southwest stairs.
- Stuffed Tater Kegs from Tater Todd and Hot Doug’s, $10. Loaded potato bites with breakfast or cheese options. Located in front of the Agriculture Building.
- Sweet Americana from Over the Top, $13. Strawberry shortcake, lemon bar and blueberry crisp ice creams. Over the Top’s stand is on Grand Avenue, just outside the Varied Industries Building.
Previous winners of Best New Foods at the Iowa State Fair
- 2013: Zag’s Po Boys — Shrimp Corn Dog
- 2014: Multiple vendors — Funnel Cake on a Stick
- 2015: The Rib Shack — Ultimate Bacon Brisket Bomb
- 2016: Iowa Turkey Federation — Not Your Mamma’s Taco
- 2017: Steer ‘N’ Stein — Pork Almighty
- 2018: Applishus — Apple Eggroll
- 2019: G Mig’s Wrap Stand — Georgie’s Roast with the Most Wrap
- 2020: No fair due to COVID-19
- 2021: Cluckin’ Coop by the Iowa Egg Council/Iowa Poultry Association — Chicken Egg Salad with Fry Bread
- 2022: The Rib Shack — The Finisher
- 2023: What’s Your Cheez — Deep-Fried Bacon Brisket Mac-n-Cheese Grilled Cheese
- 2024: Winn & Sara’s Kitchen — Bacon Cheeseburger Eggroll
- 2025: Winn & Sara’s Kitchen — Bacon chicken ranch Eggroll
Cooper Worth is a service/trending reporter for the Des Moines Register. Reach him at cworth@gannett.com or follow him on X @CooperAWorth.
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