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Iowa Head Start programs await impact of federal overhaul

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3 weeks ago

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Iowa Head Start programs await impact of federal overhaul


DES MOINES, Iowa (Gray Media Iowa State Capitol Bureau) — Iowa Head Start programs serving thousands of low-income children are waiting to learn the full impact of a sweeping federal overhaul proposed by the Trump administration.

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services last week announced major changes to the program’s performance standards. If finalized, the proposal would shift regulation of Head Start from the federal government to individual states, affecting areas including nutrition standards, class sizes, teacher-to-student ratios, staff background checks, and parent input requirements.

Iowa’s Head Start and Early Head Start programs currently serve over 5,000 children statewide.

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Under the proposal, children would be required to follow HHS’s Make America Healthy Again guidelines for meal times, which include serving fresh whole foods and 30 minutes of physical activity for every three and a half hours. The plan would also change teacher-to-student ratios, resulting in larger class sizes, and would require English to be the only language used in the classroom, with an exception for tribal communities.

Drake University’s Head Start program, which serves more than 900 children and maintains a waitlist, could expand its 4-year-old classrooms to 24 students for two teachers under Iowa licensing rules. The program’s current ratio is one teacher for every eight students.

Lisa Proctor, director of Drake University’s Head Start program, said student safety is a central concern.

“When we really look at our ratios, student safety is a huge concern and supervision of students at this age, which is why those lower ratios are really important for individualization. We are often the first experience for a lot of students in these new environments,” Proctor said.

Proctor also noted potential financial implications of the changes.

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“The proposed rule making does not obviously — it doesn’t directly reduce our current award or funding level. But yes, there could be some fiscal implication,” Proctor said.

HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. said the changes will save $2 billion and open nearly 300,000 new slots for children in the program nationwide.

“We’re cutting that back to 5%. And the savings, which should be about $2.2 billion, we’re reinvesting in Head Start so that facilities like this can start servicing their waiting lists and bringing all these kids that want to get into this program into it,” Kennedy said.

Executive Director of the Iowa Head Start Association Chris Juett said the group is not yet commenting on the specifics of the proposal but said the program must still be able to serve children.

“What we’re saying is that we want to ensure that the proposed standards ensure that we are continuing to be able to provide services for children and their families moving forward,” Juett said.

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Proctor is urging the public to engage with the process.

“Our goal is to really engage with the community with supporters and ask that others raise their voice if they’re willing and speak to how Head Start matters in their community, how it may have impacted them personally or their communities,” Proctor said.

HHS is accepting public comment for the next two months before the department finalizes the overhaul. Gov. Kim Reynolds said in a statement that the state is currently reviewing the proposed rule changes.

Programs will have the choice to continue operating for some regulations as they currently do if it works for their community’s needs. Advocates say parents should know the program is still running and that there are no reductions to federal funding at this time.

—

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Isabella Warren covers state government and politics for Gray Media-owned stations in Iowa. Email her at isabella.warren@kcrg.com; and follow her on Facebook at Isabella Warren TV on X/Twitter@isabellaw_gray, and on Instagram@IsabellaWarrenTV.

Copyright 2026 Gray Media Iowa State Capitol Bureau. All rights reserved.





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Iowa

Iowa soccer returns home with draw vs. undefeated Kansas State

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8 hours ago

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September 4, 2026

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Iowa soccer returns home with draw vs. undefeated Kansas State


IOWA CITY, Iowa (KCRG) – Iowa women’s soccer moved to 4-1-1 on Thursday night after drawing Kansas State, 1-1.

The Wildcats scored in the first half, and had two other goals disallowed. Iowa answered in the second with Reilly Heman tying it up at one.

The Hawkeyes weren’t thrilled by only getting one goal with 25 shots.

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“I’m disappointed that we had moments where we could get the ball down and actually build an attack versus just a hopeful chance. A shot that doesn’t make sense or a cross that’s off balance. I think we struggled in that area with a little bit of quality,” said head coach Dean Ward.

“We’ve got to take this one on the chin and wake up tomorrow, and decide who we want to be and how we want to come out on Sunday,” said third-year player Berit Parten.

Copyright 2026 KCRG. All rights reserved.



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Newton Correctional Facility cleared following chemical exposure incident

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18 hours ago

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September 3, 2026

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Newton Correctional Facility cleared following chemical exposure incident


NEWTON, Iowa (KCRG) – The Newton Correctional Facility has been given the all-clear for operations to resume following a chemical exposure incident on Wednesday.

The Iowa Department of Corrections (IDOC) said in a statement on Thursday 19 people were evaluated at hospitals and have all been cleared. 10 of those were staff members and 9 were inmates.

There will be additional on-site medical reassessments to those impacted as a precaution.

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The temporary emergency response was triggered by fumes from a chemical adhesive used by a third-party contractor, IDOC adds.

All operations will resume as normal at the facility.

Copyright 2026 KCRG. All rights reserved.



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College Football News predicts Iowa vs. Northern Illinois matchup

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1 day ago

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September 3, 2026

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College Football News predicts Iowa vs. Northern Illinois matchup


College football is back, and that means it’s just a few days until Iowa runs out of the tunnel at Kinnick Stadium to open the 2026 season.

The No. 22 Hawkeyes will start the season with a nonconference clash against Northern Illinois. The Huskies are new members of the Mountain West Conference and will look to pull off the upset in Week 1. In front of a sold-out home crowd, Iowa looks to start the season with a win before rival Iowa State comes calling next weekend.

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Kickoff is at 3:15 p.m. CT and the game will be broadcast on the Big Ten Network.

Pete Fiutak of College Football News broke down the game and offered his thoughts on what the result will be:

Why NIU beats Iowa

Nov 24, 2015; DeKalb, IL, USA; A detailed view of the Northern Illinois Huskies helmet before the game against the Ohio Bobcats at Huskie Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mike DiNovo-USA TODAY Sports

It may seem unlikely, but there is a path to victory on Saturday for the visiting Huskies. Should he be Northern Illinois’ starting nod, transfer quarterback Taron Dickens is talented and has some weapons to play with.

Throw in an Iowa defense replacing a ton of production from last season, and there could be a recipe for an upset. Fiutak broke down how Northern Illinois could pick up the win:

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“Again, it’s Iowa. It’s not going to run away and hide with this. There will be chances for Northern Illinois to not just stay in this, but to make it a game. It’ll rely on the running game and backs Telly Johnson and Elijah Porter to pound away, and like Iowa, it’ll be super careful controlling the ball and keeping the mistakes to a minimum.”

Why Iowa beats NIU

IOWA CITY, IA - OCTOBER 25: Defensive back Zach Lutmer #6 of the Iowa Hawkeyes celebrates a touchdown after an interception in the first half against the Minnesota Golden Gophers on October 25, 2025 at Kinnick Stadium, in Iowa City, Iowa. (Photo by Matthew Holst/Getty Images)

IOWA CITY, IA – OCTOBER 25: Defensive back Zach Lutmer #6 of the Iowa Hawkeyes celebrates a touchdown after an interception in the first half against the Minnesota Golden Gophers on October 25, 2025 at Kinnick Stadium, in Iowa City, Iowa. (Photo by Matthew Holst/Getty Images)

The Hawkeyes are big favorites in this game and for good reason. They have a big advantage on offense through a stout offensive line and talented group of running backs. Even with the turnover on defense, Phil Parker has earned more than enough trust to have his unit ready to roll. Add in the home-field advantage, and it’s easy to see why Iowa is favored.

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Fiutak offered up his reasoning for why Iowa will win this game:

“Northern Illinois did a fantastic job of loading up the secondary with good defensive back options, but the run defense still has a whole lot to be desired. Last year’s version wasn’t bad at times, but really, really bad things happened when it started to get steamrolled.

Iowa is 20-2 over the last four years when it runs for 150 yards or more. That shouldn’t be too much of a problem in this.”

Who will win Iowa vs. NIU?

TAMPA, FLORIDA - DECEMBER 31: Reece Vander Zee #15 of the Iowa Hawkeyes celebrates his touchdown against the Vanderbilt Commodores with DJ Vonnahme #81 during the first half of the ReliaQuest Bowl at Raymond James Stadium on December 31, 2025 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Mike Carlson/Getty Images)

TAMPA, FLORIDA – DECEMBER 31: Reece Vander Zee #15 of the Iowa Hawkeyes celebrates his touchdown against the Vanderbilt Commodores with DJ Vonnahme #81 during the first half of the ReliaQuest Bowl at Raymond James Stadium on December 31, 2025 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Mike Carlson/Getty Images)

Despite the questions at quarterback, this is a game Iowa should take care of business in. In front of the Kinnick crowd, the Huskies should have no answers for a strong Hawkeye ground game. Parker’s unit will find a way to make splash plays like they always do.

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Fiutak explained who he’s rolling with to pick up a season-opening win:

“Iowa will come out winging it in a run-and-shoot, up-tempo style that … you know how this works.

Northern Illinois will do its part to keep the pace measured, but Iowa will do it far better.”

Iowa 38, Northern Illinois 6

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Best photos: Iowa football Kids Day at Kinnick

Iowa head coach Kirk Ferentz is pictured during the Kids Day at Kinnick open practice at Kinnick Stadium in Iowa City, Iowa, on Aug. 15, 2026.

(Julia Hansen/Iowa City Press-Cit, USA TODAY Network via Reuters Co)

Contact/Follow us @HawkeyesWire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Iowa news, notes and opinions.Follow Zach on X: @zach_hiney

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This article originally appeared on Hawkeyes Wire: College Football News predicts Iowa vs. Northern Illinois matchup



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