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Iowa Secretary of State Paul Pate says he’ll seek a fifth term in office in 2026 election

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Iowa Secretary of State Paul Pate says he’ll seek a fifth term in office in 2026 election


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Iowa Secretary of State Paul Pate will seek a fifth term in office.

Pate, a Republican, announced June 14 that he would run for reelection in 2026.

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“I am thrilled to announce that I will once again be running to serve as your secretary of state, because we’re not done yet,” said Pate in a video announcing his candidacy.

In his announcement, Pate detailed key accomplishments the state has achieved under his leadership.

“Throughout my life as a public servant, I’ve been guided by three core principles: service, participation and integrity,” Pate said. “During my time as Iowa Secretary of State, we’ve broken numerous records for voter registration and participation, we’ve been recognized as a top state for election administration and integrity and even earned awards for cyber security measures, accessibility for the disabled community, and poll worker recruitment and voter outreach.”

He went on to discuss the importance of secure elections and promised to continue his mission of ensuring “every Iowa business thrives (and) every eligible vote counts.”

Pate previously served as Iowa’s secretary of state from 1995-1999. He lost a primary bid for the Republican nomination for governor in 1998 and served as mayor of Cedar Rapids from 2002-2006.

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He ran again for secretary of state in 2014 before running for the office again in 2014. He won reelection in 2018 and 2022.

The most recent election saw Pate defeat Democrat Joel Miller with 60% of the vote, compared to Miller’s 39.9%.  His current term will end on January 1, 2027.

Pate has supported several changes to Iowa’s election laws during his terms in office. Most recently, he backed a bills that give his office more tools to verify a voter’s citizenship status and standardizes recount procedures.

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The legislation comes in response to the chaotic weeks leading up to the 2024 election, when Pate instructed county auditors to challenge the ballots of 2,176 registered voters who he suspected were not citizens based on a faulty list from the Iowa Department of Transportation.

Ultimately, his office found 277 noncitizens on Iowa’s voter rolls, including 35 noncitizens who successfully voted in the 2024 election and five more who tried to vote but had their ballots rejected. 

The last-minute moves faced criticism and legal challenges.

Throughout his career, Pate has also served as a state senator and president of the Iowa League of Cities. He was unanimously elected president of the National Association of Secretaries of State in 2019, according to his campaign website, pateforiowa.com.

“I’m Paul Pate, your secretary of state,” the video concluded. “And I’m asking for your vote.”

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Norah Judson is a reporter for the Register. Reach her at njudson@gannett.com.



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‘Viral’ mac and cheese bar expanding in Iowa with new Waukee store

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‘Viral’ mac and cheese bar expanding in Iowa with new Waukee store


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You know that viral mac and cheese place? The one that slathers every bowl with ungodly amounts of cheese? The one that makes you feel lactose intolerant just looking at it?

Yeah. Roni’s Mac Bar is opening its second Iowa location, this time in Waukee.

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The store will celebrate with a grand opening on Saturday, May 16 at 10:30 a.m. sharp

In a video on social media, the company credits the new location choice to the Waukee man who drove to a location in Waco, Texas, asked for a bowl so cheesy that the chef making it felt lactose-intolerant just looking at it.

Frank Senese, chief executive officer of Roni’s Mac and Cheese, said the business as the “Chipotle of mac and cheese.”

“It’s comfort food; whether you’re a hungover college kid, tattooed biker or a little princess in a tutu, you’re going to find something here that you’ll love,” Senese told the Ames Tribune before the company’s restaurant opened there in 2025. “It’s a fun way to think outside the box.”

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The first 100 people to get in line can spin the wheel for a chance to win giveaways and a year’s worth of mac and cheese.

Roni’s Mac bar boasts massive menu

The quote, “Think outside the box” is painted on the wall inside the mac and cheese bar, and the menu certainly inspires customers to do just that.

Roni’s Mac Bar has created a menu of more than 77 million possible combinations that continues to grow, Senese said.

Every bowl can be unique, with drizzles like pesto and ranch, and toppings such as tomatoes and even pineapple − a topping that can be a key indicator of a repeat customer, Senese said.

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Lucia Cheng is a service and trending reporter at the Des Moines Register. Contact her at lcheng@gannett.com or 515-284-8132.





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Two separate traffic stops leads to four arrests in Iowa County

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Two separate traffic stops leads to four arrests in Iowa County


MADISON, Wis. (WMTV) – Four people were arrested during two separate traffic stops by the Iowa County Sheriff’s Office on Thursday.

The sheriff’s office explained that just before 8:30 p.m., an Iowa County Sheriff’s Office deputy stopped a vehicle in the 7000 block of US Highway 18-151 in the Town of Ridgeway.

Lee J. Kaul, 47, of Ridgeway was arrested for operating while revoked (REV due to alcohol/controlled substance/refusal), possession of drug paraphernalia and possession of narcotic drug.

Lee Kaul was arrested by the Iowa County Sheriff’s Office.(Iowa County Sheriff’s Office)

Kaul was additionally held on a Wisconsin Department of Corrections probation hold and transported to the Iowa County Jail.

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About an hour later, another Iowa County deputy stopped a vehicle near US Highway 18 and Lisa Street in the City of Dodgeville, the sheriff’s said.

Rayven Stanisch was arrested by the Iowa County Sheriff's Office.
Rayven Stanisch was arrested by the Iowa County Sheriff’s Office.(Iowa County Sheriff’s Office)

The sheriff’s office explained three people were arrested for possession of drug paraphernalia to manufacture/compound/convert/produce/store methamphetamine.

Ronald Slater was arrested by the Iowa County Sheriff's Office.
Ronald Slater was arrested by the Iowa County Sheriff’s Office.(Iowa County Sheriff’s Office)

Ronald E. Slater, 56, of Platteville, Rayven E. Stanisch, 30, of Linden and Amy M. Gregory, 38, of Linden were all taken to the Iowa County Jail.

Amy Gregory was arrested by the Iowa County Sheriff's Office on Thursday.
Amy Gregory was arrested by the Iowa County Sheriff’s Office on Thursday.(Iowa County Sheriff’s Office)

Gregory was also held on a Wisconsin Department of Corrections probation hold.

Click here to download the WMTV15 News app or our WMTV15 First Alert weather app.

Copyright 2026 WMTV. All rights reserved.



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Iowa City Community Band readies for the summer | Music Column

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Iowa City Community Band readies for the summer | Music Column


The Iowa City Community Band (ICCB) returns this summer with performances throughout Iowa City and Coralville in June and July. Now in its 43rd season, ICCB is proud to once again be led by Rob Medd, a retired band director from Iowa City West High School, for the 19th year.

We perform nine times, including Coralville’s 4thFest Parade and pre-fireworks show. Our first three concerts are:

  • 12 noon, Saturday, June 6 at the Iowa Arts Festival in downtown Iowa City 
  • 7 p.m., Wednesday, June 10 at McPherson Park 
  • 7 p.m., Sunday, June 14 at Fairmeadows Park 

Each concert features a combination of traditional marches, contemporary pieces, and some familiar classics. For a full concert schedule, visit our Facebook page (www.facebook.com/ICCBand). 

Rehearsals are held on Saturdays at 10 a.m. (May 30 through July 18, excluding June 6 and July 4) at West High School. New members — high school age and older — are welcome throughout the summer, with no audition required. Because new music is introduced each week, participation is flexible and ideal for those who can only join for part of the season. If you are interested in participating or learning more, send an email to iccb.communityband@gmail.com.  

ICCB operates solely on donations from individuals and local businesses to provide free concerts to the public. 

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If you would like to contribute, send your donation to: Iowa City Community Band – c/o West Music, 1212 5th Street, Coralville, IA 52241. Make checks payable to “Iowa City Community Band”. 

The Iowa City Community Band is ready for a great summer of making music together. We hope that you’ll join us often, either as a musician or an audience member. See you at the park.

April Donlon serves as the publicist and plays Alto Saxophone for the Iowa City Community Band. 



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