Iowa
Naturalization ceremony at Iowa Capitol welcomes 40 new citizens
Beneath the Iowa State Capitol rotunda, 40 people from 20 countries raised their right hands, pledged allegiance to the United States and became American citizens.
The ceremony, held Friday, Feb. 6, as part of Iowa’s America 250 celebration, brought families and state officials into the marble-lined hall as the oath was read aloud and new citizens stood facing the flag.
The candidates came from Bhutan, Bosnia, Brazil, Canada, China, Colombia, the Dominican Republic, El Salvador, Lithuania, Guatemala, Honduras, India, Ireland, Liberia, Mexico, the Philippines, Russia, Spain, Taiwan and Vietnam.
Gov. Kim Reynolds welcomed the group.
“Iowa has always been enriched by the hopes and hard work of immigrants, people who come here seeking a better life, who bring diverse experiences and a deep appreciation for the promise of freedom,” Reynolds said. “Each of you comes with your own story, your own journey and your own reasons for choosing America, and today, Iowa is proud to welcome you home.”
Secretary of State Paul Pate called on the new citizens to exercise their newly gained rights.
“In light of this, I have one request to make of you today,” he said. “Will you register to vote?”
He added: “Every vote counts, and so will yours.”
U.S. Magistrate Judge William P. Kelley, who presided over the oath, said that citizenship did not require abandoning personal identity.
“What you solemnly renounce in that oath is allegiance to the government of another land. You did not renounce, or need to ever renounce, the devotion you carry in your heart for your native land and its people,” Kelley said. “I hope you preserve your native language, heritage and culture. Doing so enriches not only the lives of those in your family, it also enriches America and the great state of Iowa.”
For many in the crowd, the ceremony marked the end of years or decades of waiting.
Augustine Cardenas, who came to the United States from Mexico at 19 and is now 53, said the setting made the moment feel even more significant.
“I feel great, it’s been too long, I’m so excited, I’ve waited for this day and am full of joy,” he said. Looking up at the rotunda ceiling, he said, “I just love Iowa, it’s so beautiful, the weather is crazy but I love it, you can live every season, and you can feel it too.”
Sonya Carminhato, originally from Brazil, said becoming a citizen was “a dream come true.”
“It’s a new step for my life,” she said. “Iowa is a great state, I love Iowa, and I love Fairfield.”
She has lived in Fairfield for more than a decade and now works as a human resources manager at Maharishi School, where her children studied. She now helps care for her three granddaughters.
Edwin Coplin, 44, said he moved from the Dominican Republic at 17 to play basketball at a Florida high school before attending Des Moines Area Community College and eventually settling in Iowa.
He said the day felt like relief after years of uncertainty.
“It’s been a long journey, but I’m finally here,” Coplin said. “It feels good, it feels great, it feels like taking something heavy off your shoulders … I love Iowa, the people are so nice, Iowa nice.”
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.
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.
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.
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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