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Reynolds: College protesters have free speech rights, but ‘We will be ready’ if protests create ‘destruction’

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Reynolds: College protesters have free speech rights, but ‘We will be ready’ if protests create ‘destruction’


Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds addresses reporters’ questions during a news conference in the Governor’s Formal Office at the Iowa Capitol in Des Moines on Wednesday. (Erin Murphy/The Gazette)

DES MOINES — The free speech rights of protesters on college campuses will be honored in Iowa, but “hate speech” and “destruction” will not be allowed, Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds said Wednesday.

Reynolds said if protests in Iowa cross those lines, “We will be ready. We’re not going to let it go.”

During a news conference Wednesday at the Iowa Capitol, Reynolds addressed a question about protests that are taking place on college campuses across the nation and how she and state law enforcement officials might react to similar protests in Iowa.

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As a war between Israel and the terrorist organization Hamas continues, U.S. college students have been protesting in support of Palestine and in opposition to Israel’s military strategy. In some cases, protesters have occupied buildings and spaces on campuses, and restricted students’ ability to move through those spaces.

Reynolds said Wednesday that protesters have First Amendment rights, but also indicated the state will be prepared to respond if protesters break laws — including one passed after some civil rights protests in 2020 in the wake of the George Floyd murder turned destructive. She decried the actions of protesters at other colleges, including Columbia University in New York.

“Of course we want to protect the First Amendment rights to protest. But they’re going to do it peacefully,” Reynolds said Wednesday. “We’re not going to allow hate speech. We’re not going to allow destruction. We’re not going to allow what we see happening in some of the universities across this country.

“So we’re going to just get in front of it. We’re going to be respectful, and as long as (protesters) abide by the laws and do it peacefully, then great,” Reynolds said. “But if it crosses that line, we will be ready. We’re not going to let it go.”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=/VJhoz0OKyKo

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Three-day University of Iowa protest planned

A few hundred pro-Palestine protesters demonstrated in University Heights this past weekend while U.S. House Speaker Mike Johnson was in Iowa to fundraise for Iowa Congresswoman Mariannette Miller-Meeks. And a pro-Palestine protest is scheduled to take place at the Pentacrest on the University of Iowa campus from 12-7 p.m. on Friday, Saturday and Sunday, according to a flyer for the event.

Hayley Bruce, the University of Iowa’s campus safety chief of staff, said in an emailed response to The Gazette that the university is aware of the protests taking place across the country and “has protocols in place.” Bruce said the primary goal of law enforcement during demonstrations is “to protect free speech while ensuring the safety of both demonstrators and the community.”

Bruce said campus safety personnel welcome an opportunity to work with protest organizers to “support a safe environment” and share information about campus demonstration guidelines.

“Community members are permitted to exercise their First Amendment rights in outdoor areas of campus if it complies with reasonable time, place, and manner restrictions, and as long as the conduct is lawful, and does not impede access to a facility or use of walkways, interfere with vehicle traffic, or disrupt the functioning of the institution,” Bruce wrote.

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Bruce said encampments — which have cropped up as part of protests on some campuses — are not permitted under University of Iowa policies.

The flyer for the protest, distributed by Iowa City Students for Justice in Palestine, reads, “Stand in solidarity with student encampments and show the University of Iowa we won’t back down!”

A social media post promoting the protest notes that it is not an encampment. “Our intended goal is to reiterate our demands for divestment to the University,” the post reads.

More Iowa Republicans weigh in

Iowa Republican U.S. Sen. Chuck Grassley said pro-Palestine protesters who have set up encampments and occupied buildings on college and university campuses around the country “are acting like children.”

Grassley, speaking to Iowa reporters Wednesday, also criticized university presidents for being “too slow” to enforce deadlines they set for demonstrators to leave their encampments or face consequences.

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“Now, we all know that under our Constitution free speech is encouraged. And hateful speech, even though it may be constitutional, should be discouraged,” Grassley said. “But, you shouldn’t be able to attack people, threaten people, things of that nature.”

Asked how University of Iowa officials should respond to protests this weekend, Grassley said “any students that want to demonstrate peacefully ought to be allowed to, but it seems to me they shouldn’t be allowed to encamp.”

He also took issue with students demanding schools divest from investments that support weapons manufacturing and Israel amid the backdrop of the Israel-Hamas war, in which more than 34,000 people have been killed in Gaza.

“And can you imagine that these students that are there, they think they’re in a position to tell a university how they can invest their funds?” Grassley told reporters. “After all, those funds are helping provide their education. … What right being a student do you have to tell the university how to invest? If you want to do that, you ought to be on the board of trustees.”

State Rep. Carter Nordman, a Republican from Panora, posted on social media that University of Iowa officials have assured him university policies and the law “will be fully enforced and done so without hesitation.”

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“I am confident this will be the case,” Nordman posted on X, formerly called Twitter. “In Iowa, if you break the law or violate university policy, you should be expelled, banned, and/or prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law. These unlawful pro-Hamas acts occurring around the country are unacceptable and should be met with immediate consequences.”

Comments: (515) 355-1300, erin.murphy@thegazette.com

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Iowa wrestling taps Jacob Warner as new assistant coach

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Iowa wrestling taps Jacob Warner as new assistant coach


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Iowa wrestling will bring in a familiar face to fill out its coaching staff, tapping five-time NCAA All-American Jacob Warner to join as an assistant coach.

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The Hawkeye wrestling program announced the decision on April 10. He replaces Bobby Telford, who took a position outside of wrestling after the 2025-26 season ended.

With Warner’s hire, all four official coaching positions at Iowa are held by former Hawkeye wrestlers — head coach Tom Brands, associate head coach Terry Brands, assistant coach Ryan Morningstar and Warner. (Telford also wrestled for the Hawkeyes.)

While Warner does not have official coaching experience, being in the Hawkeye Wrestling Club allowed him to help sharpen athletes still competing in the college ranks. Warner has been credited by several wrestlers in the program for helping their development, none bigger than national champion Stephen Buchanan.

“Jacob knows what it takes to compete at the highest level, both on and off the mat,” Tom Brands said in a release. “He represents everything Iowa wrestling stands for. His toughness, discipline and relentless work ethic will be a tremendous asset to our staff and our student-athletes.”

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As a wrestler, Warner had a career record of 97-28 in a Hawkeye singlet. He took seventh at the NCAA Championships in 2019 as a redshirt freshman, earned All-American honors for the canceled 2020 NCAA Championships, then was fourth in 2021, an NCAA runner-up in 2022 and finished his career in fifth place in 2023. Warner also has experience on the major World stages. He won a bronze medal at the 2016 Cadet World Championships and was on the 2018 Junior World team for the United States.

The Hawkeyes have a pivotal 2026-27 season ahead, following a fourth-place finish at the NCAA Championships and a regular season to forget. Time will tell whether Warner’s official addition to the staff can help spark better results as the Hawkeyes look to return to their championship ways.

“Our fans, I see them on the street, I see them here, I see them there, I say, ‘We got to do better for you,’” Tom Brands said after the NCAA Championships. “We know that.”

Eli McKown covers high school sports and wrestling for the Des Moines Register. Contact him at Emckown@gannett.com. Follow him on Twitter at @EMcKown23.

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Iowa State women’s basketball team adds transfer guard from Kent State

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Iowa State women’s basketball team adds transfer guard from Kent State


Iowa State women’s basketball team adds transfer guard from Kent State

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ROUND PICK. WE’LL BE PULLING FOR HIM. THE DRAFT STARTS THURSDAY, APRIL 23RD. CYCLE IN. WOMEN LOST NEARLY THEIR ENTIRE ROSTER THURSDAY. THEY GOT ONE BACK. MAYA BABBITT IS COMING OVER FROM KENT STATE. SHE LED THAT TEAM AT 16 POINTS PE

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Iowa State women’s basketball team adds transfer guard from Kent State

Updated: 10:40 PM CDT Apr 9, 2026

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Iowa State got a strong start on its 2026 transfer class Thursday.Kent State guard Mya Babbitt announced her commitment to Iowa State.Babbitt, a 5’8″ guard from Papillion, Nebraska, has been a two-year starter for the Golden Flashes and earned second-team All-MAC honors in 2025-26 after averaging 16.1 points and 4.0 rebounds per game. She also set the Kent State record for 3-pointers in a season as a sophomore, making 83 3-pointers at a 41.5% clip.Babbitt is the first incoming transfer to announce her commitment to Iowa State this offseason. She will have one year of eligibility remaining.The Cyclones are tasked with replacing nearly the entire roster from 2025-26 after nine players entered the transfer portal.Senior-to-be Arianna Jackson has announced her return, as has reserve guard Freya Jensen. Iowa State also brings in highly touted recruit Macy Comito. Comito led Carlisle High School to its first state title this winter.» Subscribe to KCCI’s YouTube page» Download the free KCCI app to get updates on the go: Apple | Google Play

Iowa State got a strong start on its 2026 transfer class Thursday.

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Kent State guard Mya Babbitt announced her commitment to Iowa State.

Babbitt, a 5’8″ guard from Papillion, Nebraska, has been a two-year starter for the Golden Flashes and earned second-team All-MAC honors in 2025-26 after averaging 16.1 points and 4.0 rebounds per game. She also set the Kent State record for 3-pointers in a season as a sophomore, making 83 3-pointers at a 41.5% clip.

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Babbitt is the first incoming transfer to announce her commitment to Iowa State this offseason. She will have one year of eligibility remaining.

The Cyclones are tasked with replacing nearly the entire roster from 2025-26 after nine players entered the transfer portal.

Senior-to-be Arianna Jackson has announced her return, as has reserve guard Freya Jensen. Iowa State also brings in highly touted recruit Macy Comito. Comito led Carlisle High School to its first state title this winter.

» Subscribe to KCCI’s YouTube page

» Download the free KCCI app to get updates on the go: Apple | Google Play

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Where new NFL Draft grades from The Athletic have Iowa players landing

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Where new NFL Draft grades from The Athletic have Iowa players landing


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The NFL Draft is two weeks away, and new prospect grades for more than 50 Iowa college and high school football players have been released.

Here is what to know about the 2026 NFL Draft and a breakdown of the draft projections for Iowa players, according to The Athletic’s “The Beast,” its annual comprehensive NFL Draft scouting guide.

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When is the 2026 NFL draft?

The 2026 NFL draft will begin with the first round on Thursday, April 23. Rounds 2 and 3 occur the following day, and the draft will conclude on its third day with Rounds 4-7 on Saturday, April 25.

Pittsburgh — home of the Steelers — will host the 2026 NFL draft. 

How did The Athletic grade Iowa college football players ahead of the 2026 NFL draft?

The Athletic’s “The Beast” report included rankings of players from Iowa, Iowa State, Northern Iowa, Drake, Grand View and Upper Iowa.

  • Gennings Dunker, guard: No. 5 out of 159 players at his position
    • Grade: 3rd round projection
  • Logan Jones, center: No. 3 out of 78 players at his position
    • Grade: 3rd-4th round projection
  • Max Llewellyn, defensive end: No. 18 out of 270 players at his position
    • Grade: 4th round projection
  • Beau Stephens, guard: No. 11 out of 159 players at his position
    • Grade: 4th-5th round projection
  • TJ Hall, cornerback: No. 24 out of 318 players at his position
    • Grade: 6th round projection
  • Kaden Wetjen, wide receiver: No. 30 out of 380 players at his position
    • Grade: 6th round projection
  • Karson Sharar, linebacker: No. 24 out of 243 players at his position
    • Grade: 7th round projection
  • Drew Stevens, kicker: No. 3 out of 40 players at his position
    • Grade: 7th round-free agent projection

  • Mark Gronowski, quarterback: No.17 out of 99 players at his position
    • Grade: 7th round-free agent projection
  • Xavier Nwankpa, safety: No. 23 out of 271 players at his position
    • Grade: 7th round-free agent projection
  • Bryant Worrell, long snapper: No. 20 out of 48 players at his position
  • Hayden Large, tight end: No. 33 out of 156 players at his position
  • Aaron Graves, defensive tackle: No. 67 out of 249 players at his position
  • Ethan Hurkett, defensive end: No. 84 out of 270 players at his position
  • Jonah Pace, defensive tackle: No. 84 out of 249 players at his position
  • Seth Anderson, wide receiver: No. 87 out of 380 players at his position,
  • Jacob Gill, wide receiver: No. 106 out of 380 players at his position
  • Bryce George, guard: No. 107 out of 159 players at his position
  • Sam Phillips, wide receiver: No. 118 out of 380 players at his position,
  • Shahid Barros, cornerback: No. 195 out of 318 players at his position
  • Derek Anderson, tight end: No. 104 out of 156 players at his position
  • Blake Anderson, offensive tackle: No. 109 out of 146 players at his position
  • Bill Jackson, running back: No. 111 out of 213 players at his position
  • Mo Olowo, safety: No. 122 out of 271 players at his position
  • Caleb Frazer, linebacker: No. 177 out of 243 players at his position
  • Tucker Langenberg, linebacker: No. 193 out of 243 players at his position
  • Jonathan Cabral-Martin, cornerback: No. 198 out of 318 players at his position
  • Domonique Orange, defensive tackle: No. 6 out of 249 players at his position
    • Grade: 2nd-3rd round projection
  • Tyler Perkins, punter: No. 13 out of 40 players at his position
  • James Neal III, offensive tackle: No. 27 out of 146 players at his position
  • Jim Bonifas, center: No. 27 out of 78 players at his position
  • Tyler Miller, offensive tackle: No. 53 out of 146 players at his position
  • Tamatoa McDonough, defensive end: No. 56 out of 270 players at his position
  • Dylan Barrett, guard: No. 65 out of 159 players at his position
  • Tyler Moore, tight end: No. 76 out of 156 players at his position
  • Cannon Butler, defensive end: No. 101 out of 270 players at his position
  • Tyler Maro, offensive tackle: No. 128 out of 146 players at his position
  • Eli Green, wide receiver: No. 185 out of 380 players at his position
  • Myles Mendesoon, defensive end: No. 205 out of 270 players at his position

Drake Bulldogs

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  • Brett Welsing, long snapper: No. 17 out of 48 players at his position

Grand View Vikings

  • Jackson Waring, quarterback: No. 53 out of 99 players at his position
  • John Argo, linebacker: No. 56 out of 243 players at his position

Upper Iowa Peacocks

  • Mante Morrow, wide receiver: No. 142 out of 380 players at his position

Iowa natives playing elsewhere

These Iowa high school players finished playing college football outside the state but still earned spots in The Athletic’s “The Beast” draft guide.

  • Kadyn Proctor (Alabama, Southeast Polk), offensive tackle: No. 4 out of 146 players at his position
    • Grade: 1st-2nd round projection
  • Eli Raridon (Notre Dame, Valley), tight end: No. 9 out of 156 players at his position
    • Grade: 4th round projection
  • Mosai Newsom (South Dakota, Waverly-Shell Rock), defensive tackle: No. 93 out of 249 players at his position
  • Nate Ewell (South Dakota, Waterloo West), linebacker: No. 88 out of 243 players at his position,
  • Henry Lutovsky (Nebraska, Mount Pleasant), guard: No. 29 out of 159 players at his position

  • Jase Bauer (UT Martin, Ankeny), quarterback: No. 51 out of 99 players at his position
  • Harrison Waylee (Virginia, Urbandale), running back: No. 80 out of 213 players at his position
  • Noah Fenske (Southern Illinois, New Hampton), center: No. 26 out of 78 players at his position
  • TJ Bollers (California, Clear Creek Amana), defensive tackle: No. 60 out of 249 players at his position
  • Carter Hewitt (Illinois, South Hamilton), defensive tackle: No. 156 out of 249 players at his position

How to watch the 2026 NFL draft

Live coverage of the NFL draft can be found on ESPN, ESPN2, ESPN Deportes and the NFL Network. Coverage is also available on NFL+, ESPN Select, ESPN Unlimited and Fubo TV.

  • Thursday, April 23: Round 1 starts at 7 p.m. CT
  • Friday, April 24: Round 2 and Round 3 start at 6 p.m. CT
  • Saturday, April 25: Rounds 4-7 start at 11 a.m. CT

Watch the NFL Draft on ESPN+

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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