Iowa

Rob Sand: The Iowa auditor’s office follows the law, not political expediency

Published

1 year ago

June 2, 2024

Press Room

Rob Sand: The Iowa auditor’s office follows the law, not political expediency

What the Supreme Court did NOT do was find that we broke the law. But that’s what the GOP put into a news release, which they waved in front of the media while screaming. The media fell for it.

Rob Sand
| Guest columnist

Twice in the past four years, the Democratic National Committee has asked my office to turn over allegations of wrongdoing by Iowa’s Republican governor, Kim Reynolds. Guess what: We didn’t give them a dang thing.

Why? Because Iowa law requires the Auditor’s Office to “keep confidential” allegations of misconduct and information received in the course of an audit. That information is protected, regardless of whether the person requesting it wants to attack the alleged wrongdoer or the tipster letting us know where to point our flashlights.

The people who passed this law thought confidentiality was so important there’s a section in the Iowa Code that says people working in the Auditor’s Office can be fired for breaching it. Those tipsters, some of them scared to speak out against powerful interests, need to know we will protect their identity so they can offer information without fear of retribution.

So, you might understand the frustration I felt when the Auditor’s Office was sued for trying to follow our obligation not to turn over confidential records, which might make future whistleblowers think we’d sell them out. The lawsuit stemmed from an open records request, made by the same conservative who claimed when I ran in 2018 that, if elected, I must legally be impeached, period. We responded the same way we do for everyone asking for open records: We turned over what we could, and withheld records protected by the law.

The first judge to hear the case ruled we followed the law. On appeal, the Iowa Supreme Court ordered a “re-do,” ruling it didn’t have enough evidence to make a decision, sending the case back to the lower court for more proceedings. What the Supreme Court did NOT do, was find that we broke the law. But that’s exactly what the GOP put into a news release, which they waved in front of the media while screaming. The media fell for it. We appreciate the corrections issued by two Iowa media entities, but in this day and age, complete lies can travel around the world while the truth is still putting on its shoes.

There’s one other aspect to the suit — whether or not we should have turned over an email sent from a private account, about entirely public information, that was already public and already in the hands of the person who filed the lawsuit. You might think that’s a silly reason to file a lawsuit — to get a copy of something already in your possession — but some lawsuits are all about politics.

So, we’ll make our case soon in another courtroom as to why we were legally required to withhold those records, both the emails from our office and the allegations about the governor. I’ll also keep fighting to protect whistleblowers. And, because truth doesn’t mind being questioned, I’ll be at a town hall in your community in the coming months. The dates, times, and locations of all 100 are already posted on our website. Come on out to compliment me, criticize me, or provide a confidential tip. If you’ve read this far, you know you can trust us to keep it confidential.

Rob Sand is Iowa’s auditor of state.

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Iowa

Previewing Arizona State-Iowa State – Keys, Game Prediction, and More

Published

18 hours ago

October 31, 2025

Press Room

Previewing Arizona State-Iowa State – Keys, Game Prediction, and More

TEMPE — The Arizona State Sun Devils (5-3, 3-2 Big 12) are seeking to keep their slim Big 12 title hopes alive as they take on the Iowa State Cyclones (5-3, 2-3) in a rematch of the conference championship game from a year ago.

Iowa State’s defense has faced significant injuries in recent weeks, while Jeff Sims is set to start at quarterback the remainder of the season following Friday’s news that Sam Leavitt will undergo season-ending foot surgery.

Arizona State on SI covers all of the vitals for the game below – information surrounding the battle, major storylines to watch, a game prediction, and more.

WHO: Arizona State at Iowa State

WHERE: Jack Trice Stadium, Ames, Iowa

WHEN: 10:00 A.M. AZT

TV NETWORK: TNT

The Skinny: Iowa State has dropped three consecutive games following a 5-0 start to the year – a 38-30 loss to Cincinnati, a 24-17 defeat at the hands of Colorado, and a 41-27 loss to Brigham Young in a game in which they controlled at one point.

Junior QB Rocco Becht had one of the roughest performances of his career against BYU, throwing three interceptions in the game – he still remains a player to watch after a very successful career in Ames.

Iowa State also has a potent backfield duo, as Abu Sama III and Carson Hansen have combined for over 1,000 yards to this season.

Becht’s three-interception showing in week nine currently puts him on pace to throw more interceptions in 2025 compared to the previous two years as the starting QB.

ASU DC Brian Ward’s calling card is drawing up opportune blitzes and disguised coverages that are designed to force the opposing quarterback into untimely mistakes – will this be a situation that presents itself on Saturday with all things considered?

One of the major determining factors might be DL Prince Dorbah’s status, as the star is currently questionable with an undisclosed injury after exiting the games against both Texas Tech and Houston. Myles “Ghost” Rowser will also miss the first half of the game due to a targeting call late in last week’s game.

Sims will receive his third start with the program after Leavitt was ruled out earlier in the week. The senior has requisite mobility, arm strength, and experience to navigate the last several weeks of the season – especially with a more favorable schedule in mind.

However, freshman QB Cameron Dyer has the potential to receive reps in the game as well according to local insider John Gambadoro.

It will be interesting to see how the coaching staff approaches this conundrum, as Sims’ experience has potential to be very valuable for a program that is still seeking to win as many games as possible, but there is an upside to playing Dyer – as the future of the program is just as vital as the present.

Sims should have a strong connection with close friend Malik McClain in this game after the latter broke out for 159 yards against Houston – could this tidbit factor into the approach as well?

This is a game that truly has the potential to go either way – Jeff Sims being pitted against a banged up Iowa State defense is the major factor in play when determining the outcome.

Ultimately, this is surely a game in which Raleek Brown and kicker Jesus Gomez have the ability to be difference makers in a toss-up battle.

The Sun Devils keep their slim conference title hopes alive behind a late Gomez field goal in what has the potential to be Sims’ first win as the starting quarterback for the program.

Read more on why the Arizona State men’s basketball team will exceed expectations in the 2025-26 season here, and on why the 2025 football team is at a crossroads following a loss to Houston here.

Please let us know your thoughts when you like our Facebook page when you click right here.

Please follow us on X when you click right here, as well as @khicks_21 for nonstop Arizona State coverage!

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Iowa

Sheldon teacher named 2026 Iowa Teacher of the Year

Published

2 days ago

October 31, 2025

Press Room

Sheldon teacher named 2026 Iowa Teacher of the Year

SHELDON, Iowa (KCAU) — A Sheldon teacher and instructional coach from Sheldon High School was named the 2026 Iowa Teacher of the Year.

Stephanie Pritts was named the 2026 Iowa Teacher of the Year on Thursday in front of a full house at the Sheldon High School gym.

“It is just phenomenal. It’s actually really hard to describe because there are just so many people involved with what I do for a career. It was amazing to have all K-12 in one building,” Pritts said. “I should say Pre-K through twelve. Just all that extra added support for it just added to this experience. It was just exciting and so much fun.”

Pritts is a Sheldon native and has been a teacher for 23 years. She was selected out of a pool of nine teachers from across the state. Pritts also serves as Northwest Regional Teacher of the Year.

“It’s important to recognize the importance of good teaching; it’s important to recognize the importance of good education. This is the future of this great state, and we want to make sure we are giving them every opportunity to be the best they can be, and this is a way we can help celebrate that,” said Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds.

For Pritts, it was important for her students to see her win this award.

“I really hope that students really see that you put your mind to something, you have good work ethic, that you will move mountains and go so far,” Pritts said.

Now, as part of being the teacher of the year, she’ll travel the state to speak to other school districts and work with them, and hopefully learn from them also.

“I thrive off collaborating with other school districts. I look forward to not only helping support those school districts, but I look forward to learning from them as well,” said Pritts. “Because, like I said, we do a lot together and we can learn from one another. So, I do. I give but also receive.”

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Iowa

Top Iowa high school football Round of 16 playoff games, and our predictions

Published

2 days ago

October 30, 2025

Press Room

Top Iowa high school football Round of 16 playoff games, and our predictions

The Iowa high school football regular season is over, and now it’s time for the playoffs.

Last week, teams in Class 3A, 4A and 5A wrapped up their regular seasons, while teams in Class A, 1A, 2A and 8-player kicked off the postseason with first-round games. That means it’s all win-or-go-home from here on out, with 16 teams remaining in all seven classes.

This week’s schedule is packed with exciting matchups.

We’re picking 10 games each week of the IHSAA season and attempting to predict the outcomes. Each week, we’ll provide an update on how successful – or unsuccessful – those predictions are.

We finished the regular season with a 63-27 record in our picks, after going 9-1 last week.

Here are our predictions for some of the best Iowa high school football Round of 16 games.

Ankeny Centennial at Johnston

This hasn’t been the Jaguars’ season, and the Dragons have come out on top in games that mattered most. So long as Johnston does what has worked against teams like Ankeny and Southeast Polk, the Dragons should advance to the quarterfinals. Johnston 30, Ankeny Centennial 13

Central DeWitt at Wahlert Catholic

On paper, Central DeWitt looks like the more complete team in this matchup, but Wahlert Catholic came out on top when these teams met in the regular season. That game was less than a month ago, and there’s a chance that the Sabers get their revenge in the postseason. Wahlert Catholic 19, Central DeWitt 14

Dallas Center-Grimes at Sioux City East

The Black Raiders boast a 2,000-yard passer in Cal Jepsen; the Mustangs balance a trio of receivers with Ozzie Grimm’s success in the ground game. If Dallas Center-Grimes can come out with a couple of turnovers, the Mustangs could end Sioux City East’s season. Dallas Center-Grimes 27, Sioux City East 20

Fort Dodge at Newton

Both teams enter this matchup with 8-1 records, and Fort Dodge has some difference makers on both sides of the ball. But the Cardinals are battle-tested, and Nick Milburn is a defender who can keep any opposing offense on its toes. Newton 35, Fort Dodge 21

Glenwood at North Polk

If the Comets are healthy, they should win this first-round game. But North Polk had to go without starting quarterback James Armstrong in the regular season finale against Gilbert, and things didn’t go well. Because Glenwood relies a lot on the run and the Comets struggled in that department against Gilbert, the Rams might have the advantage in this one. Glenwood 28, North Polk 17

Iowa City West at Cedar Falls

The Trojans look like a tough team to beat on both sides of the ball, but Cedar Falls has walked away with some upsets this season. Iowa City West should have the advantage with the number of impactful players on offense, though. Iowa City West 28, Cedar Falls 14

Southeast Polk at Ankeny

It’s difficult to imagine a playoff bracket without Southeast Polk making a deep run, but Ankeny looks like the stronger team on paper. Between Kael Roush and Daniel Larmie – and company – on offense and a defense that capitalizes on turnovers, the Hawks could send the Rams packing early. Ankeny 30, Southeast Polk 16

Underwood at West Marshall

Underwood’s offense runs through Garrett Luett, and it’s been difficult for opposing defenses to slow him down. But West Marshall’s defense loves to get after the quarterback, and if they can alter the Eagles’ game plan, that could be good enough for a win. Underwood 27, West Marshall 17

Van Meter at Roland-Story

Experience means a lot at this point in the season, and the Bulldogs have plenty after making it to the state semifinals last season. Van Meter should benefit from that senior leadership, as well as sophomore Christian Williams’ dominance on both sides of the ball. Van Meter 14, Roland-Story 12

Waukee at Iowa City Liberty

The Warriors pulled out some unlikely wins at the end of the season, but Iowa City Liberty came up with some upsets, as well. The Lightning’s defense, though, tends to capitalize on opponents’ mistakes, and that should benefit Liberty. Iowa City Liberty 35, Waukee 24

Alyssa Hertel is the college sports recruiting reporter for the Des Moines Register. Contact Alyssa at ahertel@dmreg.com or on Twitter @AlyssaHertel.

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