Iowa

These Iowans will join their delegates for President Trump’s address to Congress

Published

8 months ago

March 4, 2025

Press Room

These Iowans will join their delegates for President Trump’s address to Congress

A few Iowans are going to Washington D.C. to listen to President Donald Trump’s address to Congress on Tuesday evening.

All six of Iowa’s representatives and senators can bring a guest to the address.

This event is not considered an official State of the Union Address because Trump was only sworn into office less than two months ago. Many modern presidents have been invited to address Congress shortly after their inauguration, but official State of the Union addresses only occur after they’ve been in office for at least a year.

How to watch Trump’s address to Congress?

Trump is set to address a joint session of Congress on Tuesday, March 4.

Multiple media outlets have announced plans to start live coverage of the address at 8 p.m. CT ABC, Fox News, NPR, PBS and more.

The Des Moines Register, in partnership with USA TODAY, will carry a livestream on its website and app.

Who is Sen. Joni Ernst bringing to Trump’s address to Congress? What to know about Iowan Scott Root

Republican U.S. Sen. Joni Ernst will be joined by Iowan Scott Root, the father of Sarah Root, for Trump’s address to Congress.

Sarah Root was killed on Jan. 31, 2016, by a drunk driver who wasn’t a U.S. citizen at the time of her death.

Ernst wrote and advocated for the passage of Sarah’s Law, which requires the detention of undocumented immigrants who are charged with serious crimes. It was added as an amendment to the Laken Riley Act in January and passed by Congress.

Who is Sen. Chuck Grassley bringing to Trump’s address to Congress?

Republican U.S. Sen. Chuck Grassley is bringing his wife, Barbara Grassley, his press secretary, David Bader, told the Register on Monday.

Who is Rep. Ashley Hinson bringing to Trump’s address to Congress?

Republican Rep. Ashley Hinson is bringing Emily Schmitt, the chair of Iowa’s DOGE Task Force, to Trump’s address to Congress.

“Together, we are highlighting the importance of an efficient government that is focused on saving taxpayer dollars, ending ridiculous regulations, and working for the people,” Hinson said, according to a spokesperson from her office. “Iowa was doing DOGE before it was cool, and with Emily’s help, we’re going to keep spreading Iowa commonsense in Washington.”

Who is Rep. Mariannette Miller-Meeks bringing to Trump’s address?

Republican Rep. Mariannette Miller-Meeks will bring Riley Gaines, a swimmer and conservative activist who has spoken against transgender people participating in women’s sports.

“I began speaking up about this issue in my first term in Congress after girls sports coaches in Iowa brought it to my attention,” Miller-Meeks said, according to an email from her office. “After we both attended President Trump’s Executive Order signing last month, I thought it was important to have Riley attend his Joint Address. I look forward to hearing from President Trump tomorrow and applaud his commonsense commitment to protecting women’s sports.”

Who is Rep. Zach Nunn bringing to Trump’s address to Congress?

Republican U.S. Rep. Zach Nunn will be joined by Jeremy Lindquist, the mayor of Runnells. He is also a member of the local plumbers and pipefitters.

Who is Rep. Randy Feenstra bringing to Trump’s address to Congress?

Republican U.S. Rep. Randy Feenstra announced he will bring Brad Moline and his 16-year-old daughter, Ava, to the address to Congress. The Moline Family celebrated 100 years and four generations of raising turkeys in Calhoun County. Ave Moline is carrying on the family tradition, according to a social media post from Feenstra.

Reporting contributed by Natalie Neysa Alund.

Kate Kealey is a general assignment reporter for the Des Moines Register. Reach her at kkealey@registermedia.com or follow her on Twitter at @Kkealey17.

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Iowa

Here’s how D.O.G.E. Task Force would change Iowa

Published

14 hours ago

October 22, 2025

Press Room

Here’s how D.O.G.E. Task Force would change Iowa

DES MOINES, Iowa (Gray Media Iowa State Capitol Bureau) — It is 136 pages long, took seven months to put together, and looks to modernize, streamline, and reshape state and local governments in Iowa. It also already has opposition before any of the new ideas have been put into implementation.

On Tuesday, Governor Kim Reynolds, a Republican, released the Iowa D.O.G.E. (Department of Government Efficiency) Task Force’s report that the 15-member volunteer group submitted to her last month.

Reynolds said while discussing the task force’s 45 recommendations, “It is important that we never settle, that we continue to look for ways to be more effective, efficient and accountable to the taxpayers of Iowa.”.

Read the task force recommendations here.

Task force members called for changing Iowa Public Employees’ Retirement System (IPERS) but not eliminating it. The report suggested keeping IPERS available for current state employeees but giving new employees the option of using IPERS or joining a defined contribution plan.

Members also suggested studying benefits that state workers receive and whether they contribute enough to their health care costs.

The task force called for incentives for teachers based on performance, a focus on expanding the number of instructors in high demand fields, and introducing work-based learning experiences to freshmen and sophomore high school students.

Utilizing technology so that artificial intelligence could take over some tasks in state government and freeing up workers to concentrate on other areas was also a suggestion. So was digitizing government forms.

The task force recommended sharing services whenever possible in local government, which could be part of an overall strategy of lessening expenses in local government to reduce property taxes.

House Minority Leader Brian Meyer, a Des Moines Democrat, criticized the overall set of proposals.

“This Governor’s DOGE task force report is deeply disturbing, coming from individuals who’ve never worked a day in their lives. They’re attacking the very people who keep our communities strong, teachers, public safety officers, and other dedicated public servants,” Meyer said in a statement.

Other than stressing that she would preserve IPERS, Reynolds did not take positions on the list of recommendations. She could announce some of them as part of her 2026 legislative priorities when she delivers the annual Condition of the State Address in January.

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Iowa

Is it legal to sell margarine as butter in Iowa?

Published

1 day ago

October 21, 2025

Press Room

Is it legal to sell margarine as butter in Iowa?

Iowa was once known as one of the top butter producers in America.

According to “The Annals of Iowa,” the Hawkeye State was second in America in dairy production in 1943. Iowa even reportedly produced one third of all butter made in the United States.

Iowa loves butter so much, the Iowa State Fair features a sculpture of a cow made mostly out of butter.

But did you know there are state laws about butter?

What’s the Iowa state law regarding butter?

According to Iowa state law, it is illegal to sell margarine as butter.

The state law says oleo, oleomargarine, or margarine must be labeled as such and the packaging should include a full and accurate statement of all ingredients it contains.

The state law also says that margarine or similar margarine products may not be advertised or represented in any form as a dairy product for purchase.

Misrepresentation of other dairy products such as renovated butter, imitation cheese, and nonfat dry milk is also illegal.

What’s the penalty for breaking this state law?

Under Iowa law, misrepresenting margarine as butter is a simple misdemeanor.

The penalty for a simple misdemeanor is a fine of at least of at least $105 and no more than $855. The court may also order a prison sentence of up to 30 days. The prison sentence may be ordered in place of the fine or in addition to the fine.

For restaurants and other eating establishments, violating this law could also result in the suspension of state-issued licenses for a year.

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Iowa

USA TODAY Sports College Football Re-Rank sees Iowa Hawkeyes climbing to new heights

Published

2 days ago

October 20, 2025

Press Room

USA TODAY Sports College Football Re-Rank sees Iowa Hawkeyes climbing to new heights

It may be slow and steady, but that is how the Iowa Hawkeyes have operated so successfully for so long. They just find ways to win games and did so again last weekend in a thrilling 25-24 comeback win over Penn State to move to 5-2 on the year.

The win sees Iowa also jump to 3-1 in Big Ten play and suddenly within striking distance of some of the top teams in America. The win also sees Iowa climb up the rankings in the latest USA TODAY College Football Re-Rank and into position for a late-season stretch run, something that has become a sort of staple under head coach Kirk Ferentz.

Like the US LBM Coaches Poll, which sees Iowa just on the outside looking in, this week’s re-rank sees Iowa closing in on the top 25. The Hawkeyes climbed four spots up to No. 29 and have a shot to continue their ascent this weekend.

The next one for the Iowa Hawkeyes is a big one. It is a protected rivalry game against the Minnesota Golden Gophers for the Floyd of Rosedale. Minnesota, coming off an upset of the Nebraska Cornhuskers, matches Iowa with a 5-2 overall record and 3-1 Big Ten mark as well. The Golden Gophers come in at No. 36 in the re-rank, a five-spot jump from last week after their win.

Iowa and Minnesota are set to kick off at 2:30 p.m. CT on Saturday, Oct. 25, from Kinnick Stadium in Iowa City, Iowa, and will be airing on CBS.

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 Riley on X: @rileydonald7

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