Iowa
USDA criticizes Iowa’s planned summer feeding program, raising doubts over waiver approval
The U.S. Department of Agriculture has criticized Iowa’s proposal to launch its own summer feeding program with federal money, saying it shows the state believes it “knows better than its own families do about what their needs are” and raising questions about whether the state’s plan will be approved.
Gov. Kim Reynolds announced Thursday that Iowa will seek a waiver from the 2025 Summer EBT program. The EBT program would provide Iowa families with pre-loaded electronic benefits transfer cards that could be used to buy groceries. Instead, Iowa is seeking to use the same money it would get through the Summer EBT program — about $29 million — to set up a summer feeding program that would distribute boxes of food to families at existing sites at nonprofits, food banks, churches and other organizations around the state.
Iowa’s waiver application needs approval from the U.S. Department of Agriculture, which runs the Summer EBT program. A USDA spokesperson issued a statement Thursday afternoon defending the benefits of the Summer EBT approach and criticizing Iowa’s proposal.
“USDA’s Summer EBT program is designed to tackle one objective: feeding kids at a time when we know hunger goes up,” the statement says. “It is backed by a decade of demonstration projects and rigorous evaluation showing that it works to reduce child hunger and support healthier diets. It also provides families with the freedom to make their own decisions on what food is best for their unique needs.”
More: Kim Reynolds seeks waiver from Summer EBT food program, says state can serve more kids
“Through this waiver request, the governor is asserting that the State knows better than its own families do about what their needs are,” the statement continues. “The evidence-based Summer EBT program is successfully being run in more than three dozen states, territories, and tribes helping 21 million children across the U.S. USDA stands ready to support additional states, including Iowa, in offering Summer EBT to even more kids.”
Department of Agriculture officials said they will review Iowa’s waiver request just like they do with other requests. They also said pilot projects must demonstrate a plan to research and measure their effectiveness before they will be approved.
Reynolds and state officials said Thursday they believe their proposal will provide a healthier alternative to Summer EBT, and said the state pilot would make about 300,000 children eligible, compared to 245,000 under Summer EBT.
But some anti-hunger advocates raised questions about whether picking up a box of food each month will be as accessible or offer as much choice as using an EBT card at a grocery store.
“One concern is that the current proposal will limit extensive choice for families,” said Michelle Book, president and CEO of the Food Bank of Iowa. “With the summer EBT card, it’s loaded onto their card. They go to the grocery store and they choose whatever in the grocery store would be of most benefit to their family.”
Luke Elzinga, chair of the Iowa Hunger Coalition, said he’s worried “some folks could fall through the gaps” of the program, even despite the state’s plans for a food box delivery option.
“By providing that card that’s going straight to those 245,000 kids and their families, we know that it’s getting to them,” Elzinga said. “I’m not sure that we’ll see all 300,000 Iowans or children in Iowa that would be eligible actually be able to participate in the program.”
Iowa’s waiver application says the state will offer food box deliveries to families with transportation challenges, something it says is an advantage over Summer EBT, also known as SUN Bucks.
“Three monthly boxes with healthy, nutritious foods will be available at food distribution sites during the summer months,” Kelly Garcia, director of the Iowa Department of Health and Human Services, wrote in a letter Thursday to U.S. Department of Agriculture officials. “Iowa recognizes that for some families, transportation may be a barrier to access. For that reason, food box delivery options will be available for families with transportation challenges, ensuring food is delivered right to their door. The SUN Bucks (Summer EBT) program does not offer this convenience, even though transportation is also necessary to utilize an EBT card at a grocery store.”
Stephen Gruber-Miller covers the Iowa Statehouse and politics for the Register. He can be reached by email at sgrubermil@registermedia.com or by phone at 515-284-8169. Follow him on Twitter at @sgrubermiller.
Here are the top 2026 midterm races to follow in Iowa
Des Moines Register Chief Politics Reporter Brianne Pfannenstiel breaks down Iowa’s top races ahead of the 2026 midterms.
Democratic challengers continued to outpace GOP incumbents in fundraising as they prepare to turn the page on primaries and brace for a hotly contested November election.
University of Iowa law professor Christina Bohannan and state Sen. Sarah Trone Garriott of West Des Moines, both Democrats, led GOP incumbents in Iowa’s 1st and 3rd congressional districts during the last fundraising period before the June 2 primary, new reports show.
The latest figures are a signal of how heavily national Democrats and Republicans will pour money into these races as they battle for control of Congress in the November midterm elections.
Bohannan, of Iowa City, is trying for a third time to unseat U.S. Rep. Mariannette Miller-Meeks in southeastern Iowa’s 1st District after a narrow 2024 loss. She out-raised the Ottumwa Republican, raking in $543,861 this period.
And Trone Garriott, who is looking to stop GOP U.S. Rep. Zach Nunn from securing a third term in south-central Iowa’s 3rd District, which includes Des Moines, tallied $811,849 this period.
Nonpartisan analysts with Cook Political Report consider both matchups a “tossup,” meaning either party has a fair shot at nabbing the seat.
Frontrunners in Iowa’s 1st District both keeping hefty war chests
Democratic and Republican frontrunners in the 1st District have their sights set on the general election, each continuing to stockpile major cash to gear up for a tough contest once they officially stave off primary challenges from their left and right flanks.
Bohannan’s latest haul bumps her campaign coffers to $4.3 million, giving her more money in her overall war chest for the first time this cycle.
Miller-Meeks tallied $423,146 this period, pushing her cash on hand to $4.2 million — trailing her Democratic challenger by $88,188.
Republican David Pautsch, who is challenging Miller-Meeks for the GOP nomination for a second time, has $9,892 in the bank after raising $3,825 this period. He unsuccessfully challenged the incumbent in 2024 for the party’s nomination in the 1st District, though he came within 12 percentage points of ousting her, despite low fundraising and name ID.
Democrat Travis Terrell, a University of Iowa Health Care worker from Tiffin, did not file a report by the time of publication.
The 20-county 1st Congressional District encompasses the cities of Davenport, Iowa City, Keokuk and Indianola.
Trone Garriott leads, Nunn has more money overall
Trone Garriott had strong fundraising game this period, raking in more than three times the amount of Nunn’s $264,209 haul.
But the Ankeny Republican kept more money in the bank, boasting $3.2 million to Trone Garriott’s $2.7 million in cash on hand.
Neither candidate has an opponent on the June 2 primary ballot.
The 21-county 3rd Congressional District encompasses the cities of Des Moines, West Des Moines, Ottumwa and Winterset.
Mitchell keeps lead in 2nd Congressional District fundraising
Republican former state Rep. Joe Mitchell of Clear Lake continues to lead northeastern Iowa’s 2nd District in fundraising, bringing in $225,000 and spending $226,000.
State Rep. Lindsay James, D-Dubuque, leads the Democratic field with $130,000 raised and $325,000 spent. Former Cedar Rapids nonprofit leader Clint Twedt-Ball raised $73,000 and spent $153,000.
The seat is open after sitting U.S. Rep. Ashley Hinson, a Republican, announced she would run for U.S. Senate to replace retiring U.S. Sen. Joni Ernst.
Dawson leads Democrats, but McGowan tops 4th District
Republican Chris McGowan, the Siouxland Chamber of Commerce president, topped the field of northwest Iowa’s 4th District contenders as his party’s lone candidate in the race for Iowa’s most deeply conservative district.
He raised $9,610 this period, pushing his campaign coffers to $375,342.
Former state Rep. Dave Dawson leads the Democratic fundraising field over Stephanie Steiner and Ashley WolfTornabane with $8,626 raised.
Candidates in Iowa’s June 2 primary faced a final preprimary deadline on May 21 to report their fundraising and spending. The candidates’ reports cover April 1 through May 13.
Candidates must file paperwork with the Federal Election Commission once they raise or spend more than $5,000.
Here’s a look at how Iowa’s U.S. House campaigns fared with raising money.
1st Congressional District
U.S. Rep. Mariannette Miller-Meeks (R-incumbent)
- Raised this period: $423,146
- Raised this election cycle: $6,500,517
- Spent this period: $493,468
- Spent this election cycle: $2,663,708
- Cash on hand: $4,246,864
David Pautsch (R)
- Raised this period: $3,825
- Raised this election cycle: $57,495
- Spent this period: $5,257
- Spent this election cycle: $53,302
- Cash on hand: $9,892
Christina Bohannan (D)
- Raised this period: $543,861
- Raised this election cycle: $5,759,611
- Spent this period: $214,004
- Spent this election cycle: $1,575,850
- Cash on hand: $4,335,052
Travis Terrell (D)
Terrell did not file a report by filing deadline.
2nd Congressional District
State Sen. Charlie McClintock (R)
- Raised this period: $1,378
- Raised this election cycle: $17,322
- Spent this period: $45
- Spent this election cycle: $1,201
- Cash on hand: $16,121
Joe Mitchell (R)
- Raised this period: $224,678
- Raised this election cycle: $1,560,824
- Spent this period: $225,750
- Spent this election cycle: $683,158
- Cash on hand: $877,666
Kathy Dolter (D)
- Raised this period: $18,546
- Raised this election cycle: $73,292
- Spent this period: $19,396
- Spent this election cycle: $71,310
- Cash on hand: $1,982
State Rep. Lindsay James (D)
- Raised this period: $130,277
- Raised this election cycle: $872,614
- Spent this period: $325,392
- Spent this election cycle: $633,389
- Cash on hand: $239,225
Clint Twedt-Ball (D)
- Raised this period: $72,590
- Raised this election cycle: $537,637
- Spent this period: $153,278
- Spent this election cycle: $463,503
- Cash on hand: $74,133
3rd Congressional District
U.S. Rep. Zach Nunn (R-incumbent)
- Raised this period: $264,209
- Raised this election cycle: $4,231,246
- Spent this period: $143,837
- Spent this election cycle: $1,455,505
- Cash on hand: $3,160,505
State Sen. Sarah Trone Garriott (D)
- Raised this period: $811,849
- Raised this election cycle: $3,892,746
- Spent this period: $294,028
- Spent this election cycle: $1,186,605
- Cash on hand: $2,706,141
4th Congressional District
Chris McGowan (R)
- Raised this period: $9,610
- Raised this election cycle: $636,623
- Spent this period: $13,377
- Spent this election cycle: $261,281
- Cash on hand: $375,342
Dave Dawson (D)
- Raised this period: $8,626
- Raised this election cycle: $98,357
- Spent this period: $15,711
- Spent this election cycle: $61,895
- Cash on hand: $36,462
Stephanie Steiner (D)
Steiner’s financial report is not yet available through the FEC. She told the Des Moines Register she filled out her paperwork by hand and mailed it to the organization. She said she is unsure why her information isn’t reflected in the FEC’s online portal.
She shared copies of her paper documents with the Register that showed the following:
- Raised this period: $1,701
- Raised this election cycle: $20,743
- Spent this period: $1,745
- Spent this election cycle: $20,508
- Cash on hand: $235
Steiner’s fundraising reflects a $1,000 loan she issued her campaign during the most recent fundraising period, which brings the total she’s loaned her campaign over the election cycle to $9,000.
Ashley WolfTornabane (D)
- Raised this period: $5,140
- Raised this election cycle: $22,548
- Spent this period: $2,206
- Spent this election cycle: $14,043
- Cash on hand: $8,505
Des Moines Register reporters Brianne Pfannenstiel and Stephen Gruber-Miller contributed to this article.
Marissa Payne covers the Iowa Statehouse and politics for the Register. Reach her by email at mjpayne@registermedia.com. Follow her on X at @marissajpayne.
An Iowa high school graduate who rose through the ranks of undrafted player to Super Bowl winning quarterback and eventual Pro Football Hall of Famer, will add another honor to his legacy.
Kurt Warner will be part of the University of Northern Iowa Intercollegiate Athletics Hall of Fame Class of 2026, the school announced.
Warner, a graduate of Cedar Rapids Regis High School (which would later be renamed Cedar Rapids Xavier), was a multi-sport standout in football, basketball and baseball.
He enrolled at Northern Iowa after and earned the opportunity to start for the Panthers at quarterback as a senior, earning Gateway Conference Offensive Player of the Year and first team all-league honors.
Warner, though, would go undrafted, receiving an invitation to try out with the Green Bay Packers. After being cut, he returned to Cedar Falls, stocking shelves at a local grocery store before finding a home with the Iowa Barnstormers in the Arena Football League.
From Stocking Grocery Shelves To Throwing Super Bowl Touchdowns
In 1998, Warner played in NFL Europe, leading the league in touchdowns and passing yards. He earned a spot with the St. Louis Rams later that year in the NFL, taking over as the starter after Trent Green suffered a season-ending injury.
The rest was history, as Warner led the Rams to a win over the Tennessee Titans in Super Bowl XXXIV and won the NFL’s Most Valuable Player award. He threw for 414 yards and two touchdowns, earning him the Super Bowl MVP, as well.
Warner twice on the MVP award for the season, was a four-time Pro Bowl selection, twice named to the all-pro first team and set three NFL all-time records. He finished his career with 32,344 yards passing and 208 touchdowns.
Several Other Former Iowans Set To Be Enshrined
Joining Warner in the Class of 2026 will be Des Moines Hoover High School graduate and swimmer, Mark Crouch, Fort Dodge native and wrestler, Jim Sanford, West Delaware High School grad and volleyball standout Ashten Stelken, State Center native and multi-sport star Kay (Whitaker) Wieck and Cedar Falls native Hannah Bermel, who will be honored with the Merlin Taylor Academic Award.
Gary Rima, the voice of the Panthers and a native of Strawberry Point, will be presented with the Dr. Jitu Kothari Meritorious Service Award with Bob Justis.
“We are thrilled to announce a Hall of Fame class worthy of the honor as the university marks its 150th anniversary,” Northern Iowa Director of Athletics Megan Franklin said in a press release from the school. “The inductees represent program defining players, voices that brought iconic moments to life and lifts up the celebration of scholarship definidng the student-athlete experience.
“Needless to say, in this sesquicentennial year, the Hall of Fame committee put together a very special class highlighting the very best in UNI athletics history.”
The induction ceremony is set for Friday, September 11 in Cedar Falls, Iowa, with the class being recognized the following day during Northern Iowa’s home opener inside the UNI-Dome vs. Drake.
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AMES — After six years and two different roles at Iowa State, Emily Ryan was named an assistant coach for Iowa State’s women’s basketball program Thursday.
Ryan spent five years as a player for the Cyclones from 2020-25 and, most recently, the 2025-26 season as a graduate assistant for the program.
“Emily’s loyalty and commitment to Iowa State women’s basketball has been truly special,” head coach Bill Fennelly said via a news release. “Our players will be learning the Iowa State Way from one of the best Cyclones ever!”
Prior to coaching, Ryan quickly established herself as a Cyclone and became one of the program’s most notable point guards.
Ryan concluded her time as a Cyclone with 1,632 points, 656 rebounds and 993 assists. These statistics marked Ryan as the third NCAA women’s basketball player to have more than 1,500 points, 600 rebounds and 900 assists.
Additionally, as a player, Ryan earned three Big 12 selections in the Big 12 Tournament, and 2024 marked Ryan as an All-Tournament Team member. Outside of the Big 12, Ryan was on the Naismith Trophy Watch List three times.
After transitioning from on the court to the sidelines, Ryan’s graduate assistant role focused on developing the program’s point guards.
The most notable point guard Ryan worked with was former Cyclone Jada Williams, who spent one season with the team.
During the 2025-26 season, Williams quickly filled the role of the floor general, averaging 15.3 points, 3.5 rebounds and 7.7 assists while shooting 41.7%.
The new role for Ryan will quickly escalate as the team welcomes seven guards to the program ahead of the 2026-27 season.
“Emily made a tremendous impact on our program as a player, and that will continue as a coach,” Fennelly said.
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