Iowa
What is Iowa City’s Charter Review Commission and what can it do?
Iowa City’s governmental structure is up for a performance review.
Iowa City’s Charter Review Commission examines the city’s charter every 10 years, the guiding principles that establish the specific details of Iowa City’s government.
The minimum nine-person commission includes six women and three men, many of whom hold or have held roles in city government or area organizations.
The members begin their terms on April 1 and have no more than one year to review and suggest alterations to the city charter.
What is the Home Rule Charter
The Home Rule Charter is essentially the city’s constitution, which establishes the powers of city officials and guiding principles of its city operation, from elections, boards and commissions, council and more. The document begins with a direct statement: “This city has all powers possible under the constitution and laws of this state.”
Iowa City residents voted to approve the current form of local government in 1973 and it went into effect with a 1976 ordinance. Read the full document at https://www.icgov.org/government/city-charter.
Who is on this edition of the review commission?
The commission members appointed by the city are:
- John Balmer, a former Iowa City councilor and Chair of the first Charter Review Commission in 1984
- Susan Craig, the former director of the Iowa City Public Library and League of Women Voters member
- John Deeth, an employee of the Johnson County Auditor with several decades of experience working elections
- Gerene Denning, the former chair of the Johnson County Democratic Party
- Mackenzie DeRoo, the senior director of advocacy for Greater Iowa City, Inc.
- Molly Kucera, associate director of the University of Iowa Health Care’s ambulatory surgery center
- Bijou Maliabo, a funeral assistant and board member for the Center for Worker Justice of Eastern Iowa
- Jennifer Patel, the voter registration coordinator for the League of Women Voters
- Andre Wright, an activist and the founder of the Wright House of Fashion
The council opted against adhering to a gender balance standard, as is common practice on many of the city’s boards and commissions. Councilor Megan Alter spurred that effort. The last two charter commissions, established in 2014 and 2004, had a five-to-four gender balance between men and women though Alter indicated that had not typically been the case through the years.
State law also mandates a gender balance on several boards and commissions required by the state, but that does not apply to the charter commission, a relatively unique board in the state of Iowa.
The role of the Charter Review Commission
The charter has been amended in relatively small ways over the years, with one significant change in 2024.
Some commission members indicated they would be open to altering the city’s ruling body and the mayoral election, according to interview notes taken by Councilor Andrew Dunn.
Currently, the mayor is selected by a council vote after winning an election to one of the council seats. Some commissioners said they’d heard or personally objected to the current process because a public vote does not decide the mayor.
Others referenced how districts elect council members and suggested changing the charter to ensure that only voters in specific council districts could vote for the candidates for that seat. Currently, the entire city elects the three district-specific seats.
The commission’s first meeting is expected to be held in the spring.
Any structural changes must be presented for public input and approved by the city council by spring 2025.
Ryan Hansen covers local government and crime for the Press-Citizen. He can be reached at rhansen@press-citizen.com or on X, formerly known as Twitter, @ryanhansen01.
Iowa
Iowa Lottery Mega Millions, Pick 3 Midday results for May 8, 2026
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 SNAP restrictions raise concerns over confusion, impact on summer food aid
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.
Iowa
Harkin backs Turek for Iowa Senate
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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