Iowa

Which Iowa speed cameras can be used after DOT ruling? Look them up in our database:

Published

9 months ago

October 2, 2024

Which Iowa speed cameras can be used after DOT ruling? Look them up in our database:

Which Iowa communities can still operate speed cameras and where after the state Department of Transportation decided Monday which permits to issue or decline?

The state denied about 44% of the 348 fixed and mobile camera permit requests it received, most often because officials decided less restrictive alternatives were available to address traffic issues at a requested location.

More: Which Des Moines traffic cameras are still operating? What to know after Iowa DOT decision

Search our database to see how the DOT ruled on all permit requests from 28 Iowa municipalities that applied to use mobile and fixed automated traffic-enforcement cameras under a new state law regulating the devices.

How did the DOT rule on Des Moines’ cameras?

Two fixed traffic-enforcement cameras were shut down at 4 p.m. Monday in Des Moines. The state also denied the city’s request to use mobile cameras at 14 locations.

Des Moines, which has three mobile cameras, had permits approved at 25 sites:

4700 block Interstate 235, eastbound. (The city’s only approved fixed camera.)
4300 block Ingersoll Avenue, eastbound and westbound.
2800 block SW Ninth Street, northbound and southbound.
1800 block Fleur Drive, northbound and southbound.
300 block E. McKinley Avenue, eastbound and westbound.
2800 block Indianola Avenue, eastbound and westbound.
1700 block Park Avenue, eastbound and westbound.
1600 block E. University Ave, eastbound and westbound.
2200 block E. 29th Street, northbound and southbound.
4800 block Hickman Road, eastbound and westbound.
1000 block SE 14th Street, northbound and southbound.
2900 block Sixth Avenue, northbound and southbound.
3100 block MLK Jr. Parkway, northbound and southbound.

Use of the cameras will pause while the signage required by Iowa law is installed, Des Moines police Sgt. Paul Parizek said.

Once installed, the Des Moines Police Department will make notification 30 days before enforcement resumes at the approved locations.

What did the DOT decide on other municipalities’ permits?

Fort Dodge was the only municipality to see all of its requests granted to use mobile cameras at 19 locations.

Davenport may use cameras at 86% of its 51 requested locations, mostly mobile, while 61% of Des Moines’ 41 requested permits got the green light from the DOT.

Several municipalities had less than half of their permit requests approved:

Marion: 29 of 59 permits, or 49%.
Cedar Rapids: 6 of 15 permits, or 40%.
Waterloo: 15 of 44 permits, or 34%.
Sioux City: 8 of 18 requests, or 44%.

The DOT declined to issue any permits to 18 Iowa counties or municipalities that applied: Buffalo, Chester, Charles City, Hudson, Hazleton, Fredericksburg, Fayette, Independence, La Porte City, Lee County, Maynard, Oelwein, Postville, Prairie City, Strawberry Point, Tama, Webster City and West Union. Each had requested fixed permits, except for Lee County, which requested permits for two mobile and six fixed locations.

The most common reason for permit denials, involving 62 rejections of fixed cameras and two denials of mobile cameras, was “not least restrictive means.” Iowa law requires “the least restrictive means to address the traffic safety issues at a location.”

The DOT considered the cameras “not necessary” at 39 fixed and 12 mobile locations. Mobile units were deemed “not appropriate” at 18 spots.

The DOT declined permits at 27 fixed and 33 mobile locations because the cameras were not in use before Jan. 1, 2024. Under the new law, communities using traffic cameras for the first time on or after Jan. 1, 2024 cannot be issued a permit by the DOT before July 1, 2026.

Marissa Payne covers the Iowa Statehouse and politics for the Register. Reach her by email at mjpayne@registermedia.com. Follow her on X, formerly known as Twitter, at @marissajpayne.

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Iowa

Iowa congressional leaders express support of Trump, Iran nuclear site bombings

Published

11 hours ago

June 22, 2025

Press Room

Iowa congressional leaders express support of Trump, Iran nuclear site bombings

Trump made the call to side with Israel and attack Iran’s nuclear sites in a mission called “Operation Midnight Black.” The attack was successful and has earned praise from Iowa’s leaders.

President Donald Trump earned a lot of praise from Iowa congressional lawmakers on social media Saturday evening after he confirmed the U.S. bombed three major Iranian-based nuclear sites Fordow, Natanz and Esfahan.

After days of speculation and high anticipation, Trump made the call to side with Israel and attack Iran’s nuclear sites in a mission called “Operation Midnight Hammer.” He gave a live statement Saturday night to confirm the bombings, claiming the facilities were “totally obliterated.”

Iowa congressional lawmakers and Gov. Kim Reynolds expressed gratitude for Trump’s actions.

Gov. Kim Reynolds

“President Trump made the right call in denying Iran—the world’s foremost sponsor of terror—a nuclear weapon. His decisive action leading with peace through strength protects our national security interests and makes the world a safer place. God bless America and the men and women of the US Armed Forces who protect her.”

Sen. Chuck Grassley

“Our commander in chief & brave military forces hv carried out a mission in Iran to prevent nuclear enrichment. Iran believes in “Death to Israel Death to America” Keeping USA safe is number 1 responsibility of Pres. Trump.”

Sen. Joni Ernst

“By leading with peace through strength, President Trump is making the world a safer place and protecting Americans. Iran must never be able to threaten America with a nuclear weapon. God bless our commander in chief and our servicemembers!”

Rep. Randy Feenstra

“Thank you to President Trump for obliterating Iranian nuclear facilities and keeping our country safe!”

Rep. Ashley Hinson

“Thanks to President Trump’s decisive leadership, our military carried out successful strikes on Iran’s nuclear sites tonight. Iran is the largest state sponsor of terrorism & President Trump made it clear: Iran can never have a path to a nuclear weapon. Now they won’t. Thank you to our brave warriors who carried out these attacks & are now on their way back safely home. God Bless President Trump and the USA.”

Rep. Mariannette Miller-Meeks

“Under the constitutional authority granted to the president as Commander-in-Chief under Article II, [President Donald Trump] took decisive action tonight to keep America, our allies and the world, safe. His bold leadership and commitment to peace through strength delivered results. Our military successfully struck Iran’s nuclear sites, sending a clear message: the world’s top sponsor of terrorism will never obtain a nuclear weapon. Proud of our warriors and our President.”

Rep. Zach Nunn

“As President Trump takes decisive action to eliminate Iran’s nuclear threat, I also remain committed to ensuring our troops—including Iowa’s Guardsmen deploying to the region—are protected and not engaged in a forever war. America remains a strong force for Peace through Strength.”

Chris Meglio is a reporter for the Register. Reach him at cmeglio@gannett.com.

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Iowa

Iowa City celebrates LGBTQ+ community during pride festival

Published

1 day ago

June 22, 2025

Press Room

Iowa City celebrates LGBTQ+ community during pride festival

IOWA CITY, Iowa (KCRG) – No matter how oppressive the heat on Saturday, people like Kelsi Mann were determined not to miss Iowa City’s pride festival.

“There’s always someone in your corner. There are places you can go. They have resources for everyone and they make it loud and proud that they’re here and that they’re for us,” Mann said.

This is Mann’s third year celebrating Pride in Iowa City. Mann said the LGBTQ+ community can sometimes feel small, but the pride festival is a strong reminder nobody’s alone.

An especially powerful message to people who aren’t yet confident in showing their pride.

“You know I spent a long time in the closet before I was fully ready to come out. Now I’m out and I know the people who love me love me so much.”>

Mann isn’t alone.

Taygan Shilhanek said diversity is something to be proud of and the community’s acceptance can act as a sanctuary.

“Like coming out to friends and close family can be very difficult but it’s knowing that no matter what happens, you have someone. You’re not alone,” Shilhanek said.

Even as a state law removing gender identity from the Iowa Civil Rights act is about to go into effect, all you’d see at the parade is an abundance of positive messages.

“Coming together as a community like this is a way for us not only to cope but to show that no matter what you do we will persist. We will still be here. You can’t erase our existence,” said Cori Jobman

Mann said they’re used to hostility as a response to self expression, and events like the pride festival are critical for the LGBTQ+ community.

“There’s people here who love you still. And it saves lives.”

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Inside Iowa Politics: The new candidate who could mean a ‘three-peat’

Published

2 days ago

June 21, 2025

Press Room

Inside Iowa Politics: The new candidate who could mean a ‘three-peat’

DES M0INES, Iowa (Gray Media Iowa State Capitol Bureau) — Christina Bohannan, the University of Iowa law professor who this week declared her Democratic campaign for Iowa’s 1st Congressional District, could bring the possibility that voters could choose between the same two candidates on the general election ballot for a third straight election.

Bohannan would first have to win what is now a three-person Democratic primary next June. Bob Krause, a veterans’ advocate from Burlington, and Travis Terrell, a health care worker from Tiffin, already declared their campaigns for the nomination.

U.S. Representative Mariannette Miller-Meeks, the Republican from Ottumwa and Davenport who was first elected in 2022, has not publicly declared her re-election for 2026.

David Pautsch, a Davenport businessman, announced his candidacy for the Republican nomination.

If Miller-Meeks won her party’s nomination again in 2026 and Bohannan earned the Democratic nomination, the two candidates could meet for the third straight election.

About the author: Midwest native Dave Price is Gray Television’s Iowa Political Director for nine stations that broadcast in the state and has been covering local, state and national politics from Iowa since 2001.

Dave produces and hosts “Inside Iowa Politics,” a weekly, in-depth show focused on interviews with top leaders on politics, issues, challenges and solutions that impact the state.

He has written two books about the Iowa Caucuses (“Caucus Chaos” and “Caucus Chaos Trump”). Email him at dave.price@gray.tv. Follow him on X (Twitter): @idaveprice Meta/Facebook: DavePriceNews Instagram: idaveprice and LinkedIn: Dave Price.