Latest news with #WHO13News
Yahoo
13-06-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Iowa House Republicans, candidates describe Gov. Reynolds pipeline veto as 'betrayal'
DES MOINES, Iowa — It's been just over 24 hours since Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds announced she was vetoing a bill that would add restrictions around building pipelines in the state; but the gloves are already off for some elected lawmakers in the party. 'It's a betrayal of the Republican party platform, it's a betrayal of those landowners who fought for four years and she didn't even speak with them until recently,' said State Representative Steve Holt (R) District 12 from Denison, when discussing if Reynolds had talked with his constituents. 'So it was very, very unfortunate. Puts us in a very bad position and it, I think, it will forever tarnish her legacy.' House Republicans won't mince words with how they feel with the news about the veto. Rep. Holt said that he talked with Governor Reynolds after the session ended, urging her to sign the legislation, promising a bill to tighten language she thought was a concern. CIWW enacts ban on lawn watering as nitrate levels climb The author of the bill shared his colleague's concerns about the reason why the governor did not sign the legislation. 'To let Iowans down the way she has, it just, it kind of breaks your heart to see that,' said State Representative Charley Thomson (R) District 58 from Charles City when responding to Reynolds' concerns about insurance and voluntary easements. 'It's not credible for her to say that. And we all kind of get it, wink, wink, nod, nod, it's not about insurance, it's about sum.' Thomson outlined to WHO 13 News why he believes there needs to be insurance liabilities on a pipeline company, and protections for landowners. He compared it to an Iowan not being able to drive legally on the road without auto insurance. The pair do not have high hopes for a special session to be called, but they won't completely rule it out. Two gubernatorial candidates both say that this decision from Governor Reynolds was something they were disappointed in, but not surprised. 'I was not surprised by this. I had predicted that this would happen. And quite honestly, I'm deeply disappointed. I think this is a, it's a slap in the face at our property owners, who their only gripe, if you will, is that they just don't want to sell their property to someone for that other person's financial gain,' said State Representative Eddie Andrews, (R) District 43, candidate for governor. 'I was not surprised. Um, the timing is always a little bit of a surprise because you never know when it's going to happen. But I had a conversation with Governor Reynolds back in the early part of '23 when I first got to the statehouse. And, you know, some of the language in her statement was pretty similar to what, what her response was back then,' said Brad Sherman, a former state representative and candidate for governor. Both Sherman and Andrews told WHO 13 News that if they are elected they will sign a bill that bans the use of eminent domain for carbon pipelines outright. Iowa News: Iowa House Republicans, candidates describe Gov. Reynolds pipeline veto as 'betrayal' WHO 13 Farm Report: Thursday, June 12th Deal's Orchard is a favorite Jefferson destination Des Moines man identified as body found in Newton home during search warrant execution Art scene thriving in Jefferson with more murals planned for downtown Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
11-06-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Iowa Senator Zach Wahls running for Joni Ernst's U.S. Senate seat
DES MOINES, Iowa — The Democratic field for a challenger to incumbent Senator Joni Ernst (R) is growing. Iowa State Senator Zach Wahls announced his run for the seat on Wednesday morning. Wahls, from Coralville, has been serving District 43 since 2019. He tells WHO 13 News why he is now deciding to hop into the race. 'I'm running because Iowans are working hard but aren't getting ahead. And I want to do something to help solve the problems that hardworking Iowans are facing. I've got a track record of standing up to leaders of both parties when they are not delivering for us. And that's exactly what I'll do in Washington. My wife and I started talking about it seriously this spring when we were watching everything that was happening in D.C.,' said Senator Wahls, (D) District 43 from Coralville. 'ICE Out' protest brings in hundreds in Des Moines Democrat Nathan Sage from Knoxville announced his bid for the office earlier in the year. Along with State Representative J.D. Scholten, from Sioux City. Wahls tells WHO 13 News that he isn't focusing on his Democratic opponents in this primary race, instead focusing on the incumbent. 'The fact that Senator Ernst didn't have the courage of her convictions to stand against the nomination of Pete Hegseth when she clearly had concerns that were valid, as we all found out when the Signal-gate story broke. And I think that unfortunately, Sen. Ernst has lost her way,' said Wahls. 'We deserve a senator who isn't going to glibly joke that we are all going to die, I mean we all know we are going to die, that's a part of life. It's not supposed to be our senators who are the ones killing us. We need someone who's going to fight back for these benefits that so many Iowans count on.' Wahls told WHO 13 News that he is eager to get out and campaign in all 99 Iowa counties and meet voters. Wahls is a 6th-generation Iowan who is eager to run on lowering costs, protecting health care and abortion rights, and providing affordable child care to Iowa's families. Iowa Senator Zach Wahls running for Joni Ernst's U.S. Senate seat Hot, muggy Wednesday and storm chances Iowa HHS reports second case of measles in state this year Increase in ATV/UTV popularity brings more crashes on roads Dozens of dogs rescued from 'neglectful conditions' at eastern Iowa breeder nearly 2 years after first rescue Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
03-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Julie Stauch announces run for Iowa governor
DES MOINES, Iowa — After years of managing and working in campaigns at the local, state and federal levels, Julie Stauch is making a run for the state's highest office. It's her first time seeking public office, Julie tells WHO 13 News that she is treating it like a job resume with a cover letter and actual resume listed on her campaign website. You can learn more about her background and the different organizations she has been involved with, including the 24 campaigns spanning across all levels of government. Iowa veteran passes halfway point on Appalachian Trail 'Iowans are disgusted with our elected leaders, and we want change,' said Stauch (D). 'We are done with the destruction created by a Governor and Legislators who are destroying every aspect of our state, playing childish games with people's lives. We value our water, our soil, our children's futures, our schools, our communities and our county governments. We need leaders who embrace those values. I am one of those leaders.' Stauch is one of a couple of Iowa Democrats to jump into the field, with State Auditor Rob Sand announced his bid for office just several weeks ago. You can watch the full interview with Stauch with WHO 13's Zach Fisher attached above. Stauch discusses why she decided now was the appropriate time to run, and a campaign trail she plans to circle four times over the next year. Iowa News: Julie Stauch announces run for Iowa governor Iowa veteran passes halfway point on Appalachian Trail Newton nonprofit holds fundraiser to install safe haven baby box Storms move in, along with cooler air Miguel Angel Jimenez wins playoff in Iowa for 3rd PGA Tour Champions victory of the year Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
03-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Sen. Joni Ernst responds to backlash from her sarcastic comments on Medicaid
DES MOINES, IOWA — United States Senator Joni Ernst is responding to backlash from comments made about Medicaid cuts at a townhall in Parkersburg; and to concern about a video she made over the weekend. Sen. Ernst made the comment of 'we are all going to die', when discussing with constituents last week cuts to Medicaid that are in the current budget bill. Ernst then took to social media on Saturday, saying that she wanted to 'sincerely apologize'. Ernst added in the video posted to social media that she thought everyone understood that everyone will perish from the earth. At the end of the video Ernst states that she was really glad that she didn't have to bring up the subject of the tooth fairy, pushing people to turn their faith to God. On Monday a spokesperson with Sen. Ernst gave WHO 13 News the following statement: 'While Democrats fearmonger against strengthening the integrity of Medicaid, Senator Ernst is focused on improving the lives of all Iowans. There's only two certainties in life: death and taxes, and she's working to ease the burden of both by fighting to keep more of Iowans' hard-earned tax dollars in their own pockets and ensuring their benefits are protected from waste, fraud, and abuse.' Spokesperson for Sen. Joni Ernst (R) The Iowa GOP Chair responded to the criticism of both the comments and the video: 'Anyone who knows Joni — especially the folks who heard her answer tough questions for over an hour — knows Dems and the Main Stream Media are purposefully replacing her core message because it helps their fear-mongering. But the fact is, without Senator Ernst taking a strong stand to protect the integrity of programs like Medicaid, Iowans would be worse off.' Iowa GOP Chairman Jeff Kaufmann The bill sits in the U.S. Senate chamber, after the U.S. House passed through the budget. That bill includes the cuts to Medicaid that are these comments are circling around. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
30-05-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Iowa lawmaker wants ‘stiffer penalties' for online grooming after missing child reunites with family
DES MOINES, Iowa – After a missing teenager was reunited with her family earlier this week, community leaders and lawmakers are calling for a change in how these types of crimes are prosecuted in the state. '…Stiffer penalties,' said State Representative Rob Johnson (D) District 34, Des Moines. 'You can make it so tough, and you even think about doing it and you get caught? You are going to be looking at a much, much stiffer penalty than you were before.' Rep. Johnson told WHO 13 News that he is using the interim of the 91st General Assembly to work on legislation with lawmakers on the other side of the aisle and community members to deter bad actors from committing the events that were alleged this weekend. 'We will stop at nothing to protect our babies,' said Rep. Johnson. Former Marshalltown substitute teacher accused of sexually exploiting student The founder and CEO of Creative Visions also spoke with WHO 13 News about how glad the family is to have their child back, and what the community will do to continue to support the family. 'Counseling is needed, not only for our victim, but her little brother. You see it in him, he is traumatized,' said Ako Abdul-Samad. 'We have to talk about what has transpired, what has traumatized this child and what this child had went through and what other children to date are going through, those children that don't have the result that this child had.' Abdul-Samad reiterated that the community will be there for the needs of the family, whatever those may be. West Des Moines Police Department told WHO 13 News that because of the case being an active and open investigation, there was nothing new to add at this time. Metro News: Iowa lawmaker wants 'stiffer penalties' for online grooming after missing child reunites with family Golfers get practice in pro-am before Principal Charity Classic Round 1 begins Friday New tactile mural, sensory wellness space helps Ruby Van Meter students find calm The Rook Room opens this weekend in downtown Des Moines Iowa's high school musical theater talent on display in Des Moines Thursday Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
