Iowa Capital Dispatch

The Iowa Capital Dispatch is a hard-hitting, independent news organization dedicated to connecting Iowans to their state government and its impact on their lives. The Capital Dispatch combines state government coverage with relentless investigative journalism, deep dives into the consequences of policy, political insight, and principled commentary.

The Capital Dispatch deeply believes in sharing the stories of people outside the halls of power, connecting the actions of state leaders to their impacts on Iowans. The organization also believe that without strong community journalism, Iowans risk losing the government integrity and accountability they have long valued.

The Iowa Capital Dispatch is a nonprofit organization, free of advertising and free to readers. Their work is available to other media outlets for syndication, including Agriculture.com.

The Capital Dispatch is part of States Newsroom, a national 501(c)(3) nonprofit supported by grants and a coalition of donors and readers. The news organization retains full editorial independence.

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Iowa’s ethanol production sets new record, group says

Ethanol plants in Iowa produced an estimated 4.5 billion gallons in 2022 — a new record for the state, according to the Iowa Renewable Fuels Association.

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Iowa Capitol protest

Expect carbon pipeline debates in 2023 legislative session, Iowa House speaker

Iowans can expect to see their state legislators discuss changes to carbon pipeline laws in the upcoming legislative session, House Speaker Pat Grassley said in an interview.

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Corn covered with snow.

As another winter storm strains the electric grid, it’s time to fix transmission, experts say

The deadly winter storm that tore through much of the United States over the Christmas weekend placed a huge strain on the American electric grid, pushing it past the breaking point in some places.

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Hog confinement owners fined for improper manure applications

Two northern Iowa hog confinement owners applied manure from their facilities to fields without proper certifications and potentially applied an incorrect amount of manure.

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Cattle eating at a feedbunk.

Large cattle feedlot fined $2,000 for stream contamination

An employee of the third-largest open feedlot in Iowa improperly pumped manure water onto a field this year that was too saturated with rainwater to absorb the liquid.

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Turkeys in a large turkey barn.

Another northwest Iowa turkey flock has bird flu

A commercial flock of about 90,000 turkeys in Ida County is the seventh to be infected by highly pathogenic avian influenza this month in northwest Iowa.

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