Rain on the Way for Iowa Crops; Gov. Reynolds Signs Bills; Sen. Grassley Supports Crypto Currency; Dem Navy Vet to Run for Sec of State; Dordt Continues to Renovate Rozenboom Center
ISU Ag Specialist Says Rain Helps Boost Crops
An Iowa State University Extension weather and climate specialist says the rain we are getting is welcome for farmers across the state.
Madelynn Wuestenberg says improved soil moisture will support crops as they enter a critical part of the growing season.
Wuestenburg says the corn and soybeans should both benefit.
She says the rains this week will help the state catch up to get closer to normal for the month.
Wuestenburg the soil moisture profile has been pretty similar to the same time last year prior to the latest rains.
Governor Reynolds Signs Bills
Gov. Kim Reynolds signed 25 bills into law Monday, including measures related to fireworks, school funding and First Amendment rights.
The Iowa Capital Dispatch reports that the first action on legislation Reynolds has taken since the legislature Thursday.
However, these are not the first bills she has signed this year — the governor has already signed into law several measures, including high-profile laws like the ban on using cellphones while driving, if not using hands free or voice activated modes, and the removal of gender identify from the Iowa Civil Rights Act.
The governor has until June 14 — 30 days from the end of session — to sign bills passed this year into law. Measures she does not sign during this period are considered a “pocket veto” and do not become law.
Crypto Bill Advances, Grassley Supports Investment
Iowa Senator Chuck Grassley voted with his colleagues Monday night in advancing the first major bill that would more closely regulate cryptocurrency.
In a conference call with Iowa reporters Monday morning, Grassley said he has no quarrel with elected officials, including the president, investing in digital currency, as long as they abide by the STOCK Act of 2012. The law bans the use of non-public information for private profit, like insider trading, by members of Congress and other government workers.
All Senate Democrats and two Republicans initially blocked the new crypto bill from passing, saying the regulations weren’t strong enough. An amendment that also passed last night would allow President Trump and his family members to continue with their various crypto ventures. Monday’s vote was procedural and the bill has not yet won final passage in the Senate.
Navy Vet, Iowa native launches campaign for Iowa Secretary of State
A Bettendorf native who’s a Navy veteran is campaigning to be Iowa’s top election official. Democrat Ryan Peterman is a graduate of the U-S Naval Academy who served 10 years as a helicopter pilot. He returned to Iowa last year to help care for his father, who is also a veteran.
Peterman says, Republican Paul Pate, Iowa’s current secretary of state, has not announced whether he intends to seek a fifth term. Peterman, who is 34, is making his first run for public office. Peterman says his Navy experience has taught him how to lead under pressure.
Dordt Continues to Improve Athletic Center for Students
Dordt University is investing in key improvements to the Rozenboom Athletic Center, with renovations scheduled to be completed in late fall. This renovation is phase two of a three-phase project. The updates that will enhance spaces that serve hundreds of student-athletes each year, with a focus on functionality, efficiency, and long-term growth.
The project reconfigures the locker rooms and expands the athletic training room. Those changes are designed to better meet the needs of Dordt’s growing athletics programs.
Once complete, the updated spaces will improve traffic flow, provide more room for student-athletes and training staff, and support a higher level of care and preparation for athletic performance.
