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What was a major-league town takes stock in itself

on Thu, 11/13/2025 - 00:39   by Anonymous

by Art Cullen, Iowa Capital Dispatch
November 7, 2025

First impression of Keokuk: beautiful and blighted, drained away with the currents of time at the confluence of the Mississippi and Des Moines rivers on Iowa’s southeastern tip.

You could forsake it were it not for the stubborn and resilient people who have laid claim to the place since 1837.

It was a major-league city with major-league ambitions. It was the Gate City to the river trade. It was a milling and foundry town. In 1875, the Keokuk Westerns played in the National League, compiling a 1-12 record and hanging up their cleats by June, never to play the Chicago White Stockings again.

The town boasted industrialists like J.C. Hubinger, a miller who had a huge mansion and amusement park overlooking the river and died poor in a boarding house. Now you could buy a manse along the river for $300,000. Forty percent of the historic brick buildings downtown are vacant.

Police station vote 'yes' PAC runs afoul of Iowa Ethics and Campaign rules; pays $160 fine

on Fri, 10/31/2025 - 23:57   by news

The political action committee lobbying for approval of the $27-million Bettendorf police station referendum has run afoul of Iowa Ethics and Campaign Disclosure rules.

The group – Yes for Public Safety – paid a $160 civil penalty for failing to file eight, one-time contribution forms within the required 10 days of receiving the contributions of $1,000 or more from "permanent organizations," such as a business or association.

Bettplex developers, homebuilders among contributors to police station referendum lobbying

on Mon, 10/27/2025 - 23:54   by news

Bettplex sports complex developers Doug Kratz and Kevin Koellner are among a dozen individuals and companies funding the political action committee pushing for voter approval of the $27-million referendum for a new police station.

The political action committee – Yes for Public Safety – has raised just over $52,000 to date while spending more than $48,000 on postcard mailings and signs.

In addition, the city has spent more than $30,000 on an "informational newsletter" and postcards mailings to residents.

Will city's huge debt prompt demise of proposed $27-million police station referendum?

on Thu, 10/23/2025 - 02:34   by news

The Nov. 4 referendum to finance a new $27-million police station will give Bettendorf residents a rare opportunity to weigh in on the city's decades-long spending spree that has led to a $152-million municipal debt, among the highest in the state.

The need for the new police station may end up being a secondary consideration to residents' concerns over the long-term indebtedness of the city.

Moreover, the referendum needs a 60 percent majority vote at a time when state and local property taxes are under greater scrutiny and amid criticism of local tax spending by state politicians.

Environmental groups urge EPA to restore nitrate impairment designation on Iowa river segments

on Wed, 10/15/2025 - 22:26   by Anonymous

by Cami Koons, Iowa Capital Dispatch
October 14, 2025

Environmental groups penned a letter to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency urging the federal agency to maintain its previously rescinded ruling that seven segments of Iowa rivers were impaired due to nitrate concentrations. 

The environmental groups said EPA’s decision to delist these segments was “inconsistent” with the law, failed to hold polluters accountable and would lead to increased regulatory costs for water treatment in Iowa. 

The decision from EPA followed a summer with near-record high nitrate levels in the Des Moines and Raccoon rivers near Des Moines and the first-ever lawn watering ban from Central Iowa Water Works on account of the high nitrate concentrations, coupled with summer water demand. 

Dani Replogle, staff attorney for the environmental group Food & Water Watch, called the EPA decision “baseless” and said it “does not inspire confidence in the federal agency meant to safeguard clean water and protect our health.” 

QC Times, Dispatch/Argus to end Monday print editions Nov. 3; 49 full- and part-time jobs cut as print operations end at Davenport facility

on Sat, 10/11/2025 - 00:31   by news

Lee Enterprises has announced it will end Monday print editions of its major newspapers, including the Quad City Times and Dispatch/Argus, effective November 3.

The media company headquartered in Davenport will continue to produce electronic e-editions seven days a week for distribution through its online news sites.

Last month the Quad City Times shuttered the newspaper printing operations at its Davenport location, eliminating 20 full-time and 29 part-time press and production jobs.

Regents debate potential membership of UI intellectual freedom center advisory group

on Fri, 09/19/2025 - 02:14   by Anonymous

by Brooklyn Draisey, Iowa Capital Dispatch
September 17, 2025

Members of the Iowa Board of Regents on Wednesday recommended approval for the group that will advise the University of Iowa’s new center for intellectual freedom, despite concerns over the political and geographical spread of the proposed group.

At Wednesday’s board meeting, regent Christine Hensley, who will chair the advisory board, updated the board on the center’s progress. Legislation passed in the spring mandated the formation of the center, placing it under the purview of the Iowa Board of Regents.

Board President Sherry Bates said during discussion of the center that with advisory board members and an interim director identified, the center can begin its work.

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