City & Local

Iowa

3 articles

Families and friends happily enjoying outside food and drinks at the Iowa State Fair, with picnic baskets and coolers visible.
Food & Drink

Iowa State Fair Allows Outside Food and Drinks in 2026

Despite rising costs at many events, the Iowa State Fair stands out: it explicitly allows visitors to bring their own food and drinks, even in small coolers.

Hannah Pierce·August 11, 2026
An empty maternity ward bassinet in a dimly lit hospital corridor, symbolizing the closure of birth services.
Services

Council Bluffs hospital ends birth services, impacting local families

On August 31, expectant parents in Council Bluffs will no longer deliver their babies at CHI Health Mercy.

Marco Alvarez·July 10, 2026
A city hall building partially obscured by a large, ominous shadow, symbolizing the impact of new revenue bills on local government funding.
Services

New Revenue Bills Challenge Local Government Funding Models

In Iowa, Governor Kim Reynolds signed a property tax relief bill into law, capping city and county general revenue growth at 2% annually, with an exception for new construction, Iowa Public Radio repo

Marco Alvarez·May 27, 2026