This editorial appeared in The Des Moines Register on Dec. 15, 2016: Imagine a court system in which people can plead not guilty to crime and then have their case decided by a judge based on a review of evidence … Continue Reading
This item appeared in the Des Moines Sunday Register’s “Roses and Thistles” column on Dec. 18, 2016. A thistle to the Crawford County Memorial Hospital for once again concealing information from the community it claims to serve. A year ago, … Continue Reading
By Jason Clayworth Des Moines Register The names of dozens of passengers on Iowa State University planes are being held confidential, with the school citing laws that protect donors — or potential donors — as the reason. That includes professional bow … Continue Reading
Des Moines Register Gov. Terry Branstad said on Nov. 28 that a review of the state’s open records laws is “appropriate” following disagreements about whether video of a Cedar Rapids officer-involved shooting should be made public. “This is kind of … Continue Reading
Des Moines Register Charlie Smithson, the director of the Iowa Public Information Board, has resigned to become secretary of the Iowa Senate. Smithson announced his resignation, effective Dec. 1, in an email to the board’s nine members last week. The … Continue Reading
This editorial appeared in The Des Moines Register on Dec. 2, 2016: Shaun LaDue is no longer West Des Moines’ police chief. He has resigned in the wake of three former employees accusing him of sexual discrimination — claims … Continue Reading
Emily Boster, a reporter for KIMT-TV in Mason City, has been appointed by the Iowa Supreme Court to serve as the Region 3 media coordinator for Iowa’s Expanded News Media Coverage program, which allows journalists to use cameras, audio recorders, computers … Continue Reading
Associated Press An auditor has examined Iowa State University President Steven Leath’s log book detailing when and where he has flown planes in recent years. The Iowa Board of Regents is auditing flights taken by Leath, following a damaging hard … Continue Reading
The Iowa Department of Public Health is ending its efforts to stop newspapers from publishing information contained in vital records — birth certificates, death certificates, divorce decrees and marriage licenses — that are filed with Iowa’s county recorders. The unprecedented … Continue Reading
By Jason Clayworth Des Moines Register Doug Krejci’s effort to use the University of Iowa’s 2008 flood footage for an upcoming documentary is being blocked by state officials who say copyright overrides public records. The rare argument, if successful, could … Continue Reading