The Iowa Department of Public Health today is launching Vaccinate.Iowa.gov, a new website that provides information about vaccine priority populations and eligibility, resources available for Iowans age 65 and older. The site will also provide answers to frequently asked questions.
Users can enter their zip code to find vaccine providers near them. Once a provider is selected, appointment scheduling will be done through the provider’s website or scheduling platform.
Governor Kim Reynolds says Iowa will start vaccinating essential workers and people with disabilities in early March.
Iowa Republican lawmakers advanced a bill this week that would reduce unemployment benefits starting next summer.
It would give less money to unemployed Iowans with multiple dependents, require claimants to wait a week to receive benefits, and take a new job that pays significantly less than their old one.
Democratic lawmakers say it’s cruel to cut benefits when there’s still so much economic uncertainty during the pandemic.
Iowa House Republicans have cast the final vote needed to send a bill to the governor that sharply limits early voting in the state. That’s happening months after a general election overseen by a Republican secretary of state that saw record turnout and overwhelming victories by GOP candidates.
The South Dakota House has passed legislation prohibiting transgender girls from participating in female sports at public schools. Opponents of the bill include the American Civil Liberties Union, which says the bill is unconstitutional. The bill moves on to a Senate committee.
