The U.S. Supreme Court on Friday ruled that the Biden administration does not have the legal authority to enact a one-time student debt relief program, dealing a blow to the 40 million Americans who would have qualified for the program.
Last year, the Biden Administration rolled out a debt forgiveness plan for borrowers with federal student loans that would be a one-time cancellation of up to $10,000.
The case was filed by Republican attorneys general of Nebraska, Missouri, Arkansas, Kansas and South Carolina. Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds’ general counsel also joined the case on her behalf. The plaintiffs argued the Biden administration overstepped its reach and that MOHELA would be harmed by a loss of profits from federal student loan debt relief.
Gov. Reynolds Statement on SCOTUS Reining in Biden’s Use of Executive Power on Student Loan Forgiveness Plan
Governor Kim Reynolds released the following statement in response to the U.S. Supreme Court ruling on student loan payments:
“The Supreme Court’s decision affirms what Iowans have believed this entire time: the hard-working men and women of this country should not bear the burden of paying off others’ loans. This plan belittles Iowans who paid their own debt or chose not to pursue a traditional four-year degree. It’s encouraging to see the Supreme Court rein in President Biden’s executive overreach and bring common sense back to the forefront.”
Starting on July 1st people serving in the South Dakota National Guard will be eligible for 100% of their tuition covered. Governor Noem says the bill signed into law earlier this year will help keep people in South Dakota.
Radio Iowa reports on new laws for Iowa on July 1st.
An Iowa judge has blocked the state from attempting to prevent election officials from offering non-English voting materials to the public. Check out the full story from the Iowa Capital Dispatch.
A federal agency has denied one of Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds' two requests for federal assistance in the wake of the partial building collapse in downtown Davenport on May 28.
Three people died and dozens of residents were displaced because of the collapse.
The denial may be appealed within 30 days.
Another request for a Major Disaster Declaration is still pending, Reynolds wrote on Twitter.
A Moville couple has appealed a judge's ruling dismissing their challenge of the constitutionality of a state law allowing underground pipeline company surveyors to enter private property. Check out the Sioux City Journal for the full story.
Saturday, July 1, 2023, is the day dozens of state laws take effect, including the massive plan to reorganize state government.
The number of state agencies is shrinking from 37 to 16. Next week, thousands of state employees will be reporting to new bosses.
Another new state law changes child labor guidelines. It means 14 and 15-year-olds can work until 11 p.m. for the rest of the summer and until 9 p.m. once school starts. Sixteen- and 17-year-olds can serve alcohol if they have a parent’s permission. Sixteen- and 17-year-olds also can work longer hours and in some jobs that were previously off limits.
Today at 11:59 p.m. the deadline for low-income Iowa parents to apply for a state-funded account to cover private school tuition. It will take a while to verify eligibility and whether there’s a spot in a private school for each child. According to the Iowa Department of Education’s website, July 15 is the earliest date the $7,600 in state funds will be deposited in one of these Education Savings Accounts.
Heavy traffic is predicted on the roadways this weekend and through the Independence Day Holiday. State Patrol Trooper, Paul Gardner tells Radio Iowa the effort to keep drivers safe includes a “Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over Campaign,” that will be underway across
Submitted news releases:
Garbage and Recycling Collection Delay
Due to the upcoming Independence Day holiday on Tuesday, July 4, 2023, Gill Hauling will be delaying garbage and recycling collections by one day. Tuesday’s collection will take place on Wednesday, Wednesday’s collection on Thursday, etc. for the remainder of the week through Saturday, July 8, 2023.
To prevent fires or damage to the solid waste containers when using fireworks:
- Thoroughly soak all fireworks in water prior to disposal.
- Do not place used charcoals in the container.
Remember: Fireworks are hazardous and not recyclable.
In addition, the Citizen’s Convenience Center at 5800 28th Street will be closed on Tuesday, July 4, 2023.
Additional information regarding residential garbage and recycling collection can be found on the City’s website at www.sioux-city.org/environmentalservices.
Have a safe and enjoyable celebration.
Museum highlights RAGBRAI in new exhibit
(Sioux City) – As part of Sioux City’s commemoration of the annual bike ride’s 50th year, the exhibit RAGBRAI: It All Started Here recently opened at the Sioux City Public Museum. Along with memorabilia such as t-shirts, signage, and riding gear, the exhibit features an extensive slideshow with images from all the years Sioux City was a host city.
The inaugural year of RAGBRAI (The Register’s Annual Great Bicycle Ride Across Iowa) in 1973 started in Sioux City, and this year will mark the eighth time Sioux City has served as the starting town. The bike ride began when Des Moines Register feature writer/copy editor John Karras proposed that Register Washington Bureau columnist Don Kaul ride his bicycle across Iowa and write about his experiences. Kaul accepted the challenge on the condition that Karras make the ride with him. That first ride, which took the pair from Sioux City to Davenport, attracted a few hundred riders. The second ride in 1974 drew 2,000 riders, and by the time Sioux City repeated as the starting town in 1978, ridership had grown to 6,000.
Other years Sioux City served as a host city were 1988, 1993, 2001, 2010, and 2015. Today, RAGBRAI is recognized as the oldest, longest and largest multi-day bicycling touring event in the world with an annual ridership that exceeds 10,000 people. RAGBRAI: It All Started Here will be on display through September 24.
The Sioux City Public Museum is located at 607 4th Street in downtown Sioux City. Museum hours are Tuesday through Saturday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday 1 to 5 p.m. Admission is free. For more information, call 712-279-6174 or visit SiouxCityMuseum.org.
Museum partners with The Warrior Hotel for RAGBRAI events
With so many out-of-town visitors expected for RAGBRAI, the Sioux City Public Museum is partnering with The Warrior Hotel to host two events that will showcase Sioux City’s unique history. Presented at The Crown Rooftop Bar, the late afternoon events will highlight Sioux City’s brewing history and downtown architecture.
Tom Munson, Archives Manager, will present “Sioux City Beers of Yesterday and Today” on Friday, July 21, and the “Architectural Skyline Tour: A View from The Crown” on Saturday, July 22. Both events will be held from 5:30 to 6 p.m.
“Sioux City Beers of Yesterday and Today” will feature a look back at Sioux City’s brewing history. The history of brewing in Sioux City can be traced back to 1860 when Rudolph Selzer established Northwest Iowa’s first brewery. With the notable exception of periods when state or federal law prohibited the manufacture of alcoholic beverages, brewing was a significant component of Sioux City’s industrial economy between 1860 and 1960.
“Architectural Skyline Tour: A View from The Crown” will highlight landmarks and existing buildings and their architectural details that can be best seen from above.
The activities are free and open to the public.For more information, call 712-279-6174 or visit SiouxCityMuseum.org.
Sioux City RAGBRAI Departure Route Announced
More than 25,000 cyclists will depart Sioux City Sunday, July 23 for the 50th annual Register’s Annual Great Bicycle Ride Across Iowa® (RAGBRAI). A recommended route has been identified by the Sioux City RAGBRAI Public Safety committee.
Homeowners and business owners along the departure route are encouraged to decorate signs and line the streets to wish cyclists well as they depart Sioux City on Sunday morning, July 23.
DEPARTURE ROUTE
RAGBRAI riders will dip their back tire in the Missouri River at the public boat ramp located along Larsen Park Road and head north on Hamilton Boulevard. Riders will then go east along Outer Drive, turn on to 41st Street and ride east to Floyd Boulevard. They will then travel north on Floyd Blvd. through the Leeds neighborhood to 46th Street and head east out of town on Highway D12.
