WASHINGTON, Dec. 9 -- Sen. Joni Ernst, R-Iowa, issued the following news release: * * * Ernst Calls for Complete Halt and Full Audit of Fraud-Filled Contracting Program * WASHINGTON - After several high-profile fraud schemes were exposed in the 8(a) program, U.S. Senate Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship Chair Joni Ernst (R-Iowa) is asking all federal agencies to halt new 8(a) sole-source contract awards made through the program that provides billions in funding to "socially an more PR

WASHINGTON, Dec. 10 -- Sen. Joni Ernst, R-Iowa, chair of the Senate Small Business and Entrepreneurship Committee, posted the following news release on Dec. 8, 2025: * * * Ernst Calls for Complete Halt and Full Audit of Fraud-Filled Contracting Program After several high-profile fraud schemes were exposed in the 8(a) program, U.S. Senate Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship Chair Joni Ernst (R-Iowa) is asking all federal agencies to halt new 8(a) sole-source contract awards made t more PR

WASHINGTON, Dec. 9 -- Sen. Joni Ernst, R-Iowa, issued the following news release: * * * Ernst Names Small Business of the Week, Holstein Manufacturing * RED OAK, Iowa - U.S. Senator Joni Ernst (R-Iowa), Chair of the Senate Small Business Committee, today announced her Small Business of the Week: Holstein Manufacturing of Ida County. Throughout the 119th Congress, Chair Ernst plans to recognize a small business in each of Iowa's 99 counties. "Holstein Manufacturing has grilled the competiti more PR

WASHINGTON, Dec. 10 -- Sen. Joni Ernst, R-Iowa, chair of the Senate Small Business and Entrepreneurship Committee, posted the following news release on Dec. 9, 2025: * * * Ernst Names Small Business of the Week, Holstein Manufacturing RED OAK, Iowa - U.S. Senator Joni Ernst (R-Iowa), Chair of the Senate Small Business Committee, today announced her Small Business of the Week: Holstein Manufacturing of Ida County. Throughout the 119th Congress, Chair Ernst plans to recognize a small business i more PR

WASHINGTON, Dec. 8 -- Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-South Carolina, issued the following news release: * * * Graham Helps Introduce Back the Blue Act * Strengthens Criminal Penalties for Violent Attacks on Law Enforcement WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham (R-South Carolina) and 35 of his Senate Republican colleagues introduced the Back the Blue Act, which would increase penalties for criminals who target law enforcement officers and provide new tools for officers to protect themselves. " more PR

WASHINGTON, Dec. 9 -- Sen. Charles E. Grassley, R-Iowa, issued the following news release: * * * Grassley, Durbin Introduce Landmark Legislative Package to Protect Kids Online * WASHINGTON - Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) and Ranking Member Dick Durbin (D-Ill.) today are introducing three bipartisan bills to hold violent criminals accountable and combat the disturbing rise in online child exploitation. The Committee will also convene this morning for a hearing on more PR

WASHINGTON, Dec. 10 -- Sen. Charles E. Grassley, R-Iowa, chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee, issued the following news release: * * * Grassley, Durbin Introduce Landmark Legislative Package to Protect Kids Online The three bills target lax sentencing laws, violent online criminal networks and child sextortion. * Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) and Ranking Member Dick Durbin (D-Ill.) today are introducing three bipartisan bills to hold violent criminals ac more PR

WASHINGTON, Dec. 9 -- Rep. Ashley Hinson, R-Iowa, issued the following news release: * * * Hinson Helps Introduce Bipartisan Legislation to Make Homeownership More Affordable & Attainable for Families Nationwide * Washington, D.C. - Congresswoman Ashley Hinson (R-IA-02) helped introduce the bipartisan First Home Savings Opportunity Act with Rep. Suhas Subramanyam (D-VA-10) to help first-time homebuyers save for a down payment and finally achieve the dream of homeownership. "Buying a home i more PR

WASHINGTON, Dec. 8 -- Sen. Cindy Hyde-Smith, R-Mississippi, issued the following news release: * * * HYDE-SMITH RENEWS SUPPORT FOR 'BACK THE BLUE ACT' * Legislation Would Increase Penalties for Attacking Law Enforcement Officers WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senator Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-Miss.) renewed her support for legislation to increase penalties for criminals who attack law enforcement officers, federal judges, or other federal public safety officers. Hyde-Smith is among 35 original cospon more PR

WASHINGTON, Dec. 10 -- Sen. Charles E. Grassley, R-Iowa, chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee, issued the following news release on Dec. 9, 2025: * * * Judiciary Witnesses Urge Congress to Immediately Address Online Child Extortion Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) today chaired a hearing to examine emerging online threats against children and proposed legislative solutions. Grassley and Ranking Member Dick Durbin (D-Ill.) introduced three bipartisan bills to u more PR

DES MOINES, Iowa, Dec. 9 -- The Iowa Department of Natural Resources issued the following news release: * * * Ledges annual meeting to be held in Boone * BOONE - Ledges State Park staff will host their 10th annual State of the Park public meeting on Dec. 18, at 6:30 p.m., in the Boone City Hall Auditorium, 923 8th Street, in Boone. Doors open at 6 p.m. The event is free to attend. The State of the Park will showcase 2025 highlights from the projects, people, and programs that had a meani more PR

WASHINGTON, Dec. 9 -- Rep. Suhas Subramanyam, D-Virginia, issued the following news release: * * * Rep. Subramanyam Introduces Bipartisan Bill to Help First-Time Homebuyers Save for a Downpayment * WASHINGTON, DC - U.S. Representatives Suhas Subramanyam (VA-10) and Ashley Hinson (IA-02) introduced a bipartisan bill that will help first-time homebuyers with a down payment on a home. The First Home Savings Opportunity Act establishes tax-deductible first-time homebuyer savings accounts to assi more PR

DES MOINES, Iowa, Dec. 9 -- The Iowa Department of Natural Resources issued the following news release: * * * Seasonal Park Employee * Location: Across the state of Iowa (see job description) Closing Date: Positions open until filled The Iowa DNR is hiring seasonal positions for summer 2026 in the Iowa state park and forest system. Work alongside conservation professionals building skills for careers in natural resources. Seasonal workers primarily work in the outdoors performing hands-o more PR

DES MOINES, Iowa, Dec. 9 -- The Iowa Department of Natural Resources issued the following news release: * * * Seasonal Patrol Officers at Iowa State Parks * The Iowa Department of Natural Resources is seeking (14) Seasonal Patrol Officers with the Parks, Forests, and Preserves Bureau. The positions are located at various state parks across Iowa. The positions are temporary for seasonal employees of the Iowa DNR. To apply: Candidates are screened and reviewed at the local level. Applicants  more PR

DES MOINES, Iowa, Dec. 8 -- The Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship issued the following news: * * * Secretary Naig Issues Statement on the Trump Administration's Assistance to American Farmers * DES MOINES, Iowa (Dec. 8, 2025) - Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig issued the following statement after the Trump Administration announced $12 billion in direct financial assistance to America's farmers impacted by the current economic conditions and ongoing trade disruptions: more PR

WASHINGTON, Dec. 10 -- Sen. Charles E. Grassley, R-Iowa, chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee, issued the following opening statement on Dec. 9, 2025, at a hearing on child safety: * * * Today's hearing will examine the emerging issues involving child online exploitation and the evolving offender. As technology changes and evolves, so do bad actors who use it to commit all types of crimes. This is especially true in the child exploitation space. Gone are the days of ordering child expl more PR

DES MOINES, Iowa, Dec. 9 -- The Iowa Department of Natural Resources issued the following news release: * * * Snowmobilers cheer the return of winter * It's middle December, and much of Iowa is covered under a thick blanket of snow with a weekend forecast calling for high temperatures that barely scratch double digits. Winter has returned. And for Iowa's snowmobilers, that's music to their ears. "Clubs are already grooming trails," said Jessica Flatt, with the Iowa Department of Natural  more PR

DES MOINES, Iowa, Dec. 9 -- The Iowa Department of Natural Resources issued the following news release: * * * Stay safe on the ice this winter * The recent blast of arctic air is growing ice on lakes and ponds across the northern two-thirds of Iowa. Outdoor ice enthusiasts are ready to get out ice fishing, snowmobiling, ice skating or fat-tire bike riding. The DNR recommends a minimum of four inches of clear ice for ice fishing and at least five to seven inches for snowmobiles and ATVs. La more PR