The Iowa Senate approved legislation mandating citizenship and work eligibility checks for all state employees, removing an earlier proposal to include private employers. By narrowing the scope, lawmakers focused on ensuring compliance within public agencies.

Iowa lawmakers took a major step toward permitting smoking in cigar bars, as the state Senate passed a bill aimed at revising current restrictions. The measure now awaits a decision in the Iowa House, where legislators will consider final approval.

Iowa Senate Republicans have approved legislation to raise general funding for K-12 schools by 1.75%. The proposal aims to offer modest yet noteworthy support for public education in the state.

Democrat Catelin Drey’s victory in Iowa Senate District 1 on Tuesday ended the Republican supermajority in the chamber. She defeated Republican Christopher Prosch in a closely watched special election that could reshape the state’s political landscape.