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.

An Iowa House subcommittee advanced a bill that would ban smoking on casino gaming floors, intending to “level the playing field” in public health standards. The Senate’s companion measure, however, did not move forward, casting uncertainty on the ban’s future.

In rural Montana, veterans are increasingly worried that essential health care services could slip away. Opinion writer Russell Lemle argues that Congress must bolster, not undermine, these VA programs through sufficient funding.

In the aftermath of Texas’s devastating floods that claimed over 110 lives, Arkansas lawmakers are examining the state’s emergency communication systems, aiming to address cellphone coverage gaps and improve public safety.