Public News Service

It's estimated that one in three victims of human trafficking globally is a child, according to the United Nations. (Adobe Stock)

Iowa enlists businesses to thwart human trafficking

Iowa has enlisted the help of businesses across the state to take on human trafficking. Tomorrow marks World Day Against Trafficking in Persons…

White youths are put in juvenile crime diversion programs at far higher rates than comparable Black, Latino and Tribal youth, according to a new report by The Sentencing Project. (Adobe Stock)

Iowa focuses on 'restorative justice' for young offenders

A new report by national researchers says Iowa is making progress in reforming its juvenile justice system, and finding ways to steer kids away from …

For the past 20 years, the U.S, President and Congress have declared the month of October as Cybersecurity Awareness Month, a collaborative effort between government and industry to enhance online awareness. (Adobe Stock)

IA boosts cybersecurity precautions as elections, holidays near

As part of Cybersecurity Awareness Month, the State of Iowa is focusing on potential threats to the online integrity of upcoming elections. Given …

In an average year, 302 people die and 489 are wounded by guns in Iowa. Iowa has the 38th-highest<br />rate of gun violence in the U.S., according to Everytown for Gun Safety. (Adobe Stock)

Report: Iowans Face Rising Gun Violence

Some 74% of young people in the U.S. believe gun violence is a problem, and almost 60% want to see stricter gun laws, according to a new report from …

Currently, 61% of Americans say abortion should be legal in all or most cases, while 37% say it should be illegal in all or most cases, according to the Pew Research Center. (Adobe Stock)

ACLU Vows to Block Abortion Restrictions; Reynolds: 'Fight not Over'

Civil liberties advocates in Iowa are vowing to fend off any new legislation to restrict abortion in the state. The Iowa Supreme Court recently …

Officials encourage victims to report sexual and domestic abuse to a national hotline, 800-799-7233. It provides 24/7 service in English, Spanish and 200 other languages through interpreters. (Adobe Stock)

IA Looks to Shelter Victims, Survivors of Sexual Assault

Iowa groups have spent the past month focused on finding shelter and support for victims of sexual assault, to help them stay anonymous and safe…

Iowa Takes Aim at Human Trafficking

January is Human Trafficking Awareness Month and Iowa is working to address the problem by educating businesses about the potential signs and dangers…

The FTC says that in 2021, consumers reported losing a record-breaking $5.8 billion to fraud. (Adobe Stock)

Iowa Fraud Watch Tour to Address 'Scam Culture'

A statewide tour to help Iowans sharpen their fraud protection skills kicks off today. Organizers say perpetrators will never give up in trying to …

According to Pew Research, 53% of Americans support stricter gun laws. (Adobe Stock)

IA Gun-Reform Backers: Public Pressure Crucial After TX Shooting

This week's school shooting in Texas has evoked feelings of hopelessness in the public sphere about avoiding future tragedies in the U.S. But gun …

A number of law-enforcement groups in Iowa have joined calls for state laws that make it easier for them to investigate cases of financial abuse against older residents. (Adobe Stock)

As IA Session Moves Forward, Elder-Abuse Law Still Pursued

A groundswell of senior advocates and law enforcement say Iowa has gone far too long without an elder-abuse law that has real teeth to it. With the …

A body of research has found frequent family visits and family phone calls to someone who's incarcerated not only reduces recidivism, but also strengthens family relationships. (Adobe Stock)

Researchers: Family Contact Vital for People in Jail or Prison

As holiday celebrations continue, groups that study issues in prisons say families with a loved one who's incarcerated should make attempts to …

Anti-racism groups in Iowa say initially after George Floyd's murder, they saw promising state-level policies to address police accountability. But they contend that approach quickly changed with laws they believe make it harder to protest. (Adobe Stock)

The Intersection of Protesters' Rights and Rittenhouse Verdict

DES MOINES, Iowa - The Kyle Rittenhouse verdict is fueling a variety of perspectives. In Iowa, one viewpoint is that it's adding to what's perceived …

A majority of hate crimes in Iowa last year that were motivated by bias were anti-Black crimes. (Adobe Stock)

Hate Crimes Still a Concern in Iowa

NORTH LIBERTY, Iowa -- New FBI data show an increase in hate crimes in Iowa. Locally, ordinances have been crafted to ensure more protections for …

A new report says Black youths are more likely to be in custody than their white peers in every state but one: Hawaii. (Adobe Stock)

IA Sees Worsening Racial Gap in Youth Incarceration

DES MOINES, Iowa -- Iowa has recently laid out recommendations to reduce overrepresentation of minorities in the juvenile justice system. The effort …

A new Gallup survey shows more than 60% of Americans say they know

Juneteenth Declared National Holiday, Amidst Progress, Upheaval

DES MOINES, Iowa -- Juneteenth National Independence Day is now an official holiday, after President Joe Biden signed a bill Thursday, approved by …

Racial-justice protests reached a global scale last year, but in some states and cities, how police respond to demonstrators remains a thorny issue. (Adobe Stock)

Police Protections Bill for IA Still in Play

DES MOINES, Iowa - The Iowa Senate soon could decide the future of a bill that's enflamed tensions between law enforcement and racial-justice …

Prior to an executive order signed by Gov. Kim Reynolds this summer, Iowa was the only state to prohibit those with past felony convictions from voting. (Adobe Stock)

Outreach Limitations Impact Voting for Past Felons in IA

IOWA CITY, Iowa - Prior to the November election, Iowans with past felony convictions were given the opportunity to vote. However, only a small …

In 2005, Iowa joined many other states in restoring the voting rights of people with past felony convictions, but that order was later rescinded. (Adobe Stock)

BLM Keeps Up Pressure on Order to Restore Voting Rights

DES MOINES, Iowa -- The group Black Lives Matter says it won't stop pressing Iowa's governor to sign an executive order restoring voting rights for …

Catching Criminals With DNA Data Raises Ethical Questions

DES MOINES, Iowa — The use of online genetic databases has cracked cold murder cases recently, including decades-old murders. But this …

Iowa has eight prisons to house male inmates at various security risks and one to house female inmates. (ispr.org)

Iowa Activists to Protest in Support of Nationwide Prison Strike

DES MOINES, Iowa — Iowa activists will protest outside the Iowa Prison Industries office in Des Moines today in solidarity with the prison …

Iowans who interfere with oil or natural gas pipelines now face some of the harshest penalties in the nation. (climatemarch.org)

Iowa Pipeline Opponents Face Tough Penalties Under New "Sabotage" Law

DES MOINES, Iowa — Opponents of the Dakota Access Pipeline are still awaiting federal and Iowa Supreme Court rulings in a case over the …

African-Americans make up 3.5 percent of Iowa's population, but accounted for 18 percent of people convicted for first time possession of marijuana in 2016. (Derek Goulet/Flickr)

Bill to Reduce Marijuana Possession Penalties Heads to Iowa Senate

DES MOINES, Iowa – Supporters of a bill that would reduce the penalties for first time marijuana possession say it would save Iowans money and …

Recidivism is down substantially at Iowa correctional facilities where DMACC offers educational and vocational training. (DariuszSankowski/Pixabay)

Educational Programs Help Reduce Recidivism in Iowa

DES MOINES, Iowa – Getting on the right track can be challenging for people leaving the prison system, and some Iowa programs are giving them a …

Discrimination may no longer be seen at drinking fountains, but a Des Moines School Board member says it's prevalent in education, health care and the justice system. (WikiImages/Pixabay)

Race Expert: Iowa, Like Trump, Has Bias Problems to Address

DES MOINES, Iowa – President Donald Trump's comments in the wake of the violence in Charlottesville, Va., are leading some people to see what …

About 50,000 Iowans are not allowed to cast a ballot due to a felony offense. (Pixabay)<br />

Iowa Still One of Three States with Felony Voting Ban

DES MOINES, Iowa – Nearly a year after a legal defeat, voting-rights advocates are continuing their fight to end Iowa's lifetime voting ban for …

Last year, almost 4,900 Iowans had a driver's license suspended for six months for drug convictions unrelated to driving. (Pixabay)

Report Calls for Ending Automatic License Suspensions

DES MOINES, Iowa - Iowa should join the majority of states in ending the practice of automatically suspending the drivers' licenses of anyone …

Experts say excessive juvenile-justice court costs increase recidivism and detour a young person from getting on the right track. (Pixabay)

Spiral of Instability: The Impact of Juvenile Court Costs on Iowa Families

DES MOINES, Iowa - It's not just the consequences of their own actions that young people must face when involved in the juvenile-justice system…

Talented young writers from across the globe converge this weekend for the Iowa Young Writers' Workshop. (IowaYoungWritersStudio.org)

Diverse Young Writers Converge in Iowa for Famous Summer Workshops

IOWA CITY, Iowa - Writers from all over the U.S. and the world converge at the University of Iowa this weekend for the annual Iowa Young Writers' …

Almost two-thirds of families with a parent in prison, such as the Anamosa State Penitentiary, can't pay for necessities for their kids. (Klepper66/Wikimedia Commons)

Report: Kids Need Support when Parents are Behind Bars

DES MOINES, Iowa - Eight percent of kids in Iowa, that's 58,000, have a parent behind bars, a number that has risen significantly in the last few …

Iowans with a criminal conviction often struggle to secure affordable housing. (DMedina/Morguefile)

New Measure Aims to End Criminal-Record Discrimination in Housing

DES MOINES, Iowa - Tens of thousands of Iowans have either a felony or misdemeanor conviction, and can face discrimination when looking for a home…

Past felony convictions ban some Iowans from voting for life. (Pixabay)

Iowa Supreme Court Begins Felon Voting-Rights Hearing

DES MOINES, Iowa - The Iowa Supreme Court is to hear arguments today in a case that potentially could lift the state's lifetime voting ban for people …

Some activists say media sources often promote stereotypes between extremism and Islam. (Pixabay)

The "Elite Eight" of Extremism in the News

DES MOINES, Iowa - While some Iowans focus on March Madness with the Cyclones playing tonight, a social justice group is drawing attention to an …

A number of key cases may wind up with 4-to-4 tie votes in the aftermath of U.S. Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia's death. (kconnors/morguefile)

Iowa's Grassley to Play Key Role in Court Nomination

IOWA CITY, Iowa - The death of the U.S. Supreme Court's most consistent conservative voice for 30 years, Justice Antonin Scalia, leaves a crucial …

A gathering tonight in Des Moines brings together activists from across the nation who want to see an end to the immigration-detention quota. Credit: TheaDesign

Immigration, Detention, Iowa Caucuses

DES MOINES, Iowa - As the presidential hopefuls continue to focus on Iowa with the all-important caucuses now slightly more than four months away…

As technology evolves, more cyber-crime experts will be needed to catch criminals. Credit: Nowości Mrooczlandia/Morguefile.

Cyber Crime Fighters Wanted in Iowa

DES MOINES, Iowa – Headline-making data breaches such as the recent Ashley Madison hack are drawing attention to the need for professionals who …

PHOTO: Iowa law enforcement has already seized some 64,000 grams of methamphetamine in 2014, marking a nine-year high. Photo credit: Nathan Jongewaard/Flickr.

Iowa's Meth Resurgence: More Smuggling, More Potent

DES MOINES, Iowa - There are changing trends when it comes to the scourge of methamphetamine in Iowa, but the drug's dangerous and deadly grip …

PHOTO: Who will make financial decisions for you if you're unable to make them yourself? A new campaign kicks off statewide today, educating Iowans about a new Uniform of Power of Attorney Act to help prevent financial exploitation of seniors. Photo credit: Wayne MacPhail/Flickr.

New Iowa Law Helps Seniors Protect Against Financial Abuse

DES MOINES, Iowa - As Iowa's population continues to age, also growing is the number of elders being exploited financially, although new protections …

PHOTO: Iowa is the seventh safest state in the nation, according to a ranking from WalletHub that examined 26 safety measures in all, from natural disasters, to driving, to personal finances. Photo credit: Carl Wycoff/Flickr

Report: Iowa is Among Nation's "Safest States"

DES MOINES, Iowa - When compared to the rest of the nation, Iowa is one of the safest places to call home. a href="http://wallethub.com/edu/2014s-…

PHOTO: Swing vote Justice Anthony Kennedy swung in favor of

Another Supreme Court Decision Favors Big Spenders

ALTOONA, Iowa – Another important campaign finance decision handed down Wednesday by the U.S. Supreme Court is provoking both celebration and …

PHOTO: One effort that continues to grow nationwide to raise awareness and get men more involved in sexual assault prevention is called

Preventing Sexual Assault: Colleges and Men Urged to Lead

DES MOINES, Iowa - With an estimated one American woman in five sexually assaulted during college, there is a new effort under way to help schools do …

PHOTO: Last-minute shoppers are racing through the stores to find gifts, but experts caution consumers to keep their cool and their finances intact by keeping up their guard. Photo courtesy of freestockphotos.com.

Protecting Your Personal Data in Last-Minute Shopping Rush

DES MOINES, Iowa - Time is running out to find the perfect gift for everyone on the "nice" list this year, but experts say it's critical to protect …

PHOTO: The costs associated with excessive alcohol use in Iowa are nearly $2-billion a year, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. CREDIT: Brian Rosner

Cost of Binge Drinking in Iowa Nearly $2 Billion Annually

DES MOINES, Iowa - The holidays are a time of celebrating, and often that includes the consumption of alcohol, but those who don't enjoy it in …

PHOTO: Mothers Against Drunk Driving says high visibility law enforcement campaigns are a proven deterrent against drunk driving. The 'Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over' campaign runs through Labor Day Weekend. Photo credit: MADD

MADD 'Glad' About Crackdown on Drunk Driving

DES MOINES, Iowa - You might think an organization called MADD doesn't have much to be glad about, but more police on the streets through this …

MADD 'Glad' About Crackdown on Drunk Driving

DES MOINES, Iowa - You might think an organization called "MADD" doesn't have much to be glad about, but more police on the streets through this …

Fewer Iowa Kids Behind Bars

DES MOINES, Iowa - Youth imprisonment is declining sharply in the Hawkeye State. More than 1,000 young people were incarcerated in Iowa in 1997…

Getting a Degree in Homeland Security

DES MOINES, Iowa - Eleven years after 9/11, the first group of graduates from Des Moines Area Community College's new program in Homeland Security …

Report: ‘Lock ‘em Up’ Approach to Juvenile Justice Doesn’t Work

DES MOINES, Iowa - When kids act up, locking them up is the wrong thing to do, in most cases. That's the finding of a new report from the Annie E…

Preventing Domestic Violence Deaths in IA

DES MOINES, Iowa - October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month. According to 2009 statistics, every day 468 people received some sort of assistance …

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IA: Criminal Justice

Iowa enlists businesses to thwart human trafficking

Iowa focuses on 'restorative justice' for young offenders

IA boosts cybersecurity precautions as elections, holidays near

Report: Iowans Face Rising Gun Violence

ACLU Vows to Block Abortion Restrictions; Reynolds: 'Fight not Over'

IA Looks to Shelter Victims, Survivors of Sexual Assault

Iowa Takes Aim at Human Trafficking

Iowa Fraud Watch Tour to Address 'Scam Culture'

IA Gun-Reform Backers: Public Pressure Crucial After TX Shooting

As IA Session Moves Forward, Elder-Abuse Law Still Pursued

Researchers: Family Contact Vital for People in Jail or Prison

The Intersection of Protesters' Rights and Rittenhouse Verdict

Hate Crimes Still a Concern in Iowa

IA Sees Worsening Racial Gap in Youth Incarceration

Juneteenth Declared National Holiday, Amidst Progress, Upheaval

Police Protections Bill for IA Still in Play

Outreach Limitations Impact Voting for Past Felons in IA

BLM Keeps Up Pressure on Order to Restore Voting Rights

Catching Criminals With DNA Data Raises Ethical Questions

Iowa Activists to Protest in Support of Nationwide Prison Strike

Iowa Pipeline Opponents Face Tough Penalties Under New "Sabotage" Law

Bill to Reduce Marijuana Possession Penalties Heads to Iowa Senate

Educational Programs Help Reduce Recidivism in Iowa

Race Expert: Iowa, Like Trump, Has Bias Problems to Address

Iowa Still One of Three States with Felony Voting Ban

Report Calls for Ending Automatic License Suspensions

Spiral of Instability: The Impact of Juvenile Court Costs on Iowa Families

Diverse Young Writers Converge in Iowa for Famous Summer Workshops

Report: Kids Need Support when Parents are Behind Bars

New Measure Aims to End Criminal-Record Discrimination in Housing

Iowa Supreme Court Begins Felon Voting-Rights Hearing

The "Elite Eight" of Extremism in the News

Iowa's Grassley to Play Key Role in Court Nomination

Immigration, Detention, Iowa Caucuses

Cyber Crime Fighters Wanted in Iowa

Iowa's Meth Resurgence: More Smuggling, More Potent

New Iowa Law Helps Seniors Protect Against Financial Abuse

Report: Iowa is Among Nation's "Safest States"

Another Supreme Court Decision Favors Big Spenders

Preventing Sexual Assault: Colleges and Men Urged to Lead

Protecting Your Personal Data in Last-Minute Shopping Rush

Cost of Binge Drinking in Iowa Nearly $2 Billion Annually

MADD 'Glad' About Crackdown on Drunk Driving

MADD 'Glad' About Crackdown on Drunk Driving

Fewer Iowa Kids Behind Bars

Getting a Degree in Homeland Security

Report: ‘Lock ‘em Up’ Approach to Juvenile Justice Doesn’t Work

Preventing Domestic Violence Deaths in IA