Welcome to Week in Iowa.
Saying it has been a busy news week in the state would be an understatement.
Starting Friday, Sept. 26, Iowa made national headlines when then-superintendent of Des Moines Public Schools was arrested by federal immigration officers. And after Republicans and Democrats failed to reach a deal on federal funding, the government shut down at 12:01 a.m. Wednesday for the first time since 2019.
Continue reading below for this week’s news on Iowa sports, business and politics.
Politics across Iowa
State to review Des Moines schools’ hiring policies, board places superintendent on leave
The state education department announced its plans to review the Des Moines School District’s hiring procedures a day after the district’s superintendent was arrested by federal immigration authorities.
And in her first extended statement since Friday’s arrest of Des Moines Public Schools Superintendent Ian Roberts, Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds on Saturday called the incident “shocking” and said, “We must enforce the law every time to protect our families and our future.”
Roberts was arrested Friday after U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement initiated a traffic stop of Roberts in his school-issued vehicle, the Associated Press reported.
Gazette Des Moines Bureau Chief Erin Murphy has the full story here.
Here’s how a shutdown could affect Iowans
A partisan standoff over health care and spending has pushed the federal government to its first shutdown in nearly seven years.
The shutdown took effect at 12:01 a.m. Wednesday. The House has passed a temporary seven-week funding bill, but Senate Democrats say they will block it unless Republicans agree to extend expiring Affordable Care Act tax credits. The credits, expanded during the COVID-19 pandemic, help millions of low- and middle-income Americans afford health insurance and are set to expire at the end of the year.
Republicans, led by President Donald Trump, insist on a “clean” spending bill without additional policy measures. The impasse threatens to furlough hundreds of thousands of federal workers, close national parks, delay benefits and disrupt daily life across the country.
Gazette Deputy Des Moines Bureau Chief Tom Barton has a full breakdown on how the shutdown will impact Iowans here.
Other political stories you may have missed
Business
From Mexico With Love: Downtown Waterloo bakery sees immense success
If you visit downtown Waterloo around 11 a.m., you are bound to see a line of croissant lovers outside of Con Amor Bakery and Cafe.
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Esperanza Ayard Benitez opened the Mexican-American patisserie, 331 E. Fourth St., less than four months ago and nearly every day sells out of treats before the end of the business day.
She and her husband mix, fold and bake the laminated dough pastries; her mother makes the fillings and toppings; and her sister bakes cookies. These include tiramisu, chocolate almond and seasonal flavored croissants; apple pie Danish pastries; a pastry topped with cream cheese and filled with berries; croissant cookies and muffins; and cheesecake. They also serve coffee and espresso drinks.
Waterloo-Cedar Falls Courier reporter Maria Kuiper has more on the bakery here.
People
Davenport organization creates zero-cost ‘library of things’
A new Davenport organization is seeking to establish a collective bartering community, becoming a “library of things” for residents to trade tools, outdoor gear, instruments, skills and more — for zero cost.
Brendan O’Brien, 35, established “the rabbithole” in May. The rabbithole, styled in all lowercase, allows residents to join by donating a desired item or skill, thereby gaining access to an inventory of tools, gear, books, skills and opportunities from other members.
The rabbithole offers not just items, but also skill-sharing and space-sharing. One member may donate a guitar, another member may provide zero-cost lessons and a third member may offer space to practice, O’Brien said.
“Everybody has something to offer, even if that’s just time or space,” O’Brien said.
Fall down the rabbit hole into Quad-City Times reporter Nina Baker’s story here.
Sports
Woliczko
Iowa women’s basketball lands 5-star prospect McKenna Woliczko
The Iowa women’s basketball team landed its second commitment from a five-star prospect in as many recruiting cycles.
Five-star power forward McKenna Woliczko (pronounced vull-ITCH-ko) announced her commitment to the Hawkeyes on Wednesday in a post on social media.
“Home,” Woliczko wrote in the caption of the post, which included photos from her recent visit to Iowa City.
The 6-foot-2 prospect from San Bruno, California, chose Iowa over finalists Southern California, Ohio State and South Carolina. She is Iowa’s first commit in the 2026 recruiting class.
University of Iowa sports reporter has the full story here.
Iowa State corner Jontez Williams out for season, what it means
Iowa State corner Jontez Williams is out for the remainder of the season with an ACL injury, coach Matt Campbell said Tuesday.
The injury occurred with around three minutes to play in ISU’s 39-14 win against Arizona.
“That’s a situation that really stinks for the kid, but how he’s handled it has been uber impressive,” Campbell said. “Great human and he’ll be back ready to rock-and-roll next year.”
Williams, a redshirt junior, has played in every game this season. He led the Cyclones with four interceptions last season and made his first interception of 2025 in Saturday’s win.
Iowa State University sports reporter Ben Hutchens has the full story here.
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