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Iowa's Annual Sales Tax Holiday Offers Savings on Clothing and Footwear

Iowa's Annual Sales Tax Holiday Offers Savings on Clothing and Footwear

Iowa's annual sales tax holiday is set to take place this Friday and Saturday, allowing shoppers to purchase qualifying clothing and footwear without paying state and local sales taxes. The tax holiday begins at 12:01 a.m. Friday and ends at midnight Saturday. To qualify, each item must be priced under $100. The exemption applies to most everyday clothing and footwear but excludes accessories and specialty items like jewelry and sports equipment. The Iowa Department of Revenue confirms that the tax break also applies to eligible online purchases made during the exemption period. Retailers in Iowa are required to participate in the holiday.
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Illinois Launches Back-to-School Sales Tax Holiday to Aid Families

Illinois Launches Back-to-School Sales Tax Holiday to Aid Families

Illinois has initiated a back-to-school sales tax holiday starting August 7th, running through August 16th. During this period, the state sales tax on qualifying items will be reduced from 6.25% to 1.25%. The initiative, announced by Illinois Governor JB Pritzker, aims to save families up to $10 million on school supplies. Eligible items include most school supplies such as rulers, notebooks, and crayons, as well as certain clothing and shoes priced under $125. However, items like briefcases, cosmetics, and non-prescription sunglasses are excluded from the tax break. The tax holiday is designed to provide financial relief to families as they prepare for the upcoming school year.
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Mississippi Senate race highlights shifting map as Democrats and Republicans battle for majority

Mississippi Senate race highlights shifting map as Democrats and Republicans battle for majority

Mississippi does not top the list of hotly contested U.S. Senate races this fall
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Four Injured in Henry County Highway Collision

Four Injured in Henry County Highway Collision

A traffic accident in Henry County, Iowa, resulted in injuries to four individuals. The incident occurred when a Ford SUV attempted to enter Highway 34 from Henry Des Moines Avenue and collided with a Ford pickup truck traveling west. The SUV t-boned the truck, causing both vehicles to come to a stop on the highway. All individuals involved were wearing seatbelts at the time of the crash. The Iowa State Patrol is handling the investigation, and further details about the condition of the injured parties have not been disclosed.
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Penguin Random House and Partners Challenge Iowa Book Ban with Amended Complaint

Penguin Random House and Partners Challenge Iowa Book Ban with Amended Complaint

Penguin Random House, along with several other major publishers and the Authors Guild, has filed an amended complaint in the case against Iowa's book banning law, Penguin Random House v. Robbins. The coalition is challenging the removal of nine books from Iowa school libraries, arguing that these works hold significant literary and historical value. The books in question include classics such as '1984' by George Orwell and 'To Kill a Mockingbird' by Harper Lee. The complaint follows the Eighth Circuit's decision not to rehear the case, and it seeks to enforce limits on the state's law to prevent the erasure of important cultural and educational materials.
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CBS Sunday Morning Highlights Community Resilience and Unique Stories

CBS Sunday Morning Highlights Community Resilience and Unique Stories

CBS Sunday Morning Highlights Community Resilience and Unique Stories
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AAU Junior Olympics 2026: Day 7 Delivers Record Performances in Des Moines

AAU Junior Olympics 2026: Day 7 Delivers Record Performances in Des Moines

AAU Junior Olympics 2026: Day 7 Delivers Record Performances in Des Moines
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Scott County Jail Updates Inmate Roster with Recent Arrests

Scott County Jail Updates Inmate Roster with Recent Arrests

The Scott County Sheriff's Office in Iowa has updated its inmate roster, listing individuals currently or recently held in the Scott County Jail. This roster includes those awaiting court appearances, bail, or serving sentences for state and local statute violations. The list is updated every ten minutes and serves as a public service to provide transparency about the jail's population. It is important to note that all individuals listed are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
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Representative Zach Nunn and Acting Labor Secretary Highlight Tax Relief for Iowa Workers

Representative Zach Nunn and Acting Labor Secretary Highlight Tax Relief for Iowa Workers

Representative Zach Nunn of Iowa's 3rd Congressional District, alongside Acting U.S. Secretary of Labor Keith Sonderling, visited Iowa to discuss the impact of the Working Families Tax Cuts. The visit included tours of local businesses such as Auto-Jet Muffler Corporation and meetings with restaurant workers at Whiskey River Bar & Grille. The discussions focused on the benefits of new tax deductions for overtime and tip income, as well as incentives for small businesses to invest and grow. The tax cuts have made the 20 percent small business deduction permanent and doubled Section 179 expensing to $2.5 million, allowing businesses to write off the full cost of new equipment in the year of purchase.
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Dense Fog Advisory in Effect for Central, Southern, and Western Iowa

Dense Fog Advisory in Effect for Central, Southern, and Western Iowa

A Dense Fog Advisory is currently in effect for portions of central, southern, and western Iowa. Visibility in these areas is expected to drop to one-quarter mile or less due to dense fog. The advisory is set to remain active until 10:00 AM CDT this morning. Drivers in the affected regions are urged to exercise caution as the reduced visibility could create hazardous travel conditions. The advisory highlights the importance of using headlights and maintaining a safe distance between vehicles to ensure safety on the roads. (Source time: not specified)
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Cedar Rapids Announces Multiple Road Closures for Infrastructure Improvements

Cedar Rapids Announces Multiple Road Closures for Infrastructure Improvements

Cedar Rapids, Iowa, has announced several road closures as part of ongoing infrastructure improvement projects. These include the closure of 42nd Street NE for reconstruction, which involves replacing pavement and upgrading utilities, and the closure of O Avenue NW for flood control levee construction. Additional closures are planned for sewer repairs and utility work across the city. The projects aim to enhance road safety, improve traffic flow, and provide better flood protection. The city is coordinating these efforts to minimize disruption, with detours and alternate routes provided for affected areas.
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Crop Conditions Show Mixed Results Across Midwest Amid Variable Weather

Crop Conditions Show Mixed Results Across Midwest Amid Variable Weather

The 2026 growing season in the Midwest has been marked by highly variable weather conditions, impacting corn and soybean crops differently across the region. While some areas have benefited from timely rainfall and above-average temperatures, others have faced drought and extreme heat, leading to concerns about yield potential. According to Agweek (Source time: not specified), late July rainfall varied significantly, with southeast Minnesota receiving 10-15 inches, while southwest Minnesota and parts of Iowa and South Dakota saw less than an inch. Severe storms with strong winds and hail also caused localized crop damage. The USDA Crop Report from July 27 rated 63% of the U.S. corn crop and 63% of the soybean crop as 'good-to-excellent,' down from last year’s ratings of 73% and 70%, respectively.