Shane Vander Hart

5957 posts
Shane Vander Hart is the founder and editor of Caffeinated Thoughts.

Iowa Legislature Passes Police Reform Bill Unanimously

The Iowa Legislature passed unanimously a bill that allows the Attorney General to prosecute police misconduct and restricts the use of chokeholds.

Vander Hart: Why Not Rename Army Bases Named After Confederates?

Shane Vander Hart: The argument for renaming Army installations named after Confederate commanders is more compelling than leaving the names the same.

Reynolds Lifts 50 Percent Capacity Restriction for Businesses

Gov. Kim Reynolds announced that she would lift the restriction limiting open businesses to 50 percent of their building capacity due to COVID-19.

Iowa State Fair Canceled For First Time Since World War II

The Iowa State Fair Board of Directors voted 11 to 2 to cancel the 2020 fair out of concern for COVID-19. The next fair will be held on August 12-22, 2021.

Waterloo Police Updates Use of Force Policy

The Waterloo, Iowa Police Department updated its use of force policy following the death of George Floyd in Minnesota, and following protests and unrest.

Des Moines City Council Moves a Step Closer to a Racial Profiling Ban

The Des Moines City Council approved the first consideration of a ban on racial profiling by police by a 7 to 0 vote, they will consider it again on June 22.

Vander Hart: Eight Ideas for Reforming Law Enforcement

Shane Vander Hart offers eight ways that law enforcement can be reformed to rebuild trust within minority communities and decrease instances of force.

Iowa Expands COVID-19 Test Sites, Hospitalizations Continue Downward Trend

The Reynolds Administration announced that five new Test Iowa sites will launch this week to reach more Iowans who would like a COVID-19 test.

Breaking: Vote on Protect Life Amendment Delayed in Iowa House

Caffeinated Thoughts learned that the debate and vote on the Protect Life Amendment in the Iowa House is delayed due to some internal Republican debate.

Reynolds Signs Compromise Bill in Step to Automatically Restore Felon Voting Rights

Gov. Kim Reynolds signed a bill that requires felons to repay restitution before restoring voting rights paving the way for a constitutional amendment.

Municipal Firearms Restrictions Preemption Bill Passes In Iowa Senate

The Iowa Senate passed a bill, 32 to 17, that preempts local governments restricting Iowans from lawful possession of firearms and attachments.

Vander Hart: Why Steve King Lost

Shane Vander Hart provides a postmortem of U.S. Rep. Steve King’s loss to State Senator Randy Feenstra in Iowa’s 4th Congressional District’s GOP primary.

Feenstra Upsets King; Hinson, Miller-Meeks, and Young Win GOP Primaries

Randy Feenstra upsets U.S. Rep. Steve King in Iowa’s 4th Congressional District’s GOP primary, Ashley Hinson, Mariannette Miller-Meeks, and David Young also win.

Greenfield Will Challenge Ernst in Iowa’s U.S. Senate Race

Theresa Greenfield convincingly won a five-way contest in the Democratic primary to challenge U.S. Senator Joni Ernst in Iowa’s U.S. Senate race.

Video: Fourth Night of Unrest in Des Moines

A group of protestors gathered at the Des Moines Police Station while another group marched downtown and were later dispersed from the State Capitol grounds.

Reynolds, Community Leaders Say Rioters Hijack George Floyd Protest’s Message

Gov. Kim Reynolds, Des Moines Mayor Frank Cownie and other community leaders addressed the civil unrest in Iowa over the last 72 hours.