Shane Vander looks at some of Caffeinated Thoughts top stories and recaps monthly highlights in U.S. politics, Iowa politics and cultural news.
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Branstad Education
263 posts
Iowa GOP Establishment Loves Jeb Bush
If you just heard from establishment Republicans you’d hear how everybody loves…
Live Blog: Bobby Jindal with Polk County Republicans
Shane Vander Hart will live blog the Polk County Republicans’ Holiday Party with Governor Bobby Jindal (R-LA) at the Marriott in West Des Moines, IA.
Let Local School Boards Decide School Start Dates
The Iowa Department of Education says it will stop granting automatic waivers to school districts seeking to start classes earlier in the summer.
Ernst Resigns Iowa Senate Seat, Special Election Called
U.S. Senator-Elect Joni Ernst resigned her Iowa Senate Seat, Governor Terry Branstad ordered a special election in Senate District 12 for December 30, 2014
Paul Pate Names Transition Director
Iowa Secretary of State-elect Paul D. Pate announced Mark H. Snell will guide his transition effort and lead his new administration.
Iowa’s Assessment Task Force Picks Smarter Balanced
Iowa’s Assessment Task Force recommended that the Smarter Balanced Assessment replace the Iowa Assessment for Iowa students by the 2016-2017 school year.
Joni Ernst Skips Out on the Des Moines Register
Only media outlets are making a big deal out of Joni Ernst snubbing the Des Moines Register. This news won’t be a factor in Iowa’s U.S. Senate race.
Michael Reagan to Iowa GOP: Expand Your Base
Michael Reagan spoke at the Iowa GOP Reagan Dinner in Des Moines and encourage Republicans and Conservatives to find ways to expand their message.
Hieb: Declaration Against the Borg
Lee D. Hieb, MD says that the Branstad machine “owns the electoral process” and Republicans and Democrats are just two sides of the same “Borg.”
Three Questions Mike Pence Will Avoid Hiding Out in Iowa
Gov. Mike Pence (R-IN) will manage to duck questions on Obamacare, Common Core, and integrating workforce development into K-12 education when in Iowa.
Iowa Withdraws From Common Core Assessment Consortia
Iowa Gov. Terry Branstad and Iowa Dept. of Ed Director Brad Buck informed Smarter Balanced Assessment Consortium that Iowa was withdrawing immediately.
Caffeinated Thoughts Radio – 7-19-14
Shane Vander Hart and Brian Myers talk education with Jenni White of Restore Oklahoma Public Education and Jane Robbins of American Principles Project.
Wis. Gov. Scott Walker Calls for Common Core Repeal
Gov. Scott Walker (R-Wisconsin) called on the Wisconsin State Legislature to pass legislation next session to repeal the Common Core State Standards.
Chris Christie is Bad on Common Core, Judges and Bridges
Chris Christie is bad on the Common Core, judges and is embroiled in two different scandals, so his Obama bear hug is the least of his problems in 2016.
2014 Iowa Political Survey Results
Ernst leads Braley and Hieb edges out Branstad in a recent Caffeinated Thoughts reader survey of likely Iowa voters on different races and issues of concern in the state.