Vander Hart: My Approach to Iowa’s Judicial Retention Elections in 2020

Shane Vander Hart shares his thoughts about Iowa’s judicial retention elections that voters can find on the back of the ballot in 2020.

Iowa’s 24-Hour Waiting Period for Abortion Temporarily Blocked

District Court Judge Mitchell Turner granted a temporary injunction blocking Iowa’s 24-hour waiting period for abortions from taking effect on July 1.

Planned Parenthood Seeks to Block 24-Hour Abortion Waiting Period in Iowa

Planned Parenthood of the Heartland filed a lawsuit in state court to block the 24-hour abortion waiting period recently passed by the Iowa Legislature.

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.

Iowa Supreme Court Pushes Jury Trials to September 14

The Iowa Supreme Court ordered that in-person court proceedings can resume by July 13, but jury trials may not resume until September 14.

Reynolds Appoints Matthew McDermott to the Iowa Supreme Court

Gov. Kim Reynolds made her fourth appointment to the Iowa Supreme Court naming Matthew McDermott to fill the vacancy caused by Justice David Wiggins’ retirement.

Chief Justice Susan Christensen Postpones Trials Until Summer

Iowa Supreme Court Chief Justice Susan Christensen issued a supervisory order further delaying all trials due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Iowa Supreme Court Postpones All New Jury Trials

The Iowa Supreme Court issued an order postponing all new criminal jury trials until April 20 and all civil jury trials until May 4 in response to COVID-19.

Susan Christensen Named Chief Justice of the Iowa Supreme Court

The Iowa Supreme Court has selected Justice Susan Christensen of Harlan as its next chief justice, the second woman to serve as chief justice of Iowa’s highest court.

The Protect Life Amendment Clears Iowa House Judiciary Committee

HSB 577, the proposed “Protect Life Amendment” to the Iowa Constitution, cleared the Iowa House Judiciary Committee by an 11 to 9 party-line vote.

The State of Pro-Life Legislation in Iowa Is Precarious

Jason Schultz: SJR 21 (now SJR 2001) doesn’t ban abortion, but takes the issue from the Iowa Supreme Court and puts it back in the hands of the people.

Kim Reynolds Appoints Dana Oxley to the Iowa Supreme Court

Gov. Kim Reynolds appointed attorney Dana Oxley of Swisher to the Iowa Supreme Court to fill a vacancy left by the death of Chief Justice Mark Cady.

Iowa Senate Panel Approves Amendment Declaring No Right to Abortion

An Iowa Senate subcommittee advanced SJR 21 that would amend the Iowa Constitution to declare there is no constitutional right to abortion.

Wiggins to Retire from the Iowa Supreme Court

Acting Chief Justice David Wiggins announced his retirement from the Iowa Supreme Court effective March 13, 2020.

David Wiggins Becomes Acting Chief Justice of the Iowa Supreme Court

Justice David Wiggins becomes Acting Chief Justice of the Iowa Supreme Court following the unexpected death of Chief Justice Mark Cady.

Iowa Supreme Court Chief Justice Mark Cady (1953-2019)

Iowa Supreme Court Chief Justice Mark Cady died from an apparent heart attack while walking his dog. He was 66-years-old.