BETTENDORF, IOWA (August 12, 2026) — Bettendorf Community School District will celebrate the completion of the first phase of the Bettendorf Middle School Renovation Project with a New Classroom Addition Ribbon-Cutting Ceremony and Open House at 5:30PM, Wednesday, August 19, at Bettendorf Middle School, 2030 Middle Road.

DES MOINES, IOWA (August 12, 2026) — The Iowa Secretary of State’s annual Straw Poll is returning for the 2026 Iowa State Fair, Iowa Sec of State Paul Pate has announced. The “unscientific” straw poll encourages fairgoers to cast an unofficial “vote” for their preferred candidates in the upcoming November election. This year, the poll will provide Iowans the opportunity to choose their preferred candidates for governor, US Congress, and US Senate.

DES MOINES, IOWA (August 11, 2026) — Special Olympic athletes from across Iowa will take center stage at the Iowa State Fair's Bacon Buddies® pig show on Saturday, August 15. With the support of Iowa FFA and 4-H mentors, athletes will proudly showcase their pigs in the Swine Barn during one of the Fair's most inspiring and heartwarming events.

DES MOINES, IOWA (August 11, 2026) — The National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB) Iowa, the nation’s leading small-business association, has announced that fifteen state legislators — five members of the Senate and ten members of the House — achieved a 100% NFIB Voting Record in the 91st General Assembly over 2025-26.