Iowa Capital Dispatch
The solution to Iowa s worker shortage isn t cutting off pandemic-related unemployment assistance. (Photo by Tim Mossholder via Unsplash)
James Kennedy, a Mount Vernon musician, said the end of Iowa’s federal unemployment benefits feels almost like “blackmail.”
“This decision … to withdraw literally forces people to go back to work in a very unsafe environment,” Kennedy said. “I find that very life-threatening.”
Kennedy and his wife, Catherine Lawson-Kennedy, lead the Heart Consort Music group. Before the pandemic, they taught music lessons to nearly 30 students, performed concerts several times a month and rented out a recording studio to local artists.
Week in Iowa | The Gazette thegazette.com - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from thegazette.com Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
Iowa Capital Dispatch
The State Capitol in Des Moines. (Photo by Katie Akin/Iowa Capital Dispatch)
House Democrats say Windsor Heights Rep. Jennifer Konfrst will run to replace Rep. Todd Prichard as the House minority leader.
State Rep. Jennifer Konfrst is a Windsor Heights Democrat. (Photo courtesy of the Iowa Legislature)
Rep. Marti Anderson and Rep. Jo Oldson, both Democrats from Des Moines, said Konfrst had called them about her plan to run for House minority leader. Prichard, D-Charles City, announced Wednesday that he would be stepping down from the role.
“I think she brings a good, fresh perspective and a lot of understanding of the process, both policy and political,” said Oldson, who plans to support Konfrst for the position.
Charles City s Prichard steps down as Iowa House Minority Leader kimt.com - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from kimt.com Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.