UPDATES & ANALYSIS
![An entity created by local governments is beyond the State Auditor’s reach, according to the Iowa Supreme Court](https://iowaappeals.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/Accountant-picture-002-1080x675.jpg)
An entity created by local governments is beyond the State Auditor’s reach, according to the Iowa Supreme Court
The Iowa State Auditor is empowered by the Iowa Code to audit agencies of the state government and certain governmental subdivisions of the State, including cities and counties. Meanwhile, local governments are authorized by the Iowa Code to form collaborative entities. Does that mean the State Auditor has authority to audi …
![Fired Catholic school principal won’t get new trial, Iowa Supreme Court rules](https://iowaappeals.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Catholi-schoo_-1080x675.jpg)
Fired Catholic school principal won’t get new trial, Iowa Supreme Court rules
A former principal of St. Joseph’s Catholic School in Des Moines will not get a new trial in her unsuccessful civil action against the Catholic Diocese of Des Moines, St. Joseph’s Church, and the pastor who supervised her, for fraud and defamation by all defendants, and breach of contract against the pastor, Father Jose …
![Iowa Supreme Court allows open records suit to proceed, saying the Governor is not immune from such litigation](https://iowaappeals.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Records-files-002-1080x675.jpg)
Iowa Supreme Court allows open records suit to proceed, saying the Governor is not immune from such litigation
The Iowa Supreme Court affirmed the Polk County District Court’s denial of a motion to dismiss a suit brought by journalists claiming Gov. Kim Reynolds and other staffers within her office violated the Iowa Open Records Act. In reaching that decision, the Court held the plaintiffs’ claims against the Governor did not vi …
![Iowa Supreme Court to hear arguments in three cases April 11, including on enforcement of Iowa’s fetal-heartbeat abortion law](https://iowaappeals.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/Judicial-Branch-Building-2015-1080x675.jpg)
Iowa Supreme Court to hear arguments in three cases April 11, including on enforcement of Iowa’s fetal-heartbeat abortion law
The Iowa Supreme Court will hear oral arguments in three cases April 11. A fourth case will be submitted to the Court without oral argument. Following are summaries of the cases. [Go to On Brief’s “Cases in the Pipeline” page to read briefs filed in these cases.]
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![Oral argument on the right to a jury will be heard by Iowa Supreme Court in session in Perry April 4](https://iowaappeals.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/pexels-ekaterina-bolovtsova-6077326-1080x675.jpg)
Oral argument on the right to a jury will be heard by Iowa Supreme Court in session in Perry April 4
In July 2020 the Iowa Attorney General filed a civil suit alleging a now-defunct Omaha company violated Iowa’s Consumer Fraud Act in marketing stem-cell and exosome therapy treatments using false, misleading, and deceptive tactics.
When the case went to trial in Polk County District Court, the defendant, Travis Autor, …
FEATURED POSTS
Iowa Code section 20.32 does not extend broader bargaining rights to nontransit employees, Iowa Supreme Court rules
In an opinion filed February 24, 2023, the Iowa Supreme Court in City of Ames v. Iowa Public Employment Relations Board ruled Iowa Code section 20.32 does not extend broader bargaining rights to nontransit employees in a bargaining unit made up of 30 percent or more transit employees. Justice Waterman delivered the …
Iowa Supreme Court holds subpoenas served on a non-party should have been quashed for imposing an undue burden
In an opinion filed on February 10, 2023, the Iowa Supreme Court in In the Matter of the Subpoenas Issued to Dethmers Manufacturing Company held subpoenas relating to a Louisiana products liability suit but issued from an Iowa court to a nonparty in Iowa imposed an undue burden under the Iowa Civil Rules of Procedu …
Does Iowa’s constitution require a tougher standard for removing minority jurors? Iowa Supreme Court says no
The Iowa Supreme Court declined to take up an appellant’s suggestion that the Court apply a more rigorous standard for deciding whether the removal of the only minority-group member from a pool of potential jurors may violate the Iowa Constitution.
Davina Valdez, a Black teacher’s assistant sued the West Des Moines S …
Former state employee may pursue claim she was fired for complying with Iowa Open Records Act, Iowa Supreme Court holds
A former public employee may bring a claim of being wrongfully fired for performing the assigned duty of releasing government records to the public under the Iowa Open Records Act, the Iowa Supreme Court held in a decision handed down June 2 …
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On Brief: Iowa’s Appellate Blog is devoted to appellate litigation with a focus on the Iowa Supreme Court, the Iowa Court of Appeals, and the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit.