More than 2,000 incarcerated Iowans and correctional officers are enduring high heat without air conditioning this summer, even as the state sits on nearly $8 million that advisers say could fix the problem, Iowa Capital Dispatch (ICD) reports.

Why it matters: Heat isn't just a comfort issue, but a safety one as well. In 2024, a man died at an unairconditioned Illinois prison during a heatwave.

• Research on Mississippi inmates also found violent interactions rose 20% on days averaging 80 degrees.

State of play: Gov. Kim Reynolds, with the support of the Iowa Department of Corrections, requested $8.1 million from the Legislature last year to help install air conditioning at the Anamosa State Penitentiary and the Mount Pleasant Correctional Facility.

• Both facilities house over 1,000 men, and the department has requested funding for AC over the last 15 years.

Yes, but: Iowa lawmakers did not approve the funding this session, though the Department of Corrections has additional money that could go toward air conditioning.

• The state has sold more than 1,500 acres of unused prison farmland, following a consultant's advice in 2023.
• After the state used some of the proceeds for repairs and office renovations, nearly $8 million is left over, ICD reports.

What they're saying: When ICD asked the Department of Corrections if that leftover money could be used for air conditioning, officials didn't say, noting that spending decisions are based on "most imminent needs" at leadership's discretion.

• "I think the most important thing is to make sure the staff and inmates' health is the priority with the air conditioning," Trent Keller, chair of the Iowa Board of Corrections, told ICD.

The other side: Iowa Rep. Jacob Bossman (R-Sioux City) chairs the budget committee that helps decide prison infrastructure projects. He notes that Republican lawmakers have invested in prison projects, such as repairs and adding capacity.

• "So long as Iowa House Republicans remain in the majority, the comfort of convicted criminals will never take priority over the safety of law-abiding Iowans," he said in a statement to ICD.

What's next: The sale of another 1,300 acres of farmland near Anamosa could bring another $10 million to the department, ICD reports.

The Polk County Health Department is developing an automated school illness dashboard.

Why it matters: It's intended to better track outbreaks and prevent them from becoming a public health crisis.

Driving the news: Eight of Polk County's nine school districts have signed data-sharing agreements for the dashboard, Addie Olson, a spokesperson for the Polk County Health Department, tells Axios.

• The ninth, Johnston, could be finalized soon, she said.

How it works: Schools will automatically send the health department student illness and attendance data from their student information systems nightly.

• The data can include school, grade, age group, gender, ZIP code, attendance date and absence codes — but not names or other information that could identify individual students.
• When illness-related absences begin to rise, the department will investigate and take mitigation steps before absences reach the previous 10% reporting threshold that school nurses would report to the department.

State of play: The dashboard is being set up for internal use, but a public version could follow once the department is assured that the system is accurate and functioning properly.

• It's being built and managed by county staff, and it will not incur additional costs to schools or the county, Olson said.

Between the lines: The effort comes as Polk County Health yesterday confirmed a measles case and listed 10 metro locations where others may have been exposed between July 1 and July 5 — a reminder of why early disease surveillance matters.

What's next: The department hopes to use the system in the upcoming school year.

🗳️ A conservative group is reserving $11 million in Iowa TV ad time as it tries to shore up the GOP's Senate "red wall" amid political headwinds. (Axios)

🎸 The West Des Moines City Council is considering an updated agreement that will add a 6,000-seat amphitheater to the Grand Experience development. (Business Record)

🌾 Gov. Kim Reynolds announced "America's Harvest Festival," an event that will showcase Iowa agriculture on Oct. 24 in honor of America's 250th birthday. (KCCI)

🍺 515 Brewing Company has reopened under new ownership. (Facebook)

🙋‍♂️ Guess it correctly by 4pm today for a chance to win a pair of tickets to "Legally Blonde The Musical", which debuts tomorrow and runs through July 26 at the DSM Playhouse.

• The winner and a story about this location will be announced in tomorrow's newsletter.

Des Moines is hosting a budget discussion tonight as the city wrestles with an anticipated $12 million shortfall next year, following lawmakers' new limits on property tax growth.

Catch up quick: Library reductions, pool closures and reductions to neighborhood policing are among the ideas floated by city officials recently.

• Mayor Connie Boesen is asking the state of Iowa and large tax-exempt groups like hospitals to make voluntary payments to help cover the city services they use.

Zoom in: Jason and Linh offered a few ideas last week, including expanding sponsorships, leaning on legacy giving, and exploring new revenue opportunities at city amenities, like allowing vendors at Gray's Lake.

Here are some of our readers' ideas:

• "It will take creativity to address any safety, access and liability issues but DMPS and the City have two areas where they could expand exponentially: Library, librarian and pool sharing." — Jackie Norris, DSM
• "I like the focus on Grays Lake for revenue. What about a fundraiser/contest/whatever to get murals on the silos by the playground area?" — Sue Caley, WDM
• "I'm a firm believer in contributing to the cause." — Robert Warren, CEO of Hoyt Sherman Place, which made a voluntary $700 contribution to DSM in lieu of taxes last year.

If you go: Tonight's meeting starts at 6pm at Central Library.