DES MOINES - Cedar Rapids Mayor Kay Halloran, several Linn County supervisors and representatives from other disaster-hit locales were at the Statehouse Monday pushing for state recovery funds. Cedar Rapids officials set up 12 easels in the Capitol rotunda depicting scenes from last June's record flooding as a reminder to lawmakers who have pledged a major rebuilding package early this session.

Judge weighs in

Lt. Gov. Patty Judge is challenging Iowans and state government employees to join her in eating healthier and exercising more. She and other officials rolled out this year's Live Healthy Iowa program Monday at the Capitol. Since beginning the program last year, Judge has lost 30 pounds.

Hail to the chief

Gov. Chet Culver has a new chief of staff. Charles Krogmeier, current director of the state Department of Management, is replacing Patrick Dillon. Dillon is exiting the Culver administration after two years to move to Washington, D.C., with his wife, Jennifer O'Malley Dillon, who was recently appointed executive director of the Democratic National Committee.

Legislative misstep

Sen. Pam Jochum, D-Dubuque, took Monday's oath of office on crutches after taking a fall at her Des Moines apartment on Sunday and breaking an ankle. The representative-turned-senator said her fractured ankle will take six to eight weeks to heal unless she needs to undergo surgery.

Soldiers deployed

A folded U.S. flag was laid Monday on the desk of Rep. Royd Chambers, R-Sheldon, who missed the opening day of the 2009 session because of his deployment to Kyrgyzstan. Chambers, a member of the Iowa Air National Guard, isn't expected to return before lawmakers adjourn for the year.