Iowa Governor: Tip From Ashton Kutcher Led to Testing Deal

(L-R) Sequoia Partner Capital Alfred Lin and Sound Ventures Co-Founder Ashton Kutcher speak onstage during TechCrunch Disrupt San Francisco 2019 at Moscone Convention Center on October 04, 2019 in San Francisco, Calif. Steve Jennings/Getty Images for TechCrunch

Iowa reached a $26 million contract to increase CCP virus testing after the governor acted on a tip from actor Ashton Kutcher. This revelation increased skepticism about a no-bid deal on April 23.

Critics of Gov. Kim Reynolds said they were puzzled by the celebrity’s cameo in Iowa’s outbreak response, particularly when the state has been slow to tap some of its experts.