Iowa courts are facing a serious shortage. The Gazette's courts reporter Trish Mehaffey talks with Becky Lutgen Gardner on the opportunities available to Iowa job seekers. Key points: Iowa is facing a 'beyond crisis' level shortage of court reporters, with 33 job openings in the state and a nationwide high demand.Court reporting offers an annual starting salary of nearly $56,000 and involves transcribing court proceedings using specialized stenography skills.There's only one school in Iowa offering a two-year real time/court reporting degree, contributing to the shortage. The program recently went virtual and saw its highest enrollment in years.Despite the strenuous certification process, court reporters enjoy the varied nature of the job and the learning opportunities it provides.The shortage is affecting court proceedings, with court reporters having to juggle between different judges and hearings, causing delays and increased stress.Temporary solutions include hiring retired court reporters and conducting remote hearings, but a long-term solution is still needed. Questions, comments? Contact us at Corridor Careers