Expect Frigid Cold Temperatures To Sweep Across The Region
(Des Moines) — The National Weather Service is predicting a polar plunge for temperatures later today (Wednesday). Meteorologist Cory Martin says it’ll be a big swing by the time you are heading home from work.
Those brisk winds are really going to have an impact.
Martin says we shouldn’t have to deal with the extreme cold for very long.
He says these types of quick cold fronts happen this time of year and it could bring some issues for people who have to be on the road.
He advises you to keep up with the latest weather forecasts and road conditions if you plan on being out.
Iowans Cleared Of Having Coronavirus
(Des Moines) — The Iowa Department of Public Health says two Iowans who were tested for the coronavirus following recent travel to China have been cleared.
The two unidentified individuals had agreed to voluntary home confinement while the state waited for the test results from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The department also says there are 26 other individuals who are not showing any symptoms — but have recently traveled to China and are being monitored for the coronavirus. The Health Department’s medical director says everyone should continue to use proper hygiene techniques to avoid any kind of illness.
Grassley Wants To Visit With Speaker Pelosi About Prescription Bill
(Washington) — Iowa Senator Chuck Grassley says having President Trump tout his prescription drug bill during the State of the Union speech last Tuesday has been a boost. Now, Grassley’s hoping to meet with House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and this is his message:
Grassley, a Republican, along with the top Democrat on the Senate Finance Committee have been working on legislation that would limit prescription drug price hikes to the rate of inflation. The bill would lower out-of-pocket costs for seniors on Medicare, too.
Bills need just 51 votes to pass the senate, but at least 60 senators must agree to allow debate. Grassley says he’s telling his Republican colleagues in the Senate the polls show voters consider prescription drug costs a top concern.
A dozen Republicans have signed on as co-sponsors of Grassley’s bill.
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Two Doctors File Lawsuit Against Glenwood Resource Center Former Superintendent And Agency Officials
DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – Two doctors and other former employees of an Iowa care center for people with intellectual disabilities have filed a federal lawsuit against a state agency and several officials alleging a conspiracy to silence complaints about sexual arousal research they claim exploited fragile and dependent residents. The allegations center on the former
superintendent of the Glenwood Resource Center who was fired in December.
The lawsuit claims he conducted medical experimentation. The lawsuit was filed Monday in by two former Glenwood doctors and other former employees.
They allege violations of civil rights and whistleblower laws, wrongful termination and interference with a doctor-patient relationship.
Iowa House Approves Educational Spending Bill
DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – The Iowa House has approved a K-12 education funding plan that would spend about $16 million more than a version approved by the state Senate. The House on Tuesday voted to increase state spending by nearly $108 million, for a total of about $3.4 billion. Lawmakers approved the funding after first rejecting a proposal by Democrats to spend
an additional $20 million. The House action following approval by the Senate on Monday of a nearly $92 million increase. Gov. Kim Reynolds, a Republican, had proposed increasing education spending by $101 million. Iowa has just over 320 school districts. The funding lawmakers are considering would provide money beginning July 1.
State Senate Republicans Place Restrictions On Former Felons To Acquire Voting Rights
(Des Moines) — Senate Republican have unveiled their proposed limitations if Iowa voters approve a constitutional amendment to automatically restore felon voting rights. The plan would still force those convicted of murder manslaughter or certain sex crimes to apply to the governor to get their
voting rights restored and it would force paroled felons to pay ALL their restitution before they’d get the right to vote. Senator Dan Dawson is a Republican from Council Bluffs.
Opponents say linking voting rights to income is wrong. Currently, felons applying to the governor just have to show they’re keeping up with a payment plan to get their voting rights back. Heather Strachan with the National Alliance on Mental Illness Iowa says she’s survived abuse and disagrees with the approach Senate Republicans are proposing. Strachan says
she feels safer if her abuser is participating in society and getting the treatment he needs.
Iowa is now the only state in the country that does not automatically give felons the right to vote once they’ve completed their sentences. Republican Governor Kim Reynolds has been pushing the Senate since last year to pass her proposed constitutional amendment to automatically restore felon voting rights.
Des Moines Airport Board Rejects Proposal For Casino And Hotel
DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – A proposal to build a $225 million casino and hotel at the Des Moines airport got nowhere at the airport board’s meeting Tuesday. Highview Development Group had presented the plan to the Des Moines Airport Authority board last month. The complex would include a 350-room hotel connected to the airport by a skywalk. There also would be a fountain, rock garden, restaurant and wedding and banquet facilities. Station KCCI reported that no board member made a motion at the meeting to vote on the plan, so no vote was held.
Democratic Party Leaders Explain The Problems With Iowa Caucus Results
IOWA CITY, Iowa (AP) – Democratic Party leaders and activists are describing widespread missteps in planning and implementation that made the Iowa caucuses a historic disaster. In interviews, they blamed bad decisions by party officials, technology failures and poor communication for the mess
that humiliated Democrats, undermined confidence in the results and threatens to end the state’s tradition of going first. They said poor planning was to blame for problems with a smartphone app and phone hotline used to report results. And several officials said the Iowa Democratic Party’s decision to wait nearly a full day before releasing any results was a key miscalculation.
