Home News Tuesday Afternoon News, May 18th

Tuesday Afternoon News, May 18th

Iowa Senate Republicans Pass Final Version of ‘Back the Blue’ Bill

(Des Moines, IA) — Republicans in the Iowa Senate passed what is likely the final version of a bill that would increase liability protection for police and raise the penalties for rioting that causes property damage. G-O-P Senator Julian Garrett of Indianola said it’s a necessary response to rioting
that happened during some of last summer’s racial justice protests. Democrats voted against the bill. Senator Rob Hogg of Cedar Rapids argued the legislature didn’t rush to increase penalties after repeated rioting in Ames led Iowa State University to cancel its annual VEISHEA celebration in 2014.
Hogg said, “Oh, those were just some white kids acting poorly. We don’t need to increase the criminal penalties, but when black people cry out in their angst…(what is) the Republican answer in the legislature?…Let’s increase the penalties by 150 percent.” The Iowa House must give final approval before it goes to Governor Kim Reynolds. Republican legislators left one of the
governor’s priorities out of the bill – a ban on racial profiling.

 

 

 

Waterloo Police ID Victim, Shooter in Reported Murder-Suicide

(Waterloo, IA) — Police in Waterloo are identifying the shooter and victim in an apparent murder-suicide over the weekend. Officers say 43-year-old Tanniaah Spates was shot and killed by 50-year-old Tony Flowers at her apartment late Saturday. Spates and Flowers have children together and Spates had a protective order against Flowers related to a domestic assault charge.
Police say they had information that Flowers was planning to end his life. He fled the scene after shooting Spates and was later located in his vehicle on the other side of town. Investigators say they heard a muffed gunshot while setting up a perimeter and Flowers was found dead with a self-inflicted head wound.

 

 

 

Prospective Jurors In Rivera Trial Warned Of Graphic Evidence

(Davenport, IA) — Prospective jurors in the Cristhian Rivera trial are being warned they’ll be shown graphic evidence. Jury selection began Monday and prosecutor Scott Brown said jurors will experience testimony about Mollie Tibbetts’ stab wounds. Rivera’s accused of stabbing Tibbetts to death and dumping her body in a rural Poweshiek County corn field in 2018.
Investigators say Rivera led them to Tibbetts’ remains. Jury selection is expected to wrap up today (Tuesday).

 

 

 

Hy-Vee Lifts Mask Requirement For Vaccinated Customers, Employees

(West Des Moines, IA) — Hy-Vee is the latest retailer to end its face mask requirement. The Iowa-based grocery chain says it will no longer require fully vaccinated customers and employees to wear face coverings in its stores.
Face masks are strongly recommended for customers who are not vaccinated against COVID-19. Workers who haven’t been vaccinated are still required to wear masks. Masks need to be worn in Hy-Vee stores that are in cities that have local ordinances.