EPA: No Environmental Damage From Train Derailment in Sibley
(Sibley, IA) — The Environmental Protection Agency says the chemicals on the train that derailed train in Sibley did not harm the environment in northwest Iowa. E-P-A officials say the chemical were captured and secured before any damage could be done. Union Pacific said the train was carrying hydrochloric acid, potassium hydroxide and asphalt. Some of the hydrochloric
acid was spilled. E-P-A spokesman Andrew Gieseke says any impacted soils will be sampled and cleaned up in remediation efforts. Some land was burned by the diesel fire caused by the derailment.
Reynolds Signs Bill Banning Mask Mandates in Iowa Schools, Local Communities
(Des Moines, IA) — A bill Governor Kim Reynolds signed into law early this morning (Thursday) bans mask mandates in all Iowa schools, cities and counties. Republican lawmakers passed the legislation late Wednesday night.
House Speaker Pat Grassley delivered a copy of the bill to Reynolds in her statehouse office, as a cheering crowd surrounded her desk for the private event. Reynolds said in a statement, “the state of Iowa is putting parents back in control of their child’s education and taking greater steps to protect
the rights of all Iowans to make their own health care decisions.” Democratic Senator Joe Bolkom of Iowa City said “masks make sense right now for folks who are not vaccinated, and the majority of students in Iowa schools have not been doubly vaccinated.”
Miller-Meeks Lone Iowa Republican to Vote For Capitol Attack Commission
(Washington, DC) — One of the three Iowa Republicans in the U-S House voted for establishing a commission to investigate the January 6 attack on the U-S Capitol. Second District Congresswoman Mariannette Miller-Meeks of Ottumwa
was one of 35 G-O-P members who voted to create a bipartisan commission to examine the events of January 6th. Miller-Meeks didn’t issued a statement about her vote. Democratic Congresswoman Cindy Axne says she voted to establish the commission “to get to the truth of how the attack on the Capitol
happened” and to ensure it cannot happen again. First District Congresswoman Ashley Hinson says she opposes launching the commission because it could interfere with Department of Justice, Department of Homeland Security and F-B-I investigations. Fourth District Congressman Randy Feenstra didn’t issue a statement on his “no” vote.
Olympic Qualifying Skateboard Event Begins at Lauridsen Skate Park
(Des Moines, IA) — Around 300 of the top skateboarders in the world are at the new Lauridsen Skatepark in Des Moines. The Dew Tour begins today (Thursday) and will serve as the final Olympic qualifying event for skateboarding in the U-S. The sport makes it Olympic debut in Tokyo.
Lauridsen Skatepark is the largest in America and opened to locals earlier this month. Des Moines leaders expect the event to bring in four- to five-million dollars in revenue. Tickets are sold out for the four-day event.
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