Reynolds Orders Flags Half-Staff to Honor Victims of Afghanistan Terrorist Attack
(Des Moines, IA) — Flags are flying at half-staff across Iowa in honor of the U-S service members and other victims of the deadly ISIS attack Thursday in Afghanistan. The order from Governor Kim Reynolds calls for flags to remain lowered through sunset on Monday. Governor Reynolds said in a statement, “there are no words that can describe the pain felt by their fellow soldiers, family, and loved ones… We cannot thank the brave men and women of our Armed Forces enough for what they do to preserve this incredible nation.”
HHS Secretary Becerra Urges More Iowans to Get COVID Vaccine
(Des Moines, IA) — U-S Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra is urging more Iowans to get vaccinated against COVID-19. Secretary Becerra visited Des Moines Thursday, a day after the Iowa Department of Health confirmed 42 coronavirus deaths in the past four weeks. Becerra says 99 percent of the Americans who are dying of the virus are unvaccinated. He says, ” if you don’t believe what’s going on, go to the hospitals, to the I-C-U rooms or, worse, go to the morgues and see the people who are dying from Covid.” Just under 49 percent of Iowa residents have been fully vaccinated.
Infant Death Under Investigation in Marion
(Marion, IA) — Police in Marion are investigating the death of an infant. Officers found the child unresponsive in an apartment Thursday. First responders tried to revive the infant but they died at the scene. An autopsy is being done to determine the official cause of death. The victim hasn’t been identified and no other information has been released.
AG Miller Reviewing Iowa City Mask Mandate
(Iowa City, IA) — Iowa Attorney General Tom Miller says his office is reviewing the civil emergency Iowa City’s mayor declared last week which calls on people to wear face coverings in public places. Last year, Miller’s office said city and county officials did not have the authority to issue public mask mandates. Earlier this year, Governor Reynolds signed a bill into law that bans local officials from forcing property owners to have policies on face coverings that are tougher than state law. Miller says his office is reviewing Iowa City’s mask mandate, but a quick turn around on an opinion on the matter isn’t necessary since there’s no penalty for violating the mayor’s order.
