Demonstrators commemorated the one-year anniversary of George Floyd’s murder in downtown Des Moines on Tuesday evening. IPR’s Kassidy Arena tells us that speakers touched on how people can protect themselves in encounters with the police and how Floyd’s legacy has instilled calls for racial justice around the world. As demand for the COVID-19 vaccine continues to drop, Iowa health officials say they’ve accepted just 12 percent of its vaccine allocation from the federal government this week. Plus, defense attorneys for Cristhian Bahena Rivera again sought to cast doubt on others for the killing of Mollie Tibbetts at trial. We get an update from IPR’s Kate Payne.

The state has rested its case against Cristhian Bahena Rivera, who faces a first degree murder charge in the killing of Mollie Tibbetts. IPR’s Kate Payne says prosecutors have worked to clear other men who were investigated for any connections to her death. The first Democrat has announced his candidacy to run for U.S. Senate in Iowa in 2022. Dave Muhlbauer is a former Crawford County supervisor who raises cattle and hogs on a farm near Manilla. Republican Sen. Chuck Grassley has not said whether he’ll seek an eighth term. Plus, the city of Des Moines will hire a third party to run its future de-escalation training sessions.

Authorities found a household substance in an inmate’s cell at Anamosa State Penitentiary over the weekend that could be used to make explosives. The trial of the man accused of killing Iowa college student Mollie Tibbetts in 2018 could conclude as soon as this week. Plus, IPR’s Natalie Krebs explains that University of Iowa researchers are working with a local non-profit to figure out the best way to gather and communicate health information to the state’s 7,000 migrant workers.

A police officer testified Thursday that Cristhian Bahena Rivera admitted to killing Mollie Tibbetts in 2018. We get the latest from that trial in Scott County. The COVID-19 pandemic has been hard on children’s mental health and IPR’s Health reporter Natalie Krebs reports that some say Iowa’s services are still falling short, just as kids need them more. Plus, Spring festivals are back after the pandemic canceled them last year. IPR’s Katie Peikes explains that these festivals bring tourism and lots of money into small towns and their businesses.

The Iowa Legislature wrapped up the 2021 session late Wednesday night. Lawmakers shortened the time allowed for voting, rolled back gun restrictions, funded broadband expansion and made it so schools cannot issue mask mandates. IPR State Government reporter Katarina Sostaric gets us up to date on what happened. In opening statements on Wednesday, prosecutors said that DNA evidence will play a key role in connecting Cristhian Bahena Rivera to the killing of Mollie Tibbetts in 2018. Plus, Republican Congresswomen Mariannette Miller-Meeks, a Republican from Ottumwa, and Cindy Axne, a Democrat from West Des Moines, voted to establish a commission to investigate the January 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol.

There was a lot of action at the Iowa statehouse on Tuesday evening. IPR’s Katarina Sostaric tells us that Iowa House Republicans voted to approve amending the Iowa Constitution that says it doesn’t protect abortion rights. IPR’s Grant Gerlock lays out what’s in a billion-dollar education funding bill. Plus, IPR’s Clay Masters looks into what public health experts are saying about the return of RAGBRAI in two months and how organizers of this staple of Iowa summers hope to pull off the bicycle ride across the state safely.

The Iowa legislature was busy on Monday. Lawmakers sent a $2 billion health and human services budget to the governor’s desk. Leaders also have agreed to a wide-ranging tax bill that’ll shift mental health funding from counties to the state. Many school districts plan to keep mask requirements in place at least until classes dismiss for the summer. IPR’s Grant Gerlock explains this is after the Iowa Department of Public Health recommended late last week that schools make face coverings optional. Plus, jury selection began in the trial of Cristhian Bahena Rivera. He faces a first degree murder charge in the death of Mollie Tibbetts, who disappeared while on a run in 2018.

A Union Pacific train derailed in northwest Iowa early Sunday afternoon, some of the cars caught fire and residents and businesses in Sibley were evacuated. 6,000 Iowans are known to have died from COVID-19 since the pandemic began. A proposal to shift Iowa’s mental health funding from counties to the state is one topic that’s been holding up the end of the legislative session. IPR State Government reporter Katarina Sostaric gives us an update. Plus, jury selection for the trial of Cristhian Bahena Rivera begins in Davenport Monday. IPR’s Kate Payne gives us a preview of the trial for the man accused of killing University of Iowa student Mollie Tibbetts in 2018.

Now that Pfizer’s COVID-19 vaccine has been authorized for children 12 and older, some Iowa doctors say some parents still have questions. We hear about it from IPR’s Kassidy Arena. Activists in Des Moines are calling on state leaders to improve conditions in Iowa’s prisons. Organizers say they’ve been in contact with inmates and are sharing their concerns. Plus, estimates suggest there may be thousands of COVID “long-haulers” in Iowa. IPR’s Kate Payne brings us the story of health care providers offering a range of therapies to help treat the condition, which for some is debilitating.

Governor Kim Reynolds has signed a bill into law removing Iowa’s time limit on filing criminal charges against people accused of sexually abusing children. It takes effect immediately. IPR State Government reporter Katarina Sostaric tells us that Reynolds is also defending her decision to end additional federal unemployment benefits as part of a push to “lean further into normal.” Plus, state health officials say they are shifting their strategy for distributing COVID-19 vaccinations as demand continues to decrease. IPR Health reporter Natalie Krebs reports that counties have largely stopped mass vaccination clinics because attendance is so low.