Here First

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.

Next month, Iowans will stop receiving federal unemployment benefits put in place because of the coronavirus pandemic. Governor Kim Reynolds claims they are keeping businesses from filling open jobs. A majority of the Iowa City City Council made clear Tuesday they are opposed to the possibility of abolishing the police. IPR’s Kate Payne explains that the discussion came during a meeting focused on recommendations for how the city could restructure its police department. Plus, IPR’s Katie Peikes reports that the Iowa Flood Center is creating technology that will forecast Missouri River flooding and provide information on how it could affect individual homes, businesses and farms.

Governor Kim Reynolds signed a bill into law Monday ending limits on open enrollment in five Iowa school districts. The voluntary diversity plans were meant to preserve diversity based on socioeconomic status and English language proficiency. An Iowa Senate panel has advanced a wide-ranging tax plan proposed by Governor Reynolds. It would ensure income tax cuts take effect sooner, shift mental health funding from counties to the state, and phase out “backfill” payments to local governments. Plus, IPR’s Kate Payne explains that a coalition of environmental advocates is asking a state board to overturn a decision to approve a large cattle feeding operation near a prized creek in northeast Iowa.

Graduation ceremonies at many Iowa colleges and universities are closer to normal this year, with many holding events in-person. But there are still precautions related to COVID-19. The Des Moines City Council will vote Monday evening on whether to extend the time for public comment during council meetings. But IPR’s Grant Gerlock explains that the proposal would also limit the number of people who can speak. Plus, we hear from Harvest Public Media’s Seth Bodine how higher commodity prices and record levels of government aid have boosted farmland values.