Here First

There’s another move in the Legislature to restore the death penalty in Iowa. The last execution carried out in the state was in 1963. Lawmakers Wednesday will discuss removing gender identity as a protected characteristic in the Iowa Civil Rights Act. And former longtime Ft. Dodge Mayor Albert Habhab has died.

A crowd of teachers and parents filled a North Liberty meeting room Sunday to speak out against proposed changes to Iowa’s Area Education Agencies. A new report that compares reading laws around the country says Iowa should do more to promote the science of reading. And this month’s snow, deep freeze, and thaw has resulted in a bumper crop of potholes.

Anti-abortion pregnancy centers could soon receive funding even though state officials not found an administrator for the program required by law. A proposal in the Iowa legislature would allow Iowans with disabilities to vote absentee. And thin ice is forcing some changes at the Okoboji Winter Games.

Under a bill advancing in the Iowa Senate, medical providers could refuse to refer patients to any health service that violates their ethical, moral or religious beliefs. Senators are considering requiring a parent’s permission for a minor to be vaccinated against sexually transmitted infections. And there’s a bill working its way through the Statehouse that would require public school students to sing the national anthem.

Sixteen and seventeen-year-olds would be able to care for infants and toddlers at child care centers under a bill moving forward in the Iowa House. Lawmakers are also considering a bill to let drivers as young as 14 ½ drive themselves to jobs. And Waterloo fears a state tax law signed last year will mean less money for its public libraries.

Gov. Kim Reynolds told an anti-abortion rally Monday she’ll never back down from efforts to ban abortion, and she’s proposing ways to help pregnant women. A bill in the Iowa House would ban the use of gender-neutral instruction in world languages. And, the U.S. agriculture secretary has announced millions of dollars in funding for domestic fertilizer and renewable energy projects.

Iowa lawmakers are considering a bill that would ensure homes that assist pregnant women can operate in residential neighborhoods. Hundreds of people turned out Saturday for the funeral of Dan Marburger, the Perry High School principal who died of wounds received in a Jan. 4 shooting at the school. And the University of Northern Iowa has met a fundraising goal more than two years ahead of schedule.

Republican lawmakers are making changes to Gov. Kim Reynolds’ plan to overhaul special education in Iowa. The state would directly administer a program supporting anti-abortion pregnancy centers under a bill in the legislature. And because of drought, fewer waterfowl made their usual stop at a western Iowa wildlife refuge.

Some Iowa Republican lawmakers want to stop cities from banning the practice of conversion therapy. Anti-hunger advocates are calling on legislators to accept federal food assistance for low-income kids this summer. And, this month’s bitterly cold temperatures have meant more cases of frostbite in Iowa.

Iowa lawmakers have gotten a look at the governor’s plan to merge the state’s mental health and substance use treatment systems. Lawmakers are considering making mug shots private in most cases, until a person pleads guilty or is convicted. And a group of people in Black Hawk County has won its fight to keep a parcel of land zoned for agriculture.