Gov. Kim Reynolds signed into law yesterday a measure that expands Iowa’s charter school rules, allowing groups to set up such schools by applying directly to the state and bypassing local school boards. Reynolds said yesterday she called for the change after disagreeing with some public school districts during the coronavirus pandemic over whether children should be required to be in person in classrooms, or whether they should wear masks. Reynolds said she heard from parents who wanted more choices than offered by traditional public schools.
While many of Iowa’s larger cities removed so-called mask mandates after the CDC changes its guidance last week…many school districts did keep mask mandates in place. After consulting with local public health officials and the district health and safety committee, Waterloo Schools yesterday decided to keep its face covering policy in place for the few remaining days of the school year…and that includes those attending school-sponsored events like graduations.
Conflict over the new federal health guidance for mask-wearing has reached the halls of Congress. Republicans are rebelling against the requirement that they still have to wear a mask on the House floor, and that is stoking tensions with majority Democrats who still are requiring masks despite that updated guidance from federal health officials. Ten GOP lawmakers opted to keep their mask off during votes on Tuesday. Some took particular care to stand in the well of the House to ensure that spectators and colleagues could see them. Seven of them got a warning, while three—including Iowa Congresswoman Mariannette Miller-Meeks, will be fined $500. The House voted last year to impose fines on lawmakers who do not wear masks on the House floor unless they are speaking.
Like superintendents across the country, the leader of Iowa’s largest school district has faced plenty of criticism during the coronavirus pandemic. But as pressure eases in many districts thanks to falling infection rates, Des Moines schools Superintendent Thomas Ahart is facing more uncertainty. Last week, Ahart had a contract extension rejected and this week he will argue that his license shouldn’t be revoked for failing to follow state rules on COVID-19.
Cedar Falls Mayor Rob Green announced yesterday he is running for re-election. He is completing his first term in office. He cited a number of goals, and said it would be good to serve as mayor without a pandemic. He said his goal is not only to win, but to present a clear picture of where he wants to help take the city. The election is November 2nd.
The boyfriend of a University of Iowa student testified he had nothing to do with her 2018 abduction and stabbing death, saying he was out of town for work and was heartbroken by her killing. Dalton Jack, the longtime boyfriend of Mollie Tibbetts, was a key witness yesterday on the first day of the first-degree murder trial of Cristhian Bahena Rivera. Defense lawyers tried to cast suspicion on Jack, suggesting he was an angry young man who had a tumultuous relationship with Tibbetts and had cheated on her with at least one other woman.
Trial has been set for a man charged in a Cedar Rapids man’s death that police say was staged to look like a suicide. The second-degree murder trial for 28-year-old Joshua Conklin has been set for Jan. 18 of next year. Conklin is charged in the June 2019 death of 44-year-old Randal Campbell, who was found dead with an air rifle positioned on his lap and torso. Investigators determined the scene was staged to appear to be a suicide, and that Conklin had used the air rifle to shoot Campbell at close range. Conklin is also charged with obstructing justice in connection with Campbell’s death.
An Iowa parolee tentatively agreed to serve a lengthy prison sentence on Illinois drug charges but was allowed to remain free on bond until a plea hearing. Days later, authorities say he killed a 10-year-old girl in Iowa. Henry Dinkins indicated during a hearing last July 7 that he would accept a deal to plead guilty to possession with intent to deliver methamphetamine in Bureau County, Illinois and be sentenced to eight years in prison. A prosecutor says Dinkins said he needed more time to get his affairs in order and a hearing was scheduled for July 22 for him to enter his plea officially. Police say that early on July 10, Dinkins kidnapped Breasia Terrell from a Davenport apartment where she was staying the night and later shot her to death.
