From the KCRG-TV9 Newsroom:
A sprinkler system inside a Marengo biodiesel plant that exploded was not working leading up to Thursday’s blast. The explosion happened a little after 11 that morning at the C-6 Zero operations in Marengo. Two of the victims from the fire are still in the University of Iowa Hospital’s burn unit. The Police Chief tells TV9 the sprinklers were not activated, and they’re looking into why that’s the case. Two fire hydrants at the property were also not working.
Governor Kim Reynolds is banning the popular app TikTok on all state-owned devices and will prohibit state agencies from subscribing to or owning a TikTok account. The Governor says TikTok represents a national security risk to our country. Governor Reynolds’ move comes after several other governors made similar bans on the Chinese-owned social media platform. The Governor’s directive goes into effect immediately.
Iowa Republicans who sided with Democrats to pass the federal Respect for Marriage Act are getting backlash from people in their own party. Des Moines County Republicans voted to condemn the votes of support given by U.S. Senator Joni Ernst and Representative Mariannette Miller Meeks. Those same Republicans say they want to run someone against Miller-Meeks if she runs again in two years. That bill, which protects same-sex and interracial marriages nationwide, was signed into law by President Joe Biden yesterday.
Former University of Iowa President Willard “Sandy” Boyd has died. He was part of the University for 65-years…twice as president, in 1969 through 1981 and in 2002 and 2003. He was also a law professor before retiring in 2015. Willard “Sandy” Boyd was 95.
Some Cedar Rapids families will show off their homes for a holiday competition in coordination with the Wellington Heights, Bever Park and Oak Hill Jackson neighborhood associations. People in those neighborhoods can enter holiday displays which will be added to a map that will soon be available to the public. Starting December 19, people will be able to see the map and go on a self guided parade route to view the homes. Two homes and one apartment will win a 150-dollar Visa gift card.
