From the KCRG-TV9 Newsroom:
Iowa lawmakers in the House passed a bill that requires students at public schools to use bathrooms or locker rooms of their birth gender. It passed 57 to 39 with five Republicans joining Democrats in voting no. The Senate passed it last week, meaning it now goes to the Governor’s desk. ”Iowa Safe Schools”, a nonprofit that was founded to address bullying of LGBTQ youth, says this law doesn’t just violate state and federal laws, it’s going to hurt transgender youth.
In her first visit to Iowa since becoming Vice President, Kamala Harris said the state is on the frontlines of the fight for reproductive rights. She referenced Iowa joining a Republican effort to reverse FDA approval of the abortion medication, mifepristone. A federal judge is deciding if the medication should be pulled from the market. Harris called the move an attack on women, saying states like Iowa are going against what voters want.
Former Vice President Mike Pence will be in Des Moines. He’ll be joined by Senator Joni Ernst to speak about foreign policy. This visit comes after last month’s trip to Cedar Rapids, where he spoke against Linn Mar’s transgender policy. While Pence is expected to make a 2024 presidential run, he has not yet made that announcement.
Two of the three suspects charged in a deadly Cedar Rapids shooting last year will be tried together. Kaxius Childress and Pierra Baugh each face first-degree murder and other charges. Both are accused of killing 19-year-old Cordal Lewis back in January of last year. A pre-trial hearing is set for September. A third suspect faces charges after being accused of being the getaway driver.
Iowa City is planning on installing 13 cameras throughout the Ped Mall this summer. The city says this will be beneficial by giving law enforcement access to footage when they’re investigating crimes. It will cost just under $100,000 dollars. The city says the cameras will not be used to actively monitor Ped Mall visitors and shoppers.
