From the KCRG-TV9 Newsroom:
Governor Reynolds is set to sign a bill later today impacting property taxes across the state. The bill limits how much money cities and counties can take in each year and requires them to use excess funds to lower property taxes. It also combines several individual tax levies for cities and provides new exemptions for veterans and seniors.
The Iowa Caucuses may stay first…but look very different in 2024. It’s part of a new plan Iowa Democrats unveiled. This new plan involves Democrat voters requesting ballots, filling them out and mailing them to the party in the days leading up to the caucus. In turn, those in-person caucuses will focus solely on party business. Iowa Democratic Party chair Rita Hart says it’s a better option for voters who, for any reason, have not been able to make it to a local caucus in the past, but state Republicans say this will jeopardize their effort due to New Hampshire moving earlier in response to the Iowa Democrats’ action.
A judge sentenced Aaron Whittle yesterday afternoon in the death of his father Lawrence, after a jury convicted Whittle earlier of second degree murder. He was originally charged with first degree. Investigators say the two men were arguing over their farm’s finances when the shooting happened. But Whittle claimed it was self defense. The judge sentenced Whittle to 50 years in prison, with no chance of parole until after 35 years.
A Cedar Rapids man faces charges after a shooting in Iowa City nearly a year ago. 19-year-old Damontay Young is charged with reckless use of a firearm, and intimidation with a dangerous weapon. The shooting happened on May 8th last year, in the 200 block of Highway 6 West in Iowa City. Investigators say Young fired three rounds into a vehicle, hitting someone in the leg.
Iowa City Police are building a registration of security video cameras, following the lead of a few other communities in eastern Iowa. Anyone with a security camera or a doorbell camera on their home or business can register those devices with police. It won’t give Police direct access to your cameras. But in the event of a crime in your area, police could ask for video that might aid in solving the crime. Registration is available online through the department’s website.
