DES MOINES, Iowa (Gray Television Iowa Capitol Bureau) – The mad dash at the Iowa statehouse to keep bills alive is over–for now—following the first “Funnel Week” in the legislative session. For most bills to have a chance to become law later, they needed to pass through a legislative committee by the end of this past week, so legislators raced to make that happen for their priorities. A proposal by Governor Kim Reynolds that would extend Medicaid coverage for mothers from 60 days after they give birth to a year won a committee’s support. Under the proposal, a single mother having her first child would have to make less than about $32,000 a year to qualify. For a family of four, the maximum household income tops out at $65,000. A bill in the Senate that would enact a “hands-free” law, which would allow police to cite drivers for holding a phone while driving passed out of its committee as well. That bill also bans speed and red light cameras. But not every bill survived. A bill by Democrat State Representative Sami Scheetz of Cedar Rapids would remove the different qualifications for a free lunch or reduced-price lunch. However, a subcommittee hearing on the bill was not held, effectively killing the bill. Another bill requiring students to sing the national anthem at school every day passed out of its subcommittee but was never brought up in the House Education Committee, so that plan may not move forward. With the first funnel week complete, lawmakers have thinned out their potential list of proposals for this session and now work to reach final agreements for bills to eventually move to the governor for her signature.
CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa (KCRG) – A District Court Judge has denied a motion to move the trial of the man charged in the stabbing death of Devonna Walker outside of Linn County. Attorneys for Shane Teslik filed a motion for a change of venue in January, arguing there’s a substantial likelihood that a fair trial cannot be had in the county due to pretrial publicity. In the motion, Teslik’s attorneys argued there have been an “immeasurable number of media and social media accounts” posting inaccurate, misleading, and unfair posts about the incident. On February 14, 2024, the court denied the motion, saying that there was insufficient evidence to establish actual prejudice against Teslik and that there will be enough potential jurors so attorneys can strike from the panel any jurors with an opinion about the case.
JOHNSON COUNTY, Iowa (KCRG) – The North Liberty and Solon Fire Departments responded to a fire at the Iowa Raptor Project around 4:24 a.m. on Friday. Crews arrived to find a fire in four enclosures, which were a total loss. The four raptors in the enclosures were killed. Those include two red-tailed hawks, one Harris’s hawk, and one gyrfalcon. Officials say the remaining birds are being closely observed for any signs of distress. The cause of the fire remains under investigation and a damage estimate is not yet available. The Iowa Raptor Project and the Macbride Nature Recreation Area will be closed until further notice.
CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa (KCRG) -Two people were injured after a crash in Washington County Friday night. Iowa State Patrol says one car was traveling north on Highway 1 around 9:45 p.m. when it crossed over the center line hitting another car. The drivers of both cars were transported to local hospitals for their injuries. The crash is under investigation.
