DES MOINES, Iowa (Gray Television Iowa Capitol Bureau) – The Iowa Senate passed a bill overhauling the state’s Area Education Agency system in a 28-22 vote. Six Republicans joined Democrats in opposition. The bill differs from Governor Kim Reynolds’ original proposal and the version passed by the Iowa House. Here’s a breakdown of the Senate version: This year, AEAs would receive 100% of special education funding. Districts would have to send 40% of both their media services and educational services budgets to AEAs. The Senate proposal also caps AEA administrator salaries. In 2025, the Department of Education would oversee the AEA’s special education services. Oversight employees would work for the Department but be placed locally in the AEAs. Every year, school districts will have to decide whether or not to continue using the AEA. The bill also raises minimum teacher salaries to $46,251. This contrasts with the Iowa House, who passed a bill raising starting teacher pay to $47,500, which would put the state at 12th in the nation for average teacher pay. Republicans maintain that test scores for students using an AEA are too low, and more oversight and flexibility is needed.
LANSING, Iowa (KCRG) – The Iowa Department of Transportation is partnering with an Eastern Iowa small business to help after the Lansing Bridge closed due to structural concerns. The bridge connecting the state of Wisconsin to Lansing, Iowa closed about three weeks ago. The detour to go around the bridge would add anywhere from 30 minutes to over an hour to a trip. The Iowa DOT contracted with Maiden Voyage Tours to act as a water taxi, transporting people from the Iowa side of the river to the Wisconsin side, and back. Robert Vavra is the owner and captain of Maiden Voyage Tours, a small business that usually offers tours of the Mississippi river. The water taxi started running Monday. The boat will run seven days a week for the morning, mid-day, and evening commute.
CEDAR COUNTY, Iowa (KCRG) – Officials are asking for the public’s help in locating a man who was last seen in Maquoketa. The Cedar County Sheriff’s Office says 37-year-old Seven Author Derrickson (also known as “JJ” Derrickson) is wanted on Harassment charges. He is 5′4″, weighs approximately 160 pounds, and has black hair and blue eyes. Anyone with information is asked to contact the Cedar County Crime Stoppers at 563-886-6618.
IOWA CITY, Iowa (KCRG) – Police in Iowa City are investigating a stabbing that happened under the Benton Street Bridge on Saturday. Police said 47-year-old Yossarian U. Williams, of Iowa City, has been arrested and faces one count of Willful Injury Causing Serious Injury. Additionally, investigators are trying to identify a potential witness to the stabbing. Police released an image of the potential witness and described them as a white or Hispanic man with a long beard, wearing all blue clothing and carrying a blue backpack.
