DES MOINES, Iowa (Gray Television Iowa Capitol Bureau) – Iowa House lawmakers passed a bill that would make it easier for schools to arm educators in a 61-34 vote. The “Students First Safety Act” sets out training requirements for staff who wish to carry. It also requires larger districts in the state to hire school security officers for high schools. It’s already legal for schools to allow staff members to carry weapons under state and federal law .Some Iowa schools want to do this, but are finding it hard to find an insurance company that will allow it. The Students First Safety Act allows staff members to carry if they undergo training. Those given a permit will have to take a onetime legal and emergency medical training. It also requires a once-yearly live scenario training and staff must do quarterly live fire training. The bill also requires some of the largest districts in the state to hire private security or a school resource officer. It also gives funding to districts to hire them.
CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa (KCRG) – Linn Area Credit Union is changing its name to Corda Credit Union as it tries to move away from the misperception that it only serves people in Linn County. Leaders with the credit union said the name will officially change on May 6 to Corda, which is the Latin word for hearts. The credit union cited misperceptions about member eligibility due to the name “Linn Area Credit Union” as the reason for the name change. The credit union serves anyone who lives or works in 22 Iowa counties, including: Benton, Black Hawk, Bremer, Buchanan, Cedar, Clayton, Clinton, Delaware, Dubuque, Fayette, Iowa, Jackson, Johnson, Jones, Keokuk, Linn, Louisa, Muscatine, Poweshiek, Scott, Tama or Washington. The credit union’s board of directors and the management team unanimously decided to begin the process of changing the name in October 2021. The new name was approved in April 2023.
WHEATLAND, Iowa (KWQC/KCRG) – A 77-year-old woman was found inside her home by firefighters on Tuesday. A fire was reported at 117 Hoover Highway in Wheatland at about 5 p.m. After firefighters arrived they found Janet Stafford-Becthold deceased inside. Oxford Junction Fire, the Lowden Fire, Oxford Junction Ambulance, Tipton Ambulance and Cedar County Sheriff’s Office were dispatched to the house fire. The State Fire Marshal Division also was called to the site. The cause of the fire is being investigated.
MARION, Iowa (KCRG) – An Eastern Iowa organization wants help deciding which transportation projects should get federal funding. The Corridor Metropolitan Planning Organization is seeking input from the public on transportation projects seeking funds from the Federal Fiscal Year (FFY) 2025 – 2029 Transportation Improvement Program (TIP). The TIP is the annual capital budget for the Corridor MPO. It has $20 million in new funding to split between various roadway, trail, and transit projects. They need to choose between more than 10 different proposals and are asking for public input. Staff say even smaller projects can make a big difference for local communities. An open house to learn about the projects will be held on Thursday, February 29.
