DES MOINES, Iowa (Gray Media Iowa Capitol Bureau) – Iowa law enforcement officers could go to prison or have their professional certifications revoked if they don’t comply with federal immigration officials under a proposal in the Iowa House. The bill would make it a felony for officers who don’t comply with ICE detainer requests. That’s when the agency asks local police to hold someone for 48 hours after their release date while federal agents decide whether to take that person into custody. Republican State Representative Steve Holt said the bill is needed to ensure Iowans’ safety. Tuesday, Holt withdrew a bill requiring local police departments to partner with ICE.
DES MOINES, Iowa (Gray Media Iowa Capitol Bureau) – Iowa lawmakers are looking at removing legal protections for vaccine manufacturers. Wednesday, lawmakers advanced a bill that bans vaccines from being administered unless the manufacturer waives any immunity they may have from lawsuits. Earlier this week, Senate lawmakers considered a bill that would ban all vaccines that contain mRNA, like the COVID shot. That bill was not passed out of the Senate committee, meaning lawmakers likely won’t vote on it this session.
DES MOINES, Iowa (Gray Media Iowa Capitol Bureau) – Last year, more than 2,600 Iowans were homeless, according to data from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. A bill in the Iowa Senate would have banned the homeless from sleeping on public property, and would’ve made it a misdemeanor if they didn’t leave when told to. That meant homeless Iowans could’ve faced 30 days in jail and fines up to $855 dollars. But at a subcommittee, only one person spoke in favor of the bill, saying it would make homeless policy more consistent across the state. The Iowa House is looking at a bill identical to the one that senators declined to approve. That bill advanced out of subcommittee Wednesday. The City of Des Moines currently bans camping on public property. Though, the fine is $15 dollars. The city also has partnerships to help take care of homeless residents’ pets and helps with storage of their belongings.
CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa (KCRG) – A jury will start deliberating on whether the killing of a Door Dash driver in Cedar Rapids is murder or self-defense. Cameron Leonard is charged with the first-degree murder of Myron Snyder. Snyder had just delivered food to a Cedar Rapids apartment in 2023 when Leonard and his brother, Maurice Brown, confronted him. Prosecutors say Brown opened fire and Snyder fired back and killed Brown. Then Leonard shot and killed Snyder. In closing arguments, Linn County Attorney Nick Maybanks says the way Leonard opened fire showed his intent was to kill – not protect himself. But the defense argued Brown started the confrontation and that Leonard simply acted in self-defense at that point. The jury will start deliberating on Thursday. Leonard faces life in prison if convicted.
