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Iowa early News Headlines: Wed., April 27th 2016

News

April 27th, 2016 by Ric Hanson

Here is the latest Iowa news from The Associated Press at 3:40 a.m. CDT

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — An attempt in the Iowa Legislature to expand medical marijuana access in the state may have reached its end this session with a failed vote in the House. Some Democrats said Tuesday they would keep pushing the issue in the days before a possible adjournment. The Monday night debate, which ended with a 31-63 failed vote, highlights the challenges of passing legislation that includes a production system for the drug.

COUNCIL BLUFFS, Iowa (AP) — A competency hearing and murder trial for a 30-year-old man charged with killing his mother and grandmother in Council Bluffs have been delayed. A hearing to determine whether Michael Dieckmann is mentally fit to stand trial was set for Monday but a prosecutor and defense attorney asked for more time. The competency hearing is now set for June 27, and the trial was moved to Aug. 23.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Lawmakers in the Republican-controlled House have passed a bill that could change decision-making within a Des Moines utility that sued three Iowa counties over polluted water. The chamber voted 52-39 Tuesday for the standing bill, which often includes language on unrelated projects. The House bill would change the board that oversees decisions by Des Moines Water Works to ensure representation from different areas the utility serves. The utility has sued three counties over polluted water.

NASHUA, Iowa (AP) — A Mason City man who stopped to change a flat tire on the shoulder of a highway has died after being hit by a pickup truck. Twenty-one-year-old Zachery Gueller stopped because of a flat tire Monday evening on the shoulder of Highway 218, just north of Nashua. An Iowa State Patrol report says he turned on his emergency flashers and got out of the vehicle to change the tire. A pickup hit the vehicle, killing Gueller and injuring three passengers.