United Group Insurance

Iowa early News Headlines: Tue., March 27, 2018

News

March 27th, 2018 by Ric Hanson

Here is the latest Iowa news from The Associated Press at 3:10 a.m. CDT

OAKLAND, Iowa (AP) — The parents of the 16-year-old girl who died in a school bus fire in western Iowa last year are critical of school officials and the 74-year-old bus driver who also died. Glen and Natalie Klindt told The Des Moines Register they hope Iowa will strengthen school bus regulations because of the December 12 fire that happened right after Donnie Hendricks picked up Megan Klindt.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — A comment on an Iowa congressman’s campaign Facebook page about a survivor of a Florida school shooting has prompted hundreds of comments. U.S. Rep. Steve King’s campaign Facebook page Sunday featured a picture of Emma Gonzalez as she spoke at Saturday’s “March for Our Lives” rally. Alongside a photo of Gonzalez, the page noted Gonzalez’s Cuban heritage and stated her “ancestors fled the island when the dictatorship turned Cuba into a prison camp, after removing all weapons from its citizens.”

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Gov. Kim Reynolds says she abruptly fired one of her longtime political allies after her staff received allegations that the official had sexually harassed multiple employees. The Republican governor told reporters she learned about “credible” complaints of misconduct by Iowa Finance Authority director David Jamison on Friday night. She announced his immediate termination Saturday even though she said she hasn’t spoken with him about the allegations.

DUBUQUE, Iowa (AP) — Jail authorities used a stun gun on a Dubuque man charged with murder after he refused to obey commands. Court documents say 22-year-old Helmon Betwell violated jail rules Sunday and received multiple verbal commands before Dubuque County Sheriff’s Department deputies used a stun gun to obtain compliance. The Telegraph Herald reports Betwell had previously been charged with murder, sexual assault and burglary connected to a fatal attack on a 66-year-old woman on Sept. 1, 2015.