The Iowa Supreme Court is holding a public hearing this morning (Wednesday) on change that would make it easier for the graduates of two state law schools to practice in the state. Court communications officer, Steve Davis, says a Blue Ribbon Committee from the Iowa State Bar Association recommended the change. “Currently after they graduate from Drake University Law school the University of Iowa College of law, they are required to successfully complete the Iowa Bar examination. Under this recommendation, they would no longer have to do that,” Davis explains.

Today’s hearing will include testimony from 24 people. Davis says there will be a variety of speakers — from law school deans, district court judges to the Iowa Attorney General — who will make comments. The court has already taken written comments on the issue. “There’s actually 152 written comments made, so the court’s going to have a lot of information to make the decision,” Davis says. The justices will make a decision after today’s hearing.

Davis says the judges will get together and discuss the issue, but there’s not a timeline for making a decision. Today’s hearing begins at nine a-m and will be streamed live on the court system’s website. Davis says the written comments and the proposal itself are all posted online at: www.iowacourts.gov.

(Radio Iowa)

Many Iowans are finding unwelcome visitors in their houses, and it’s not out-of-town relatives arriving early for the Labor Day weekend. Mark Langan, at the Humane Society office in Omaha/Council Bluffs, explains. “We’ve had over 100 calls for bats in people’s houses this week,” Langan says. “Every year, about this time, our calls increase.” Typically, the furry winged creatures start making surprise appearances in our homes in late summer and early fall.

Langan says, “We see an increase of bats going in people’s houses, primarily due to the fact that it cools off at night and the bats are trying to find a warm place to go.” If there’s a bat in your house, open the doors and windows and it may just fly right out. Otherwise, call in an expert from animal control. Langan says there could also be a health concern as bats can carry rabies.

“We advise people if they suspect there may’ve been an exposure with the bats, especially if they wake up in the morning and there’s a bat in the room, to isolate that bat in that room,” Langan says. “Put a towel at the base of the door to keep the bat secured. Close all the windows.” All Iowa homeowners would be wise to take a walk around their house, looking for possible entry points.

Langan says, “We advise people to check the caulking on their house because, especially in the older houses, if there’s gaps that form, all the bat needs is a hole about the size of a dime to get from the outside to the inside of the house.” A report from the Iowa Department of Public Health in 2012 on rabies in wildlife, livestock and pets found: 17 reports of rabid bats, along with 9 cases in skunks, 4 in cows and 1 in a cat.

(Radio Iowa)

Advocates of a new state law that allows Iowans with severe epilepsy to use cannabis oil as a treatment say they’re not sure the cards issued by the State of Iowa will let them buy the product in other states or will even protect them from prosecution. Raymond Lakers is an Iowan who has multiple sclerosis. He moved to Colorado Springs so he could legally buy marijuana there, but he doubts the Iowa children who suffer from a rare form of epilepsy will be able to get cannabis oil there.

“Every Iowan right now that wants to obtain any form of medical marijuana in the state Iowa, they are criminals — even these children — and it breaks my heart,” he said. Iowa Department of Public Health officials held a public hearing Tuesday morning, on the rules they’ve drafted to administer the new law. Deborah Thompson, the department’s policy adviser, says her agency will review applications and the D-O-T will issue the cards that show the person has permission to possess cannabis oil. The goal is to have the system up and running by the end of the year.

“With any new program that becomes implemented, it is a lengthy process with a lot of moving parts,” she said. “But we do respect the fact that people wants this very quickly and we’re doing the best we can.” Some people who participated in the hearing spoke in favor of expanding the law so marijuana could be used as treatment for other diseases. Linda Gale of Sioux City joined the hearing over a video conferencing system.

“I’m glad they made the first step, but there’s many other people that suffer that should not have to suffer like they do,” she said. Gale has Crone’s Disease and she would like to use marijuana rather than prescription narcotics to control her nausea and other symptoms.

(Radio Iowa)

SIOUX CITY, Iowa (AP) — Authorities say an inmate who escaped during a Sioux City work release has been found at a nearby Target. An Iowa Department of Corrections spokesman tells the Sioux City Journal (http://bit.ly/1tIoY5l ) that 22-year-old Melvin William Spencer III was taken back into custody Tuesday night.

Authorities say Spencer escaped custody Sunday by not returning to a residential treatment facility from a weekend furlough. He is serving a seven-year sentence for intimidation with a dangerous weapon and carrying weapons. He began his sentence in 2012 and was transferred to work release in June.

The spokesman says it wasn’t clear what Spencer was doing at the store. He says parole officials will review whether to revoke Spencer’s work release. It’s unclear if additional charges have been filed.

SIOUX CITY, Iowa (AP) — The Sioux City public works director says officials are moving forward with a $300,000 plan to fix a city trail. The Sioux City Journal reports that construction on the Floyd River Trail could start as early as the spring.

The north trailhead was blocked off five years ago when Union Pacific Railroad tracks were built across the path. The director says a tunnel can be constructed beneath the tracks to divert pedestrians and cyclists.

City officials say money left over from a different construction project could fund the repair. The plans will require approval by the City Council.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Speakers at an administrative hearing say they’re frustrated at the difficulty in obtaining a marijuana extract despite Iowa’s new law. The Des Moines Register reports Sally Gaer, of West Des Moines, and Kim Novy, of Altoona, made the comments Tuesday after a state Department of Public Health hearing on the issue. Both women say they have epileptic children who would benefit from the extract.

Gaer says the law, which decriminalizes possession of a marijuana extract for patients, offers no legal method for growing or selling the product in the state, and lawmakers are still working on issuing registration cards to allow residents to possess extract purchased in other states.

Health official Deborah Thompson says officials hope to issue registration cards by the end of the year.

The Cass County Child Abuse Prevention Council and Cass County School Districts are excited to welcome The Scary Guy to Cass County to kick off a year of violence prevention efforts in Cass County Schools. The Scary Guy’s mission is “The Total Elimination of Hate, Violence and Prejudice Worldwide.”

The Scary Guy

Since beginning his mission in 1998 The Scary Guy – now his legal name – has reached millions with his message through his work with groups of all ages, large and small, as well as the media. All local residents are invited to participate in The Scary Guy’s visit to Cass County by attending a Community Show to join the discussion.

Community shows will be held in each school district in the county to ensure that all residents can hear his message. He will be at the Atlantic High School on September 2nd from 7-8 PM, the Anita High School on September 3rd from 7-8 PM, and the Griswold High School on September 8th from 7:30-8:30 PM. (For details of his schedule, click here: Scary schedule )

The Scary Guy will also be visiting each school building in Cass County to share a targeted, age appropriate message with local students. All Community Meetings will be held PRIOR to Scary being at the elementary schools. Parents are encouraged to attend to hear the message prior to your student hearing it. Parents are also welcome and encouraged to attend a show with your student the day Scary is in their school. Please see the included schedule or call the number below for more details on his schedule in our local schools.

Anyone who would like more information on The Scary Guy’s visit to Cass County, or who has questions about his programs for the school and community, is encouraged to contact Family Crisis Support Network by calling 243-6615, or Toll Free 800-696-5123.