(Radio Iowa) – Representatives from the A-C-L-U of Iowa and Planned Parenthood talked with reporters today (Friday) in reaction to the Supreme Court decision on abortion. A-C-L-U of Iowa legal director Rita Bettis Austen says the ruling that abortion is not a fundamental right under Iowa’s constitution is a devastating reversal of prior precedent. “The Iowa Supreme Court did not get rid of all constitutional protection for abortion rights today,” she says.

The ruling on the constitutional question came as the Supreme Court reviewed a lower court decision that said the 24-hour waiting period for abortion that was passed in 2020 was not legal. Austen says the ruling does impact abortion law review. “What the court held that abortion is not a fundamental right, and that means that strict scrutiny, or the highest level of protection under our Constitution doesn’t apply to abortion rights under the court’s test that it uses to look at laws that restrict abortion,” she says.

Bettis Austen says the lower standard of scrutiny known as the Undue Burden still holds. “Which means that laws that place a significant or substantial obstacle in the path of a woman seeking an abortion are unconstitutional,” Bettis Austen says. She says that is the level of protection that is in place at the FEDERAL. Bettis Austen and a representative from Planned Parenthood cited an Iowa Poll that showed a majority of Iowans supported keeping abortion legal.

Iowa Republicans who have pushed to end abortion in the state have control of both Houses of the Iowa Legislature and the governor’s office. Those on the conference call could not say why Republicans have such control if a majority of Iowans support abortion. “I wish we could answer it succinctly. But I think that’s beyond the scope of our press conference,” according to A-C-L-U of Iowa Communications Director Veronica Fowler.

Bettis Austen says the next step in this case is for them to go back to the district court and continue the challenge that the 24-hour waiting period for an abortion is an undue burden.

(Radio Iowa) – Pro-life advocates welcomed the Supreme Court ruling on abortion. Kristie McGregor has spent every Wednesday outside the Sioux City Planned Parenthood clinic for the last two years praying. She says since her miscarriage in 2017, she’s devoted herself completely to fighting for a ban on abortion. McGregor says she’s happy with today’s ruling – but she’s not celebrating yet. She says that won’t come until it’s outlawed completely.

“I think sometimes people get excited, and then they, then they give up the fervor in the fight. But we have a long road ahead of us. And we need to keep vigilant and keep pushing forward,” McGregor says.

She sees the court’s reversal as a step in the right direction. But until abortions in Iowa are banned, McGregor says she’ll keep showing up every Wednesday to pray.

(By Kendall Crawford, Iowa Public Radio)

SIOUX CITY, Iowa – June 17, 2022 – A concrete overlay project on Iowa 3, from Le Mars to Remsen in Plymouth County will require lane closures beginning on Monday, June 20, until July 1, weather permitting, according to the Iowa Department of Transportation’s District 3 Office.

Pilot cars will direct motorists through the work zone. Croell Inc., of New Hampton, was awarded the $7.9 million dollar project.

(Atlantic, Iowa) – The Cass County Sheriff’s Office reports the arrest on Wednesday, June 15th, of a man from Missouri Valley. 27-year-old Brandon Hansen, was taken into custody on warrants for OWI 1^st Offense, Theft 5^th and Unauthorized use of Credit Card.

Hansen was picked up and transported to the Cass County Jail where he was booked and held, pending his later release on his own recognizance.

[COUNCIL BLUFFS] – Pottawattamie County Emergency Management Coordinator Doug Reed reminds residents in the County, that “Late yesterday (Thursday), Governor Kim Reynolds issued a Proclamation of Disaster Emergency for counties impacted by severe weather beginning June 14, 2022. Included were Pottawattamie, Mills, Cerro Gordo, Greene, and Hardin Counties.”

Reed says “Although Pottawattamie County had minimal damages throughout the county and response to impacts were handled by local resources, inclusion in the Governor’s Proclamation provides access to two programs for those with significant financial hardships that may have suffered impacts from the severe weather. The Iowa Individual Assistance Grant Program (IIAGP) and Iowa Disaster Case Management Program are now available to qualifying individuals or households. The Iowa Individual Assistance Grant Program provides grants of up to $5,000 for households with significant financial hardships and funds can be requested to assist with disaster-related needs such as home or car repairs, replacement of clothing or food, and temporary housing expenses.”

The IIAGP is a program of the Iowa Department of Human Services and locally managed by West Central Community Action. To see if you qualify or for other program information, visit https://dhs.iowa.gov/disaster-assistance-programs or www.iowacommunityaction.org.

June 17, 2022 (DES MOINES, IA) – Today, the Iowa Economic Development Authority (IEDA) Board approved awards for six Iowa companies, which will assist in the creation of 640 jobs and result in nearly $265 million in new capital investment for the state. These projects are located in Burlington, Cedar Rapids, Davenport, Hampton, Osage and Red Oak. The board also approved a grant through the Entrepreneurial Investment Award program.

Clarios to increase manufacturing capacity in Red Oak…
A leader in advanced energy storage solutions, Clarios, LLC develops, manufactures and distributes a portfolio of evolving battery technologies for vehicles. The company plans to increase its footprint in Red Oak by approximately 22,000 square feet for a new manufacturing line. The project represents a capital investment of $23.6 million and is expected to create 13 jobs at a qualifying wage of $21.40 per hour. The IEDA board awarded tax benefits through the HQJ program.

Rea about the other projects awarded funding from the Iowa Economic Development Authority, HERE.

(Radio Iowa) – The northwest Iowa town of Hornick broke ground last (Thursday) night on a long-awaited berm project. It’s hoped the earthen structure will protect the community from future floods, like  “Congratulations, we’re starting a berm!” Mitchell shouted.It’s been three years since water from the Little Sioux River overtopped a levee and flooded the town. Since then, Mitchell has worked to make sure such a disaster isn’t repeated. He says it’s a relief to know the town will soon have a new barrier of protection. “When I get a text now from the National Weather Service about the creek going up, I don’t have to worry so much. To me, It’s amazing,” Mitchell says. “It’s kind of a life-changing thing for Hornick because what we happened in ‘19 will not happen again.”

Former Iowa Congressman Steve King attended the event and says he saw the community pull together in the wake of the disaster to protect the town. “It’s a well oiled machine of volunteers here that put out everything to save this town from the flood that they came in,” King says, “and put the solution in place to prevent it for the next time.”

The berm should be complete by this fall to protect the town of about 250. The project was made possible through an award of state flood recovery funds.

(reporting by Kendall Crawford, Iowa Public Radio)