Governor Terry Branstad is advising his fellow Republicans to AVOID passing an abortion ban that would prompt a lengthy court battle and, perhaps, never take effect. Last week, Republicans on a committee in the Iowa House endorsed a ban on nearly all abortions after the 20th week of pregnancy, tabling a separate abortion restriction that would have started at about the sixth of a pregnancy, when a fetal heartbeat can be detected.

“The chances of that legislation that would start with the heartbeat is probably not going to be approved in the courts. It’s not been approved by courts in other states,” Branstad says. “We don’t want to give Planned Parenthood another victory in the courts.”

Branstad says House Republicans have made the right decision to pursue an abortion ban that starts at the 20th week of pregnancy, similar to a bill that’s already cleared the Republican-led Iowa Senate. “I think the 20-week provision…is a step forward to protect human life,” Branstad says.

Republican legislators are also planning to “defund” Planned Parenthood. The Senate passed a bill to do that earlier this year. House Republicans support the move, but plan to address the issue in a budget bill — outlining that no state tax dollars may be spent on Medicaid patients who go to Planned Parenthood for reproductive health exams, contraception or cancer screenings. “(I’m) very encouraged,” Branstad says. “This is going to be the most pro-life session in a long time.”

Critics say they’re not giving up on efforts in the legislature — or the courts — to try to stop these proposals. Late last week, Representative Beth Wessel-Kroeschell of Ames spoke to Planned Parenthood supporters who showed up at the capitol dressed in pink, carrying posters. “I just want to say thank you so much for being here,” Wessel-Kroeschell said. “…We have the public eye on this.”

A spokesperson for Planned Parenthood of the Heartland issued a statement Friday, calling Republicans in the legislature “women-hating…zealots” who are “on the warpath” to prevent women from making their own health care decisions.

(Radio Iowa)

Several members of the School Nutrition Association of Iowa are in our nation’s capital to advise lawmakers about possible modifications and changes for school lunches. The president of the association, Judy Lubben of Le Mars, say they will share a position paper with government officials that has their recommendations for school lunches.  Lubben says they aren’t asking for anything major.

“Kind of staying the same, just laying low. We would like to bring back our 50/50 in our whole grains, and we’d also like to bring back some of the sodium levels — bring them back up — but just a little instead of decreasing it,” Lubben says. “Those are the two things. We are not asking for any money this year.”

During the Obama Administration school lunches saw a change with the addition of more fruits and vegetables to be served, and a reduction of calorie intake and calorie count to help fight child obesity.  Lubben says since those changes were made, children have adapted well to the new meal plan. She says however the whole grains issue is something that causes concern.

“I just don’t think some whole grains agree with some children,” Lubben explains, “and I would like to see that 50/50 split and I think our participation would go up a little bit.  Because that’s what they’re used to.” She says the kids don’t like some of the whole grain products, bread for example. “They’ve come a long way with the whole grain white, but I think there’s still that taste and flavor there that the kids still don’t get,” Lubben says.

Lubben says the group will meet with each the Iowa Congressional delegation, as well as with U-S-D-A officials. The group is scheduled to be in Washington D-C through Wednesday April 5th.

(Radio Iowa)

Iowans who are fighting A-L-S, or Lou Gehrig’s Disease, can get some help for themselves and their family members through an effort being launched by the A-L-S Association’s Iowa Chapter. Spokeswoman Sarah Loghry says the Volunteer Family Assistance Program pairs volunteers from all over the state with families affected by A-L-S — and more volunteers are needed.

“We need people who would be willing to do yard work, people who would be willing to cook, do grocery shopping, clean houses, walk dogs, water plants,” Loghry says, “anything anyone is willing to help out with, we are looking for volunteers.”

Those with A-L-S generally live only two to five years after diagnosis. It’s a progressive disease that attacks the nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord that control muscle movement. A-L-S robs you of your ability to walk, to talk, to eat, and ultimately to breathe.

“Being a caregiver is a fulltime job,” Loghry says. “You have to eventually do everything for this person and it really drains the energy out of anyone who is taking care of someone with ALS. Volunteers come in and they can basically help out even in the smallest ways, just to give those caregivers and family members a little break.”

Some volunteers have lost a friend or family member to the disease and they see participation in the program as a way of honoring that person they’ve lost. “We also have a lot of people who are retired who are just looking to help out in the community and they contact us to get connected with our volunteer program,” Loghry says. “Anyone who’s looking to volunteer, or has free time in the mornings or in the evenings, anyone who wants to volunteer can.”

Each volunteer will go through an interview, reference and background check before working with a family in their area. To learn more, visit: www.alsaiowa.org

(Radio Iowa)

The Creston Police Department reports four recent arrests. At around 11-p.m. Sunday, 41-year old Mandi Stowers, of Blockton, was arrested in Creston for Driving While Suspended. She was later released on a $300 bond. And, at around 8:50-p.m. Sunday, 31-year old Colan Hanner, of Creston, was arrested for Disorderly Conduct and Trespassing. He was being held in the Union County Jail this (Monday) morning, on $300 bond.

Saturday morning, 27-year old Trevor Loudon, of Creston, was arrested at the Union County Law Enforcement Center on a Union County warrant for Violation of Parole. He remained held in the Union County Jail without bond. Friday morning, 28-year old Brenda Davis, of Afton, was arrested at the Union County LEC on a Union County warrant for Probation Violation, on an original charge of Criminal Mischief in the 4th degree. Davis was later released on a $1,000 bond.

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) – Results from a monthly survey of business supply managers show a slight slip in the economic conditions in nine Midwest and Plains states. The Mid-America Business Conditions Index report released Monday says the overall economic index for the region dropped to 60.1 in March from 60.5 in February. It’s the first index decline in five months.

Creighton University economist Ernie Goss oversees the survey, and he says the figures still point to a healthy regional manufacturing economy. The survey results are compiled into a collection of indexes ranging from zero to 100. Survey organizers say any score above 50 suggests growth in that factor. A score below that suggests decline.

The survey covers Arkansas, Iowa, Kansas, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, Oklahoma and South Dakota.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – A man convicted of involuntary manslaughter in the heroin overdose death of a West Des Moines woman is scheduled to be sentenced next month. On Friday a Polk County jury also found 30-year-old Travis West guilty of delivery of a controlled substance. His sentencing is set for May 18.

Authorities say West provided the heroin to 26-year-old Bailey Jo Brady, who was found unconscious in an apartment on June 5, 2015. She died later at a hospital.