Advocates say it’s time for legislators to investigate the recent increase in Iowa court orders to terminate parental rights. “What’s going on here? Are all of a sudden the parents in Iowa becoming evil?” That’s Nancy Augustine. She became an advocate for change after her son and daughter-in-law were investigated by state government social workers in 2012.

“They went through the whole court system — the juvenile court, which I refer to as a kangaroo court system because everything about it is the opposite of ‘innocent until proven guilty,’ etc.,” Augustine said. “They got their children back after going through all the hoops and whistles…but, but I could not let this drop.” Toya Johnson of Iowa Citizens for Justice says Iowa ranks 36th in population, but sixth in the number of children who are removed from their parents’ home after an allegation of abuse.

“We have a serious problem that needs to be addressed not only with the Department of Human Services, but it also needs to be addressed in the way our judicial policies and procedures are going,” Jackson says. Jackson and Augustine testified yesterday (Wednesday) before the Iowa House Government Oversight Committee. The panel’s chairman said state officials will be given a chance to respond to the allegations at a future committee meeting.

(Radio Iowa)

Here is the latest Iowa news from The Associated Press

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — The Senate has passed legislation that would expand state oversight of Iowa’s Medicaid program under private management, but the measure’s future is unclear. The Democratic-controlled Senate voted 32-18 Wednesday for the measure, which would expand the state’s authority to review how three private companies handle the $4.2 billion program when they take over on April 1st.

IOWA CITY, Iowa (AP) — Investigators are disputing a claim by University of Iowa public safety director David Visin that they harassed his hospitalized stepson with questions about whether Visin was involved in a hit-and-run. The Associated Press reported Monday that David Visin is accused of interfering with the investigation into the June 25th accident involving stepson Sean Crane. Visin says that officers “badgered” Crane in his hospital room with questions about Visin and Crane told them “the truth, that I knew nothing.”

AMES, Iowa (AP) — A U.S. Labor Department initiative has found that a handful of Ames restaurants violated federal labor standards and owed thousands of dollars to workers. Department officials announced Wednesday that Ames employers owed nearly $100,000 to 158 restaurant and hotel workers after investigators looked into hospitality industries in Midwest college towns.

IOWA CITY, Iowa (AP) — City Council members have declined to allocate public funds to support a 30-foot sculpture on pedestrian mall in Iowa City. KCRG-TV reports a majority of the council on Tuesday night voted against a plan to give $50,000 to the Iowa City Downtown District for the project.