Republicans in the Iowa legislature advanced key parts of their state budget plan on Monday. “As we put this budget together, we’ve had to prioritize our priorities within state government.” That’s Republican Representative Pat Grassley of New Hartford. He is chairman of the House Appropriations Committee. Last (Monday) night, Senate Republicans voted on the spending plan for Iowa’s courts and prisons. Republicans in the House, meanwhile, approved a bill outlining next year’s spending plan for higher education as well as state agencies that do things like oversee voting, collect taxes and investigate elder abuse.

Representative Chris Hall, a Democrat from Sioux City, noted cuts to state programs for foster children as well as deaf and blind Iowans. “The state’s budget is being balanced on the backs of the state’s most vulnerable,” Hall said. Democrats complained the budget for the Iowa Public Information Board has been cut so dramatically the agency may close next month. Republicans say the duties of responding to public questions about government meetings and public records may be transferred to another agency that oversees campaign finance laws.

Also last (Monday) night, Republican Senators voted to shut down the Leopold Center for Sustainable Agriculture at Iowa State University.

(Radio Iowa)

The Iowa Senate has sent a significant message to the Iowa House. A bill that would let doctors to prescribe marijuana as treatment for Iowans who suffer from 18 chronic and debilitating conditions passed the Senate by a 45-to-five vote. Republican Senator Brad Zaun of Urbandale is pleading with Republicans in the HOUSE who are wary of this bill. “Please,” Zaun said. “…Eighty percent of Iowans support this.” Zaun says cannabis can be “important medicine.”

“Who are we to get in front of what’s best for these kids and these people?” Zaun asked. Carrie Anderson of Grimes has hopes that cannabis can halt the progression of her multiple sclerosis. She was among about a dozen advocates who sat in the Senate balcony to watch the voting. “There’s no quit here. This group’s not going to quit,” Anderson said. “I’ve been hanging out with these guys for five years and we’ll keep going ’til it’s done, but I feel like we’ve got good momentum.”

Senator Tom Greene, a Republican from Burlington, is a retired pharmacist. He says one estimate indicates more than 12-thousand Iowans could qualify for such treatment if the bill becomes law. “Iowans strongly believe that their friends and family with debilitating conditions deserve more,” Moore says, “deserve access to medications that we’re just now discovering what the potential, positive effects are.”

The bill would allow up to four state-licensed marijuana growing operations, with up to a dozen dispensaries. Marijuana CIGARETTES would NOT be allowed and there would be new penalties for those caught using medical cannabis for recreational purposes. In addition, Senator Charles Schneider, a Republican from West Des Moines, says lawmakers consulted with companies selling MEDICAL cannabis products in other states, to come up with the list of conditions for which cannabis could be prescribed as treatment.

“So in the end, I think this bill strikes the right balance between making sure that we have a bill that’s strong enough to attract investment to our state and make the product available to the people who really need it,” Schneider says. It’s unclear what impact last night’s action in the Senate may have. Key House Republicans have been expressing significant reservations about some of the provisions in the Senate’s bill.

Representative Clel Baudler, a Republican from Greenfield, is involved in behind-the-scenes discussions. “That bill that passed in the Senate is dead in the House,” Baudler says. “Now, will something replace it? I’m guessing yes.” The current state law that decriminalized possession of cannabis oil as treatment for chronic epilepsy expires June 30th. Legislators say, at the least, that law will be extended.

(Radio Iowa)

Two students who were discovered missing from the Clarinda Academy have been apprehended without incident. Clarinda Police Chief Keith Brothers early this (Tuesday) morning, said the students, ages 16 and 15 were last seen proceeding south from the Clarinda Academy grounds onto the Clarinda Country Club prior to a search being conducted.  At around 3:15-a.m., Brothers reported the juveniles have just been apprehended by Clarinda Police Officers and Fremont County, Iowa Sheriff’s Department K-9, “Roby” and handler, Deputy Wake.

The students were returned to authorities at the Clarinda Academy.

Here is the latest Iowa news from The Associated Press at 3:40 a.m. CDT

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Iowa farmers Monday asked Republican lawmakers to reconsider plans to eliminate an agriculture research center they say is vital to the state’s largest industry. Farmers spoke out against the proposed elimination of the Leopold Center for Sustainable Agriculture at a hearing where other citizens criticized proposed budget cuts for higher education and victims’ services as well as the loss of federal family planning money. GOP lawmakers hope to approve a roughly $7.2 billion budget this week.

FORT MADISON, Iowa (AP) — The prison that houses Iowa’s most dangerous offenders is tightening security after an infiltration of synthetic drugs that a union is calling the worst in its history. The Iowa Department of Corrections says the Iowa State Penitentiary in Fort Madison has changed procedures related to inmate mail and visiting to prevent contraband from getting inside. The announcement comes after a union said that 12 inmates have been linked to drugs such as K2 in recent days.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — The Iowa Legislature has passed a bill that would cap payouts to patients in some medical malpractice lawsuits. The Senate voted 37-12 Monday to approve the legislation. The House passed it this month and it now heads to Gov. Terry Branstad. The bill would limit pain and suffering payouts at $250,000 in most cases of medical malpractice. The cap can be exceeded if a jury finds an individual suffered substantial impairment to bodily function, substantial disfigurement or death.

BURLINGTON, Vt. (AP) — The University of Vermont Foundation is getting a new president and CEO. The foundation announced Monday that Shane Jacobson, currently the vice president for development and alumni relations at Grinnell College in Iowa, will start his new job in Burlington on May 30.

The Atlantic Parks and Recreation Department Board Monday, received a proposal with regard to the Sunnyside Park Bandshell. The proposal from Girl Scout Jr. Troop 40116 was with regard to the raking-up and clean-up of all debris around the stage, scrape off the old paint and scrub the entire stage, powerwash all accessible surfaces, and repainting of the bandshell at Sunnyside Park with white, outdoor paint, and the donation of a recycling bin, among their many proposed tasks. The Board also gave its blessing to have the Girl Scout logo or similar silhouette painted on the back side of the bandshell. The effort, when complete, will help the troop earn the Bronze Award, the highest attainable by a junior Girl Scout.  The project will be funded by Troop 40116 through the sale of their cookies and other goodies. They hope to have it completed by the end of May.

Scale (cut-away) model of the proposed picnic shelter (by Steve Livengood)

The Board also heard a proposal from Boy Scout Dylan Litty for an Eagle Scout project that would bring a table picnic shelter or two to the Schildberg Rec Area, nearest to some prime fishing spots. The shelters will cost about $2,000 each and include a metal roof, treated lumber supports and a picnic table. Litty is in the process of raising funds from downtown businesses and others. He hopes to have the project finished by no later than the end of the summer.

In other business, the Parks Board approved acting as a $100 sponsor for the Summer Fun Bus, which, like the past  years will take young people to various recreational activities in the area, such as the swimming pool, child care, etc.

Parks and Rec Director Seth Staashelm mentioned also, there will be three “Movies in the Park” events at Sunnyside Park, with the first beginning June 17th. And, the Sunnyside Summer Block Party will be held June 2nd, with the Kiwanis offering free hotdogs, beverages and popcorn. Music will be by the 1st Church of Christ in Atlantic, and includes a wide variety, including rock and roll. There will be many other forms of entertainment as well.

And, this Saturday, April 22nd, is Earth Day. The event will be held at the Schildberg Rec Area beginning at 11-a.m. and includes hot dogs, chips and cookies at Noon. All you need to do is show-up and be willing to lend a hand in cleaning up the park for a few hours.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — The Iowa Legislature has passed a bill that would cap payouts to patients in some medical malpractice lawsuits. The Republican-controlled Senate voted 37-12 Monday with bipartisan support to approve the legislation. The House passed it earlier this month and it now heads to GOP Gov. Terry Branstad.

The bill would limit pain and suffering payouts at $250,000 in most cases of medical malpractice. The cap can be exceeded if a jury finds an individual suffered substantial impairment to bodily function, substantial disfigurement or death. The legislation also creates standards for expert witnesses testifying in such cases.

Medical malpractice victims have criticized the bill, calling it an unconstitutional abuse of power by the Legislature, while supporters say lower medical liability premiums would make Iowa appealing for physicians.

Audubon Police Chief Matt Starmer, Monday afternoon, issued a report on recent arrests made by his officers.  On Sunday, 31 year old Jacob David Otten, of Audubon, was arrested for Criminal Mischief. Otten was held at the Audubon County Jail until making an appearance before a magistrate.

Last Friday, 26 year old Scott Nathaniel Belew, of Audubon, was arrested for Disorderly Conduct. Belew was transported to the Audubon County Jail and held pending an appearance before a magistrate. On April 12th, a 17 year old juvenile was referred by Audubon Police to Juvenile Court, on charges of Harassment and Disorderly Conduct.

And, on March 28th, 30 year old Dustin Williams and 30 year old Amanda Rae Campbell, both of Audubon, were charged with Disorderly Conduct. They later pled guilty before a magistrate.

Sheriff’s officials in Cass County, Monday, reported three recent arrests. On Monday, 26-year old Joshua Robert Olwell, of Atlantic, was arrested on a District Court order for Probation Violation. Olwell was taken to the Cass County Jail where he remains held on $10,000 bond.

On Sunday, Cass County Deputies arrested 23-year old Allyson Elaine Gardner, of Atlantic, on a charge of OWI 1st Offense. Gardner was taken to the Cass County Jail and released later that day on her own recognizance. And on Saturday, 45-year old Grant Robert Cramer, of Massena, was arrested on a charge of Unlawful Possession of Prescription Medication. Cramer was taken to the Cass County Jail and released the following day on his own recognizance.