Governor Terry Branstad’s “willingness” to work on expanding Iowa’s medical marijuana law is seen as a “great positive sign” by Representative Peter Cownie. Cownie, a Republican from West Des Moines, is sponsoring legislation that would set up marijuana growing and distribution centers in Iowa. “I take that as a real positive step that the governor is keeping an open mind,” Cownie says. Cownie’s legislation would let Iowans with chronic epilepsy, M-S or terminal cancer get cannabis pills, patches or oils produced in Iowa.

“This is only gaining support as legislators become more educated and more comfortable,” Cownie says. “It’s a big leap. This is growing marijuana legally in our state, so legislators have to get comfortable with that and we can’t hide from the fact of what this does because that’s what makes it legal and that’s what will help these people that need it most.” But Senator Joe Bolkcom, a Democrat from Iowa City who’s been a long-time advocate of medical marijuana, is less optimistic about progress on the issue.

“It would be terrific if Governor Branstad would get more engaged in this issue and sit down with Speaker Upmeyer and convince her that it’s time to move forward,” Bolkcom says. House Speaker Linda Upmeyer, a Republican from Clear Lake, says the state should wait ’til the federal government approves marijuana as a prescription medication. Bolkcom says polls show at least four out of five Iowans are ready to join the 23 other states that have legalized marijuana for medical use.

“Nearly 150 million Americans have access to cannabis as medicine,” Bolkcom says. “It’s time to drop the excuses. It’s time to help people who need our help.” In 2015, the Iowa Senate passed a bill that would have set up Iowa-based marijuana growing and dispensing operations for patients with chronic conditions that cause seizures, persistent pain and nausea. A more limited bill has cleared ONE House committee this year, but has stalled in a second House committee.

(Radio Iowa)

The Madison County Sheriff’s office is investigating a fatal motorcycle accident. On Sunday around 8 P-M, the Madison County Sheriff’s Office received a report of a motorcycle accident (in the 1500 block of U.S. Highway 169) five miles north of Winterset. Responding deputies discovered an adult male, later identified as 58-year-old Brian McKeon, of Waukee, dead at the scene.

A preliminary investigation shows that McKeon was northbound on U-S Highway 169 when he missed a curve and entered the east-side ditch.

(Radio Iowa)

Here is the latest Iowa news from The Associated Press

GUTHRIE CENTER, Iowa (AP) — Police arrested a western Iowa woman after finding her hiding in an oven. Twenty-five-year-old Gabrielle Looper, who was wanted for violating her probation requirements, was arrested Thursday after police forced their way into her Guthrie Center mobile home to complete a search warrant.

MURRAY, Iowa (AP) — State officials are investigating a manure spill that has reached the Thompson River in southern Iowa. Officials with the Iowa Department of Natural Resources say the spill occurred about eight miles south of Murray after a pipe broke at a Swine Graphics Enterprises hog plant. The manure was being transferred from building pits to an outdoor basin when the transfer pipe broke and released an unknown amount of manure.

IOWA CITY, Iowa (AP) — University of Iowa officials have proposed a new location for a building to house its art museum less than a month after pulling out of a public-private partnership for the project. The Iowa City Press-Citizen reports that the University of Iowa Museum of Art’s executive director says the new location is just a few blocks from the site in the previous proposal. The school’s art collection has been homeless since the previous building was damaged in the 2008 flood.

MARSHALLTOWN, Iowa (AP) — A Marshalltown resident has been arrested in the fatal assault of another man outside a Marshalltown bar. Authorities say Brandon Skidmore was taken into custody early Saturday and is charged with second-degree murder. Police say James Anderson was attacked in an alley as the Center Street Station bar was closing. Anderson was also from Marshalltown.

The Audubon County Sheriff’s Office released information Monday on one recent arrest and accident.

On Sunday, April 3rd deputies arrested 28-year-old Nikki Lorene Elizabeth Johnson of Hamlin around 9:00pm.  Johnson was charged with Aiding and Abetting Violation of a No Contact Order.  The charge stems from the investigation into an incident that was reported to the Sheriff’s office earlier on Sunday.  Johnson was taken to the Audubon County Jail and later released following appearance before the magistrate. Johnson will appear in Magistrate court on May 5th.

The Audubon County Sheriff’s Office was also called to an accident on Wednesday, March 30th at 9:45pm.  The accident occurred southwest of Exira on Kingbird Avenue.  After investigation officers determined that 15-year-old Aaron Oliver Allen of Elk Horn was traveling west on Kingbird Avenue and lost control on a curve with soft, loose, wet gravel and slid into the west ditch.  The vehicle rolled onto its roof and came to rest on its top.  Allen and three other passengers 15-year-old Danielle Ann Bowlin of Harlan, 14-year-old Damian Mae Peterson of Exira and 15-year-old Destiny Hope Dawson of Exira were all transported to Audubon County Memorial Hospital by Exira Rescue.  Damage to the 2000 Oldsmobile Allen was driving was unknown.  Allen was charged with Failure to Maintain Control and Violation of a Restricted School License.

Atlantic Police Chief Steve Green released details Monday about the department’s response to a possible threat on Sunday.  Atlantic Police were made aware of a veiled threat on social media in the Atlantic area on Sunday afternoon.  The threat was not specific in nature but police still treated the situation with caution and located the individual posting the message within two hours after receiving the initial report.  A local 16-year-old male was questioned in reference to the post and precautions were taken to ensure the teenager had no access to weapons with a consensual search of the home.  Officers determined there was no credible threat and the teenager was released pending further investigation.  Atlantic Police will be conferring with the County Attorney and juvenile authorities on further action.  Local school officials were kept informed throughout the investigation.

A woman from central Iowa was arrested on drug charges Sunday, in Cass County. The Cass County Sheriff’s Office says 50-year old Erin Sue Walker, of Urbandale, was arrested on felony charges that include: Possession of Methamphetamine 3rd/Subsequent offense; and Possession of Amphetamine/Dextroamphetamine 3rd/Subsequent offense(D Felony). She was also arrested for OWI 1st Offense, and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. Walker was taken to the Cass County Jail where she was released later that day on $5,000 bond.

The Sheriff’s Office says 25-year old Benjamin Jesse Galles, of Atlantic, was arrested Sunday on a Pottawattamie County warrant. Galles was taken to the Cass County Jail where he remained held pending transfer to Pottawattamie County authorities.