The top Democrat at the statehouse says a wide-ranging bill that’s eligible for debate in the senate needs “additional work” before senators would consider making changes in the state’s gun laws. “There are people in law enforcement that have suggested they see some things that could be significant improvements in our current law.” That’s Senate Democratic Leader Mike Gronstal of Council Bluffs. Gronstal says establishing a uniform license for permits to carry a concealed weapon seems most likely, along with a move to create a statewide database of permit holders.

“So that law enforcement in Pottawattamie County would know something from Scott County and would be able to make that uniform. Also, that if somebody was stopped, they could quickly ascertain whether or not that person did have a legal permit,” Gronstal says. “So I think there are some law enforcement people working on whether they can come up with some compromise on that piece of legislation, but all of that is a work in progress at the moment.”

Gronstal says another bill that would get rid of the state’s ban on “silencers” which suppress the sound of a gunshot likely could pass the Senate. The House — on March 10th — passed a bill that dealt with suppressors and concealed weapons permits as well as a collection of other gun-related issues. Critics are calling for senators to shelve that bill because one section of it would essentially do away with Iowa’s three-day waiting period for the purchase of a handgun. Gronstal isn’t addressing that specific concern, but he offers this:

“I think it’s unlikely we will consider the House bill.” Gronstal says senators are, instead, working on rewriting their own bill. Representative Matt Windschitl, a Republican from Missouri Valley, is a gun rights advocate who argues there’s no three-day waiting period in Iowa for the purchase of “long” guns, like rifles and shotguns, so there’s no reason to have it for handguns.

In 2010 the legislature made significant changes that made it easier for Iowans to acquire a permit to carry a concealed weapon. Thousands of Iowans applied for and got a permit, which lasts for five years. That means tens of thousands of those permits will come up for renewal in 2016 and Windschitl says legislators should at least take steps to make the renewal process smoother.

“And make sure the sheriffs were having the training requirements in the legislation they felt were necessary for public safety and, at the same time, making sure we weren’t being too stringent or restrictive on Iowans exercising their Second Amendment rights,” Windschitl says. Windschitl is a trained gunsmith who works for the Union Pacific Railroad AND for his family’s gun shop in Missouri Valley.

(Radio Iowa)

COUNCIL BLUFFS, Iowa (AP) — A hotel in western Iowa had to be evacuated for several hours after carbon monoxide levels spiked in the pool area and several guests became dizzy. KETV reports two people were taken to the hospital for treatment and two others needed oxygen at the Council Bluffs hotel.

Firefighters say carbon monoxide levels in the pool area of the Quality Inn and Suites motel were dangerously high Sunday. Authorities say a malfunctioning pool heater appears to be the source. Guests were allowed back in the hotel after the carbon monoxide was cleared out.

Here is the latest Iowa news from The Associated Press

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — A bill in the Iowa Legislature would expand some time-off entitlements for adoptive parents. The legislation would essentially require an employer that offers some form of paid time off or other entitlements for the birth of a child to do the same for an employee who’s adopted a child in the past 12 months. The Senate has passed the measure, and supporters are pushing it in the House.

COUNCIL BLUFFS, Iowa (AP) — A hotel in western Iowa had to be evacuated for several hours yesterday after carbon monoxide levels spiked in the pool area and several guests became dizzy. Two people were taken to the hospital for treatment and two others needed oxygen at the Council Bluffs hotel. Guests were allowed back in after the carbon monoxide was cleared out.

(Information in the following story is from: The Des Moines Register, http://www.desmoinesregister.com )

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — A 46-year-old Texas man has been arrested in connection with a scheme to collect a multimillion-dollar Hot Lotto jackpot that was won in 2010. Earlier this year, an Iowa man who worked for a lottery company was arrested after authorities say he violated state law when he bought the $14.3 million ticket and then tried to get others to help him claim it. Authorities say the Texas man will be brought to Iowa to face fraud charges.

SEATTLE (AP) — Kyle Wiltjer scored 24 points and the second-seeded Gonzaga Bulldogs advanced to the Sweet 16 with a 87-68 win over No. 7 seed Iowa. The Hawkeyes couldn’t overcome the Bullsdogs’ efficient offensive performance in the first 20 minutes of yesterday’s game. Jared Uthoff led Iowa with 20, and Aaron White added 19.