Iowa Senator Joni Ernst says she’s “deeply disappointed” legislation that would prohibit almost all abortions after the fifth month of pregnancy was rejected in the U.S. Senate Tuesday. Ernst and other supporters of the House-passed “Pain-Capable Unborn Child Protection Act” claim 20 weeks into a pregnancy marks a point when unborn babies can feel pain and survive if born prematurely.

“The United States is currently only one of seven countries in the world that allows abortions after five months,” Ernst told Iowa reporters in a conference call after the Senate vote. “We are in the same company as China and North Korea.” The bill needed 60 votes to advance in the Senate. It received the support of 54 Senators, with 42 in opposition.

On Monday night, Ernst took to the floor of the U.S. Senate and was joined by Clayton and Danielle Pickering of Newton and their three-year-old son Micah. Micah was born prematurely at five months. “As Micah proves, babies at five months can survive outside of the womb,” Ernst said Tuesday. “As a mother and a grandmother, I remain committed to urging my colleagues not to deny these babies the right to life.”

Three Senate Democrats supported the bill, while just two Republicans voted against it. Democrats have blasted Republicans over scheduling a vote on an abortion-related bill on the week that Pope Francis visits Capitol Hill and at a time when the House and Senate are trying to negotiate a government funding measure to avoid a shutdown. Many Republicans in the House have vowed to reject a bill to keep the government operating unless it excludes money for Planned Parenthood.

(Radio Iowa)

An armed robbery at a convenience store in Council Bluffs has resulted in an arrest. Bluffs Police say 28-year old Justin Dilley, of Council Bluffs, was arrested for 1st Degree Robbery following an investigation into the incident which was reported at around 12:34-a.m. at the Kum & Go Store, located at 154 Bennett Avenue, in Council Bluffs.

Justin Dilley

Authorities says Dilley entered the store, went directly to the counter and confronted the clerk on duty. He was allegedly brandishing an approximate four-inch bladed knife when he demanded the clerk open up the cash register. After obtaining an undetermined amount of cash, Dilley directed the clerk into the bathroom. He also allegedly attempted to get the clerk’s cell phone from her, but was unsuccessful.

The man left the the store on foot, wearing a dark zip-up hooded sweatshirt, black ski mask, jeans and work-style gloves. Upon the initial investigation by Uniform Officers, Dilley was found to be a suspect in the case. He was located at 136 Bennett Avenue. During a search of the man’s apartment, officers recovered several clothing items worn during the incident, as well as a knife and an undetermined amount of cash. A further investigation also Dilley to the robbery that occurred at the Kum & G0 Store on June 24th.

Dilley was booked into Pottawattamie County Jail for the most recent robbery. An arrest warrant was expected to be issued in connection with incident that took place in June, with an additional charge of 1st Degree Robbery. Authorities are continuing their investigation into the incidents.

Here is the latest Iowa news from The Associated Press
SIOUX CITY, Iowa (AP) – A woman has died after the vehicle she was in rolled over in rural Sioux City. Authorities say the vehicle rolled several times, and the woman was partially ejected. She was taken to a hospital in Le Mars and was pronounced dead.

COUNCIL BLUFFS, Iowa (AP) – A former Council Bluffs high school math teacher is scheduled to be sentenced in November after being convicted in his sex-with-students case. Jeffrey Daugherty pleaded guilty to felony sexual abuse by a counselor, therapist or school employee and nine misdemeanors. Prosecutors dropped two other felony charges in return for Daugherty’s pleas.

STORM LAKE, Iowa (AP) – A jury has found a northwest Iowa man guilty of forcing his wife to terminate two pregnancies. The Storm Lake man was convicted of two counts of forced consent to termination of human pregnancy and two counts of assault. The jury deliberated for nearly 11 hours.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – The company proposing to build an oil pipeline across Iowa has awarded construction contracts for some of the work. Dakota Access says Michels Pipeline and Precision Pipeline would provide workers for construction of the pipeline. Michels Pipeline is expected to construct segments in Iowa, South Dakota and North Dakota.