Iowa House Speaker Pat Grassley says House Republicans are considering legislation to restrict gender-affirming medical care for transgender kids and teens. Grassley spoke with reporters today (Thursday) shortly before the House Government Oversight Committee held a hearing to ask questions of doctors who provide gender-affirming care. Grassley says he wants to see the results of the hearing.

During the hearing, the co-director of the L-G-B-T-Q-plus clinic at University of Iowa Hospitals, Katie Imborek (Em-bore-ick) says care for transgender minors follows guidelines from leading medical institutions. It is done under the supervision of a team of medical professionals – and always with parental consent. She was asked how her patients would be affected if there were laws preventing treatment, Imborek says she feels there could be devastating consequences.

Advocates for LGBTQ Iowans point out that gender-affirming care is supported by all major American medical organizations. They say restricting such care would be dangerous because it would exacerbate the mental health crisis among Iowa’s transgender youth.

A bill that would prohibit religious discrimination against adoption agencies has advanced in the Iowa Senate. The conservative Christian groups that support the bill say it’s needed to protect those who run adoption agencies from having to violate their own religious beliefs. That would include being able to deny adoption or foster placements to same-sex couples. Becky Strope-Boggus of Des Moines says her adopted daughter was abused by her father and was very afraid of all men.

Other L-G-B-T-Q parents at the subcommittee hearing Thursday said there’s a shortage of foster parents in Iowa, and the state should be welcoming to all potential foster families.

The president of the Board of Regents addressed concerns this week about the proposal to move the governance of the state’s deaf, blind and visually impaired students to the Iowa Department of Education. Mike Richards said that it is part of the effort to streamline government and bring all K through 12 students within one department.

Richards says the Board of Regents wants what’s best for these students.

Richards says more information will be coming as the state government reorganization moves forward.

Richards also said the search for a new superintendent for the special schools will be put on hold until the reorganization process is complete. He made his comments at Wednesday’s board meeting.

The Red Oak Police Department reports two arrests took place on Friday evening.

At approximately 6:16 p.m. Officers arrested 52-year-old Richard Bryan Jenkins of Red Oak for Assault with Intent to Inflict Serious Injury. Jenkins was arrested at 100 North Broadway and taken to the Montgomery County Jail and held on $2,000 bond.

Later on Friday evening at 9:28 p.m. Red Oak Police arrested 22-year-old Zachary Lee Miller of Council Bluffs on an active Red Oak Police Department Warrant for Domestic Abuse Assault 1st. Miller was arrested at 1310 North Broadway Street and transported to the Montgomery County Jail. He was booked in and held on $300 bond.

The Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office reports the arrest on Friday at approximately 4:12 p.m. of 67-year-old Kenny Bowers of Elliott following an incident that had occurred in the 500 block of Main Street in Elliott. Bowers was charged with Reckless use of a Firearm. He was booked in to the Montgomery County Jail and held on $300 cash bond.

A Pacific Junction woman was injured during an accident on Friday evening on Interstate 29. The Iowa State Patrol reports the accident happened at 5:35 p.m. on I-29 southbound at the 35-mile-marker.

A 2006 Chrysler Pacifica driven by Sharon Kay Stewart of Pacific Junction was southbound on I-29 when she suffered an unknown medical condition, causing the vehicle to enter the median and strike the cable barrier in several spots. The van traveled in the median for approximately 1 mile before coming to rest. A witness removed Stewart from the Vehicle and initiated life saving measures until Glenwood Rescue took over upon arrival. Stewart was then taken by Glenwood Rescue to Mercy Medical Center.

No further details were given at this time.

The Audubon County Sheriff’s Office reports that, with assistance from the Page County Sheriff’s Office, they arrested 23-year-old Hunter Gregory, of Mt. Vernon, Illinois on February 17th. Gregory faces charges of Sexual Abuse 2nd Degree and Human Trafficking with Serious Injury. Gregory was transported to the Clarinda Correctional Facility and sentenced by a magistrate to be held on $50,000 cash bond.

The Audubon County Sheriff’s Office also reports the arrest on February 19th of 75-year-old Charles Wheeler, of Exira for Harassment 2nd. He appeared before the magistrate the following day and was held until posting bond later in the day.