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Iowa early News Headlines: Wed., Feb. 19th 2014

News

February 19th, 2014 by Ric Hanson

Here is the latest Iowa news from The Associated Press…

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Email and Internet service were disrupted yesterday for Gov. Terry Branstad’s office and many state government workers in the Capitol. Department of Administrative Services spokesman Caleb Hunter says the service loss started around 3 p.m. and could not quickly be restored. He says it was caused by a power outage at the government building that houses the state data servers.

DYERSVILLE, Iowa (AP) — Two sheep were killed in a barn fire in northeast Iowa. Dyersville Fire Chief Al Wessels says the fire was reported yesterday morning at a farm southeast of Dyersville. The fire was contained a short time later. Wessels tells the Telegraph Herald that the fire destroyed the barn. Damages have been estimated at $25,000.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Iowa lawmakers have granted initial approval of a bill that would further crack down on texting while driving. A three-member Senate transportation subcommittee unanimously approved the measure yesterday. It goes to the full Senate Transportation Committee tomorrow.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Lawmakers in the Iowa House are advancing legislation that would change the approval process to construct new power lines. The Des Moines Register reports that a House subcommittee approved the bill, which will move to the Judiciary Committee. The legislation is a response to opposition to the proposed Rock Island Clean Line.