United Group Insurance

Iowa early News Headlines: Friday, Oct. 18th 2019

News

October 18th, 2019 by Ric Hanson

Here is the latest Iowa news from The Associated Press at 3:40 a.m. CDT

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — The Marine Corps has corrected the identify of another of the men who were photographed raising the American flag at Iwo Jima during World War II. The Marines said Thursday that after questions were raised by private historians who studied photos and films, it determined that Cpl. Harold P. Keller was among the six men who raised the flag. The Marines say Pfc. Rene Gagnon had helped in the effort but for decades was mistakenly identified by the Marines as one of the flag-raisers.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — The Iowa Court of Appeals has set a date for arguments in a lawsuit that challenges a law giving the governor more power over the selection of supreme court and appeals court judges. Chief Judge Thomas Bower says in an order signed last week that the court will hear arguments on Nov. 6.

MANCHESTER, Iowa (AP) — A judge overseeing a trial to determine whether an eastern Iowa roadside zoo should be closed says she gagged on the ‘horrible stench” while touring the facility. The Telegraph Herald reports that Judge Monica Wittig shared her reaction with those in attendance on Wednesday, the first day of the state trial in Manchester regarding Cricket Hollow Animal Park. Four plaintiffs have sued to have the animals removed and the zoo closed.

CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa (AP) — A federal judge has ordered five home health care facilities in Iowa and South Dakota accused of filing fraudulent Medicare claims to pay more than $3.1 million. A complaint filed earlier this month in Cedar Rapid’s federal court accused Sergeant Bluff Healthcare and Elk Point Healthcare of filing Medicare claims for home health services billed by a third-party for services that did not qualify for Medicare coverage or were not justified or necessary.