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Iowa early News Headlines: Wed., Jan. 16, 2019

News

January 16th, 2019 by Ric Hanson

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Many Republicans who supported Iowa Rep. Steve King for years despite his contentious comments about race now appear to be turning their backs on him. The shift comes at a moment when the party is grappling with its stance on racial issues, in part because of President Donald Trump’s own inflammatory racial rhetoric and hardline views on immigration. GOP leaders also have conceded that the party must do better with minority voters and bring more diversity to their own ranks.

MARSHALLTOWN, Iowa (AP) — A Marshalltown public works employee has been charged in federal court with transportation of child pornography. The Marshalltown Times Republican reports that Jeff Roads appeared in Des Moines’ federal court on Monday. An FBI special agent testified Monday that the case started when Roads was accused of molesting an Oklahoma minor in Iowa. The agent testified that a search of Roads’ cellphone turned up about 100 images of child pornography.

MILLERSBURG, Iowa (AP) — Eastern Iowa authorities say a man has died in a house fire. Cedar Rapids television station KCRG reports the fire happened Tuesday morning in Millersburg. Firefighters were called to the house just before 6 a.m. The Iowa County Sheriff’s Office says firefighters found the homeowner, 88-year-old William Taylor, dead inside.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Iowa would no longer bar former felons from voting after they complete their sentences and would ensure that crime victims be told of major status changes involving prisoners who wronged them under constitutional amendments proposed by Republican Gov. Kim Reynolds. Reynolds on Tuesday used her first Condition of the State speech since being elected to a full term to outline some major policy goals, including several that would affect current and former prisoners.