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Iowa early News Headlines: Tuesday, Jan. 12, 2021

News

January 12th, 2021 by Ric Hanson

Here is the latest Iowa news from The Associated Press at 3:35 a.m. CST

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Iowa lawmakers began their legislative session with no mask requirements, and many members are opting not to wear face coverings even as rates of coronavirus infections rise in the Des Moines area and much of the state. Republicans, who hold majorities in both the House and Senate, chose not to mandate masks or even require that members disclose if they have been infected by the virus. And during opening ceremonies Monday, most Republicans didn’t wear masks while all Democrats were protected by a mask or face shield. More than 200 unmasked people opposing mask mandates protested before lawmakers began the session. They chanted “freedom” and many held signs that said “coercion is not consent,” and “mandates belong in socialist countries.”

HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) — The Republican Party is losing voters as it’s pulled in opposite directions after the attack on Congress by Trump loyalists. On one side are GOP voters disgusted with President Donald Trump’s behavior. Some, like former House Speaker John Boehner, say the president should leave office now. Others have even switched their registration from the party since the Jan. 6 insurrection. At the same time, Trump supporters argue the vast majority of the rank-and-file remains loyal. The attack is deepening the schism in the party that was papered over by an uneasy truce during most of Trump’s term.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — After a long stretch of relatively paltry prizes, U.S. lottery players now have a choice of jackpots that offer combined prizes of more than $1 billion. The jackpot for Mega Millions’ Tuesday night drawing has climbed to $615 million, and the top prize in the Powerball game has reached $550 million ahead of Wednesday’s drawing. It has been nearly two years since the two national lottery games offered such giant prizes and only the second time both jackpots have topped $500 million. The odds of winning the Powerball jackpot are one in 292.2 million and one in 302.5 million for Mega Millions.

CLIVE, Iowa (AP) — Officials say three people have died in a crash following a police chase in central Iowa that reached speeds of more than 100 mph. Police in the Des Moines suburb of Clive say the crash happened early Monday, after officers attempted to stop a stolen car suspected in an earlier theft case in nearby Urbandale. Police say the car refused to stop, sped away and launched into the air as it crossed railroad tracks — flipping several times and hitting a utility pole and creek bank. Police found five young males, several of who were ejected from the car. Police say three died from their injuries and two were taken to hospitals.