Republicans in the Iowa House have voted for a 72-hour waiting period before women seeking an abortion in the state may have the procedure performed. In addition, women seeking an abortion in Iowa would have to have an ultrasound and be given an opportunity to look at it. “I stand in support….because seeing is believing.” That’s Representative Greg Heartsill, a Republican from Columbia. Republican Representative Sandy Salmon of Janesville says the House G-O-P’s plan also asks that the woman be given the option of listening to a heartbeat, if one can be detected.

“This will shine the light upon what is really inside the womb of the mother,” Salmon says. Salmon and her Republican colleagues have voted to require that a woman seeking an abortion be given information that encourages her to consider the option of adoption instead. “To help a woman consider and make a good, educated decision for herself and her baby,” Salmon said, “totally appropriate for the life-and-death decision she is making.” All the Democrats in the Iowa House voted against these new abortion restrictions. Representative Amy Nielsen is a Democrat from North Liberty.

“I believe that passing this legislation tells the roughly 1.6 million women in Iowa that they are not intelligent enough to make health care decisions for themselves,” Nielsen says. “What medical decisions do we require a man to take 72 hours to consider before he is allowed to receive the treatment?” Representative Liz Bennett, a Democrat from Cedar Rapids, also spoke out against the proposals.

“Let’s keep the scaly tentacles of government out of women’s wombs,” Bennett said. In mid-March, the Iowa Senate voted to ban abortions after the 20th week of pregnancy. That prohibition was at the core of the legislation debated last (Tuesday) night, however the bill was tabled shortly after 10:30 p.m. and no final vote has been taken in the House.

(Radio Iowa)

Here is the latest Iowa news from The Associated Press at 3:15 a.m. CDT

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — The Iowa House has begun debate on a bill that would ban most abortions in the state at 20 weeks of pregnancy. The GOP-controlled chamber started debating Tuesday night. Republicans are expected to pass the legislation, which would be a victory for Iowa conservatives seeking to restrict abortion. House Republicans expressed interest in changing the bill, which would require another vote from the GOP-led Senate. The Senate passed a version of the legislation last month.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — The GOP-controlled Iowa Senate has approved a bill that would make sweeping changes to the state’s gun laws, including adding a stand-your-ground provision. The chamber voted 33-17 Tuesday for the bill. The House, which passed it recently, must vote again because of changes in the Senate. The stand-your-ground provision would allow people in Iowa to use deadly force anywhere if they believe such force is necessary to avoid injury or risk to one’s life or safety.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Iowa’s largest teachers union has filed a lawsuit challenging the state’s new law that eliminated most collective bargaining rights for public workers. The announcement Tuesday by the Iowa State Education Association marks the second lawsuit by a union against the law, which took effect in February. The association claims three provisions in the law violate the Iowa Constitution.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Iowa State University is changing discrimination and harassment policies to settle a lawsuit filed last year by a conservative student who wants the freedom to discuss controversial topics of sexuality, abortion and religious freedom on campus without the threat of disciplinary action. Student Robert Dunn refused to sign policy statements that said public discussion of controversial subjects could be deemed harassment by university officials.

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — A Douglas County, Nebraska prosecutor says gun play seems to have led to the death of a 20-year-old western Iowa man in Omaha, and two people have been arrested. Police say 20-year-old Scott Evans, of Council Bluffs, was found dead early Sunday inside a home in north Omaha. Officers were called the house for a report of a shooting.

Officials say 18-year-old Montana Garbez, of Omaha, was arrested on suspicion of manslaughter and a weapons count, and 19-year-old Serenity Gatan, of Council Bluffs  has been arrested on suspicion of being an accessory. Both were being held in the Douglas County Jail.

Douglas County Attorney Don Kleine tells the Omaha World-Herald that Garbez and Gaytan appeared to have been using a gun in a game similar to Russian roulette, and Evans was shot in the head.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — The GOP-controlled Iowa Senate has approved a bill that would make sweeping changes to the state’s gun laws, including adding a stand-your-ground provision. The chamber voted 33-17 Tuesday for the bill. The House, which passed it recently, must vote again because of some changes in the Senate.

The stand-your-ground provision would allow people to use deadly force anywhere if they believe such force is necessary to avoid injury or risk to one’s life or safety. Opponents warn it would increase gun violence and racial tensions. A similar provision in Florida gained national attention following the 2012 shooting death of an unarmed black teenager.

Advocates call the provision a needed strengthening of Second Amendment rights. The bill would also allow firearms at the Capitol and allow citizens to sue local governments for enacting gun-free zones.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — The Iowa House has begun debate on a bill that would ban most abortions in the state at 20 weeks of pregnancy. The GOP-controlled chamber started debating Tuesday night. Republicans are expected to pass the legislation, which would be a victory for Iowa conservatives seeking to restrict abortion.

House Republicans expressed interest in changing the bill, which would require another vote from the GOP-led Senate. The Senate passed a version of the legislation last month. GOP Gov. Terry Branstad, who spoke recently at an anti-abortion rally at the Capitol, has indicated support for a 20-week ban. A spokesman says the governor reserves judgment on the legislation.

The ban on most abortions at 20 weeks of pregnancy is based on the disputed premise that a fetus can feel pain at that stage. Nearly 20 states have passed similar legislation in recent years.

Officials with the Iowa Dept. of Public Safety said Tuesday evening, that a central Iowa man arrested Nov. 16th, 2016 on multiple charges in Monona County, now faces numerous other charges in two other counties.

57-year old Jeff Lee Altmayer,  of Ankeny, was arrested in November and charged with: three Class C felony counts of Enticing a Minor; one count of Impersonating a Public Official; one count of Possession of a Controlled Substance, and one count of Possession of Prescription Drug or Device without a Prescription. The charges stemmed from a November 16th incident in Monona County, during which he allegedly attempted to lure a child into his vehicle.

Jeff Altmayer

After further investigation into Altmayer by the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation and other Iowa law enforcement agencies, it was determined that he had also committed crimes of the same manner across Iowa. As a result, Altmayer has been charged in two other jurisdictions. The felony charges he faces in Jasper County are a result of an August, 17, 2016 incident in Colfax in which he is alleged to have committed one  count of Kidnapping in the First Degree; one count of Sexual Abuse in the Second Degree, and one count of Enticing a Child.

Altmayer also faces charges in Grundy County from an August 2, 2016 incident in which he was charged with three felony counts of Enticing a Child, and a felony charges of Enticing a Minor. The investigation into Altmayer is on-going and additional charges may be forthcoming. The Iowa Attorney General’s Office, Area Prosecutions Division is handling the prosecution.

The Atlantic Rotary club is asking parents, students, and community members, “Do you know a teacher who deserves recognition for going above and beyond the call of duty?” If so, submit their name for nomination as part of the 4th Annual Rotary Club of Atlantic Outstanding Teacher Award. The award, designed to recognize excellence in education in the Atlantic Community Schools, can be given to any certified, full-time teacher who spends at least 60% of his/her time instructing students.

The teacher selected will receive recognition at a school employee event, and will also receive a $3000 cash award.  The award may be used to enhance the educational resources of the teacher, further the teacher’s education, or for any other purpose which the selected teacher deems appropriate.

Jodie Hogue receives the 2016 “Teacher of the Year” Award from Atlantic Rotary President Ted Robinson

This is the fourth year for the award, which has been a “long-time goal” for the Atlantic Rotary Club, according to Ted Robinson, 2017 Rotary Teacher Award Project Chair. In a statement, Robinson said “The Atlantic Rotary Club has been a dedicated supporter of education in the community for many years through senior scholarships, and annual events such as senior recognition and new teacher welcome. In addition, they are frequent contributors through funding for many school needs such as updating technology in the classroom, supporting curriculum for local preschools, and a number of other school requests.”

Robinson said also, that “Members of our club have been continually insistent that we also recognize and support the talented educators that are the heart of our schools, and we are very happy we have been able to get this program off to such a successful start in the first few years.”

Margo Magill, an educator at Washington Elementary School was the first teacher to be recognized at the Rotary Outstanding Teacher of the Year in 2014. DeLana Harris, from Schuler Elementary School, was the 2015 award winner, and Jodie Hogue, from Washington Elementary School was last year’s recipient.

For teachers to be considered for the 2017 award, completed nomination forms, including letters of support, must be received by Friday April 21st. Nominated teachers will be evaluated based on their skill with students, classroom management, parent communication, peer interaction and community involvement.

Teachers must be nominated by three individuals- they can be current or former students, parents of students, co-workers, or any combination of these. Forms were sent via email to all current parents from the Atlantic Community School System in March. Hard copies of nomination forms may also be picked up from any school administration office.  Completed nominations may be dropped off, or mailed, to the First Whitney Bank, Attn: Ted Robinson, P.O. Box 271, 223 Chestnut Street in Atlantic.

It is the intention of the Atlantic Rotary Club, through this award, to recognize and reward outstanding educators in our public school system who exemplify the Rotary motto of “Service Above Self” through their continuous dedication to students, parents, peers and the larger community, as well as the art and practice of education. The award is funded by proceeds from the Atlantic Rotary Club’s annual auction, which is made possible by the generous donations of local businesses and community members.

The Harlan Police Department reports one arrest over the past weekend. 45-year old Wade McFarland, of Harlan, was arrested Saturday following a traffic stop. McFarland was taken to the Shelby County Jail where he was charged with operating while intoxicated 1st. He was also cited for failure to obey a stop sign.  And, on March 28th, 34-year old Justin Henriksen, of Harlan, was cited for prohibited practices for improper burning at his residence.

Officials with the Shelby County Emergency Management Agency are asking residents with address markers, to make sure they are visible from the road. Emergency Management Coordinator Bob Seivert says as spring cleaning time nears, and you go about cleaning up the yard and sprucing up your buildings, pay close attention to your address marker. It should be bright and clearly visible from the road. Emergency Responders, especially at  night, depend on highly visible house numbers, street signs and rural address markers to properly locate you. 911 dispatchers will confirm your location based on your address and map location.

If you question where your house number should be posted, please check with local City authorities. For rural residents, the marker belongs alongside your lane in the fence row. If the fence line is far from the main road, place the marker out of the right of way close enough so that emergency responders can see it.

If your Shelby County rural 911 address marker has been damaged, lost, or otherwise is not readable, please call the Shelby County Emergency Management Agency  at 712-755-2124. There is no cost for replacement address markers.

Alliant Energy has filed a request with the Iowa Utilities Board to increase its electric rates by 11-point-six percent. The president of Alliant Energy’s Iowa subsidiary, Iowa Power and Light, Doug Kopp, says the company has not raised electric rates for six years. “Over that period of time we’ve made significant investments, including the grid and also our Marshalltown generating station…which has just come on line. It’s a natural gas combined-cycle plant with allows us to be very, very efficient,” Kopp says.

He says they’ve spent around two-and-a-half BILLION dollars in the improvements to the system, and the rate increase allows them to recover those costs. Kopp says the customers have benefited from the money invested in the electric system. “Our duration of outages is better than six years ago. Our frequency of outages is lower than six years ago,” he says.

Kopp says the new Marshalltown plant gives them more flexibility in producing power right away when needed, and he says it is more environmentally friendly. Alliant has around 500-thousand electric customers in Iowa. “The average customer bill is about 114 dollars a month and they would see an approximately 14-dollar-a-month increase,” Kopp says.

The first part of the rate request creates an interim rate increase on April 13th and then state regulators have to decide if they will grant the full increase. He says there will be some customer comment hearings in late May or early June hosted by the I-U-B to give customers a chance for input on the rate increase request. Then there would be a hearing in the fall where the I-U-B hears the arguments for and against the rate increase.

The rate increase would go into place in 2018, depending on the ruling from the I-U-B. Kopp says there are some tax credits and transmission refunds that will reduce the impact of the rate increase in 2017 and 2018. Alliant customers will be getting information on the proposed rate increase in their monthly bills.

(Radio Iowa)