(Radio Iowa) – Thirty-seven states license midwives and, if a bill that cleared the Iowa House becomes law, Iowa would join that group. Bethany Gates of Vinton is a certified professional midwife, one of about a dozen working in Iowa. “Midwives are leaving the state because there are a lot more states that offer licensure, which allows us to practice within our full scope, which makes births safer,” she says. The maternal mortality rate in Iowa has nearly doubled in the past 20 years and Gates says the time has come for Iowa to start licensing midwives.

“We rank 49th in the nation in terms of the number of maternity care providers to the number of women in the state,” she says. A recent study found mothers and babies in states which have integrated midwives into the health care system had better outcomes compared to the states that have the most restrictions on midwives. Without a state license, Gates and other midwives cannot administer certain medications while assisting in a birth, and in most instances midwives cannot order an ultrasound or lab work for a client.

“There’s about five that I can send those orders into without a license,” Gates says, “so this will allow our clients access to those screening procedures that are standard of care in Iowa.” Representative Ras Smith, a Democrat from Waterloo, says the bill responds to the need for access to health care. “Iowa is ranked as the third worst state for people of color, specifically African American people, in the nation. One of the reasons is there’s a six-to-one ratio for black women who die in childbirth compared to their white counterparts,” Smith said. “I think this bill goes a long way in solving those problems.”

Representative Bobby Kaufmann, a Republican from Wilton, says the bill helps bring an established profession out of the shadows. “This bill does serve as the single-most diverse bill in terms of the levels of support — from the far left to the far right — that I have personally worked on,” Kaufmann says.

The bill passed with 93 yes votes and only two House members voted against it. The bill to license midwives now goes to the Senate for consideration. Iowa’s major medical groups have opposed similar legislation in the past.

(Radio Iowa) – There’s a fierce debate between appraisers and the insurance industry over a bill that would adjust some rules for the evaluation of damaged property in Iowa. The Iowa House has unanimously approved the changes, but the bill is in limbo in the Senate. Republican Senator Zach Nunn of Bondurant says he and others want to review the arguments before deciding whether to advance the bill.

“This past weekend we had horrific disasters across our state,” Nunn says. “…I want to make sure that we have a bill that really takes care of the property owner first, specifically those who have been impacted by catastrophic loss.” Iowa Insurance Institute lobbyist Brittany Lumley says the bill is necessary because a 2018 Iowa Supreme Court ruling gave appraisers too much leeway.

“It’s just making sure the appraisers stick to the loss and the cost of the damage as opposed to the coverage causation disputes, which are best left to the courts,” she says. Tim Johnson is the Cedar Rapids attorney who handled the court case that’s at the center of this dispute. He says it the bill becomes law, lawyers like him will make a lot of money taking insurance companies to court.

“The citizens of Iowa cannot afford to not have a cheap resolution process that gets these claims resolved without needing somebody like me,” Johnson says. Johnson is urging lawmakers to preserve the current process that lets a property owner ask a neutral umpire to resolve a dispute over insurance claims when appraisers for the insurance company and the property owner do not agree. The insurance industry’s lobbyist says that option will remain, but appraisers will no longer be able to judge what caused the damage if the bill becomes law.

(Atlantic, Iowa) – Monday (Today), was the first day candidates for the June Primary Election could begin filing their nomination papers. On the first day of filing, the Cass County Auditor’s Office reports Mary Ward has filed for re-election as County Recorder.

The filing deadline is March 25^th, 2022. If you have any questions about the nomination and/or filing process, contact the Cass County Auditor’s Office or see the Iowa Secretary of State’s website .

Glenwood, Iowa) – The Mills County Sheriff’s Office today (Monday), reports an adult and two juveniles were arrested on burglary and other charges, Friday evening.  Authorities say that on March 4^th, at 6:45 p.m., the Mills County Communications Center received a 911 call about a burglary in progress at Vinton Equipment, in Pacific Junction. Law Enforcement responded to that location where the reporting party saw one person with a flashlight run behind some equipment. The reporting party stayed on the phone with the Communications Center to give updates to responding units.

When law enforcement arrived on scene, K9 Deputy Evan Ruse gave multiple loud verbal commands to come out with hands up prior to releasing K9 “Danken.” K9 Danken then started barking and was released to do an area search. Almost immediately after K9 Danken was released, three suspects came out with their hands up. All three were taken into custody without further incident.

Jeffrey Greene

During the investigation, law enforcement located burglary tools on all three suspects and a bucket full of copper wire and other parts that were removed from different tractors. Two of the three suspects were juveniles, the third suspect was identified as Jeffrey Greene of Malvern. Law enforcement was able to locate their vehicle, which was parked in the Martin Chapel Cemetery.

Both juveniles were charged with Burglary 3^rd Degree of a Vehicle, Possession of Burglary Tools, and Criminal Mischief 2^nd Degree. Greene was charged with Burglary 3^rd Degree of a Vehicle, Possession of Burglary Tools, Criminal Mischief 2^nd Degree, and Contributing to the Delinquency of a Minor.

The Mills County Sheriff’s Office was assisted by the Glenwood Police Department and the Iowa State Patrol.

A criminal charge is merely an accusation, and the defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty.

(Glenwood, Iowa) – The Mills County Sheriff’s Office reports a woman from Adams County was arrested Friday evening on drug and other charges. 36-year-old Breeanna May Fallin, of Corning, was arrested at 330th and Highway 34, for: A Controlled Substance Violation; 3 counts Possession of a Controlled Substance; Poss. of Drug Paraphernalia and Interference with Official Acts. Bond for those offenses was set at $25,000. Fallin was also taken into custody on a Woodbury County warrant for Failure to Appear. Bond on the warrant is $600.

And, Sunday morning, 26-year-old Dakota John Allen, of Hastings (IA), was arrested for Driving Under Suspension. His bond was set at $300.

DES MOINES – Today (Monday), Gov. Kim Reynolds issued a disaster proclamation for nine additional counties in response to the March 5 severe weather. The governor’s proclamation allows state resources to be utilized to respond to and recover from the effects of this severe weather in Adair, Benton, Decatur, Jasper, Lucas, Polk, Tama, Warren, and Wayne counties.

In addition, the proclamation activates the Iowa Individual Assistance Grant Program for qualifying residents, along with the Disaster Case Management Program, for the aforementioned nine counties, as well as Madison County. The Iowa Individual Assistance Grant Program provides grants of up to $5,000 for households with incomes up to 200 percent of the federal poverty level. Grants are available for home or car repairs, replacement of clothing or food, and temporary housing expenses. Original receipts are required for those seeking reimbursement for actual expenses related to storm recovery. The grant application and instructions are available on the Iowa Department of Human Services website at https://dhs.iowa.gov/disaster-assistance-programs. Potential applicants have 45 days from the date of the proclamation to submit a claim.

The Disaster Case Management Program addresses serious needs related to disaster-related hardship, injury, or adverse conditions. Disaster case managers work with clients to create a disaster recovery plan and provide guidance, advice, and referral to obtain a service or resource. There are no income eligibility requirements for this program; it closes 180 days from the date of the governor’s proclamation. For information on the Disaster Case Management Program, contact your local community action association or visit www.iowacommunityaction.org.

On Saturday, March 5, the Governor issued a disaster proclamation for Madison County in response to the severe weather.

Council Bluffs, Iowa – The open burning ban in Pottawattamie County will be lifted later today and residents may resume open burning beginning Tuesday, March 8, 2022.

Pott. County Emergency Management Coordinator Doug Reed reports open burning is now allowable throughout the county EXCEPT in any municipal city limits where there is a standing ordinance prohibiting open burning on a regular basis. Before burning, check with your local fire department or city clerk to determine whether your community has such an ordinance.

Residents are to continue using extreme caution whenever burning. The recent rain and snow cover will provide temporary and likely short-term relief of dangerous fire conditions. The county is still significantly below precipitation averages, and it won’t take long for fuels to become extremely volatile under the right atmospheric conditions as we approach spring and planting season

(Radio Iowa) – Higher natural gas prices are bringing Iowans higher winter heating bills, as energy companies warned last fall. Bill Marquess, program planner for Iowa’s Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program or LI-HEAP, says he’s seen about a 20-percent increase in applications from last winter. Thanks to new federal funding, he says they provided an extra boost to participants.

“In addition to what individuals would normally get, which is determined by a benefit matrix that looks at different categories, types of fuel, do you own, do you rent, things like that,” Marquess says. “In addition to that, we just issued out supplemental payments at 40% of what that first payment was.” Marquess says the program can help people make ends meet when money is spread thin.

“When households are already struggling and facing hardships, and then you do put in this extreme weather that we’ve been having, which forces usage to go up, and then because of these other issues, the cost of usage is that much higher,” Marquess says. “It has definitely, I think, had a stronger impact for households, maybe than what they’re used to.” He says they also have financial assistance for crises, like when a furnace needs to be replaced.

In October, MidAmerican Energy told customers to expect natural gas bills to rise anywhere from 50 to 100-percent. A MidAmerican spokesperson says customers’ natural gas bills did rise this winter. The average heating bill this past December rose 108-percent.

(by Catherine Wheeler, Iowa Public Radio)

(Stuart, Iowa) – The drivers of two semi tractor-trailer trucks were injured when the vehicles collided Monday morning on I-80 near Stuart. The Iowa State Patrol reports both semi’s were westbound at around 10:35-a.m. in the right-hand lane, when a 2000 Western Star semi – driven by 42-year-old Marcus De Andre Sewell, of San Antonio, TX – failed to complete the lane change prior to making a pass.

The rig collided with the left rear of a 2019 Freightliner semi, driven by 30-year-old Jean Sahens, of Del Ray Beach, FL.  Both rigs came to rest in the traveled portion of the road, blocking westbound traffic.  The drivers were transported by Stuart Rescue to Mercy Hospital in Des Moines. Both were wearing their seat belts.

Traffic was detoured for about 3-hours at Stuart, while the wreckage was being clear.  As of early this afternoon, only the right lane remained blocked.

(Radio Iowa) – A legislative committee has voted to temporarily delay implementing a new state rule governing the care of livestock after major Iowa farm groups objected. The rule was originally scheduled to go into effect April 1st. It would have forced veterinarians to examine animals they’re prescribing drugs for or visit the site where the animals are being raised at least once in the past year. Eldon McAfee is an attorney for the Iowa Pork Producers Association. “By going to a hard and fast time deadline — within the past 12 months — affects our facilities quite a bit and we believe the best professional judgement should be respected on behalf of the veterinarians,” McAfee says.

Current rules call for timely and medically necessary visits, but Dr. Duane Ray, chairman of the Iowa Veterinary Medicine Board, says it’s time to put some teeth in the rule to protect animal health.  “To be quite honest with you, I’m a little stunned that the Pork Producers and the Farm Bureau are lobbying against this…The Iowa Veterinary Medicine Association is solidly behind this,” Dr. Ray said. “…We have hog producers managing veterinarians. That has to stop.” Dr. Ray says this is a critical time with African Swine Fever detected in the Dominican Republican and Haiti. “If we get African Swine Fever in Iowa, it’s going to make COVID look like a walk in the park,” Dr. Ray said. “…All swine movement stops for 72 hours. That means the packing houses shut down. All semis stop, so we need veterinarians in the field, familiar with these operations, so we can get this controlled.”

The board has been negotiating with the pork industry for a year over this new rule, according to Dr. Ray. “One of the veterinarians who represented one of the large corporate swine operations commented: ‘There’s no way I can physically get to all of my clients in 12 months,'” Dr. Ray said. “My response was: ‘Are they really your clients…If you can’t get on that farm for 30 minutes in 12 months…or are you just sitting in a corporate office signing scripts?'”

The legislature’s Administration Rules Review Committee voted to delay implementing the rule for 70 days, but committee members warned the commodity groups the rule will go into effect in June as is if they don’t engage in good faith negotiations. Representative Mike Sexton, a Republican from Rockwell City, says it’s become common practice for a case of antibiotics to accompany semi loads of pigs delivered to large scale confinements. “Those pigs aren’t sick,” Sexton says. “Nobody’s looked at those pigs. We’re just going to have a huge, onhand supply of registered antibiotics that a non-veterinarian is going to be able to administer. That’s the problem.”

Dr. Ray told legislators he’d been called to examine a sick calf and learned the farmer had treated the calf with antibiotics that came with a shipment of pigs, drugs that are not to be given to cattle.