TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — A child psychologist who was formerly the top administrator at a state hospital in Kansas is facing a federal lawsuit in Iowa involving sexual arousal experiments on residents at the Glenwood Resource Center, a state facility for people with intellectual disabilities. Jerry Rea conducted similar research in Kansas while running the Parsons State Hospital and Training Center.

The Kansas Department for Aging and Disability Services says its initial investigation of sexual arousal research in Kansas suggests ethics guidelines and proper protocols were followed. Six former employees filed the federal lawsuit Monday, alleging they were fired or forced to resign because they questioned Rea’s activities.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — The Iowa Senate has passed a resolution that would amend the Iowa Constitution to declare there is no right to an abortion in the state. The measure passed 32-18 with only Republican votes. It says the Iowa Constitution “shall not be construed to recognize, grant or secure a right to abortion or to require the public funding of abortion.”

It must pass in the House this year and the legislature again in 2021 or 2022 before it goes to a statewide vote. If voters eventually approve, the amendment would make it easier for lawmakers to pass abortion restrictions in Iowa.

The Red Oak Police Department reports the arrest on Thursday of 39-year-old Amanda Marie Graham of Red Oak for Domestic Abuse Assault. Graham was arrested at 302 Elm Street in Red Oak at about 2:19 p.m. Thursday. The incident for which she was arrested took place on Wednesday at approximately 7:00 p.m.

Graham was taken to the Montgomery County Jail and held on no bond until she goes before a magistrate judge.

DES MOINES – Today, Gov. Kim Reynolds signed SF 2144 which allocates over $21 million to flood recovery efforts and provides additional money to provide assistance to Glenwood Resource Center. SF 2144 passed both the Iowa House and Senate unanimously.

“These dollars will go to immediate needs for levee repairs and flood recovery as we prepare for this spring’s potential flooding impacts in Iowa,” said Gov. Reynolds. “I want to thank the Iowa Legislature for their swift bipartisan work to send this bill to my desk.”

This bill appropriates more than $21 million to the Flood Recovery Fund within the Department of Homeland Security and Emergency Management. Last year, Gov. Reynolds proposed and with legislative support funded $15 million into the fund. Those dollars went to critical flood recovery and redevelopment opportunities in communities impacted by the devastating floods of 2019.

SF 2144 also allocates $333,000 to the Department of Human Services to support their efforts to make changes at the Glenwood Resource Center. It will be used for clinical assessments by University of Iowa staff, expert evaluations, and to provide technical assistance on process and procedures.

“The legislation also appropriates money to DHS to support their ongoing efforts to make changes at Glenwood Resource Center.  I want to thank DHS Director Kelly Garcia for hitting the ground running on day one,” said Gov. Reynolds. “We know that we have a long way to go, but the residents, families, and our employees will always come first and foremost.”

SF 2144: an act relating to financial and regulatory matters by making supplementing appropriations for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2019.

COUNCIL BLUFFS, Iowa – Feb. 13, 2020 – Due to an overnight crash, southbound Interstate 29 will be closed at South Expressway for repairs tomorrow, Friday, February 14, from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m., weather permitting.

During the closure, southbound I-29 traffic is encouraged to use the eastbound I-80 Express (see map). Southbound I-29 Local traffic will need to exit at the South Expressway (Exit 49) and detour to U.S. 275, or find an alternate route.

The Iowa DOT reminds motorists to drive with caution, obey the posted speed limit and other signs in the work area, and be aware that traffic fines for moving violations are at least double in work zones. As in all work zones, drivers should stay alert, allow ample space between vehicles, and wear seat belts.

The Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office is seeking information in regards to a burglary that occurred early Thursday morning. The burglary occurred at Dickel Duit 2227 Highway 48 in Red Oak between about 3:10 a.m. and 3:15 a.m.

Investigators say two males broke glass to the front door of the building and stole over $10,000 in Stihl chainsaws, backpack leaf blowers, and a cut off saw. Two vehicles were observed parked on the highway during the incident. One vehicle is a late 90’s to early 2000’s dark colored Dodge Minivan and the other vehicle was unknown.

Anyone that has information about the burglary or who saw anything in the area is asked to call the Montgomery County Crime Stoppers at 1-888-434-2712 or 712-623-5107.

(Radio Iowa) — A bill has been introduced in the Iowa House in response to the recent case of more than 24-hundred fetal remains found in the garage and vehicle of an Indiana doctor who performed abortions. Tom Chapman of the Iowa Catholic Conference says burying the dead respectfully is important to the Catholic Church.

“Whether people oppose or support abortion, I think the least we can do is ensure that all human remains, including the bodily remains of all unborn children, are treated with dignity and respect,” Chapman said, “and I think this bill helps do that.” If the bill becomes law as currently written, the C-E-O of a medical facility must ask women who have a miscarriage, abortion or stillbirth to choose burial or cremation for the remains.

Daniel Zeno, a lobbyist for the American Civil Liberties Union of Iowa, says medical facilities already have trained staff ask these kinds of questions. “One of the things that happens in this bill is it deletes the word ‘fetus’ and replaces it with ‘bodily remains,'” Zeno says. “This is part of a bigger effort to define what life is.”

Connie Ryan of the Interfaith Alliance of Iowa told committee members she had a miscarriage and could not have coped with the decisions this bill forces on a woman who has lost a pregnancy. “All I wanted to do was go home and be in my bed and I did and I stayed there for three days,” Ryan says.

Representative Robert Bacon, a Republican from Slater, is a funeral director who supports the bill. “This is a human life that we’re talking about and the remains on this we need to treat with respect and care and we also need to care for everyone involved in this,” Bacon says. Bacon and another Republican on a House subcommittee have voted to advance the bill. It’s now eligible for consideration in the House Human Resources Committee.