IOWA CITY, Iowa (AP) — The Republican-controlled Iowa House is denying press credentials to an influential liberal blogger who has covered the Legislature for years. Laura Belin, who operates the Bleeding Heartland blog , said the House chief clerk hasn’t cited any valid reason for the denial, which she suspects is tied to her critical coverage of Republican leaders and policies. Belin, who has reported on the Legislature since 2007, has appealed the decision and is considering legal action.

Belin applied for formal credentials for the first time to cover this session, which would grant her work space and easier access to briefings with key lawmakers, among other things. Staff in the Republican-controlled Iowa Senate indicated that her request would be granted for that chamber. But Carmine Boal, the chief clerk of the Iowa House, told Belin in a Jan. 3 email that “press credentials are not issued to members of the public.” Esteemed Iowa news executive Michael Gartner has praised Belin’s political reporting and national publications have recognized her work. She routinely breaks news and writes in-depth analyses of legislation and campaigns. While the Legislature is in session, her blog typically gets 1,500 or more unique daily visitors, including lawmakers, staffers and other insiders.

Belin is open about her liberal views and compares herself to reporters for left-leaning publications such as Mother Jones and The Nation. Iowa House rules do not define who qualifies as a member of the press and other non-traditional outlets have been granted credentials in the past. She has been critical of Democratic lawmakers, as well, including pieces in which she called for the resignation of a Democratic senator accused of sexual misconduct and criticized some Democratic legislators for not raising enough money to help their party compete with the GOP.

Boal told Belin in a follow-up email about the denial that the House has used Congressional rules governing press galleries for guidance. But those rules wouldn’t appear to bar Belin, either, as they require credentials to be granted to applicants who are engaged in news reporting. Belin has asked Boal to reconsider the decision several times over the last three weeks, but Boal hasn’t responded. Belin, whose late father founded one of Iowa’s most prominent law firms, says she has consulted with an attorney about taking legal action but hopes it doesn’t come to that. She said the slight isn’t going to affect her coverage of the Legislature, which started its session earlier this month.

SIOUX CITY, Iowa (AP) — An autopsy has been ordered on the body of a woman found inside a fire-damaged hotel room in Sioux City. Police say officers found 40-year-old Elizabeth Bockholt in the Wingate Hotel room Thursday night, and medics were unable to resuscitate her. She was pronounced at the scene. She lived in Hinton. Police and fire officials are investigating.

DUBUQUE, Iowa (AP) — The extra-cold weather brought out extra volunteers at an eastern Iowa shelter for homeless men. Gwen Kirchhof is executive director of Almost Home in downtown Dubuque, and she had not yet made it from her rural home to the shelter Friday morning, saying “the wind has blown my road closed with snow.” She says the extra volunteers were a blessing because the shelter’s dozen beds were full overnight and the men needed what she called “compassionate care” for their well-being: nutrition, health, clothing, shelter, employment. Kirchhof says the shelter can hand out free bus passes, “but it’s too cold to stand out waiting for a bus.” The temperature outside hovered around minus 11, with a wind child of minus 19.

(Radio Iowa) — The parents of a missing Marshalltown teen held a news conference at the city library to ask for help in finding their son. Thirteen-year-old Corey Brown left his home late Tuesday night, apparently after a discussion with his parents, who took away his cellphone as punishment. His dad Craig Brown spoke directly to his son. “Corey, if you are out there bud, you are not in trouble. Just come home,” Brown said. “And if anybody has any information, you are not going to get into trouble either. Just please call the Marshalltown Police Department. We love you bud.”

Corey Brown

Corey’s mom Michelle was emotional as she made a plea to her son. “You know how much I love you and I am not going to stop until we find you. If you are out there, please come home. We love you more than you will ever now,” his mom said. She also appealed to anyone who may know where Corey is. “And parents — if this was your child you would want them home too — so please do the right thing and call the police department. Get Corey home to us. Please,” Brown said. “I love you Corey. Come home.”

Anyone with information is encouraged to call Marshalltown Police Department at 641-754-5725 or Crime Stoppers at 641-753-1234. Information can also be sent by texting the word “marshall” with any information to 274637 or online at www.marshallcountycs.com.