Republicans in the Iowa House have voted to take the first step toward giving Iowans the opportunity to add a gun rights amendment to the state’s constitution. The same proposal would have to clear the legislature in 2019 or 2020 before Iowa voters could decide whether to add the gun rights language to the state’s constitution. If adopted, it requiring courts to strictly scrutinize any gun laws. Representative Skyler Wheeler, a Republican from Orange City, dismissed what he called “lawyer talk” criticizing that part of the proposal. “Whether you like it or not, we do have a fundamental individual right to keep and bear arms,” Wheeler said. “…And I like having a way to ensure that I keep that freedom against those who wish to strip that from me.”

Representative Liz Bennett, a Democrat from Cedar Rapids, called the proposal “extreme.” “Making it harder to keep guns out of the hands of people who shouldn’t have them instead of working for gun safety,” Nelson said. “When we’re talking about life and liberty, why aren’t we talking about the life and liberty of kids who have died in the classroom?” Representative Mary Wolfe, a Democrat from Clinton, said the proposal would open up a “Pandora’s box” of litigation. “And would, in my opinion, result in the finding that a lot of our current gun safety laws are, in fact, unconstitutional,” Wolfe said.

Representative Matt Windschitl, a Republican from Missouri Valley, says the proposal will put a halt to “government over-reach” when it comes to gun regulations. “If you just want to think I’m some crazy, gun-loving kook, fine. Have at that, but think about this: Voting ‘no’ on this here tonight is denying Iowans an opportunity to have their voice heard in what they want to have in their state constitution,” Windschitl said.

After three hours of debate, the House passed the proposal on a 54 to 42 vote. All 54 “yes” votes came from Republicans. Two Republicans — Representatives Dave Heaton of Mount Vernon and Andy McKean of Anamosa — joined all the Democrats in the House in voting no.

(Radio Iowa)

JUNEAU, Alaska (AP) — Philanthropist and Microsoft co-founder Paul Allen has announced that wreckage of a sunken military ship on which five brothers died in World War II has been discovered in the South Pacific. A spokeswoman for Allen confirms wreckage from the USS Juneau was found Saturday off the coast of the Solomon Islands. The ship was hit by Japanese torpedoes in 1942, killing hundreds of men, including the five Sullivan brothers from Waterloo, Iowa.

Allen has an expedition team that has reported finding wreckage of other ships, including the aircraft carrier USS Lexington, also sunk during World War II. The expedition team says in a statement it first identified the USS Juneau on Saturday using sonar technology and used a remotely operated underwater vehicle to verify the wreckage on Sunday.

Clarinda Police Chief Keith Brothers reports that eight students who escaped from the Clarinda Academy at around 12:10-a.m. today (Tuesday) by overpowering staff, were apprehended at various locations in the south and southwest part of Clarinda, and returned to the Clarinda Academy. Clarinda Police & the Clarinda Police Department K-9 were assisted by the Page County Sheriff’s Department, Page County Sheriff’s Department K-9-unit, Fremont County Sheriff’s Office K-9 Unit, Page County 911 Dispatch and Clarinda Academy staff with the apprehension of the students. An investigation into assaults on two members of the Clarinda Academy staff by the students is on-going and charges are pending upon completion of the investigation.

Established in 1992, Clarinda Academy is a residential foster care facility that provides residential treatment to at-risk and delinquent male and female youth from several states.

The Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office reports 40-year old Dixie Lou Hernandez, of Red Oak, was arrested at around 11:05-p.m. Monday, in Red Oak. Hernandez was taken into custody for driving with a suspended license. She was being held in the Montgomery County Jail on a little more than $566 bond. And, Red Oak Police, with assistance from Montgomery County Sheriff’s Deputies, arrested 40-year old Marjorie Denise Peshlakai, of Henderson, at around 1-a.m. today (Tuesday), for Violation of a No Contact Order. She was brought to the Montgomery County Jail and held on $300 bond.

Here is the latest Iowa news from The Associated Press at 3:50 a.m. CDT

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — A popular Democrat seeking to challenge U.S. Rep. David Young for Iowa’s third congressional district has failed to qualify for the primary after a last-minute effort to resubmit paperwork fell short. Businesswoman Theresa Greenfield says she resubmitted petition signatures Friday to be on the June 5 ballot after her now former campaign manager told her he forged some signatures. The Iowa Secretary of State’s Office announced Monday that Greenfield failed to submit enough signatures.

DUBUQUE, Iowa (AP) — A 20-year-old man has pleaded not guilty to charges that he drove onto and damaged the Iowa baseball field made famous by the 1989 “Field of Dreams” movie. The Telegraph Herald reports that Austin Pape, of Dyersville, entered a written plea before his arraignment scheduled for Monday in Dubuque. Court records say the owner estimated the damage at more than $5,500. The vehicle left deep gashes in the field and damaged sprinklers.

CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa (AP) — Police say a man found dead outside a Cedar Rapids house is suspected of shooting a man found inside the home. Officers were sent there around 4:40 a.m. Monday. They say the man found dead outside died of what appeared to be a self-inflicted gunshot. The man inside was taken to University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics in Iowa City. Their names haven’t been released.

JUNEAU, Alaska (AP) — Philanthropist and Microsoft co-founder Paul Allen has announced that wreckage of a sunken military ship on which five brothers died in World War II has been discovered in the South Pacific. A spokeswoman for Allen confirms wreckage from the USS Juneau was found Saturday on the sea floor, off the coast of the Solomon Islands. The ship was hit by Japanese torpedoes in 1942, killing hundreds of men, including the five Sullivan brothers from Waterloo, Iowa.