DES MOINES, Iowa (IOWA CAPITAL DISPATCH) – An Iowa Senate committee has rejected legislation that would prevent nursing homes from barring residents’ use of in-room cameras to guard against abuse or neglect. Senate Study Bill 3080 would allow a nursing home resident or their representative to conduct electronic monitoring of the resident’s room through the use of video cameras — sometimes called “granny cams” — placed inside the room with the consent of any roommates.

The bill was scheduled to be discussed Wednesday at a meeting of the Iowa Senate Committee on Technology, which is chaired by Sen. Charlie McClintock, a Republican from Alburnett. However, the bill was pulled from the agenda shortly before the meeting began. McClintock said Thursday the bill was removed from the agenda once the panel determined it did not have the support of a majority of the committee members.

Without the approval of the committee, the bill’s chances of making it to the floor of the Senate for a full debate are greatly diminished.  If the bill doesn’t advance, 2026 would mark at least the sixth year in a row such legislation has been rejected by state lawmakers. As in previous years, the granny-cam legislation is backed by Diane Hathaway, a Glenwood resident whose mother, Evelyn Havens, was twice hospitalized for severe dehydration, bed sores and an infection while living in an Iowa nursing home.

Although state inspectors would later determine Hathaway’s complaints about the nursing home were valid, the home had refused Hathaway’s request to place a camera in her mother’s room. After Havens’ death, Hathaway launched a campaign to win approval of legislation that would prevent Iowa care facilities from barring the use of cameras. “Nursing homes need to be held accountable to fulfill their legal obligation to deliver compassionate, quality care to each and every resident,” Hathaway said Thursday. “This bill would have provided a necessary first step for ongoing reforms.”

Publicly, industry lobbyists have said they fear resident-owned cameras will create invasion-of-privacy issues for residents — although many Iowa nursing homes have for years used their own surveillance cameras in hallways and common areas to monitor both residents and workers. In fact, state inspectors have repeatedly relied on such footage to document instances of abuse and neglect – even in state-run care facilities.

Nationally, at least 22 states have passed laws concerning residents’ use of cameras in nursing homes, and at least 16 of those states give residents the express right to use such cameras regardless of the homes’ corporate polices. Some states, such as New Jersey, have gone even further, setting up camera-rental programs run out of the state attorney general’s office. Other states allow nursing home operators to prohibit the use of resident-owned cameras, as Iowa now does.

(Radio Iowa) – Governor Kim Reynolds is proposing new taxes and tax hikes on smoking products that she says are a key factor in Iowa’s high rate of lung cancer.  “We know that’s a known cause of lung cancer and I think it’s something that we need to take very seriously,” Reynolds said. “…National statistics say that 80% of lung cancer is caused by tobacco and when we’re looking at all the other levers, I don’t think we can set that out when it’s 80% of the narrative.”

Reynolds invited University of Iowa researchers to Des Moines yesterday (Thursday) to release preliminary data from their study of what may be contributing to Iowa’s troubling rate of new cancer cases. “This work will have a lasting impact on our state and I appreciate the commitment of everyone involved,” Reynolds said. “…This is how transformation begins — not just with talk, but with action and when it comes to fighting cancer, Iowans deserve nothing less.”

Reynolds proposes raising the state tax on a pack of cigarettes to the national average, which is just over two dollars a pack. Reynolds is recommending that the state start charging a 15 percent tax on vaping products and consumable hemp products. She’s also called for eliminating certain dyes and additives from food served in Iowa schools as well as requiring physicians to complete a nutrition course as part of the continuing education requirements for Iowa medical licenses.

“Today’s research findings make it very clear how important healthy behaviors are for the overall health and well-being,” Reynolds said, “and my bill aims to really amplify that message.” The University of Iowa’s cancer research is focusing on the most common types of cancer and has found Iowa has more cases of late-stage lung cancer than other states. “The numbers aren’t good for lung cancer, they’re really not,” Reynolds said, “and it’s hard to detect.”

The governor’s husband was diagnosed with what she describes as a fast-growing form of lung cancer in September of 2023.  “I don’t think probably if it hadn’t metastasized to the spine and he was in so much pain, I’m not sure we would have found it soon enough and Kevin doesn’t smoke,” Reynolds said. “He’s never smoked. He’s pretty trim and fit.”

Kevin Reynolds underwent immunotherapy that shrunk the tumor in six weeks and his cancer is in remission.

(Radio Iowa) – People convicted of several serious crimes would face a minimum 20-year prison sentence without parole under a bill advancing in the Iowa House. Mahaska County Attorney Andrew Ritland says he’s prosecuted people with more than 10 separate felony convictions, but each sentence was no more than a year or two.

“So I do appreciate the intent of the bill,” Ritland said. “I appreciate holding people who clearly do not care about following the law to a higher account.” Wayne Ford, a former member of the Iowa House, says he and others worked hard to reduce the racial disparity in Iowa prisons after a 2007 report found the ratio of blacks to whites in Iowa prisons was highest in the nation. He’s urging lawmakers to reject the mandatory 20 year sentences for habitual violent offenders.

“I do not out of disagreement with the committee’s intent, but out of concern that expanding mandatory sentencing risks going back to number one,” Ford said. The Iowa State Sheriffs’ and Deputies’ Association supports the bill. A lobbyist for the group says the bill would help address repeat offenders by sending a clear signal they face spending two full decades in prison.

The bill has cleared a House subcommittee.

(Radio Iowa) – University of Iowa researchers have released phase one of their search to identify some of the reasons Iowa has the second highest rate of newly diagnosed cancers in the United States. The group examined demographic factors and behaviors like smoking and binge drinking — and found Iowa has similar demographic factors to Wisconsin, Minnesota, the Dakotas and Nebraska. Dr. Mary Charlton, director of the Iowa Cancer Registry, says Iowa’s cancer rate — however — is slightly higher than the region’s.

“I did want to call out our incidence rates for lung cancer. This is one cancer for which we are not like our neighbors,” she said. “We have a higher rate…and the difference seems to be widening and unfortunately this plays out into lung cancer having a higher mortality rate in Iowa than in our neighboring states.” Breast cancer, skin cancer and prostate cancer have been increasing more steeply in Iowa since 2013.

“Colon cancer is higher in Iowa compared to the U.S., but it has been decreasing at about the same rate as in the U.S.,” she said. “While lung cancer is decreasing in both Iowa and the U.S., it is decreasing at a much slower rate in Iowa and the difference continues to widen over time.” Dr. Jacob Oleson, a professor of biostatistics in the University of Iowa College of Public Health, says they’re still digging through the data, but 87 of Iowa’s 99 counties have cancer rates that are significantly higher than the national trend.

“In year two, we’ll continue the analysis of environmental and genetic data as well as evidence-based prevention programs,” Oleson said. Governor Reynolds says cancer is a complex disease and the research is showing there’s not one single cause driving Iowa’s cancer rate. “When someone you love gets sick it’s natural to put all of your energy and resources into one thing that might stop it from happening again,” Reynolds said, “and I wish the answer was that simple.”

The governor’s husband, who has never been a smoker, was diagnosed with lung cancer in September of 2023. A year later the governor announced Kevin Reynolds’ cancer was not curable, but is in remission.

(Radio Iowa) – Four people were hurt late last (Wednesday) night after a theft that led to a high-speed chase in central Iowa. Des Moines police responded to a convenience store shortly before midnight on a report of a hit-and-run. Officers found an injured store employee who said two men and a woman came in, stole beer and ran out. When the worker chased after them, he was hit by their car.

Two minutes later, the suspect vehicle was spotted and sped away from a police cruiser, starting a pursuit. Another minute later, the suspect’s car hit a tree. All three occupants were injured. Their ages range from 23 to 30.

Police say all four people hurt should survive, while all three suspects will face charges upon release from the hospital.

(Atlantic, IA) – Atlantic Community School District Superintendent, Dr. Beth Johnsen, today (Thursday), issued a statement regarding a matter involving a District staff member. The statement is as follows:

“The Atlantic Community School District is providing the following factual update regarding a recent personnel matter, while maintaining the confidentiality requirements of lowa law. On Sunday, January 18, 2026, the district received a phone call from a parent raising concerns about a staff member. That same day, district administration placed the staff member on administrative leave to allow the district to conduct an investigation consistent with district policy and best practice.

“School administrators gathered information in the days that followed. During this period, the district was advised by its legal counsel, the lowa Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), and the Atlantic Police Department to refrain from public comment or action while their respective investigations were ongoing. The district acted consistent with this advice in order to preserve the integrity of any ongoing investigations.

“The district has since been informed that the Atlantic Police Department continues its investigation. As of this time, the district has not received additional information or findings from law enforcement. The district will continue to cooperate with law enforcement during their investigation.

“With any investigation into the conduct of a staff member, the district works collaboratively with DHHS, the lowa Board of Educational Examiners (BOEE), and the Atlantic Police Department as appropriate. DHHS is responsible for investigating child abuse allegations and has concluded its investigation with a finding of unfounded child abuse. DHHS is responsible for investigating specific concerns involving students. If the alleged conduct does not meet their definition, then they do not pursue an investigation. The BOEE oversees educator licensure matters, and school districts may report concerns to the BOEE to investigate and handle. BOEE licensing matters are separate from any district investigation, DHHS investigation, or law enforcement investigation. The Atlantic Police Department investigates potential criminal acts. Both agencies will continue their work independently.

“Following the conclusion of any district investigation into the conduct of a staff member, the district may issue disciplinary consequences up to and including ending the staff member’s employment, either through resignation or termination. Once a staff member submits their resignation, district officials and the Board must consider whether to accept the resignation, thereby ending the staff member’s employment. The decision about accepting a staff member’s resignation is separate from any procedures occurring with any state entity, such as DHHS or the BOEE, and with law enforcement.

“All personnel decisions made by the district are governed by lowa Code, which strictly limits. what information may be shared publicly during investigations in order to protect student safety and to provide staff required due process. The district is aware of misinformation and speculation circulating on social media and in the media. When the employee was hired, the district followed all required hiring procedures, including background and reference checks. The district takes these procedures seriously, and would not hire an applicant who had a history of concerning conduct directed at students. At the time of hire, no concerns of the nature currently being discussed were reported from previous school districts. Following recent allegations, the district conducted follow-up communication with prior employers, who confirmed no known concerns at the time of prior employment. Any information under review remains allegations, and the district continues to proceed carefully and appropriately.

“Earlier, when unrelated concerns were raised, the district conducted a review that did not identify policy violations but did result in clarified expectations. These actions reflect the district’s commitment to student safety and professional standards. The district must also address reports of harassment, threats, and aggressive behavior toward school employees and Board members. This conduct is unacceptable and will not be tolerated on school property or at school activities. While questions and concerns are understandable, staff safety and respectful engagement are non-negotiable. District officials will remove any individual who engages in such behavior. The district also reminds community members that secured building procedures must be followed at all times outside of public events to ensure student and staff safety.

“The Atlantic Community School District remains committed to doing what is right for our school community, even in difficult circumstances. We take concerns regarding staff conduct very seriously and act consistent with the advice of legal counsel and our requirements under the law. We ask for patience as appropriate processes continue and for our community to remain focused on our students, their education, and their well-being.  The district will continue to communicate responsibly and within the bounds of the law as more information becomes available.

“At this time, the district has not received additional information from law enforcement and acting on the advice of district legal counsel, the Board of Education has taken steps to end employment through resignation or termination, while awaiting information from BOEE and law enforcement. The Atlantic Community School District remains committed to student safety, professional accountability, and transparent communication within the limits of the law. We ask for patience as appropriate processes continue.”

(Clarinda, IA) – Clarinda Police Chief Keith Brothers reports a man was arrested today (Thursday) on a warrant associated with the State’s Sex Offender Registry. 47-year-0ld Adam Wayne Morris, of Clarinda, was arrested by Page County Sheriff’s Deputies on the warrant issued by the Page County Magistrate Court.

The warrant, Brothers said, was based on a complaint filed by the Clarinda Police Department alleging Violation of an Exclusionary Zone, while Morris is listed on the Iowa Sex Offender Registry. His arrest stems from an incident that occurred at the Clarinda City Park on Sunday, Feb. 1st, and a resulting investigation by the Clarinda P-D. Morris was being held in the Page County Jail on a $2,000 bond.

A criminal complaint contains allegations that a defendant has committed a crime. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.