Iowa
Iowa Senate OKs bill helping Boy Scout sex abuse survivors recoup more money in settlement
Iowa Boy Scouts who were sexually abused as children will be able to recover more money through a national bankruptcy settlement under a bill passed Tuesday by the Iowa Senate.
The Senate voted 46-0 Tuesday to pass Senate File 2431, sending it to the House for consideration.
“Although it’s not going to be able to take away the true pain that happened years ago, hopefully this will give a little bit of relief to their lives going forward,” said Sen. Tim Kraayenbrink, R-Fort Dodge, the bill’s floor manager.
Hundreds of Iowans are part of a national 2020 bankruptcy settlement agreement with the Boy Scouts of America, which designates a $2.46 billion fund to settle decades of sexual abuse cases from over 82,000 victims who were abused by Boy Scout troop leaders.
But because of Iowa’s strict statute of limitations, former Boy Scouts from Iowa are at risk of losing out on millions of dollars unless the state changes its law.
The legislation removes the statute of limitations for claims related to child sexual abuse only for people who are part of the 2020 bankruptcy settlement.
More: Iowa looks to change statute of limitations law to help Boy Scout sexual abuse survivors
Without the law change, Iowans would be at a disadvantage because the settlement uses a matrix of factors to determine how much victims can be paid. They include how much abuse the victim suffered, how long it lasted and the state’s statute of limitations on sexual abuse claims.
Iowa’s statute of limitations on civil claims requires child sexual abuse victims to file suit by the time they turn 19. Or, if the abuse is discovered after the victim becomes an adult, the claim must be filed within four years of when they make the connection between their abuse and their injuries.
Sen. Janet Petersen, D-Des Moines, said the bill will prevent Iowa abuse survivors from being financially penalized simply because their abuse occurred in Iowa.
“I also want to thank all of the Iowans who I know are listening — I’m hearing them on my phone — who shared their stories with lawmakers, painful stories, requesting our help to prevent a system that failed to protect them as children from harming them again as grown-ups,” she said.
More: Iowa sex abuse victim in Boy Scouts case could be among hundreds shortchanged by state law
The bill passed Tuesday by the Senate only applies to people who are part of the Boy Scouts of America settlement. It does not change the current civil statute of limitations law for other survivors of child sexual abuse.
In 2021, Iowa lawmakers removed the statute of limitations for filing criminal charges in child sexual abuse cases, but left in place the strict limit on civil lawsuits.
Stephen Gruber-Miller covers the Iowa Statehouse and politics for the Register. He can be reached by email at sgrubermil@registermedia.com or by phone at 515-284-8169. Follow him on Twitter at @sgrubermiller.
MADISON, Wis. (WMTV) – After a snake was found dead on the side of the road in Iowa County, the Sheriff’s Office said the snake’s owner has reached out to their agency.
The Iowa County Sheriff’s Office said the snake was found along County Highway Z, north of Hillside School.
Iowa County officials believe the snake had a medical emergency at a veterinary clinic and died. Sheriff Michael Peterson said the snake was supposed to be buried, but was instead put on the side of the rural road.
Sheriff Peterson said Iowa County Sheriff’s Office staff will reach back out to the owner. The agency will also get help from the Iowa County District Attorney’s Office.
Officials said the snake is not native to Wisconsin and they believed it was being kept in captivity before it was abandoned.
The sheriff’s office did not specify the species of the snake but described it as “very large.”
Iowa County Sheriff’s Office thanked Arena Fire Chief Todd Pinkham and others who helped remove the animal from the side of the road.
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Copyright 2026 WMTV. All rights reserved.
IOWA CITY, Iowa (KCRG) – Nearly 30 clergy members from the Iowa City region released a statement following a shooting at the Ped Mall, urging community members to come together to heal and condemning racist comments online.
“To post racist and hateful comments in response to the events of April 19 is completely unproductive, unhelpful, unkind, and wrong. As faith leaders in this community, we unequivocally condemn both the violence on April 19 and the violence of online racist comments,” the statement said in part.
Police are searching for a suspect accused of shooting into a crowd at the Iowa City Ped Mall on Sunday.
Suspect faces attempted murder charges
17-year-old Damarian Jones, of Cedar Rapids, faces several charges including five counts of attempted murder, three counts of willful injury causing serious injury, two counts of willful injury causing bodily injury, and one count of going armed with intent.
Police say Jones was involved in a fight at 1:45 a.m. Sunday morning with 40 other people. In a lull in the fight, police said Jones retrieved a gun from another person and then fired six shots into the crowd, hitting five people.
None of the five victims were part of the fight, according to police. A female who was shot in the head remains in critical condition.
Community members say they still feel safe
People living and working in downtown Iowa City say they still feel safe despite the shooting. Iowa City police say the number of shootings have trended down over the last year.
University of Iowa Police will send four additional officers to help patrol downtown during peak hours Friday and Saturday nights.
Cooper Brown, co-owner of the Kitty Corner Social Club, said what happened last Sunday was rare and a random act of violence.
“Even then the circumstances I don’t think are likely to be replicated. This has not changed how I feel about downtown Iowa City in any capacity. I think anyone who is freaking out about the safety of Iowa City probably doesn’t frequent it,” Brown said.
Police have not released any new information about the ongoing investigation since a news conference Wednesday. They say they expect more arrests and charges.
The full statement can be found here.
Copyright 2026 KCRG. All rights reserved.
Audi Crook on her mindset for senior year and the 2027 WNBA Draft class
USAT’s Sam Cardona-Norberg catches with with college basketball star Audi Crooks and where her mind is at as she prepares for her last season.
Sports Seriously
The Iowa State women’s basketball roster looks a whole lot different than it did two months ago.
Since the conclusion of the 2025-26 season, nine players have decided to leave Ames and transfer to a new school. That included some of the Cyclones’ biggest stars like Audi Crooks, Addy Brown and Jada Williams.
As of April 23, all nine of the former Cyclones have found new homes. Scroll below to see where each of them will play during the 2026-27 season.
Where did Audi Crooks transfer?
The rising senior All-American has announced her transfer to Big 12 rival Oklahoma State.
Where did Addy Brown transfer to?
Brown, who averaged 11.9 points and 8.8 boards per game, announced Thursday that she will be transferring to national title winners UCLA.
Where did Jada Williams transfer to?
After one season in Ames, Williams announced that she is transferring to LSU.
Where did Kenzie Hare transfer to?
Hare will play for Indiana next season, she announced.
Where did Alisa Williams transfer to?
Williams will join Hare in Bloomington, having signed with the Hoosiers.
Where did Reese Beaty transfer to?
Beaty, a Tennessee native, returns to SEC country after having signed with Mississippi State.
Where did Lilly Taulelei transfer to?
The New Zealand native will play her final season of college basketball at Rice.
Where did Reagan Wilson transfer to?
The rising junior guard will head to the MAC and play for Toledo next season.
Where did Aili Tanke transfer to?
The former Johnston High School star will continue her college career out west, committing to Nevada.
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