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Here’s the path forward to protecting Iowa farmers and Iowa property rights | Opinion

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Here’s the path forward to protecting Iowa farmers and Iowa property rights | Opinion



Iowa needs a compromised approach to eminent domain.

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  • Michael Brixius is a pharmacist and the current Story County GOP organizational chair.

Iowa has an important question to answer: How do we balance keeping Iowa’s farmers and ethanol industry competitive with the fundamental protection of private property? The proposed carbon capture pipelines, like Summit Carbon Solutions’, force this question into the forefront.

While those in favor of the pipeline view such projects as vital for Iowa’s ethanol industry, the reality is far more complex, driven by private gain and misdirected environmental concern.

The crux of the issue is the controversial use of eminent domain. Historically reserved for public infrastructure like roads and schools, its application for a private, for-profit pipeline has unfortunately been upheld in federal court. These projects are fueled by billions in federal 45Q tax credits, turning taxpayer dollars into private profits.

Even more concerning, a majority of the captured carbon is slated for Enhanced Oil Recovery (EOR), effectively using public subsidies to extract more fossil fuels — a practice that unequivocally undermines genuine carbon reduction goals and highlights the costly, inefficient nature of these pipelines for true climate action.

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Yet, one must acknowledge the challenging position of Iowa’s ethanol industry. Facing competition and the necessity to access low-carbon fuel markets like California’s, our ethanol plants feel economically compelled to participate in these projects. It’s a bitter pill: being “forced to play the game” to remain competitive (some estimates calculate a reduction of $0.75 per bushel of corn without the pipeline), even if the means raise profound concerns about property rights — in addition to the aforementioned dubious utility of carbon capture pipelines. This is an unfortunate, but necessary Faustian bargain that must be carefully measured.

Iowa needs a compromised approach to eminent domain. First, mandate a high threshold of voluntary easements of 80% to 90% before eminent domain can be considered. This at least forces the opportunity for genuine negotiation and significantly strengthens landowners’ property rights. Given that these negotiations are frequently far from good faith, such a mandate is necessary.

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Second, for the few remaining landowners facing condemnation (if that high threshold is met), mandate enhanced compensation, at least 125% of the appraised fair market value. “Fair market value” is almost always insufficient, failing to account for the  long-term impacts on farming operations, soil health, or the inherent coercion of an involuntary taking. Drawing inspiration from models in other states, this multiplier ensures landowners are more justly compensated for contributing to a private entity’s profit, especially in a project whose viability is heavily subsidized by taxpayers.

This approach allows Iowa’s agricultural industries to remain competitive, while stemming eminent domain abuse. We must respect private property rights, keep Iowa’s ethanol industry competitive, and ensure that private gain does not come at the undue expense of Iowa’s landowners.

Michael Brixius is a pharmacist and the current Story County GOP organizational chair.

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Two Iowans sentenced to prison for creating child pornography

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Two Iowans sentenced to prison for creating child pornography


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Two Iowans will spend decades in federal prison after pleading guilty to separate child exploitation offenses.

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Martin Menjivar, 59, of Iowa City, was sentenced Thursday, March 26, to 42 years in prison after pleading guilty to sexual exploitation of a child and child pornography possession. It comes days after Pry’Shayn Mosley, 21, of Fort Dodge was sentenced to 25 years for exploitation and receipt of child pornography.

Iowa City man picked up children from school, abused them

Menjivar, a citizen of Honduras, was charged in May 2025. In court filings, prosecutors say Menjivar was entrusted to pick up children, some as young as 5, from their elementary school and bring them to his wife’s home for after-school babysitting. In at least two cases, Mejivar used that access to get children alone and touch them inappropriately, recording the interaction on video.

Investigators reportedly found dozens of illicit images and videos on Menjivar’s electronic devices. Menjivar also previously worked as a school photographer in Honduras, and investigators found he had hundreds of photos from his former employment that focused on children’s clothed genitals.

“Defendant’s horrific actions of creating and collecting child pornography show violence against young, vulnerable children and a severe danger to the community,” prosecutors wrote in presentence filings.

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Menjivar also has been charged in Johnson County with second-degree sexual abuse against two different children, apparently in relation to the same conduct. That case remains pending, with a plea hearing scheduled in May.

Fort Dodge man gets 25 years for enticing children

Mosley, who was sentenced March 23, was charged in January 2025. Prosecutors alleged that in 2022, he enticed two minors to engage in sexually explicit conduct, photographed or recorded it, and distributed the resulting pornography to others, including additional children.

In addition, during a warrant search that located drugs, guns and electronic devices containing child pornography, Mosley tried to get a juvenile at the scene to conceal drugs from the investigators.

Mosley pleaded guilty to sexual exploitation and receiving child pornography. Additional drug, pornography and exploitation charges were dismissed as part of a plea deal.

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Menjivar was prosecuted by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Iowa, while Mosley’s case was handled by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Iowa. Attorneys for Menjivar and Mosley did not immediately return messages Thursday seeking comment.

William Morris covers courts for the Des Moines Register. He can be contacted at wrmorris2@registermedia.com or 715-573-8166.



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Jada Williams among eight Iowa State players headed to transfer portal

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Jada Williams among eight Iowa State players headed to transfer portal


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Iowa State’s first-round exit from the 2026 Women’s NCAA Tournament has triggered a mass exodus, with a reported eight players leaving the team to enter the transfer portal.

Junior forward Addy Brown announced her decision to “move on” from Iowa State and enter the transfer portal in a social media post on Tuesday, March 24.

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“This decision comes after a lot of thought about my future and goals,” Brown wrote in a post shared to social media. “While it’s never easy to move on, I believe this is the right step for me and I’m excited for what’s ahead as I continue to grow and chase my dreams.”

By Thursday, March. 26, several other players followed suit. Junior guard Jada Williams confirmed she’ll be “pursuing my dreams elsewhere” for her senior season. She added in a social media post, “Iowa State will always have a place in my heart and I’ll never forget the Iowa State way.”

Williams transferred to Iowa State for the 2025-26 season after playing for Arizona for the first two years of her career. William averaged career-highs in points (15.3), assists (7.7) and field goal percentage (41.7) in her lone season at Iowa State.

Iowa State freshman guard Reese Beaty, freshman guard Freya Jensen, sophomore guard Reagan Wilson, sophomore guard Aili Tanke, junior forward Alisa Williams and junior center Lilly Taulelei all intend to enter the transfer portal, according to On3’s Talia Goodman.

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The transfer portal opens on Monday, April 6, following the NCAA Tournament championship game on Sunday, April 5.

Could Iowa State junior center Audi Crooks be next? Crooks declined to answer whether she would return next season following Iowa State’s 72-63 loss to Syracuse on Saturday, March 21. She instead said, “We’re all still processing everything and just being there for each other right now is the priority. That’s the main thing, making sure everybody is mentally OK through this tough time.”

Crooks had 37 points (17-of-25 FG) and five rebounds in the losing effort against Syracuse.

Reach USA TODAY National Women’s Sports Reporter Cydney Henderson at chenderson@usatoday.com and follow her on X at@CydHenderson.

The USA TODAY app gets you to the heart of the news — fast. Download for award-winning coverage, crosswords, audio storytelling, the eNewspaper and more.

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