Iowa

Iowa Senate OKs bill helping Boy Scout sex abuse survivors recoup more money in settlement

Published

1 year ago

April 9, 2024

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.

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Iowa

Iowa loses seat on panel directing 2028 Democratic nominating calendar

Published

15 hours ago

June 6, 2025

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Iowa loses seat on panel directing 2028 Democratic nominating calendar | The Gazette

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Valley boys hang on for win over Ankeny in Iowa high school soccer state semifinals

Published

1 day ago

June 6, 2025

Press Room

Valley boys hang on for win over Ankeny in Iowa high school soccer state semifinals

Sixty-six seconds.

That’s how long it took for Valley to score against Ankeny in the Class 4A semifinal of the Iowa high school boys state soccer tournament on June 5.

The goal came off the foot of Eric Foust, who cut around his defender and sent a cross-box shot past the goaltender and into the left side of the net. Less than two minutes into the game, the Tigers were up 1-0.

And that one-goal lead stood until the final buzzer, marking the seventh-straight shutout for Valley’s defense and the fourth-straight for Tigers goaltender Alexander Poitan.

Top-seeded Valley defeated Ankeny, and the Tigers advanced to the June 6 state title game, where they will face reigning back-to-back champion Johnston.

“We needed that goal right away,” said head coach Aziz Haffar postgame. “And I’m so proud of Alex, and every defender that came in. We found a way to get it done. It’s amazing.”

The action leveled out after Foust’s opening goal, but Valley remained on the offensive for most of the first half. The Tigers’ best shot at another goal came on back-to-back corners late in the first half.

With just over 12 minutes before halftime, Pablo Mendez took a corner kick for the Tigers. One teammate headed the ball, then Britton Morrow directed another header toward the net. Ankeny goalie Jackson Dockendorff tapped the ball over the net to relieve the pressure.

Mendez lined up for the corner kick, again, and Dockendorff left the goal open during the resulting scrum. Colton Horn let off a shot for Valley, but Hawks’ defender Henry McMillan was in the right place at the right time and blocked the attempt.

The deflection went out of bounds, and Valley was awarded another corner. Valley missed a header attempt – with the ball soaring over and past the player’s head – and Ankeny managed to clear the ball.

After the three consecutive corners, the excitement died down.

Both teams kept each other on their toes, but Valley held onto its 1-0 lead at halftime.

That single goal proved enough to win the game, although both teams had plenty of opportunities. But there was a moment in the second half that impacted the game.

Less than five minutes into the second half, Alex Mirsky went to collect the ball at the same time that an Ankeny defender went for a tackle. The Hawks’ player took down Mirsky on the play, and the Valley senior needed to be stretchered off the field.

Haffar believes Mirsky broke his leg, he told the Des Moines Register postgame.

“Obviously, that’s emotion to go through, to be honest with you,” Haffar said. “It was very emotional. I met with the guys and I said, ‘Listen, we’re not going to retaliate, we’re going to play soccer, and we’ve got to play the game like it should be. So, I was very proud of them.”

There was no retaliation, but there was tension building between the two Central Iowa Metropolitan League (CIML) opponents.

Two players – Austin Lundberg from Ankeny and Cristian Catalan from Valley – received red cards for separate calls in the final minute and seven seconds of the match.

Under Iowa high school rules, a player who receives a red card must sit out the next game, so the Tigers will be without Catalan – who started 19-of-21 games this season, according to GoBound – for the state title game.

“We were not going to practice tomorrow, but we’re going to go through some stuff that we need to do,” Haffar said. “I’m very proud of these guys. I know somebody will step up to the plate and play the game the way they know how to do it.”

Alyssa Hertel is the college sports recruiting reporter for the Des Moines Register. Contact Alyssa at ahertel@dmreg.com or on Twitter @AlyssaHertel.

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Pride events span across Iowa for 2025. Find ways to celebrate LGBTQ+ Iowans near you.

Published

2 days ago

June 5, 2025

Press Room

Pride events span across Iowa for 2025. Find ways to celebrate LGBTQ+ Iowans near you.

Who’s ready to celebrate? June marks Pride Month and LGBTQ+ Iowans across the state will be celebrating their community’s history and culture with plenty of parades and events throughout the month.

Here’s where to find LGBTQ+ community events across Iowa in June.

(Events are organized in chronological order)

SUX Pride

Sioux City is celebrating Pride the first weekend of June, with a diversity march, main stage acts, vendor booths, food trucks, story times and more. Saturday night, all events are 21+.

When: 7 p.m. on June 5, 5 p.m. on June 6 and 11 a.m. on June 7

Where: Virginia and Fourth Street, Sioux City on June 5 and 6, Sioux City Convention Center on June 7

Quad Cities Pride Festival

The Quad Cities are bringing a weekend packed with entertainment. From a Pride Choir and dance party, to DJs and drag queens, or vendors and activities, they’ll have it all. Passes start at $10 for daily admission.

When: 4 p.m. on June 6, 12 p.m. on June 7

Where: Schwiebert Riverfront Park, Rock Island, Illinois

Capital City PrideFest

Capital City Pride is celebrating it 46th PrideFest in Des Moines. The three-day event is hosted in the heart of the Historic East Village and will feature local drag queens, DJ performances, full festival activities like games and vendors and much more.

When: 5 p.m. on June 6, 9 a.m. on June 7, 10 a.m. on June 8

Where: East Village of Des Moines

Dubuque Pride Festival

Dubuque is celebrating the LGBTQ+ community with performances, local vendors, food trucks and plenty of family-friendly fun at their festival. The event is free, and welcomes all ages.

When: 12-5 p.m. on June 7

Where: Town Clock Plaza, downtown Dubuque

Annual Ottumwa Pride Block Party

Celebrating its fifth year, the Ottomwa Pride Block Party is switching things up for an afternoon of fun in the sun. Soak in the pool and positive energy and celebrate love and inclusivity.

When: 4-10 p.m. on June 7
Where: The Beach Ottumwa

Bi-State Unity Pride Parade

The annual Quad City Unity Pride Parade is back. The parade links Iowa and Illinois by crossing the Mississippi River using the Centennial Bridge.

When: 11 a.m., June 14
Where: Starts at Chill Ice Cream & Eats (421 River Drive, Davenport)

Let Love Fly

Kites will soar over North Liberty in honor of Pride. There will also be activities and giveaways from community groups. All ages are welcome.

When: 11 a.m. – 3 p.m. on June 14
Where: Centennial Park, North Liberty

Des Moines People’s Pride

A community-based and centered event, Des Moines People’s Pride is back for its third year and will consist of local vendors, artists and performers. “The purpose of DSM People’s Pride is to be a safe, inclusive event for all people in our community, which means maintaining a cop-free space and requiring masking,” according to its website.

When: Noon – 4 p.m., June 14
Where: Water Works Park (2201 George Flagg Parkway, Des Moines)

Burlington Pride in the Park

With more than 60 vendors, Burlington Pride in the Park is back and bigger than ever. There’s entertainment scheduled, a parade and pet parade and of course plenty of drag shows.

When: 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. on June 21
Where: Crapo Park

Iowa City Pride and Parade

Iowa City’s Annual Pride Festival is back to celebrate the LGBTQ+ community. Join for vendors, activities, drag shows, a parade and more.

When: Noon-10 p.m. on June 21
Where: Downtown Iowa City

Oskaloosa Pride in the Alley

Oskaloosa is hosting Pride in the Alley. Join for a photo booth, puppets, vendors and more.

When: 1-6 p.m. on June 21
Where: 109 South Market Street, Oskaloosa

Ankeny Pride

Ankeny is celebrating its fourth annual pride at the end of the month with a talent show, rainbow run, pet parade and plenty of vendors. Find out more at ankenypride.org.

When: 4-9 p.m., June 21
Where: Southview Middle School (1020 Southwest Cherry Street, Ankeny)

Burlington Pride on the Riverfront

Burlington is also hosting a day full of community and support at the end of June. There will be mindfulness yoga, a parade, main stage entertainment and more.

When: 8 a.m. on June 28, 9 a.m. on June 29
Where: Burlington’s Great River Bridge riverfront

Valley Junction Pride

Valley Junction is hosting its second-ever Pride celebration this year, which will include a pet parade by Bone-A-Patreat, drag story time, a maker’s market, entertainment and plenty more.

When: 10 a.m. – 4 p.m., June 29
Where: 137 Fifth Street, West Des Moines

Know of an event we missed? Email iowaconnect@gannett.com for consideration.

Victoria Reyna-Rodriguez is a general assignment reporter for the Register. Reach her at vreynarodriguez@registermedia.com or follow her on Twitter @VictoriaReynaR.

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