Iowa
Which Iowa bills made it through the “Funnel Week” deadline
DES MOINES, Iowa (Gray Media Iowa Capitol Bureau) – Friday is the end of what’s called the “first funnel” of the Iowa legislative session. It’s the deadline for most bills to be passed out of committees if they’re going to continue this legislative session.
After a rush of meetings to get bills out of committee and ready for debate, the first funnel week is over.
Iowa House Speaker Pat Grassley said, “So I think at this point we’re continuing on pace. We know we have a lot of work left to do to get those things done.”
Senate Minority Leader Janice Weiner said, “The legislature’s been doing a lot this week but it hasn’t been doing anywhere near enough for Iowa’s workers.”
Some bills made it, others didn’t.
Two vaccine bills failed. One Senate bill that proposed a ban on mRNA vaccines like the covid-19 shot did not advance out of committee. Another bill in the House banning vaccines unless manufacturers waived legal protections also isn’t moving forward.
Rep. Steve Holt says he withdrew his bill requiring local police to do work for Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
But – lawmakers could still vote on Holt’s bill that would jail and decertify police officers who don’t honor ICE requests to hold suspects.
Rep. Skyler Wheeler (R-Hull) said, “I wish we didn’t have this in front of us. It’s unfortunate that one individual wanted his five minutes of fame and made a absolutely ridiculous statement.”
A bill targeting obscenity protections for public libraries will continue this session.
Michelle Warren, a supporter of the bill said, “The children’s and young adults’ sections of the library should serve as spaces for learning and growth, not repositories for sexualized content that confuses and distress young minds.”
Berry Stevens, who opposes the bill, has concerns the bill could impact what sex ed materials are available for minors.
“Don’t take away appropriate materials for educational purposes. Iowa’s youth deserve the knowledge and wellness,” she said.
There’s still ways for bills that “died” to be brought back up for votes.
House Speaker Pat Grassley says now that the first funnel is over, his members are turning their attention to various tax cuts, such as property tax reform.
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Conner Hendricks covers state government and politics for Gray Media-owned stations in Iowa. Email him at conner.hendricks@gray.tv; and follow him on Facebook at Conner Hendricks TV on X/Twitter @ConnerReports, and on TikTok @ConnerReports.
Copyright 2025 KCRG. All rights reserved.
Iowa
Arrests made in SD in Iowa courthouse incident
SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO) — Two suspects in the incident at the Lyon County, Iowa, courthouse were arrested in Spearfish, the Lyon County Sheriff’s Office said in a social media post earlier Saturday.
The sheriff’s office identified two suspects as Brandon Lyle High Pipe, 39, and Luciano Eliseo Sanchez, 18, in a social media post on Thursday. Nationwide warrants were issued for the two suspects.
The sheriff’s office said on Tuesday the courthouse had burglarized overnight. The damage inside includes writing on walls, broken glass, tipped-over Christmas trees and other items tossed around.
The incident caused the courthouse to be closed for at least one day.
The sheriff’s office said on Saturday morning that more information should be released later.
Iowa
Iowa City West sweeps City High in a pair of close contests
IOWA CITY, Iowa (KCRG) – Grace Fincham led the West High girls to a second-half comeback in a 60-51 win over City High, giving the Trojans a win on their rival’s home floor.
The Trojans improve to 6-2 with the win. The Little Hawks drop to 6-2.
In the boys’ nightcap, the Little Hawks’ comeback attempt fell short, as the Trojans held on for a 53-51 win.
Copyright 2025 KCRG. All rights reserved.
Iowa
Iowa football dissects LeVar Woods succession plan
The loss of LeVar Woods, the Iowa Hawkeyes’ long-time, elite special teams coordinator, cannot be dismissed. The Hawkeyes have consistently been among the nation’s best special teams units, from punting to kicking to owning the return and field position battle.
With LeVar Woods departing Iowa for Big Ten foe, the Michigan State Spartans, the Hawkeyes have a big hole to fill, and head coach Kirk Ferentz spoke to the media this week on what that succession plan may look like.
“Yeah, it’s not a light decision. The trick will be to find the next LeVar Woods. He’s done a fantastic job. He didn’t have the profile necessarily maybe at that point to predict what he was going to do, but he’s done all the work. It’s like a good player; players do the work. LeVar has done a great job immersing himself and learning every aspect and then growing with each and every turn. So I guess I’m describing what we’re looking for, a guy who’s a good coach, who’s eager to take a challenge on, and immerse themselves in that world.
“Special teams is a unique niche, if you will. I’m sure we’ll have good candidates. It’s not pressing right now in my mind. What is pressing is the next two weeks getting ready for the game, and then after that we’ll have eight plus weeks or eight plus months actually to get it right. I don’t plan on waiting until August to fill it, but we’ll figure that out when we get in the new year,” Ferentz said about LeVar Woods.
The past few seasons, Iowa has been elite on special teams with kicker Drew Stevens being incredibly consistent, the punting game flipping fields, and the run of returners consisting of Ihmir Smith-Marsette, Charlie Jones, Cooper DeJean, and Kaden Wetjen.
The Hawkeyes have won more than their fair share of games relying on this unit, and to continue that success, Ferentz needs to hit on this hire.
Contact/Follow us @HawkeyesWire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Iowa news, notes, and opinions. Follow Riley on X: @rileydonald7
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