Midwest
Iowa’s 6-week abortion restriction takes effect after state court strikes down challenge
A six-week abortion restriction officially took effect in Iowa on Monday after efforts to block the law by pro-abortion groups failed in court.
Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds, a Republican, has been fighting to enforce the law since she signed it following its passage last year. The ACLU of Iowa, Planned Parenthood North Central States and the Emma Goldman Clinic immediately launched a blocking effort. Reynolds appealed to the state Supreme Court, which allowed the law to take effect Monday.
The legislation bans nearly all abortions after the detection of a heartbeat, which typically occurs roughly six weeks into pregnancy. The law has exceptions for rape, incest, fetal abnormality and when the life of the mother is in jeopardy.
Pro-abortion groups have responded by bolstering their resources in neighboring states such as Minnesota. Planned Parenthood is now offering medicinal abortion assistance just across the Iowa border in Mankato, Minnesota. It is also remodeling its larger facility in neighboring Nebraska, according to NBC News.
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A six-week abortion ban officially took effect in Iowa on Monday after efforts to block the law by pro-abortion groups failed in court. (REUTERS/Jonathan Ernst)
Minnesota’s Democratic Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan toured an abortion provider facility about an hour from the Iowa border last week. The Whole Woman’s Health clinic expects to see an influx of patients from Iowa in the coming days.
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Flanagan said Minnesota would remain committed to serving people traveling from other states seeking abortions.
“If you’re afraid, come to Minnesota,” Flanagan said. “We’ve got you.”
Iowa’s Republican-controlled legislature approved the restriction during a special session in July 2023, and the law was supposed to go into effect immediately after Reynolds signed it days later.
Iowa’s Republican-controlled legislature approved the ban during a special session in July 2023, and the law was supposed to go into effect immediately after Gov. Kim Reynolds signed it days later. (AP )
During the yearlong challenge to the bill, abortion remained legal in the state up to 20 weeks into pregnancy.
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Iowa is the 14th state to impose a six-week abortion restriction since the U.S. Supreme Court struck down Roe v. Wade in June 2022. The ruling allowed state legislatures to regulate abortion policy without federal interference.
“Today is a victory for life. There is nothing more sacred and no cause more worthy than protecting innocent unborn lives,” Gov. Kim Reynolds said after her state court victory this month. (Scott Olson/Getty Images)
“Today is a victory for life. There is nothing more sacred and no cause more worthy than protecting innocent unborn lives,” Reynolds said after her state court victory this month.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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Missouri
UPDATE: Well-known mid-Missouri attorney charged after sting expected to request home detention | 93.9 The Eagle
A prominent mid-Misssouri attorney has pleaded NOT guilty to a felony charge of enticement or attempted enticement of a child.
56-year-old Daniel Walter Follett is charged in Boone County Circuit Court. He had served as the Missouri Department of Revenue’s (DOR) general counsel until he was fired after last week’s arrest.
Court documents filed by Boone County prosecutors say Follett was allegedly using a prostitution website “to solicit sexual services from a person whom he believed to be a 16-year-old child.” The Boone County Sheriff’s Department’s probable cause statement says Follett allegedly arrived at an address in Boone County last week to pay money to have sex with a female whom he believed was under the age of 17.
Follett, who is currently jailed without bond, is scheduled to appear in court Tuesday afternoon before Judge Kimberly Shaw and is expected to request home detention, based on online court records.
939 the Eagle News contacted the Missouri Department of Revenue (DOR) after Follett’s arrest. DOR released a statement about Follett’s arrest and status last week. It reads: “The Department is aware of an out-of-office incident involving a staff member who was arrested and charged with criminal activity. Following departmental procedures, employment has been terminated with the individual.”
What’s next: Follett is scheduled to appear in Boone County Circuit Court on Tuesday at 1 pm for a bond hearing before Judge Kimberly Shaw. Follett is represented by defense attorney Jessica Caldera, a former Boone County assistant prosecutor. Follett is expected to request home detention from the court until his trial. Boone County prosecutors have described Follett in a court filing as a flight risk.
Nebraska
Former OSU, Nebraska wrestler AJ Ferrari arrested after police pursuit in Nebraska
OKLAHOMA CITY, Okla. (KOKH) — Former Oklahoma State and Nebraska Cornhuskers wrestler Albert “AJ” Ferrari was arrested in Nebraska after leading officers on a police pursuit on Friday night.
According to a report from the Nebraska State Patrol, a trooper attempted a traffic stop after noticing a driver speeding on Interstate 80 near North Platte at mile marker 176, later identified as Ferrari.
The NPS trooper followed Ferrari as he exited at mile marker 179 heading northbound on Highway 30.
The trooper clocked Ferrari’s vehicle, a Chevrolet Corvette, traveling over 110 miles per hour in a 55 miles per hour zone.
During an attempted traffic stop, Ferrari refused to stop and fled westbound, leading to a pursuit. After several miles, Ferrari stopped his car and fled on foot.
Officers found identifying information in the vehicle. Ferrari was found the next morning by authorities.
Ferrari was booked into Lincoln County Jail for flight to avoid arrest, willful reckless driving, and obstruction.
In 2022, Ferrari left the Oklahoma State Wrestling program following an investigation by the Stillwater Police after a woman accused Ferrari of sexual assault.
Charges against Ferrari were later dismissed by the Payne County District Court.
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North Dakota
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