DES MOINES, IA (IRN) – A resolution that would give Iowa voters a chance to amend the state constitution to say there is no fundamental right to abortion, or public funding for it, has passed an Iowa Senate committee. The Iowa Senate Government Committee approved Senate Joint Resolution 2 Wednesday.

DES MOINES, IA (IRN) – Iowa public health officials have selected Microsoft to develop an online COVID-19 vaccine scheduling system as they seek to get past a rocky start that has the state near the bottom nationally in doses administered. The will award a separate contract to run a vaccine call center later this week.

IOWA (IRN) – Iowa’s two high school athletics organizations announced Tuesday that they will continue mask and social distancing restrictions for spectators at upcoming state tournaments.
The Iowa High School Athletics Association and the Iowa Girls High School Athletics Union also encourage member schools to require that spectators wear masks and social distance. This is despite Gov. Reynolds’ move to lift state COVID-19 restrictions, including a mask mandate.

DES MOINES, IA (IRN) – A House Education subcommittee advanced a bill Tuesday that would ban Iowa public schools from incorporating curriculum from the New York Times’ 1619 Project, created by Waterloo native Nikole Hannah-Jones. The Pulitzer Prize Winning project was published in 2019, and aims to reframe American history through the lens of slavery.

CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa (KCRG) – A Cedar Rapids woman wants everyone to shovel their sidewalks for people with physical challenges. Cathy Hafsi was born with cerebral palsy and relies on a walker or wheelchair to get around. She says, “if the sidewalks aren’t shoveled I just can’t walk where I want to walk…”