ANAMOSA – The family of a corrections officer killed by inmates in 2021 is suing the Iowa Department of Corrections. WHO-13 reports Robert McFarland attempted to stop Michael Dutcher and Thomas Woodard from escaping the Anamosa State Penitentiary, but was attacked with a hammer alongside nurse Lorena Schulte. Both died as a result of their injuries. Dutcher and Woodard both pled guilty to first degree murder. The family of McFarland filed a wrongful death suit against the state in January, and has now added the department of corrections.

CEDAR RAPIDS – A former Iowa hospital IT worker is accused of using a stolen identity for more than three decades. Matthew David Keirans faces up to 32 years in prison in a federal case after facing state charges in Iowa last year. He’s accused of using the social security number of William Woods, who was homeless in California and arrested on similar charges. Keirans was an information technology worker in Iowa. Woods has a hearing to clear his conviction next week.

DES MOINES – The Iowa House of Representatives has passed a bill to regulate automated traffic cameras. The Des Moines Register reports this comes after years of debate and a lack of progress despite concerns with their use. House File 2681 passed on a bipartisan basis and is now up for consideration in the senate. The bill requires cities and counties to first receive a permit from the Iowa Department of Transportation and provide justification for their use, which includes records of traffic violations for at least one year and the number of collisions in that area. The cameras could only be used for tickets at speeds 11 MPH or greater over the limits, and several other restrictions are being placed in that version of the bill.