DES MOINES – Iowa Republicans passed a bill in both state legislative chambers that removes gender identity from the state’s civil right’s act on Thursday. The Iowa House and Senate passed Senate File 418, with five Republicans breaking from their party to oppose the measure, according to the Des Moines Register. The bill was fast-tracked this week, passing committees and subcommittees in the last few days, over the protests of hundreds of Iowans at the Capitol. Democrats, who are in a significant minority in both chambers, argued the law would remove protections for transgender Iowans. Republicans argue the gender identity language was discriminatory towards women.

IOWA – Strong winds with gusts up to 50 mph possible today across the state. Paired with the warm and dry conditions, fire danger will be high in the afternoon. Burning should be avoided in and near the Red Flag Warning, which encompasses nearly all Iowa counties along and south of U.S. Highway 20.

DES MOINES – A Des Moines-metro high school is dropping football from its offerings. WHO-13 reports Hoover High School will no longer offer the sport directly this coming fall season, citing low participation. Des Moines Public Schools has confirmed those who attend Hoover and still want to play football can do so with Roosevelt. Hoover previously dropped football in 2022 when they couldn’t find a head coach.