DES MOINES – An Iowa House subcommittee and committee both advanced a bill removing gender identity as a protected class. WHO-13 reports House Study Bill 242 was approved at both levels by party-line vote, with Republicans in favor of the changes and Democrats opposed. The Iowa Capitol was filled with protestors during both sessions. An advocacy group claims Iowa would become the first state in the nation to roll back civil rights protections after they had already been passed.

NORWAY – An arrest was made after an hours-long standoff in eastern Iowa Monday. KCRG-TV reports the Benton County’s Sheriff’s Office was called to a house in Norway, confirming gunshots were fired in the residence. After just over 15 hours, deputies and a SWAT team conducted a search warrant and arrested Nathan Varese. He faces several charges related to drugs, firearms, and interference with official acts.

URBANDALE – As the Iowa Legislature debates how the two bodies that govern high school athletes sort out organizing conferences, one school has decided to stay put in their own league. Urbandale High School voted narrowly 3-4 to reject a bid to join the Little Hawkeye Conference, and instead stay in the Central Iowa Metro League on Monday. Urbandale is the smallest school in their current conference, competing regularly against both Waukee schools, both Ankeny Schools, Valley, Johnston, and Dowling — seven of the ten largest enrollments in Iowa. The school board’s ongoing process prompted several other schools to consider how conferences are formed around the state.