Senate Republicans Introduce Bill To Reduce Eminent Domain
(Des Moines, IA) — Iowa Senate Republicans are proposing a bill to prevent eminent domain claims for pipeline companies. The bill allows carbon capture pipeline companies to draft additional routes in order to avoid land where owners don’t want to sign voluntary easements. It’s intended to reduce eminent domain to a last resort and force them to exhaust all options before forcing easements. Senate Majority Leader Mike Klimesh is also proposing a follow-up bill that will place a tax on carbon dioxide flows in the pipelines per metric ton. There is a competing bill in the House that completely bans eminent domain for use of pipelines that transport carbon dioxide.
Man Sentenced To Life For Beating Death In Spencer
(Spencer, IA) — A man is facing life in prison for a beating death in August. A Clay County judge sentenced Wade St. John to life in prison after he was found guilty of first-degree murder in December. He was also ordered to pay 150-thousand dollars of restitution to the estate of the man killed. Police say they found a man who was unconscious and bleeding in an alley off Grand Avenue on August 26th. Police declared 38-year-old DJay Joseph St. John Loudner dead on the scene.
Man Pleads Not Guilty To Forging Check From Sergeant Bluff
(Sergeant Bluff, IA) — A man is pleading not guilty to forgery charges after allegedly cashing a fraudulent check. Isnala Mesteth is accused of cashing a check at Pioneer Bank for more than four-thousand dollars after stealing it and altering it. The check appeared to be made out by the city of Sergeant Bluff, but officials say it was never authorized to be written to him ever. They believe he stole a check meant for Diesel Specialties and altered it before it was cashed. Court documents list Mesteth as a 24-year-old homeless man from Sioux Falls.
Online Sports Betting Sees Revenue Spike 25 Percent In Iowa
(Des Moines, IA) — Data from the Iowa Racing and Gaming Commission shows sports betting is on the rise. Officials say online sports betting revenue has increased by 25 percent since 2024. A DraftKings subsidiary recorded more than 102 million dollars in revenue last year while a FanDuel subsidiary recorded more than 82 million. As for casinos, Diamond Jo in Dubuque brought in more than 83 million dollars last year as the top-earning location in the state. Sports betting was legalized in Iowa in 2019.
