Council Bluffs Approves Animal Abuse Ordinance
(Council Bluffs, IA) — A new animal protection ordinance is approved in Council Bluffs. The measure prohibits people convicted of serious animal abuse crimes from owning cats or dogs. Officials say the law applies to residents convicted of animal abuse, animal neglect, animal torture, or dogfighting at the level of a serious misdemeanor or above. Supporters call the ordinance a common-sense way to protect animals.
Reynolds Appoints Iowa Guard Leader
(Des Moines, IA) — Governor Kim Reynolds has appointed Colonel Charles Lampe as deputy adjutant general-Army for the Iowa National Guard. Lampe will help lead more than seven-thousand Iowa Army National Guard soldiers and oversee readiness, response operations and personnel development. Lampe has served with the Iowa Guard since 1995 and has more than three-thousand flight hours as a Master Army Aviator.
Audit Questions Medicaid Drug Costs
(Des Moines, IA) — A new state audit is raising questions about prescription drug costs in Iowa Medicaid. State Auditor Rob Sand says a company that manages prescription drug benefits received about 100-million dollars in back-end payments over 3 years through a pricing system that may have increased costs for taxpayers and pharmacies. Sand is calling for stricter oversight and greater transparency in how those payments are handled.
Funeral Services Announced For Victims Of Mass Shooting In Muscatine
(Muscatine, IA) — Funeral services are set for the six-victims of this month’s mass shooting in Muscatine. The victims who died were Lesa McFarland, Ryle McFarland, 16-year-old Mark McFarland 13-year-old Ryan McFarland Junior, Dakota Whitlow, and Austin Harris. The McFarland family’s service will be on June 19th at St. Mary & Mathias Catholic Church in Muscatine. Memorial services for Dakota Whitlow will be this Friday, with a visitation taking place before at the Wittich Riley Freers Funeral Home. A graveside service will then take place at 1:30 p.m. at Greenwood Cemetery. A celebration of life for Austin Harris will be scheduled later. Police say all six victims were shot and killed on June 1st by Ryan McFarland, who was later found dead on the Riverfront Trail with a self-inflicted gunshot wound.
