Iowa Joins 50 State, Bipartisan Push Against Illegal Robocalls
(Des Moines, IA) — Iowa is joining a bipartisan push to combat illegal robocalls. Iowa Attorney General Brenna Bird has joined 49 other attorneys general urging the Federal Communications Commission to strengthen rules preventing scammers from using the U.S. Communications Network to make robocalls. The attorneys general say the FCC’s current “Know Your Customer” rules aren’t strong enough and argue additional protections are needed.
Iowa Gubernatorial Candidate Rob Sand Wants To Ban Social Media For Kids Under-15
(Des Moines, IA) — A candidate for governor in Iowa wants to ban social media for younger kids. State auditor Rob Sand, the Democratic Party candidate for Iowa Governor, says he supports the current state law limiting student access to screens in classrooms, but adds more needs to be done. Sand’s plan would ban social media accounts for children 15 and younger and require parental consent for 16- and 17-year-olds. A spokesman for his Republican opponent, Zach Lahn, says Lahn always wants to keep kids safe.
U.S. Marshals Arrest 60+ Violent Offenders In Central Iowa
(Des Moines, IA) — More than 60 dangerous fugitives are now off Central Iowa streets. The U.S. Marshals Service says it made dozens of arrests for crimes including homicide, sexual assault, robbery and other serious offenses. The arrests were part of Operation Heatwave taking place in the last month. They included apprehensions of gang members and violent offenders in Des Moines, West Des Moines and Urbandale.
History Channel Show “American Pickers” To Film In Iowa, Illinois This Fall
(Le Claire, IA) — The popular antiquing TV show American Pickers will be filming in Iowa and Illinois this fall. The History Channel show follows the pickers as they look for historically significant or rare items across the U.S. Antique Archeology in Le Claire, Iowa north of the Quad Cities is owned by show creator Mike Wolfe, and is known as the original American Pickers store. The show’s producers are looking for private collectors with interesting items they are willing to sell. Filming will take place this September.
Blank Park Zoo Welcomes New Zebra
(Des Moines, IA) — A new zebra is settling in at Blank Park Zoo. The zoo announced that Zara, a three-year-old Hartmann’s mountain zebra, recently arrived from the Utica Zoo in New York. Zara’s move was coordinated through the Association of Zoos and Aquariums’ Species Survival Plan. Zara joins the zoo’s other Hartmann’s mountain zebras, Duke and Hannah.
Coach Kirk Ferentz Still Deciding On Hawkeyes Starting Quarterback
(Iowa City, IA) — University of Iowa head football coach Kirk Ferentz [[ FARE-intz ]] says he still isn’t sure who the team’s starting quarterback will be. Ferentz addressed the question during Big Ten media day in Chicago on Tuesday. He says the decision is up in the air and could be made in August or in-season. The Hawkeyes will open their season at home September 5 against Northern Illinois.
