Iowa To Receive $126 Million in Meta Settlement
(Des Moines, IA) — Iowa is set to receive more than 126-million-dollars as part of a 17-point-one-billion-dollar multi-state settlement with Meta. The lawsuit alleged the company misrepresented the safety of Instagram and other platforms and knowingly exposed young users to harmful content. Under the settlement, Meta will roll out new safety features on Instagram and Facebook. Those changes include daily usage limits, restrictions during school hours, stronger age-verification tools and expanded age-appropriate content controls for children and teens.
Iowa HHS Confirms 327 Cases Of Cyclospora In 58 Counties
(Des Moines, IA) — The number of cyclosporiasis cases is growing in Iowa. The Iowa Department of Health and Human Services says there are now 327 cases of the parasite-borne illness that causes severe intestinal issues. Fifty-eight counties are connected to the outbreak linked to iceberg lettuce. Dallas, Polk and Pottawattamie counties report the highest number of cases.
Central Iowa Man Sentenced to 20 Years for Hidden Porta-Potty Cameras
(Des Moines, IA) — A man who hid cameras inside portable toilets at multiple central Iowa events is sentenced to 20 years in prison. Thirty-three-year-old Tyler Pavlick pleaded guilty earlier this year to three counts of attempted sexual exploitation of a child and one count of possession of child pornography. Officials say Pavlick hid cameras inside portable toilets at middle and high school cross-country meets in Marshall and Clarke counties and at an arts, crafts and harvest event in Des Moines. Prosecutors say Pavlick hid the cameras with the intent of capturing explicit images of minors.
World Food and Music Festival Begins Friday in Western Gateway Park
(Des Moines, IA) — A popular festival is expected to attract thousands of people to downtown Des Moines starting tomorrow. The Greater Des Moines Partnership says last year’s World Food and Music Festival attracted nearly 100-thousand people to downtown Des Moines. This year’s festival will feature more than 55 food vendors and musical entertainment. The festival starts Friday and goes through Sunday.
Iowa Launches 24-Hour Opioid Treatment Hotline
(Des Moines, IA) — A new 24-hour hotline is giving Iowa healthcare providers direct access to addiction medicine experts. The Iowa Poison Control Center has launched I-BEACON, a statewide consultation network focused on buprenorphine [[ byoo-PREN-or-feen ]], a medication used to treat opioid use disorder. The service provides around-the-clock guidance on starting treatment, dosing and follow-up care. Officials say the program is designed to expand access to treatment, especially in rural areas where providers may not have easy access to specialists.
City Of Des Moines Pulls The Plug On Professional Soccer Stadium
(Des Moines, IA) — Iowa’s first professional soccer stadium just got a red card. The City of Des Moines is scrapping plans for the stadium, saying it can no longer afford to support the project in light of a projected 17-million-dollar budget shortfall. The city had been negotiating with a developer for seven years on the project prior to Wednesday’s announcement.
