Week in Iowa, June 9, 2024: Recap of news from across the state

Iowans stabbed in China: Four Cornell College instructors were stabbed in a public park in Jilin City, China, last week while in the country on an exchange program. The instructors, who were treated for their injuries, were with a faculty member from Beihua University, a local college that partners with Cornell to facilitate instructors teaching in the country.

David Zabner, the brother of Iowa Rep. Adam Zabner, was among those injured. While attacks on foreigners in China are rare, the U.S. State Department has had a "level 3" travel advisory on the country since April. That advisory urges Americans to “reconsider travel” there.

Republicans vote down IVF protections: Iowa U.S. Sens. Joni Ernst and Chuck Grassley joined most Republicans on Thursday in voting against a bill that would enshrine legal protections for in vitro fertilization. Republicans said they strongly support the fertility treatment, but argued the Democratic-led legislation was a "partisan campaign of false fearmongering."

More bird flu found in cows: State and federal officials detected a third case of bird flu in dairy cows this past week. A U.S. Department of Agriculture strike team was deployed to Iowa to study the spread of the virus in cows, first detected in the state earlier this month.

Judge to rule on immigration: A federal judge will decide soon whether to block the enforcement of a new state law that allows state officials to arrest and deport immigrants in the country illegally. Lawyers for immigrant groups said the law is unconstitutional and should never take effect. A lawyer for the state argued Iowa has a sovereign right to enforce laws within its borders, and the law complies with Supreme Court precedent.

Iowa Republicans passed the law this year, saying the sharp rise in illegal border crossings under President Joe Biden has pushed states to take enforcement into their own hands. The law is similar to a Texas law that has been on hold amid a legal battle between the state and the Biden administration. Iowa's law is set to take effect July 1, and the judge said he will issue a ruling before then.

Linn County victim dies: The fourth victim of a metal pipe attack at a rural Linn County outbuilding died this past week of his injuries, authorities said. Luke Truesdell, of Marion, is charged with four counts of first-degree murder in the attack. Two of the victims were living in the outbuilding after being evicted from their home.

Libertarian to run for Congress: Nicholas Gluba, a member of the Lone Tree City Council, announced a bid for Congress as a Libertarian in Iowa's southeast 1st Congressional District. The party will need to hold a district convention to nominate him for the November ballot, where he will join a competitive race between incumbent Republican Mariannette Miller-Meeks and Democrat Christina Bohannan.

They said ...

“Since (President Joe) Biden refuses to enforce our immigration laws, Iowa is doing the job for him. Biden’s open borders have not only caused record illegal immigration, but they have opened the door for drug cartels, human traffickers and suspected terrorists to enter our country." -- Iowa Attorney General Brenna Bird on state's illegal immigration law

"There are so many unanswered questions. We need to learn more about how the virus is introduced to new flocks/herds and how it is spreading. We are always looking for epidemiological clues and ties, and that’s why we are making our requests of USDA to assist with research." -- Iowa Department of Agriculture spokesperson Don McDowell on bird flu in cows

Odds and ends

Baby powder lawsuit: Iowa will receive $9.45 million as part of a $700 million national settlement with Johnson & Johnson over allegedly deceptive marketing of talc-based products, including baby powder. The settlement orders Johnson & Johnson to cease the manufacture and sale of all talc-based baby products, which the company did last year.

Animal testing: A Republican state lawmaker has called for the University of Iowa to audit its animal testing program over allegations the university was doing research on donated "pet dogs." The university said the research was initiated with informed consent on dogs that had contracted a fatal disease, and they were under anesthesia during the testing.

Water cooler

Book ban lawsuit: An appeals court heard arguments this past week about whether to uphold a lower-court ruling blocking an Iowa law banning books with explicit sexual content from school libraries. The American Civil Liberties Union and publisher Random House argued the law is a violation of free speech, while the state's attorney argued the law only regulates government speech and is not unconstitutional.

Police chase crash: A driver in Lake Mills was killed Wednesday night while evading police, authorities said. Police were pursuing the driver on Highway 69 in far northern Iowa when the driver went off the road, rolled and was ejected from the car, an Iowa State Patrol crash report says.