Gazette Daily News Podcast, May 11

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The FDA on Monday expanded use of Pfizer’s COVID-19 vaccine to children as young as 12. Shots could begin as soon as Thursday, after a federal vaccine advisory committee issues recommendations for using the two-dose vaccine in 12- to 15-year-olds. An announcement is expected Wednesday.

Pfizer’s vaccine is already being used in the U.S. for teens as young as 16, and Canada recently became the first to expand use to 12 and older.

Gov. Kim Reynolds has removed the chief executive of the state’s nursing home for veterans, months after praising his response to the coronavirus pandemic, her office said Monday.

Reynolds' spokesman, Pat Garrett, said Timon Oujiri was “relieved of his duties” as commandant of the Iowa Veterans Home in Marshalltown last week. He offered no additional information on the leadership change at the facility, which is Iowa's largest nursing home.

Reynolds appointed Oujiri as commandant in 2017, and the Iowa Senate confirmed him in 2018. In his role, he oversaw one of the nation's largest state-owned nursing homes for veterans, with around 500 residents and 900 employees.

Gov. Kim Reynolds on Monday signed into law bills allowing parents to teach driver’s ed to their children and another putting an end to school districts voluntary diversity programs.

The bill affecting school districts takes effect immediately and ends their ability to deny open enrollment because of their diversity programs. School districts in Davenport, Waterloo, Postville, West Liberty and Des Moines have voluntary diversity programs based on income. West Liberty’s program also includes English Language Learners.

Reynolds also signed a bill allowing third-party delivery services to deliver alcoholic beverages from bars and restaurants to Iowan’s homes.

The bill that allows parents to teach their teens to drive increases the amount of time a student spends driving with a parent, but it eliminates the role of the instructor — both in the classroom and behind the wheel.

After a community vote, the Marion Independent School District may finally have a new mascot: The Wolves. The other two candidates to replace the long-standing Indians mascot were “Storm” or no mascot at all. 57 percent of voters chose Wolves, 21 percent Storm and 22 percent no mascot.

The school board will meet May 24 to vote to approve the new mascot.

The mascots “Wolves” and “Storm” were finalists in a previous districtwide survey, in which voters chose the mascot “Mavericks.” But that mascot name was overturned by the school board after learning the origin of the name comes from a Texas slave owner.

Tuesday’s weather: There may be frost in areas before 7 a.m. But otherwise Tuesday will be sunny, with a high near 62. Tuesday night will be partly cloudy, with a low around 38.

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