Government & Politics

Iowa’s burgeoning hemp industry would be significantly regulated under a bill state lawmakers sent to Gov. Kim Reynolds’ desk for a signature Tuesday.

The bill’s supporters say it is needed to close a legal loophole and help pesticide manufacturers manage the costs of weed killers, while critics say Iowans who get sick from pesticides should have legal recourse, including over labeling.

Bill, which heads next to the Senate, would merge Iowa’s treatment networks for mental health and substance use issues into a unified behavioral health system. Currently, the networks are made up of 32 regions in the state — 13 for mental health care and 19 for substance use issues.

Although Theresa Sault-Brill sought $95,000 from the university to remedy what she characterized as “significant lost wages” and “emotional distress,” she signed a $20,000 settlement March 28 and agreed not to pursue or accept any future UI employment.

The pest was first found in 2010 in far Northeast Iowa and has since spread -- now 98 of the state’s 99 counties have confirmed cases.

Waypoint is looking to convert its now-closed emergency shelter, the Madge Phillips Center, in southeast Cedar Rapids into a “housing first” facility. It is planned to add new affordable rental units with community services in an effort to move toward ending homelessness.

Instead of immediately waiving charges and lease restrictions on pets, Iowa landlords could evaluate requests and must respond promptly.

Also, another bill would increase penalties for trespassing while hunting