Cedar Rapids is reopening streets and sidewalks around First Avenue East that were closed to protect people from scaffolding that Wednesday’s high winds had caused to disengage from the north side of the U.S. Bank building.
Along the way, however, there are any number of ideas and issues that can disrupt, delay and derail the familiar routine of a legislative session. Often, they are the same issues from year-to-year: abortion; gun rights; traffic cameras; gambling.
“I did not seek this fight, brought to this Capitol one year from today. But I will not shrink from it either. I will stand in this breach, I will defend this nation. I will allow no one to place a dagger at the throat of this democracy.”
School superintendents and the Iowa Girls’ High School Athletic Union are eager for guidance on transgender sports. Although there have been no Iowa challenges of district decisions on transgender athletes so far, parents in other states have filed lawsuits and Title IX complaints.
Justin Wasson, 33, is running in the rural Linn and Benton counties district, which includes Central City, Bertram, Vinton, Ely, Fairfax, Belle Plaine, Mount Vernon and Van Horne. The founder and owner of Affordable Pressure Washing in Cedar Rapids says he wants to take his experience cleaning up messes to the Statehouse.
Sen. Chuck Grassley says Senate Republicans see the $1.8 trillion package of social and environmental initiatives as unnecessary and inflationary.
Mary Ann Hanusa drops bid for Congress
The council was unanimous in supporting hybrid meetings during a discussion at its Tuesday night work session. The council also discussed how to connect with residents as the pandemic continues and how to handle disruption at council meetings.
Cedar Rapids has closed some downtown streets and sidewalks to keep citizens safe from materials falling from the building at 226 Second Avenue SE in today’s high wind gusts. The closures are around First Avenue East.
An Iowa man and his Minnesota son pleaded guilty to a charge of civil disorder in the Jan. 6, 2021, Capitol riot, admitting that the entered the building through a broken window and pushed through a police line once inside.
Waterloo Democratic Rep. Ras Smith announced Wednesday he was suspending his campaign for Iowa governor.
But details were scarce in interviews with the governor and legislative leaders on how to proceed. Any plans, apparently, will have to wait to cement during the legislative session.
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