Week in Iowa, June 23, 2024: Recap of news from across the state

Abortion law ruled constitutional: Abortions in Iowa will soon be illegal once cardiac activity can be detected in an embryo or fetus after the Iowa Supreme Court cleared the way Friday for a 2023 state law to take effect. The decision is the result of a yearslong legal battle over abortion in the state and makes Iowa the latest state to significantly restrict the procedure after the federal right to an abortion was overturned.

For now, abortion remains legal in Iowa up to 20 weeks as the case gets sent back to the lower court to dissolve the temporary injunction while the lawsuit challenging the ban proceeds. Under the Iowa court rules, it will take at least 21 days for the case to go back to the district court. It is expected that abortion will remain legal during that time. Republicans celebrated the ruling as a win for the anti-abortion movement, while abortion rights activists said it would harm and endanger women in Iowa.

Feds fine Iowa restaurants: Iowa restaurants are being fined for flouting federal laws while following a new state law that allows teens to work longer hours. The head of the Iowa Restaurant Association said the state is being singled out, as several other states have employment laws related to minors that don't follow federal law. At least seven Iowa restaurants are facing fines between $50,000 and $180,000.

Traffic camera regulations coming: A new law regulating state traffic cameras takes effect Monday, but cities will have until October to get approval for existing cameras. Cities must submit an application to the Department of Transportation, including safety information at the location, in order to receive approval to install a traffic camera.

Floods rock western Iowa: Several towns in northwest Iowa were evacuated as river flooding reached record levels amid torrential rain last weekend. Hundreds of homes were damaged or destroyed in the flooding that hit more than 20 counties and left hundreds without homes and power.

At least two people were reported dead from the damaging floods. President Joe Biden approved a major disaster declaration, opening up federal assistance for individuals and public entities to aid in recovery.

Summit pipeline approved: The Iowa Utilities Board approved the application by Summit Carbon Solutions to build more than 680 miles of pipeline through the state to capture and store carbon dioxide emitted at ethanol plants. After nearly three years of proceedings, the board found the project promotes "the public convenience and necessity" and said Summit could be granted the right of eminent domain.

Perry worker program: After the closure of a Tyson Foods plant in Perry on Friday that employed more than 1,000 people in the Dallas County town, Iowa Workforce Development is holding career advising sessions to help laid-off workers find employment. The state jobs agency will have support staff at the Des Moines Area Community College VanKirk center to help with unemployment assistance and resume and career support.

They said ...

"I can tell you the devastation is severe, and it’s widespread. In almost every community impacted, the rivers crested several feet above record levels from the floods of 1993.” -- Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds on flooding in northwest Iowa

“This despicable and dangerous ruling cannot be the last word on reproductive rights and personal freedom in Iowa. Activist judges and anti-choice Republicans cannot be allowed to control Iowans’ lives.” -- Pam Jochum, Iowa Senate Minority Leader

Odds and ends

Shruumz warning: State health officials are warning Iowans against consuming Diamond Shruumz-brand mushroom edibles after joining a list of several other states with individuals who have become sick — some in critical condition — after consuming the brand’s products. Thirty-nine people have reported illnesses from the product, including 23 who had to be hospitalized.

Student loan lawsuit: Parts of President Joe Biden's income-based student loan repayment plan were blocked by a federal judge this past week in a lawsuit in which Iowa was, at one time, a plaintiff. The judge's order keeps the existing provisions of the plan in place, but it blocks a piece that would have lowered payments again and provisions allowing borrowers to get their loans forgiven early.

Water cooler

Bird flu spreads: Bird flu has been found in at least 13 dairy herds and three poultry flocks in northwest Iowa, according to the state Department of Agriculture. Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds extended a disaster proclamation for three counties this past week, which opens up state agency resources to assist in tracking the virus.

Children’s Hospital head: University of Iowa Health Care last week announced Jim Leste, vice president of operations for Children's Minnesota, was hired as chief administrative officer at the Stead Family Children's Hospital. The hospital is ranked as the top hospital in Iowa and nationally ranked in six pediatric specialties.