Week in Iowa: Recap of news from across the state

NFL quarterbacks film show at Hy-Vee: An unusually large crowd gathered Tuesday morning at the Cedar Falls Hy-Vee on University Avenue. Retired NFL star quarterbacks Kurt Warner and Peyton Manning were filming scenes inside the grocery store for an upcoming episode of Manning’s documentary series, “Peyton's Places.” Warner is a local legend because of his connection to the University of Northern Iowa and his underdog backstory. The college backup went from stocking shelves at Hy-Vee to eventual stardom in the NFL.

Court ruling: A federal appeals court this past week allowed the state of Iowa to enforce a law that prevents schools from imposing mask mandates, except for those attended by students whose disabilities make them more vulnerable to severe illness if they get COVID-19. The court found that a mask requirement is a reasonable accommodation for students with such disabilities and allowed a group of parents of disabled children to pursue a lawsuit that seeks to strike down the law.

Jan. 6 charges: A northwest Iowa man was arrested and faces four federal charges in the Jan. 6 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol after a relative tipped off the FBI. Court records say an FBI agent arrested Kenneth Rader on Jan. 20 in Sioux City. He is charged with knowingly entering a restricted building, two counts of disorderly and disruptive conduct and demonstrating in a Capitol building. FBI Agent Michael Banfield said in an affidavit that the agency received a tip Jan. 8 from a relative. The tipster referred to Rader as “my radicalized family member” and indicated Rader had shared videos of himself on the Capitol grounds and inside the building and has verbally threatened former Vice President Mike Pence.

They said …

“When it comes to these gun-grabbing, freedom-hating, over-regulating, civil liberty-violating tyrants, here’s my message …(holds up both middle fingers) thank you.”

— Iowa Rep. Bobby Kaufmann, R-Wilton

“But, uh, most folks with vehicles that exceed that amount [$4,650] should either use that excess value to support themselves or should not be on the program."

— Foundation for Government Accountability lobbyist Scott Centorino to Iowa House subcommittee voting to advance bill that would require Iowans to undergo an asset test to receive SNAP benefits.

Odds and ends

Convention of states: Rick Santorum, winner of the 2012 Iowa Republican presidential precinct caucuses, spoke in the Iowa Capitol rotunda at a rally Tuesday supporting an Article V convention of states. Santorum leads Convention of States Action, which proposes using a process in the Constitution by which two-thirds of all state legislatures approve a convention where states could propose amendments to the U.S. Constitution. Multiple Republican state legislators also spoke at the rally.

Traffic cameras: Two bills dealing with traffic enforcement cameras are advancing in the Senate. SF 2061 would prohibit the use of any traffic camera that is maintained, installed or serviced by an out-of-state company. SF 2062 would require any local government agency that institutes a traffic enforcement camera to provide safety data that shows why the camera is needed.

The water cooler

Swan rescue: A Davenport couple rescued a mute swan stuck in the ice in the Mississippi River. After watching the swan become less and less active over several days, the two dug it out of the ice and turned it over to conservation officers who planned to deliver it to Wildthunder, a wildlife rehab and sanctuary in Independence.

Umpires needed: The Northern Iowa Officials Association has sent out a letter to area school districts, warning that summer baseball and softball seasons may be canceled unless more people sign up to officiate games.

More in the news

Iowa doctor goes national: An Iowa-licensed physician says she is staging “jailbreaks” that involve pulling patients out of hospitals against the medical advice of other doctors. Dr. Mollie James operates a clinic in Chariton, and much of what James says about COVID-19 contradicts the federal government’s advice on mitigation and treatment. She recently appeared on a call-in talk show aired by Lindell TV, a video channel created by Mike Lindell, the My Pillow founder who has been active in spreading discredited claims of voting fraud in the 2020 election.

Assisted living death: A woman who lived at an assisted living home for people with dementia died after being found outside last week on a bitterly cold day, Polk County authorities said. The woman was found outside the Courtyard Estates at Hawthorne Crossing in Bondurant early Friday, when the low temperature was minus 9 degrees. Polk County Sheriff's Lt. Ryan Evans said the woman was alive when deputies arrived but died later at a hospital.