Gazette Daily News Podcast: Friday, April 12, 2024

– Capitol Notebook: Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds signs pregnancy program changes, other bills into law

– Seafood restaurant coming soon to former Vivian’s Soul Food building in Cedar Rapids

– Comedy pays homage to Giving Tree Theater’s late co-owner

Episode Transcript

Coming up, Gov. Reynolds signed a number of bills into law. Stay tuned for details

And later, a new Mexican seafood grill is coming to Cedar Rapids

Plus, a comedy opening tonight at Giving Tree Theater honors the theater’s late co-owner

Welcome to the Friday, April 12 edition of the Gazette Daily News Podcast. This podcast gives quick bites from the latest headlines coming out of The Gazette newsroom. I’m Bailey Cichon.

On Wednesday, Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds signed off on a bill that will change the rules for a program that funds anti-abortion pregnancy centers. In 2022, state lawmakers created the More Options for Maternal Support Program or MOMS program. It hasn’t gotten off the ground because the state has struggled to find an administrator. The new law gives the state Department of Health and Human Services the option to administer the program directly instead of contracting with a provider. The law also loosens some requirements for a provider who administers the program if the department chooses one. The program will direct state funds to non-medically licensed centers. These centers are often run by religious organizations and provide information and services to pregnant women and discourage abortion.

While opponents argue the centers misrepresent their medical credentials and give inaccurate information, Republicans say medical services provided would be overseen by state officials. Plus, the centers would be accountable to the Department of Health and Human Services.

Gov. Reynolds also signed into law proposals that would increase the penalties for swatting calls and retail theft. Swatting is the act of falsely reporting a crime to draw a police response. Swatting has been an issue in Iowa schools. For example, two swatting calls were reported in two months at Jefferson High School in Cedar Rapids this year. Under Senate File 2161, a person who falsely reports a violent crime to the police will be guilty of a Class D or C felony. A Class D felony is punishable by up to five years in prison, whereas a Class C felony is punishable by up to 10 years. Additionally, Reynolds signed into law a bill that creates the crime of organized retail theft. The law targets groups of people who coordinate robberies of retail merchandise. Finally, Reynolds signed into law a bill that addresses quote unquote “deepfake” pornographic images of minors. The law treats images or videos created by AI or other digital means the same as real images and videos, bringing them under the definition of child pornography.

Next, a new restaurant is coming to the former Vivian’s Soul Food building in Cedar Rapids. According to social media, Acapulco Seafood & Grill is planning to open at 2925 Williams Parkway SW quote “very soon” end quote. Foodies can expect Mexican seafood from the new restaurant. The space on Williams Parkway SW has been vacant since Vivian’s closed all of its locations in December 2022. The restaurants closed due to quote “residual impacts” end quote of the economy in the aftermath of the pandemic.

Next, tonight is opening night for Giving Tree Theater’s production of “The Hallelujah Girls”. The show is a part of the theater’s new Andrea Series, which is named for the theater’s late co-owner Andrea Henley. Henley poured her heart into the Uptown Marion playhouse and chose most of the scripts during the years she owned the theater with her husband, Jamie Henley. Andrea died unexpectedly September 5 from complications of Sjogren’s syndrome, an autoimmune disease she had been living with for 25 years. Andrea was 47-years-old. "The Hallelujah Girls“ tells the story of the quote unquote ”feisty females“ who gather at an abandoned church-turned-day spa, Spa-Dee-Dah! The show runs April 12 through 28 and tickets are $27. Find ticket information at givingtreetheater.com/shop/shows/2.

Find a link to each of today’s featured stories in this episode’s description or at thegazette.com.

Finally, let’s take a look at the weather in Cedar Rapids. Today will be cloudy. Expect a high of 64 degrees and a low of 36 degrees. Saturday will be partly cloudy. Enjoy a high of 79 degrees and a low of 57 degrees. Sunday will be sunny with a high of 81 degrees and a low of 51 degrees. Spring is here, Cedar Rapids.

Thank you for listening to the Gazette Daily News Podcast. Stay updated with the latest Eastern Iowa news at thegazette.com. I’m Bailey Cichon.

Comments: bailey.cichon@thegazette.com