Gazette Daily News Podcast: Thursday, February 1, 2024

– Republican Iowa House lawmakers table Gov. Kim Reynolds’ AEA bill

– Iowa DCI counters allegations that sports betting probe used ‘warrantless search’

– Iowa Amber Alert suspect in custody after standoff

– Country-themed bar opening in Iowa City

Episode Transcript

You are listening to The Gazette’s Daily News Podcast on Thursday,, February 1. This podcast gives quick bites from the latest headlines coming out of The Gazette newsroom. I’m Bailey Cichon.

Coming up, Iowa lawmakers table Governor Reynolds’ Area Education Agency bill

And later, Iowa DCI says using geofencing in the sports betting probe was legal

Up first, Iowa House lawmakers are pausing the advancement of a bill that would overhaul the state’s area education agencies. The bill would also allow schools to opt out of their special education services. The bill is House Study Bill 542. Governor Kim Reynolds said the bill responds to lagging tests scores from students with disabilities. Iowa has nine AEAs, which provide special education and gifted and talented instruction, assist with classroom equipment and media services and more.Reynolds amended her proposal this week. Under the change, federal and state special education funds would go directly to districts. Districts then could contract with AEAs or a third party. Schools, of course, are legally obligated to educate students with disabilities. Currently, AEAs receive special education funding for schools in their districts

Parents of students with disabilities and school officials pleaded with lawmakers to kill the bill during an hour-long subcommittee meeting. House Education Committee chair Republican Rep. Skyler Wheeler of Hull said he and the other Republican on the subcommittee, Rep. Taylor Collins of Mediapolis, would have further conversations before moving the bill forward. Democratic Rep. Sharon Sue Steckman of Mason City voted against advancing the bill.

Next, the Iowa Department of Public Safety issued a statement Wednesday saying their use of geofencing software on college campuses was legal. This comes after defense lawyers representing student athletes charged with sports betting violations alleged quote “warrantless searches” end quote were used.

The Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation or DCI is part of the Iowa Department of Public Safety. Last year, the DCI charged 25 people in Johnson and Story counties with sports betting violations. That included University of Iowa and Iowa State University student-athletes, former student-athletes and others associated with their athletic programs.

The statement said quote, “Prior to using the tools provided, the Department of Public Safety conferred with legal counsel to ensure lawful access to and use of the technology. Two county attorney offices also reviewed all relevant investigative information before making the ultimate decision to file charges.” end quote.

According to reporting from The Gazette’s Erin Jordan, the Iowa Racing and Gaming Commission has use of Kibana software as a regulator. Geolocation software can be used to ensure that people aren’t placing bets with Iowa sportsbooks from outside state boundaries. The DCI is the primary agency that enforces sports wagering in Iowa. What’s missing from the department’s statement is what caused agents to focus on UI and ISU student-athletes. The department said it doesn’t comment on active investigations or litigation involving the agency.

The full story has more back story on the motions filed last week. You can read that at The Gazette dot com or follow the link in this episode’s description.

Cell phones beeped and buzzed with a statewide Amber Alert Tuesday afternoon for 7-year-old Bryson Duong. Bryson had been taken from the playground at Greene Elementary School in Jefferson by a non-custodial parent, Brandon Duong. Tuesday evening, law enforcement arrested Duong after a multi-county high-speed chase, vehicle crash and an estimated two-and-a-half hour standoff. The standoff took place between Remsen and Marcus in Northwest Iowa. Duong was charged with one count of first degree kidnapping. In a statement, the Iowa Department of Public Safety said the Jefferson Police Department and DCI quote “will continue their investigation to further understand the circumstances that necessitated the issuance of the Amber Alert.” end quote. 7-year-old Bryson is safe.

Next, Saddle up your horses, cowboys! A country-themed bar is coming to Iowa City. Giddy Up is trotting into town in the space formerly occupied by Pints Iowa City at 118 S.Clinton St. Giddy Up is a country-western bar with a contemporary twist. The new bar will have a dance floor, a shiplap bar, wooden walls and other rustic elements evoking the charm of an old-time saloon. On the menu, cowfolk can enjoy themed cocktails, high-end whiskeys and boots of beer. Giddy Up owner Josh Immerfall said the restaurant is an ode to country living.

You can find a link to each of the stories featured in today’s episode in this episode’s description or at the gazette dot com.

Finally, let’s take a look at today’s weather in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. Today will be mostly sunny with a high of 45 degrees. Temperatures will drop to 31 degrees tonight. Looking ahead to tomorrow, Friday will be partly cloudy. Expect a high of 40 degrees and a low of 31 degrees.

One week from today our Iowa Ideas In-Depth Week on Homelessness kicks off. Register for free to participate in the daily lunch-hour virtual sessions on homelessness, resources and long-term solutions in Iowa. Visit Iowa Ideas dot com for full details and to register. That’s Iowa Ideas dot com.

Thank you for listening to The Gazette’s Daily News Podcast. Stay up to date with the latest news from Eastern Iowa at the gazette dot com. I’m Bailey Cichon.

Comments: bailey.cichon@thegazette.com