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Foster care & Adoption

How does family's private tragedy relate to 70 years of history? On this episode, we talk with journalist and author Paige Towers about her new book 'What They Stole: A Familicide Rooted in Intercountry Adoption.' It investigates the 2008 murder-suicide of the Sueppel family in Iowa City and how that tragedy sheds light on the fraught history of international adoptions in America.
  • Iowa’s hands-free law is now being enforced. On this Newsbuzz edition, what drivers need to know to stay safe and avoid fines. Also, it’s crunch time at the Capitol — we check in with 'Des Moines Register' reporter Stephen Gruber-Miller on where key legislation stands. We also hear from IPR’s Meghan McKinney about a new law changing foster parent training, and get a planting season preview from Iowa State agronomist Mark Licht as weather swings impact farmers. Plus, an Iowa State researcher explains how artificial intelligence is being used to predict virus evolution before it happens. And we wrap up with groove into the weekend with Nick Brunner.
  • Foster parent training will be based on a prospective parent's lived and professional experience under a new law set to take effect July 1. Some training topics are required, as well as safety vetting and background checks.
  • The Iowa Senate passed a bill that would change Iowa's foster care training requirements. Under the proposal, the state would determine a training course for each prospective foster parent, with some areas of training still required.