More than 100 new Iowa laws just took effect on abortion, crime, and policing. On this episode of River to River, we talk about what’s changed and who it affects. We hear from Erin Murphy of the Gazette who gives us a quick survey of the most significant new laws. Then, IPR's Natalie Krebs explains the new telehealth restrictions and what options remain for abortion pill prescriptions. Mahaska County Attorney Andrew Ritland tells us about Iowa's new mandatory minimum for repeat felons. And state Rep. Ruth Ann Gaines shares her thoughts on a new law that removes the annual police bias training requirement.
Marci Suela/The Marshall Project
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Chris Yang and Brad Weaver, via Unsplash; Ian Panelo, via Pexels; U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit; U.S. District Court for the District of Nebraska; and U.S. District Court for the Western District of Missouri
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The legality of geofence warrants, where law enforcement can access the data of people in a geographic area, is being considered by the U.S. Supreme Court. University of Iowa Technology Law Clinic director Megan Graham walks us through the case. Also, fellow Iowa law professor Bethany Berger talks about the 1884 case being incorrectly cited in the Trump Administration's birthright citizenship case. Then, Cornell College's Megan Goldberg walks us through the 1st Congressional District primary races.
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Police are investigating a shooting that happened early Sunday morning at the downtown Ped Mall near the University of Iowa campus. Five people were taken to area hospitals. No arrests have been made.
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Two more immigrant truck drivers picked up by the Iowa State Patrol and ICE officers along Interstate 80 are suing the federal government.
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If you're charged with a crime in Iowa and the charges are dropped, should you still get the bill for your public defender? The Iowa Supreme Court recently said no, but a bill could reverse that decision. Also, our indigent defense fund contributed to legal deserts in the state, a University of Iowa researcher says. Then, the executive director of the Iowa County Attorney Association says the issue of prosecutor shortages is being overlooked.
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The city of Coralville has terminated its contract with Flock Safety, a nationwide vendor of Automated License Plate Readers. Many Coralville residents are opposed to the technology and say they are relieved by the council’s recent actions but troubled by a lack of clarity on when the city’s two readers will be taken down.
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An Iowa Lakes Community College baseball player was killed and 32 other people were injured when the team’s bus overturned Wednesday in northwest Iowa. College leaders pledge to support students through this time.
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The City of Coralville is considering revisiting its contract with Flock Safety, a company that operates controversial Automated License Plate Readers in the area. It comes after the city received a letter from the Iowa Attorney General’s Office that states part of its policy prohibiting the cameras from being used for immigration enforcement does not comply with state law.
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Three bills that make up Iowa House Republicans’ “tough on crime” package cleared their first legislative hurdle in the Iowa House this week.
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Iowans filled a room at the Capitol Thursday morning to oppose a bill that would end a requirement for police to have yearly de-escalation and bias prevention training and remove references to affirmative action in state law.