Daily News Podcast: Wednesday, April 12, 2023
You are listening to The Gazette's Daily News Podcast on Wednesday, April 12, 2023. I'm your host, Bailey Cichon filling in for Stephen Schmidt.
The future of the 'fetal heartbeat' law is up to the Iowa Supreme Court. On Tuesday, attorneys representing Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds argued in front of the Iowa Supreme Court over Gov. Reynolds' request that the court lift an injunction on the 2018 state law that would ban abortions once a fetus's heartbeat can be detected. Right now, abortion is legal in Iowa until 20 weeks of pregnancy. But if the Iowa Supreme Court grants Reynolds's request, a vast majority of abortions in Iowa will become illegal. Some major medical organizations argued that an actual heartbeat doesn't occur until about 17 to 20 weeks of pregnancy. What is detected at six weeks is not a heartbeat, but actually electrical impulses. There isn't a timeline for the Iowa Supreme Court's decision but most decisions are published by the end of the court's term June 30. Iowa Supreme Court is currently made up of five justices appointed by Governor Kim Reynolds and two by previous Governor Terry Branstad, who is also a Republican. For more details: https://www.thegazette.com/state-government/fetal-heartbeat-law-argued-in-iowa-supreme-court/
$306 million. That is how much the Army Corps of Engineers will contribute to constructing Cedar Rapids' flood control system on the east side of the Cedar River. Previously, the Army Corps had committed $117 million toward the project. Tuesday they announced the additional contribution. The project is expected to be completed by the end of 2026. For a closer look: read Marissa Payne's story "Army Corps boosts C.R. flood control commitment to $306M on river’s east side".
Next, Barrel House is expanding to Coralville. This edition is the local franchise brand's third location in the Corridor. The Coralville location will be located at 3230 Redhawk Street, Suite 300. It's set to open around May.
Finally, a look at today's weather. Today will be cloudy with a high of 84 and low of 53. Thank you for listening. For all the latest stories coming out of Eastern Iowa, visit thegazette.com. For The Gazette, I'm Bailey Cichon. Have a great day.
