Justice
Federal law still treats marijuana as an illegal drug, creating headaches for states
Most states in the U.S. are in violation of a major federal drug statute. The 1971 Controlled Substances Act lists marijuana in the most dangerous category defined in the law, on par with cocaine and heroin because of its supposed potential for abuse and lack of medical applications. Iowa’s medical cannabis program is strictly limited […]
State wins injunction against furnace repairman implicated in death
The state of Iowa has been granted an injunction against an unlicensed heating contractor accused of causing the death of a customer. Earlier this fall, the Iowa Plumbing & Mechanical Systems Board sought a court injunction that would restrain Jack Archer of Pleasant Hill from either contracting for, or performing services, in the plumbing, refrigeration […]
Another Iowa doctor facing competency case anonymously sues the state
Another Iowa doctor is suing the state under the name “John Doe,” this time in an effort to block the Iowa Board of Medicine from issuing a public statement of charges against him. The board argues it has “competency concerns” with the physician and that its case against the doctor should be allowed to proceed […]
Iowans accused of conspiring to violate California’s ban on puppy-mill dogs
A group of Iowans are facing a potential class-action lawsuit alleging they constructed an elaborate scheme to violate California’s ban on puppy-mill dogs by laundering puppies through companies intended to look like rescue organizations. The lawsuit was filed Thursday in U.S. District Court by the Animal Legal Defense Fund on behalf of two California consumers. […]
September trial date set for public-records lawsuit against Sand
A September 2022 trial date has been scheduled in a lawsuit alleging Iowa Auditor of State Rob Sand violated the state’s Open Records Law. The lawsuit was filed in October by the Kirkwood Institute, a nonprofit organization that calls itself a “nonpartisan” but “conservative public-interest law firm.” It is run by former Muscatine County Attorney […]
Rittenhouse was a ‘wannabe,’ not a hero
The Kyle Rittenhouse trial and verdict is a bit like those ink blot tests psychologists sometimes have patients examine. A half-dozen folks can look at the same thing and see something different. I’ve heard Rittenhouse described as a “hero” by right wingers and as a “criminal” by those on the left. But when I look […]
House Republicans slam treatment of Jan. 6 defendants held at D.C. jail
WASHINGTON — Four House Republicans held a Tuesday press conference to complain about the poor conditions at a District of Columbia jail housing inmates charged with violence in connection with the Jan. 6 insurrection at the U.S. Capitol. But a District of Columbia advocate for prison reform in an interview said that jail and another […]
Company must pay $75,000 fine for ‘deceptive’ COVID-19 cleaner
A Des Moines custodial company must pay $75,000 and offer customer refunds after falsely claiming that its cleaning process would protect against surface transmission of COVID-19 for up to 90 days. Iowa Attorney General Tom Miller announced Tuesday that the state reached a settlement with a group of companies owned or run by Iowa resident […]
‘Water wars’ continue as rural water district sues the city of Woodward
The city of Woodward is the latest Iowa municipality to be sued for allegedly infringing on the rights of one of Iowa’s rural water districts. Like others before it, the case pits the financial needs of rural areas served by water districts against neighboring cities that are attempting to capitalize on commercial development along their […]
Iowa Utilities Board sued over $23 million decision on broadband provider
A lawsuit filed by a major provider of broadband services alleges that a recent decision by the Iowa Utilities Board has prevented it from participating in the rollout of a $23 million expansion of broadband service for rural Iowans. LTD Broadband, a Las Vegas-based company with roughly 150 employees, owns and operates more than 2,500 […]
Axne introduces bill in response to Gingerich puppy mill abuses
The U.S. Department of Agriculture would be required to report and impose penalties when dog breeders violate the Animal Welfare Act under a new bill proposed by Rep. Cindy Axne. The bill is named “Goldie’s Act,” after a golden retriever who died under the care of Iowa puppy mill owner Daniel Gingerich, who operated in […]
Iowa Republicans rally around Mississippi abortion case
As the Supreme Court heard arguments on a Mississippi abortion law, Republican members of Iowa’s D.C. delegation tweeted their support for upholding the law and overturning the landmark Roe v. Wade decision. The Mississippi law bans most abortions beyond 15 weeks of pregnancy. That would be several weeks earlier than Roe v. Wade, which established […]