Articles Tagged: Public safety

Reimbursement for home security systems and allowing legislators to get professional weapons permits are among the proposals.

Iowa House Republicans on Wednesday unveiled a “tough on crime” legislative package that would impose a mandatory 20-year prison sentence on repeat offenders, tighten bail rules and expand public access to judicial performance data.

Republican lawmakers are pushing legislation to keep offenders behind bars longer and expand Iowa’s sex offender registry, but corrections officials and advocates warn the proposals could worsen overcrowding, reduce parole supervision and create sentence-calculation errors that undermine public safety.

Iowa House Republicans say they want to act proactively in 2026 with a “tough on crime” package aimed at repeat offenders, bail reform and sentencing — even as recent data show Iowa crime trending downward.

Federal agency agrees to allow companies to rely more on technology to spot problems.

The goal of the drill is to make sure that firefighters are prepared to face what could be a highly dangerous situation.

Grassley said the mismanagement has caused significant hardship for grieving families, who often experience yearslong delays in processing and approving claims.

Finalists are set to be interviewed next month. The city is working to fill the position after previous Chief Mike Kitsmiller retired in April.

Iowans turned in over 4 tons of unwanted medicines in event last fall

Disability benefits for Iowa firefighters and police officers would be expanded to cover all cancers — beyond the 14 currently covered — under legislation that advanced Monday in the Iowa Senate, the place where previous attempts to move the proposal have faltered.

A group of Des Moines firefighters and their family members filled a legislative committee room last week at the Iowa Capitol, hopeful that this will be the year lawmakers pass legislation to expand medical coverage for firefighters who develop cancer on the job. While a House bill passed unanimously through committee, the Senate bill was removed from a committee agenda.

A new class of therapy dogs is launching across Iowa to help the people who help others. And at Independence Fire and Rescue Association, one poodle is among the first helping change the mindset around mental health needs for first responders.

The department previously disbanded because of “lack of support” and other concerns with members of the City Council.

The officer was trying to arrest Kyle Ricke on a warrant last fall when shot.

County and local officials across the state were advising Iowans that 911 call centers are operational but calls from landline phones could not be completed, automatic alarm systems might not be functioning properly and administrative lines may be down.