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Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds offered a prayer today for the family, friends, and coworkers of two members of staff Tuesday at Anamosa State Penitentiary. At her weekly news conference today, Reynolds also asked people to be patient and respectful of the families as officials continue investigating what happened. Department of Corrections officials will hold a news conference about the incident at 3 p.m. today at the prison.
People could buy firearms and carry a concealed handgun without first obtaining a state permit in the state under a bill the Iowa Senate approved and sent to Governor Reynolds. The bill would eliminate current state permit requirements and the accompanying background checks that ensure the person obtaining or carrying a gun isn’t disqualified from ownership due to past felonies or abuses.
Iowa remains on target to open vaccine eligibility to all adults beginning April 5. Governor Reynolds said today that the state expects it will receive an anticipated boost in vaccine allocation in the coming weeks, allowing it to broaden the eligibility criteria. But Reynolds cautioned that Iowans will still need to remain patient, even after eligibility opens up. Currently, Iowans in certain professions, aged 65 and older, and those with underlying health conditions that may lead to more severe cases of COVID-19 are eligible for the vaccine. However, appointments for the shots are still hard to come by.
Nebraska’s colleges and universities will receive an estimated $212 million in federal aid through the latest coronavirus relief package signed into law by President Joe Biden earlier this month.
