New state law leads to showdown between like-minded Johnson County supervisors
JOHNSON COUNTY — Two like-minded supervisors in this deeply liberal county will face each other in June, because of a new law that converted their “at-large” seats into ones based on the districts in which they live (The Gazette). Long-time county supervisor Rod Sullivan, first elected in 2005, faces V Fixmer-Oraiz, first elected in 2022. The two will compete for the county’s District 4 Democratic nomination, and thus the seat (no Republican has filed) because of a law passed last year that requires counties of Iowa’s colleges to convert to districted seats. Iowa City is home to the University of Iowa, and Sullivan and Fixmer-Oraiz both live in the same north Iowa City district. Also facing Democratic challengers in the June primary: Lisa Green-Douglass of District 1 and Jon Green of District 2. District 5 incumbent Mandy Remington faces a challenge from former Iowa City Pride President Joe Reilly in District 5. District 3’s Sue Dvorsky will face Republican Jennie Wunderlich in November. (photo shows, l to r: Dvorsky, Sullivan, Remington, Green, and Fixmer-Oraiz)
More volunteers, training, coordination encouraged of Cedar Rapids Animal Care
CEDAR RAPIDS — After a year of improvements that included more staffers, Cedar Rapids Animal Care is now encouraged to take its improvements a few steps further. Greater volunteer recruitment, collaborating more with rescue organizations and other community partners, comprehensive staff training, and a new supervisor position are among the recommendations from Matrix Consulting. The review and its recommendations are the latest in steps triggered in August, when state inspectors cited numerous maintenance issues and under-staffing as important needs to be addressed (The Gazette). The shelter has provided a timeline and steps taken to address the inspection issues, including adding three full-time and seven part-time positions (CBS2Iowa).
Psilocybin could legally treat PTSD under Iowa bill
Psilocybin, an ingredient in naturally-grown mushrooms, would be legalized to treat post-traumatic stress disorder in Iowa, under a bill approved by the full House, and a Senate committee, thus far (Marijuana Moment). The bill would require a licensed professional’s prescription of the treatment. The bill also asks the state’s Health and Human Services department to study the use of other “psychedelic compounds” to treat medical conditions. Psilocybin is shown in some studies to mimic the help alleviate depression and anxiety. It’s attracting more research because it has “limited impacts on physical health” and has a low risk of abuhttps://www.marijuanamoment.net/iowa-senators-approve-psilocybin-therapy-bill-for-ptsd-patients/se, writes the U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs’ National Center for PTSD.
