A blizzard seems likely to strike much of Siouxland starting Wednesday morning, so some cities are declaring snow emergencies to put residents on notice and schools are canceling instruction.
The snow emergency will start in Sioux City at 2 a.m. Wednesday, and it governs street parking, so plow crews can keep as many thoroughfares as cleared as possible.
The forecast calls for the Blizzard Warning for many counties in all three states, with a high likelihood of 8 to 12 inches of snow. Siouxland had a mild winter through much of February, but this would be the second blizzard in the area in two weeks.
Peak snowfall could come about 9 a.m., and move out of the area by 5 p.m. Wednesday. Winds are expected in the range of 40 to 60 mph, so with whiteout conditions possible, travel is not recommended.
The Sioux City School District will not have classes.
*The state senators in Iowa have spoken near unanimity, they want no mobile device usage while people drive vehicles, unless it is in hands-free mode.
The Iowa Senate voted 47-to-1 Tuesday to ban cell phone use while driving unless it’s in hands-free mode.
Current law bans viewing and sending electronic messages while driving. Law enforcement groups say that’s nearly impossible to enforce. They say stricter laws are needed to reduce car crashes and deaths.
The bill would also raise the fine for using a cell phone while driving from $45 to $100.
Republican Senator Mark Lofgren said distracted driving is a problem that’s gotten worse.
“Hindering drivers from messing with their phones by requiring a voice-activated or hands-free mode will not eliminate all the risk of distraction, but it will define the line to not cross over. And by doing so, it will improve safety on our roads,” Lofgren said.
The Senate has passed the bill several times, but House Republicans never put it up for a vote. Lofgren says there’s now an agreement with the House, and the bill has a very good chance of becoming law this year.
*In other news, the Iowa governor would get more power over commissions that choose judicial nominees under a bill that passed out of the state Senate.
District judicial nominating commissions consider applicants for Iowa district judge positions, and they send the names of top applicants to the governor, who selects the new judge.
The bill would remove the judge from each commission and let the governor appoint the majority of commissioners. During the Monday voting deliberations, Republican Senator Julian Garrett said judges have too much influence over the commissions.
But Democratic Senator Herman Quirmbach says the bill would politicize Iowa’s judicial system, and the current system doesn’t need to be changed.
In 2019, the Legislature gave the governor the majority of appointments to the commission that picks nominees for the Iowa Supreme Court. Senate Republicans have been trying for years to extend that policy to district commissions.
*Also in some other possible changes to existing systems in Iowa, the state Senate passed a bill today Monday that would prohibit cities with a civil service commission from having a citizen police review board.
Five cities in Iowa currently have boards that allow members of the public to review police misconduct and discipline.
The bill would also change procedures for civil service commissions when employees—including police officers—appeal their firing, suspension or demotion.
Republican Scott Webster of Bettendorf says the bill is needed to make the disciplinary process fair for police officers.
"These review boards have the ability to talk about officers, worry about what happened on a particular case. That officer because of his legal requirements can’t come in there and defend himself in any way shape or form. That’s not what this state is about, that's not what this country is about," Webster said.
Some Democrats say the bill will hurt some cities’ efforts to be responsive to their communities in terms of policing. An identical bill is eligible for debate in the House.
