Former Owner of Escaped Water Buffalo Charged with Misdemeanor 2024-09-27

The former owner of the water buffalo that roamed loose in Pleasant Hill for five days in August has been charged with a misdemeanor. Prem Nepal, the owner of the water buffalo lovingly nicknamed 'PHill' by Pleasant Hill residents, has been charged with animal at large, a simple misdemeanor in Iowa, according to a criminal complaint filed Tuesday. PHill was under the care of Nepal, who was attempting to slaughter the water buffalo, at the time of his escape. Nepal told police to shoot the water buffalo, according to the complaint. After being tranquilized, the water buffalo was transported to the Large Animal Hospital at Iowa State University where he was treated for a shotgun wound that was 'severely infected.' PHill now calls the Iowa Farm Sanctuary, a farm animal rehabilitation center in Oxford, home along with two other water buffalo that were under Nepal's care.

healthcare

Iowa Teen Travels 450 Miles for Gender-Affirming Care After State Ban 2024-09-27

Veronica, a 17-year-old transgender teenager in Iowa, has been traveling 450 miles to Minnesota every few months to receive gender-affirming care. Iowa banned gender-affirming care for youth in March 2023, forcing Veronica and her family to seek treatment out of state. Veronica's mom, Emily, has been supportive of her daughter's transition, but is concerned about the safety and discrimination Veronica may face as a transgender person in Iowa. The family has had to make the long drive to Minnesota to ensure Veronica can continue her treatment, which has included puberty blockers and estrogen therapy. Veronica's doctor in Minnesota is pleased with her progress and says she is 'feeling more peace with her body' since starting the treatment.

immigration

Iowa Argues for Enforcement of Law Criminalizing Illegal Reentry 2024-09-27

The state of Iowa argued before a federal appeals court that it should be allowed to enforce its law making illegal reentry a state crime. A federal judge had temporarily blocked the law's enforcement after the U.S. Department of Justice and immigrant rights groups filed legal challenges. Iowa Solicitor General Eric Wessan said the state should be given a chance to enforce the law, which he claims mirrors federal law. However, the American Immigration Council Deputy Legal Director Emma Winger said the law cannot be enforced without violating the Constitution, as it could lead to the prosecution of immigrants with legal status. The three-judge panel of the U.S. Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals will decide whether Iowa's illegal reentry law can be enforced.