Dallas County Attorney Refuses to Release Report on Perry High School Shootings 2024-09-05

Dallas County Attorney Jeannine Ritchie says she does not plan to release a report detailing the findings of an investigation into Jan. 4 shootings at Perry High School that left a student, the school's principal and the shooter dead. Ritchie, the prosecutor with jurisdiction over the case, said the document falls under a section of Iowa code that exempts reports about an 'ongoing investigation' from the state's open-records laws. Iowa Freedom of Information Council Executive Director Randy Evans expressed his concern about Ritchie's stance, saying the public deserves to know the details of the tragedy.

crime

Unanswered Questions Linger in Perry High School Shootings 2024-09-05

Nine months after the Perry High School shootings, numerous questions remain about the circumstances and handling of the tragedy, and about the shooter, student Dylan Butler, 17, who took his own life. Authorities have not released details about Butler's motive, whether he left behind any communications about his plan, or how he obtained the weapons and bomb he brought to the school. The investigation report has not been made public, despite calls from the Iowa Freedom of Information Council for transparency.

politics

Iowa Judge to Rule on Libertarian Candidates' Ballot Access 2024-09-05

A judge in Polk County, Iowa, is expected to rule quickly on a legal challenge by three Libertarian congressional candidates who were removed from the November 2024 ballot by a state panel. The Libertarians argue the state panel overstepped its bounds, while the state and Republican objectors say the Libertarian Party failed to follow state laws for nominating candidates. The judge acknowledged the time crunch, as overseas ballots need to be mailed within two weeks.