Free Republic

DES MOINES, Iowa -- Do illegal immigrants have a right to obtain a driver's license? In Iowa, the answer from the state Supreme Court is: no. The court on Friday upheld a judge's ruling in Polk County. The Iowa Department of Transportation requires applicants for a driver's license to show proof of identity and a Social Security card. The attorney for a group of immigrants had argued that the policy violates their right to equal protection under the U.S. Constitution. Lawmakers in 10 states have passed legislation permitting licenses for undocumented aliens.

Dismissed player due in court Wednesday WEST DES MOINES, Iowa -- Former Iowa basketball star Pierre Pierce was charged with assault and burglary Wednesday, a week after he was thrown off the team. Pierce surrendered to police and was to appear in court later in the day on charges of first-degree burglary, two counts of domestic assault, assault with intent to commit sexual abuse, false imprisonment and criminal mischief. His lawyer, Alfredo Parrish, said Wednesday that his client intends to plead not guilty. Pierce, the team's leading scorer, was kicked off the team after police confirmed he was the subject...

Crucifixion Controversy April 10, 2004, Kellogg, IA- The re-inactment of the crucifiction is raising ruckus in one central Iowa town. It happened in Kellogg which is located about 15 minutes northeast of Newton (45 minutes NE of Des Moines). "This is a public park and a violation of church and state." That's why William Denison says he grabbed his camera on friday night. He wanted to document a youth group using a public park for what he sees as a religious event. But what he saw through the viewfinder he says was enough to make his stomach turn. He says...

Bus, Radio Station Battle Over Billboard MTA Refuses To Run Talk Radio Sign DES MOINES, Iowa -- The Metro Transit Authority said it will transport passengers, but not a certain radio station's signs. Now, a Des Moines talk radio station said the MTA is running over its right to free speech. On-air Thursday, Kim Chase and former Des Moines Mayor Preston Daniels talked about a big billboard they'd like to see on a bus. The billboard (pictured, left) shows a couple getting married. Sen. John Kerry and President George W. Bush are the bride and groom, respectively. "The ad says,...

Two Murdered Outside Des Moines Restaurant Suspects Shoot At Police During Chase POSTED: 10:13 AM CST January 24, 2004 UPDATED: 1:27 PM CST January 24, 2004 DES MOINES -- Two people are dead and one is injured with a gunshot to the head following a shooting at a northwest side restaurant in Des Moines. Police exchanged gunfire with two suspects who led police on a long chase through the city before eventually being captured. The murder victims were found in front of the Casa Vallarta restaurant at 2327 Euclid, which is located in a shopping strip just west of the...

<p>Pierson, Ia. - A snowmobile accident that claimed the lives of four young girls - ages 10, 10, 11 and 13 - is among the deadliest in state history.</p> <p>"This is probably the most tragic and devastating snowmobile accident I've ever heard of," said Rod Slings, the Iowa Department of Natural Resources' head of recreational safety.</p>

Man sues hotel owner after chair collapses By JEFF ECKHOFF Des Moines Register Staff Writer 09/19/2003 An apparently hefty breakfast eater has sued the owner of a Lee County hotel after a plastic chair collapsed beneath him in the middle of his morning meal. Kevin Reeder of Urbandale alleges that he suffered a fractured wrist and $6,500 in medical expenses after the June 17, 2002, incident at the Days Inn in Fort Madison. Reeder's lawsuit, filed in Polk County against Ramji Corp., charges that the owners should have known "that some customers would weigh in excess of 350 pounds" and...

Feds Close Meskawki Judge Orders Casino Closed POSTED: 7:38 a.m. CDT May 23, 2003 UPDATED: 7:43 a.m. CDT May 23, 2003 DES MOINES, Iowa -- A federal judge in Cedar Rapids has ordered federal marshals into Tama to close the Meskwaki casino. This action comes after weeks of squabbling between two fighting factions over control of the casino. Witnesses at the casino say the marshals are escorting gamblers out of the facility. Earlier this month, the National Indian Gaming Commission ordered a council appointed by the hereditary chief to turn over control of the Meskwaki government and casino to the...

APRIL 16--While all news organizations prepare obituaries in advance of the deaths of famous individuals, the folks at CNN inadvertently gave the Internet-surfing public a chance to preview how the network's web site would note the demise of Vice President Dick Cheney, Ronald Reagan, and a few other prominent figures. Until earlier this afternoon, a CNN server housed mock-ups of web pages announcing the yet-to-happen deaths. The CNN pages, which were discovered by the intrepid folks at fark.com, were yanked about 20 minutes after being exposed (though TSG was able to grab a few of the pages for posterity's sake)....

'Pet' Raccoon Chews Infant's Face Report: Child Will Need Reconstructive Surgery DES MOINES, Iowa -- A pet raccoon attacked a 2-month-old baby in Des Moines early Wednesday morning. The baby's mother called police just before 4:30 a.m. to report that the family's raccoon was on top of the child, chewing on his face. A condition report has not been released, but a police report said an officer on the scene did not believe the injuries to Elijah Evans were life threatening. The same report said Evans would need major plastic surgery. The attack happened at 1416 19th St. The mother...

Iowa City Councilman Promotes Car Co-op Posted at 7:38 on 02/18/2002 Some may call it the ultimate car pool. A group of local activists, including Iowa City councilman Steven Kanner, is trying to organize a community car co-op claiming that for some people, the benefits of sharing a car would outweigh the luxuries of car ownership. ‘‘Sharing a car rather than owning one teaches cooperation, helps the environment and it also helps encourage other methods of transportation,’’ Kanner said. ‘‘It’s just a good opportunity for those who can’t afford a car or don’t want one.’’ After a failed attempt to ...

Doctor Continues To Claim He Treats Elvis Psychiatrist Says He Has DNA Evidence Posted: 7:56 p.m. CST February 11, 2002 Updated: 8:01 p.m. CST February 11, 2002 INDEPENDENCE, Mo. -- An Independence psychiatrist is still claiming that he is treating Elvis Presley for migraine headaches, KMBC 9 News' Maria Antonia reported Monday. Elvis lives and still sings, but he no longer shakes his hips because he is old now and has arthritis, psychiatrist Dr. Donald Hinton said. "I hear from him on a regular basis. … On Sunday, it was by phone," Hinton said. "I'm treating Elvis Aaron Presley, the ...

Protesters Greet Clarence Thomas Supreme Court Justice Teaches Class At Drake POSTED: 1:35 p.m. CST February 5, 2002 UPDATED: 6:33 p.m. CST February 5, 2002 DES MOINES, Iowa -- A small group of people was at Drake Law School Tuesday to protest U.S. Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas. Thomas was invited to the school to teach a class of second- and third-year law students. He's expected to teach at Drake all week. A group of about 5 people stood outside the school to protest Thomas' appearance. They argue that the Supreme Court made the wrong decision by allowing George W. ...

The Sept. 11 terrorist attacks have Americans feeling helpless and disoriented, former White House press secretary and journalist Bill Moyers said Monday. "How do we carry on a normal life when abnormal things are happening?" Moyers said in an interview before a speech at Drake University. Moyers, a press secretary for Lyndon Johnson and a journalist who has worked in both print and television, delivered the Martin Bucksbaum Distinguished Lecture Monday night at the Knapp Center. He appeared with Martin Marty, a professor emeritus from the University of Chicago and an expert on religious fundamentalism. Moyers said Americans struggle ...