Former Iowa Supreme Court justice Michael Streit tells a Siouxland audience he has no regrets. Streit spoke to students at the University of South Dakota law school Thursday night. Streit was one of seven justices whose unanimous decision in 2009 legalized same sex marriage in Iowa. The following year, voters removed him from the bench. Streit told the students that as a judge, you have to set aside all your political scruples and make an honest ruling.
Both chambers of the South Dakota Legislature have approved bills that would allow school districts to arm teachers and other personnel with guns. It would be up to each school district to decide and no teachers would be forced to carry guns. The superintendent of Dakota Valley schools worries if the measure becomes law, it could create a tempest of debate in the community.
The Board of the Lower Elkhorn Natural Resources District gives the go-ahead for a study to research a possible rural water system. A consulting group will launch a 10-month feasibility study immediately. It covers Madison County south of Norfolk, southwestern Stanton County, and northern Platte County. The proposed new system would be voluntary and would be used for domestic and commercial use. Some wells in the area went dry during last summer's drought.
A big boost for the planned Children's Museum of Siouxland. The Iowa Farm Bureau Federation and Woodbury County Farm Bureau donated $50,000 to the project. The money will go towards an interactive agricultural exhibit that shows kids the food production cycle. The Children's Museum will be built at 623 Pearl Street. Officials hope to start construction this summer and have it open by the summer of next year.
