Tuesday, May 18th, 2021

The Iowa legislature was busy on Monday. Lawmakers sent a $2 billion health and human services budget to the governor’s desk. Leaders also have agreed to a wide-ranging tax bill that’ll shift mental health funding from counties to the state. Many school districts plan to keep mask requirements in place at least until classes dismiss for the summer. IPR’s Grant Gerlock explains this is after the Iowa Department of Public Health recommended late last week that schools make face coverings optional. Plus, jury selection began in the trial of Cristhian Bahena Rivera. He faces a first degree murder charge in the death of Mollie Tibbetts, who disappeared while on a run in 2018.