News Releases - 2026 Archive - Page 13

DES MOINES—Iowa Attorney General Brenna Bird today announced an arrest for the murder of Christian Balke-Thompson who disappeared in 2020. The Iowa Cold Case unit helped investigate the case. Attorney General Bird launched the statewide unit in July 2024.  Christian Balke-Thompson, 26, of Carroll, Iowa, was last seen in the early morning hours of May 2, 2020.  On the...

DES MOINES—Today, two bills proposed by Attorney General Brenna Bird passed out of subcommittee in the Iowa House of Representatives.  Katie’s Law  Enacted in some form in over 30 states already, this bill requires DNA collection from individuals arrested for felony or aggravated misdemeanor offenses. This bill creates a safe and powerful tool...

DES MOINES—Attorney General Brenna Bird announced today she joined a coalition of 20 states to defend churches and other religious institutions from California’s anti-religious targeting during the COVID-19 pandemic.   During the COVID pandemic, California enacted emergency powers banning churchgoers from gathering for religious services while at the same time exempting specific groups such as professional athletes and restaurants from the same restrictions. California also imposed mask mandates on churches while allowing professional football players to play a contact sport unmasked. The anti-Church fines reached millions of dollars.   “The First Amendment...

DES MOINES—In a report issued today, the Iowa Attorney General’s Office has concluded that the November 16, 2025, fatal shooting of Benjamin Harold Sink by Grundy County Sheriff Deputies and an Iowa State Trooper was legally justified.  The Attorney General’s conclusion was based on a review and investigation by the Iowa Division of Criminal...

DES MOINES—Attorney General Brenna Bird announced she has joined a letter to the EPA and US Army Corps of Engineers in support of a new federal “Waters of the United States” (“WOTUS”) Rule. The letter also suggests changes to the rule to protect the states’ role in environmental protection.   “After fighting and winning against the Biden administration’s illegal EPA power grab, we are grateful to work with an...

DES MOINES—Today, Attorney General Brenna Bird held a press conference in the historic Iowa Supreme Court Chamber at the Iowa State Capitol to announce four of her office’s 2026 legislative priorities. Speakers at the press conference also included:   Mary Ingham, Executive Director Crisis Intervention Services  Jason Sandholt, Marion County...