As President Obama took the stage the night before the House was to vote on his administration’s health-care bill, he knew Americans like 16-year-old Jacob Mescher, of Dubuque, would be watching.

Pro life protesters stand outside Planned Parenthood in Downtown Dubuque.

The Affordable Health Care for America Act is the Obama administration’s first major test in Congress. The bill aims to decrease health-care costs and expand coverage to quality health care to all citizens while allowing Americans to choose their own health-insurance provider.

“American families and businesses are counting on us,” said President Obama in a White House speech. “This is why they sent us here, to make their lives better.”

For Mescher and other pro-life supporters who were protesting outside of Planned Parenthood in downtown Dubuque, this bill means much more. U.S. Reps. Brad Ellsworth and Bart Stupak, both Democrats, proposed and passed an amendment that would ban all federal funds for abortion-related services as part of the public option for health care. A small victory for pro-life supporters.

“We’re very pleased,” Mescher said. “It’s not everything we’d like in a box, but we’re willing to work with it and it’s a step in the right direction.”

Late Friday night, lawmakers went in and out of the office of Nancy Pelosi, Speaker of the House. When she emerged, she and other pro-choice Democrats knew that in order to get their administration’s health-care bill passed, the Stupak Amendment would have to be included.

As the bill passed the House that night, both praise and criticisms were heard across the country. Planned Parenthood, a women’s health clinic with offices in Dubuque, released a statement opposing the amendment.

“As a health-care provider, Planned Parenthood would very much like to see health care reform passed,” said Cecile Richards, president of Planned Parenthood, in a press release. “But the Stupak Amendment would put women’s health in jeopardy and undermine real health reform.”

The amendment passed with 238 votes in favor and 194 voted against. All votes against were by Democrats, while 64 Democrats were in favor of the amendment.

Dubuque County Right to Life president Steven Brady said, “These members who cast their votes in favor of the amendment understood that the majority of Americans now consider themselves to be pro-life.”

Representative Bruce Braley, D-Iowa, voted against the amendment, but his office was silent about his vote throughout the week, stating, “The Affordable Health Care for America Act is good for Iowa’s families, seniors and medical providers, and that’s why I voted for the bill on the House floor.”

It is still unclear when the Senate will vote on House Resolution 3962, but for Dubuque protesters the fight to end abortion continues.

“This is definitely a victory for our position, but it’s only the first step,”said Mescher as he held up his sign against abortion to a honking car as it passed by.

As the ball left Santiago Mejia’s foot late in the second half he knew he gave Thomas Jennings the perfect birthday present as he watched his corner float into the box and glide off Jennings’ head for the score.

Thomas Jennings head in a goal. His first on the season.

Jennings’ goal gave Loras a 2-0 lead and solidified their place in the Sweet 16 of the NCAA Tournament where they will face off at the Rock Bowl against No. 5 Dominican (IL), a team they beat in the second round of the tournament last year.

“I knew Jennings was going to make that run and as soon as I saw it get over the top of the defender I knew it was going in,” said Mejia. “I was so happy for him.”

Loras’ second goal wasn’t the only special performance on the night. Earlier in the half Miguel Bonilla tapped in a rebound shot off a Mejia corner that would give him the all-time Loras scoring record, breaking Brad Johnson’s old record of 44 goals.

“It feels amazing,” said Bonilla. “I am so proud of all my teammates and all the seniors for helping our team get to this point.”

The Duhawks came into Sunday night’s match after defeating Webster 3-1 in the first round the night before, a game that saw most of Loras’ starters sitting in the second half.

Photos from Sunday’s match: Photo Gallery

Early in the first half of the Macalester game both teams controlled the ball at midfield, but Loras came out firing in the second with a balanced attack across the midfield that led to two scores off of Mejia’s services from the corner.

The win marks Loras’ third straight trip to the Sweet 16, but after two loses in the Final Four the past two seasons, this year’s group of 12 seniors has a different plan in mind.

“Losing in the Final Four is the worst feeling I have ever had in my life and this year it has to be different,” said Mejia. “If we play our game and trust each other I think things are going to go our way.”

The team has suffered a number of key injuries this season, but players continue to step into starting roles to keep the season alive.

Loras celebrating their second round victory.

“We’ve had a lot of injuries but people are going to give everything they have to get to the national championship,” said Jennings. “It’s going to come.”

When Loras takes the field on Saturday night against Dominican it will be the second year in a row they have played on their home field in late November a feat that has the Duhawks eyeing a national championship.

As Mejia and his senior teammates left the field they had one message “this year it has to be different.”

“The journey isn’t over yet.”

The Loras Duhawks found out early Monday morning they would be defending their home turf one more time this season with a first and second round host of the NCAA DIII men’s soccer tournament.

On Saturday the Duhawks will face Webster University in the first round. Macalester and Grinnell will face off in the second game at the Rock Bowl on Saturday.

The winners of Saturday’s match-ups will face off Sunday night for a trip to the Sweet 16.

For recaps of this past weekend’s IIAC tournament games: View Here

The word ‘challenge’ was on the minds of the Wartburg players as they took the field Sunday night against the Duhawks.

Going into Saturday night’s match Wartburg’s coach TJ Buchholz knew his team would face an uphill battle against the number three nationally-ranked Loras Duhawks.

“We have to pray,” said Buchholz, describing what his team would have to do to defeat the Duhawks. “We will have to bring our best 90 minutes of soccer we have played this season.”

The Loras squad has been no stranger to challenges this season bringing in an 18-1-1 record coming into the championship.

“Every team gets up to play us,” explained Rothert. “Last year, we learned a lot in regards to playing with a target on our back, but we are used to it now. We know we have to weather early pressure from opponents, but feel confident we know how to at this point. We have come to like that challenge.”

Read recaps of the weekend’s conference tournament matchups: Here

Wartburg narrowly escapes a Loras shot on goal in the first half.

The Duhawks were up to that challenge early in the second half with Miguel Bonilla squeaking through the Wartburg defense to net his 17^th goal of the season. He was assisted by senior midfielder Nate Minkel.

Wartburg would fight back the rest of the half, taking Loras’ All-Americans, Miguel Bonilla and Santiago Mejia out of the match due to the play of their back line.

Sophomore defender Mike Miniaci for Wartburg was matched up against Bonilla all night, only allowing him one shot on goal, a shot he capitalized on.

“I have to give it to my back line.” said Miniaci. “I knew if I stepped up and applied the pressure they were right there to get my back. We’re a tight knit unit.”

In the 78^th minute the pressure final gave in for the Duhawks. Kyle McKenna, a defenseman for the Knights, sailed a shot from twenty yards out over the top of Loras’ keepers out stretched fingers to tie up the game. He was assisted by freshman Brandon Cook.

View Photos of The Championship game in our gallery: Photo Gallery

Loras would prove to have a pivotal injury in the second half. Junior, Matt Lamale, a key offensive player for the Duhawks was forced out of the match with an injury half way through the second.

Matt Lamale (3) would be forced out of the game with an injury.

Regulation came to an end with a one to one tie.

After a scoreless first overtime the Knights overtook the Duhawks on a golden goal late in the second overtime with a shot from Junior Luke Prater that sailed past Loras goalkeeper Adam Kelsch. Prater was assisted by Freshman Brandon Cook, who recorded his second on the night.

“It was amazing, I can’t even describe it,” said Cook after celebrating with his teammates after their automatic NCAA berth.

As the Knights celebrated their victory with their fans an orange harvest moon stood above the Rock Bowl. A fitting sign after Wartburg earns its sixth NCAA bid in a row.

“This is one of the best games I have been a part of,” said coach Buchholz. “We had to play the entire 90 minutes and we didn’t quit. That is the best I have seen us play all season.”

“More to come,” were the words of Brandon Cook as him and his teammates posed for a team photo after living up to the challenge of beating the Duhawks.

“It’s an unbelievable feeling. Lots more to come,” finished Cook.

Both teams will find out Monday where and who they will play in the NCAA tournament.

The day began early Monday morning for a small group of volunteers who gathered at the Dubuque County Courthouse in anticipation of same-sex couples taking advantage of Iowa’s new law.

“It makes me hopeful for my future. I am overjoyed right now,” said Tyler Dague, a local organizer for OneIowa who was on hand before the courthouse opened. “It’s going to be a great day for Iowa.”

Tyler Dague speaks to the media Monday at the Dubuque County Courthouse.

The waiting game began for Tyler and the others at 8 a.m. with flowers and information packets at the ready for the first couple that would arrive. At around 10 a.m., two women emerged from the courthouse and slipped past the volunteers and the media alike. These two women, Kentaindra Scarver and Veronica Spann, were the first same-sex couple to receive a marriage license in Dubuque.

“They were signing the paper and typing it up, so once the lady came with it, I was like, ‘Let’s get it and run!’” said Scarver, after realizing that she and Spann were the first couple in the county to receive a license.

Scarver and Spann were among 14 same-sex couples Monday who applied for and received marriage licenses in Dubuque County. Six couples came to the courthouse to apply in person while seven more submitted requests by mail.

Four of the couples who received licenses appeared in open court to apply for a waiver that would allow them to be married that same day.

Iowa law requires a three-day waiting period after receiving a marriage license before a couple can be legally married, but the law also allows for couples to be married the same day through the waiver. All four of the couples who applied for the waiver were married Monday afternoon.

“I got to sit in on three weddings today,” Dague said. “It was great to see them so happy.”

Volunteers at the courthouse said they saw no signs of protest throughout the day.

“This is a big step forward for Dubuque,” said Tanya Engling, a young, openly gay Dubuque resident. “I think Iowa is more willing to bite the bullet and let what happens, happen.”

The final couple of the day to receive a marriage license arrived at the courthouse just before 3:30 that afternoon. Molly Menster and Tina Sio knew they were not going to get married that day, but they wanted to make their life commitment official.

“It is hard to believe it is actually happening,” Menster said. “I felt a little anxious coming today because I didn’t know what to expect, and to come here and see people waiting here and walking in with us made me feel so at ease.”

After over eight hours of volunteering Tyler and the others who helped during the day said it was all worth it.

“This will probably still be an issue in the coming weeks and months,” Dague said, “but this is a great first step.”

Kentaindra Scarver holds out her phone as her mother talks to the media about her daughters new marriage license.

DUBUQUE – Two Dubuque women woke up at four-thirty Monday morning with a goal. They wanted to become the first same-sex marriage couple in Dubuque County.

Kentaindra Scarverand Veronica Spann smiling after receiving their marriage license.

“We were here before 8 a.m. but we were sitting in the car waiting for it to open,” said Scarver,” and once the courthouse opened we were a little scared, like ok, let’s do it.”

At around 10 a.m. Tuesday morning Kentaindra Scarver, 33, and Veronica Spann, 24, emerged from the courthouse after spending two hours waiting to get their marriage license.

Iowa law requires a three day period to obtain a marriage license, but the two women went to open court and asked Dubuque Judge Monica Ackley for a waiver so they could receive their license today.

Scarver and Spann moved to Dubuque just over seven months ago to find a safer home for their family. They never dreamed that Iowa would grant same-sex marriage licenses before Illinois.

The media swarms the two women after they leave the Dubuque Courthouse.

“Just when we thought it was the wrong thing to do this happens. It gives you hope,” said Scarver. “We moved here for a safer living and then we got an even better living; we got married.”

The two women slipped past the local media this morning as they entered the courthouse with a nervous feeling and goose bumps at the prospect of actually getting married. As they emerged they were engulfed by questions.

Kentaindra was so excited to be married she called her mother who said “whatever feels right to my daughter is good for me too. “She even joked that “I married a man and I messed up.”

As the couple parted with their new marriage license they wanted  everyone to know “this is for us, this is for all of us” [speaking to the gay and lesbian community members that had gathered at the courthouse to show their support for same-sex couples getting married Monday].

Stay tuned to the Lorian and LCTV13 for more coverage as the day goes on.

The election took over two years to unfold with countless candidates stopping in Iowa to share their message. See what they had to say as seen through the lens of LCTV13.

PLATTVILLE – Mountain Biking, this sport drove a dozen dedicated riders to give up their weekend to travel to the Platteville countryside for a wet and muddy time trial.

“Muddy and hilly it felt like I was going backwards,” says Michigan Tech biker Mike Billmeier.

The course filled with steep climbs and challenging turns made this a tough early season work out for the riders.

“You know you are climbing, you are going down technical stuff and it is a really good work out,” says Dubuque biker Ned Gall.

For these weekend warriors mountain biking is a test of their skills.

“You know you train all week and you race on the weekend to kind of see if all that training paid off,” says Ned.

Mountain biking differs from other forms of cycling and the time it takes may surprise people.

“Here like it is a six and a half mile lap and that takes about an hour,” says Ned.

The six mile course offers many challenges to the riders and can cause problems for even the most veteran of the bunch, especially on this day.

“It is a super good work out but sometimes you cannot make it all the way you have to walk some of it,” says Ned.

“A lot of work, death going up hills and it is muddy,” adds Mike.

These weekend workouts and the time spent with friends is what makes it all worth it for this group of riders.

Just hanging out with friends, meeting people, enjoying the sport, and riding,” says Mike.

Daniel Randolph can be reached at Daniel.Randolph@lctv13.com