A state senator is calling on rural Iowans to “boycott” Des Moines in the wake of a lawsuit filed against three northwest Iowa counties. Des Moines Water Works officials claim officials in Buena Vista, Calhoun and Sac Counties have failed to adequately manage drainage districts in their area, causing nitrate levels in the water downstream to rise to record high levels. Senator Randy Feenstra, a Republican from Hull, says farmers from around the state bring a lot of business to the capital city.

“We go there to vacation, we go there to shop…and if they’re against rural Iowa, then we do not need to support their economic industry. Maybe we should boycott Des Moines,” Feenstra says. “Des Moines is being very arrogant in their mentality on this issue.” Governor Terry Branstad and Iowa Agriculture Secretary Bill Northey have also criticized Des Moines Water Works, claiming voluntary efforts to reduce nitrate levels will improve water quality. Feenstra believes, over the past decade, “giant steps” have been taken to cleanup Iowa’s waterways.

“I just think it’s maybe time to send Des Moines a clear message and say, you know what, if you don’t appreciate the farming community, then maybe we should stop going to your community and spending our funds there,” Feenstra says. Leaders of Des Moines Water Works claim the nitrates spilling into the Raccoon River in northwest Iowa are threatening central Iowa’s drinking water supply and driving up the cost to remove pollutants.

(Radio Iowa)

Here is the latest Iowa news from The Associated Press

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — The Senate has approved legislation that would allow more Iowa residents to register online to vote. The Senate voted 26-20 yesterday along party lines for the bill. It now heads to the House, though it’s unclear what kind of support it will get. The legislation would allow a person to register to vote online through the secretary of state’s website if the person has an Iowa driver’s license number, a state-issued identification card number or a Social Security number.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — A Senate panel has approved a bill that would change the deadline for when most people in Iowa would need to submit absentee ballots, though some lawmakers say they will introduce changes to the House-backed legislation. A State Government subcommittee approved the bill Thursday. It heads to the full committee for consideration.

SOLDIER, Iowa (AP) — Officials have confirmed that a body recovered from a lake in western Iowa is that of a farmer reported missing in November. Monona County Sheriff Jeff Pratt says the Iowa State Medical Examiner’s Office identified the body as 68-year-old Walter Ordway of Soldier. His body was pulled from a lake at Oldham Recreation Area on Saturday.

SEATTLE (AP) — Northern Iowa is taking on Wyoming Friday afternoon at Seattle’s Key Arena in the NCAA men’s basketball tournament. Tipoff is at 12:40 p.m. Central. The Hawkeyes are playing Davidson College starting at 6:20 Central at the same venue.

Authorities say no one is actively being sought in connection with the death of a woman whose body was found near Elliott early Monday morning. Officials say 47-year old Carman M. O’Dell was discovered in a grassy field on the northern edge of Elliott, at around 4:40-a.m., Monday. According to the Iowa Department of Public Safety, her death did not appear to be suspicious.

Carman O’Dell (Photo from Duhn Funeral Home website)

An autopsy was performed by Dr. Dennis Klein of the Iowa Office of the State Medical Examiner in Ankeny. The cause and manner of her death are being withheld until the full autopsy report is complete. The Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation (DCI), Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office and the Iowa Office of the State Medical Examiner assistied with the investigation.

No further information will be released until the autopsy reports are complete. Funeral services for Carman O’Dell will be held 10:30-a.m. Friday, at the Central Church of Christ, in Griswold.