Senator Joni Ernst is now chair of a subcommittee that oversees U-S-D-A programs that promote renewable energy and broadband expansion. “Agriculture is the life-blood of Iowa and so this subcommittee will focus on improving quality of life for Iowa farmers and farmers across the country,” Ernst says. Ernst is a member of the Senate Ag Committee and just this week she was named chairman of the subcommitee on rural development and energy. Ernst says identifying ways to “enhance” rural life is a priority for the subcommittee and she sees former Iowa Governor Tom Vilsack — who is U.S. Secretary of Agriculture — as a partner.

“I know that despite differences between our two parties, he always did work very hard for the people of Iowa, so I do look forward to having those discussions with him,” Ernst says. Ernst is also a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee. Anti-war protesters disrupted an Armed Services Committee hearing this week and Ernst says it was an unfortunate distraction from the testimony of former Secretaries of State Henry Kissinger, George Schultz and Madeleine Albright.

“I appreciate the fact that people have the right to protest, but we do have a sense of decorum and we do wish to hear from the guests who visit with us in the senate committees,” Ernst says. Arizona Senator John McCain is chairman of the committee and he called the protesters “low-life scum.” Ernst says those are McCain’s words, not hers, and it’s up to McCain to defend that kind of “verbiage.” Ernst also suggests the protesters might be better off if they presenting their views “in a more civil manner.” The “Code Pink” protesters confronted former Secretary of State Henry Kissinger as the 91-year-old entered the room and waved handcuffs near his head as he sat down at the witness table.

(Radio Iowa)

A Council Bluffs man accused of having an inappropriate relationship with a teenager, will stand trial Feb. 5th. The Daily NonPareil reports 48-year old youth softball coach John Osborn is charged with four counts of third-degree sexual abuse upon a minor, with regard to an incident involving a 14-year-old friend of his daughter. The incident allegedly occurred in July, 2014.

Osborn has pleaded not guilty to the charges. According to the Council Bluffs Police Department, the teen was a member of the team Osborn coached. The victim stated she and Osborn began exchanging text messages in June 2014.

Police in Clarinda report two area teens were arrested Friday in connection with a residential burglary that took place Thursday afternoon. Police Chief Keith Brothers says at around 3:40-p.m., Thursday, officers responded to a report of a burglary in progress at 100 E. Nishna Street. When they arrived, the suspected burglars had already fled the scene. Tyler Price, who owns the home, was not home at the time of the burglary.

When Price returned home, he discovered property valued at approximately $700 had been stolen. On Friday, January 30th police arrested two juvenile males, ages 15 and 16, for felony burglary and theft of property from Price’s home. Both juveniles were transported to the Southwest Iowa Juvenile Detention Center in Council Bluffs.

The arrests will be referred to Page County Juvenile Court Services and to the juvenile division of the Page County Attorney’s Office for additional action.

Here is the latest Iowa news from The Associated Press

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Two storm systems merging over the Midwest this weekend are expected to produce significant snowfall across Iowa and lighter accumulation in Nebraska. Meteorologist Melinda Beerends says a storm entering the region from the southwest and another dropping out of Canada will meet. She says snowfall will get heavier as the storm moves through the state, with central and southeastern Iowa anticipating higher totals.

WASHINGTON (AP) — Former Republican presidential nominee Mitt Romney will not run for president in 2016. Three weeks after unexpectedly saying he was considering a third campaign for the White House, the former Massachusetts governor told members of his staff during a Friday conference call that he is out of race.

MARSHALLTOWN, Iowa (AP) — An April trial has been scheduled for a 31-year-old man accused of shooting a woman earlier this month at a motel in Marshalltown. Online court records say Jean Martinez-Velazquez of Marshalltown has pleaded not guilty to attempted murder and several other charges. The Marshalltown Times-Republican says his trial is set to begin April 7th.

IOWA CITY, Iowa (AP) — A judge says he won’t second-guess the University of Iowa’s decision to reassign an employee who is suing for political discrimination. U.S. District Judge James Gritzner denied Teresa Wagner’s request to be returned to the law school’s writing center. Gritzner cancelled a hearing that had been set for next week.