(Iowa News Service) – The latest state tax cuts are expected to cost Iowa more than 2-billion dollars over the next two years. Advocates for tax fairness argue lawmakers are not considering the long-term consequences of those cuts on schools, workers, and livability. In the face of a dwindling population and shrinking tax base, Iowa lawmakers doubled down on tax cuts this year, and also passed a measure calling for a constitutional amendment to require any state income tax to be a single rate. Anne Discher with Common Good Iowa says lawmakers chose to cut taxes despite the state’s growing economic demands – like funding Educational Savings Accounts, which allow parents to use public education dollars to pay for private school.

Lawmakers also passed a cluster of bills that will accelerate cuts in the state income tax rate, from 3-point-9 to 3-point-8 percent, which Discher argues will have long-term economic impacts. Supporters of the tax-cut measures, including Governor Kim Reynolds, have promised more fiscal austerity.

The deeper tax cuts mean an average reduction of about 6-dollars to someone in the bottom 20-percent of the income bracket, 402-dollars for the middle 20-percent, and more than 20-thousand dollars for someone making over a million-and-a-half dollars a year. Lawmakers say they plan to cover the tax cuts with Iowa’s budget surplus, which Discher calls shortsighted.

Discher argues implementing a flat-rate income tax would be regressive and hurt lower-income Iowans most. Supporters say it would be more fair and efficient.

(Massena, Iowa) – Volunteer Firefighter Levi Lank captured video of a tornado located three-miles southwest of Massena off of Victoria Road, this (Sunday) evening. The twister touched down at around 7:58-p.m.  There were no reports of damage or injuries. (Still frame images from the video, Photo credit: Levi Lank). While the National Weather Service had issued a Severe Thunderstorm Warning for southeastern Cass and southwestern Adair Counties just before 8-p.m., there was NO TORNADO WARNING issued. The Cass County Communications Center set-off the sirens in Cumberland and Massena when spotters observed the twister.

The Weather Service one quarter-size hail (1″ diameter) was observed by emergency management at around 8:46-p.m., south of Stuart, and five-miles southeast of Greenfield, at around 8:36-p.m. The NWS in Omaha reports thunderstorm winds of 53-mph were recorded at 10:15-p.m. two-miles S/SE of Clarinda. Thunderstorm wind damage was reported five-miles East of Hepburn, in Page County, at around 8:05-p.m., along with golf ball-size hail (1.75″).

Shelf cloud near Elliott (3 photos) – Submitted to KJAN by Megan Glasgo.

58-mph winds were recorded in Villisca at 7:41-p.m., Sunday. Ping-pong ball size hail fell one-mile SE of Clarinda at 7:55-p.m.  Half-dollar size hail (1.25″) fell in Clarinda at 7:49-p.m.

Tornado dissipating

Tornado on the ground

Waterloo, Iowa – The Iowa Department of Corrections reports Shawn Turner, who was convicted of Intimidation with a Dangerous Weapon in Dubuque County, failed to report back to the Waterloo Residential Correctional Facility as required Saturday.

Turner is a 27 year-old 5’10’, 150 pound Black Male. He was admitted to the work release facility on 11/09/2023. Persons with information on Turner’s whereabouts should contact local police.

Shawn Turner

For more information on the state’s work release program, please see Iowa Code 904.901-904.910

(Audubon, Iowa) – The Audubon School Board meeting Monday night begins at 7-p.m. with a Board Work Session, followed immediately by two Public Hearings. The Hearings are with regard to a proposed budget amendment, as well as plans and specs for the Bus Garage.

During the Board’s regular meeting, they are expected to act on approving:

• Budget Amendments
• Bus Garage Plans and Specs
• Bus Garage Low Bidders
• Student Fees
• A new branding logo and letter
• and, the sharing of FY 2025 Sports with the Exira/EHK School District: Cross County (With Exira-EHK serving as host), and Junior High Football (with Audubon serving as the host).

See the full agenda below:

Monday, May 20, 2024 – 7:00 P.M.

7:00 Board Work Session – Policy Review: 405.2, 411.2, 504.5, 504.5R1, 507.8R1, 704.1, 704.6, 704.6R1, 706.1, 706.2, 706.3, 706.3R1, 707.1, 707.2, 707.3, 707.4, 707.6

7:05 Public Hearings

• Proposed Budget Amendment
• Bus Garage Plans and Specs

Our Mission is to provide a quality education in a positive, equitable & respectful environment that encourages & prepares all students to become life-long learners & responsible members of a rapidly changing society.

1. Call to Order

2. Approve Agenda

3. Approve Consent Agenda

3.01 Minutes – April 14, 2024

3.02 Warrants and Financial Reports

4.0 Public Comments – Please contact the Supt. or Board President (Board Policy #213) –

5.0 Action Items

5.01 Approve Budget Amendments

5.02 Approve Bus Garage Plans/Specs

5.03 Approve Bus Garage Low Bidders

5.04 Approve Student Fees

5.05 Approve New Branding Logo and Letter

5.06 Approve P-Card Program and Authorizing Board Secretary to Set Up

5.07 Approve Moving $10,436.50 From PPEL to General Fund – Bus Charger

5.08 Approve Memberships

• RSAI – Rural School Advocates of Iowa – $750
• ISFIS – Iowa School Finance Information Service – $917.70
• IASB Policy Service – $800

5.09 Approve First Reading – 405.2, 411.2, 504.5, 504.5R1, 507.8R1, 704.1, 704.6, 704.6R1, 706.1, 706.2, 706.3, 706.3R1, 707.1, 707.2, 707.3, 707.4, 707.6

5.10 Approve Sharing Cross Country (EEHK Host) and Junior High Football (Audubon Host) with EEHK for FY25

6.0 Personnel

7.0 Communication & Updates

7.01 Superintendent Report

7.01.1 Buildings and Grounds

7.01.2 Transition Update

7.02 Principals’ Reports

8.0 Adjournment

Next Regular Meeting: Monday, June 17, 2024, 7:00 PM

(Griswold, Iowa) – A regular meeting of the Griswold School Board takes place 5:30-p.m. Monday, May 20th, in the Conference Room at the Griswold School. Among the items on the Board’s agenda under “New Business,” is action on:

• Approving TLC positions
• Approval of phone system bids
• Approving a Content Monitoring contract, and,
• Establishment of Activity Pass Fees

See the full Griswold School Board agenda, below:

• Call Meeting to Order

• Reading of Mission Statement

• Approval of Agenda (D.R.)

• Public Input

• Superintendent’s Report:

1. Thank You Card(s) (I)
2. The Month in Review – Administration (I)
3. Board Learning Opportunities (I)

– Honor April Recipients

– Select May Recipient(s)

– Board Recognition Month

– End Of The Year Staff Lunch

• Consent Agenda (D.R.)

Approval of Minutes

Approval of Financial Statements

Approval of Bills

4. Personnel

5. Gifts, Memorials, Bequests

Old Business

6. Board Policies – Second Reading (D.R.) – 405.2, 411.2, 507.8R1, 704.1, 704.6,

706.2, 706.3, 706.3R1, 707.4, 707.6, 802.1, 802.2, 802.3, 802.4, 802.4R1,

802.4R2, 802.5, 802.6, 802.7. Rescind – 504.5, 504.5R1, 707.2, 707.3 (I)

New Business

7. Consider Approval Of TLC Positions (D.R.)

8. Consider Approval Of Phone System Bids (D.R.)

9. Consider Approval Of Content Monitoring Contract (D.R.)

10. Consider Approval Of Fundraiser (D.R.)

11. Consider Authorization To Apply For COPS Grant (D.R.)

12. Establish Activity Pass Fees For 2024-2025 (D.R.)

13. Approve Fuel Bid Specifications (D.R.)

14. Approve Technology Support Bid Specifications (D.R.)

15. Consider Approval Of City Agreement (D.R.)

16. Consider Approval Of Social Worker Agreement (D.R.)

17. Consider Approval Of English Language Learner Virtual Supports And

Services Contract (D.R.)

18. Consider Approval Of Mechanical Breakdown Insurance Renewal (D.R.)

19. Consider Approval Of John Baylor Test Prep Program Contract (D.R.)

20. Consider Approval Of Window Replacement Bid (D.R.)

21. Annual Review Of Policies 410.2, 603.2, 711.4 (D.R.)

22. Board Policies – First Reading (I) – 803.1, 803.2, 804.1, 804.2, 804.4,

804.6, 804.6R1, 804.7, 804.7R1

23. Consider Change Of Date / Time For June And July Meetings (I, or D.R.)

• Adjourn

(D.R.) = Decision Required

(I.) = Informational

The final agenda will be posted in the Central Office no less than 24 hours before the meeting.

Walter Pacheco, 29, of Pleasant Hill, has asked a judge to reconsider that sentence, claiming its imposition last month “has impressed upon him the importance of living a lawful lifestyle,” according to the request. He had already repeatedly violated no-contact orders that stemmed from his criminal cases related to the woman in the past two years, including by passing her the draft of a letter to send to county prosecutors in an effort to escape punishment, court records show.

The victim emailed the letter to Thomas Tolbert, an assistant Polk County attorney. In it, she describes herself as “very jealous” and “insecure,” according to a copy of the letter that was filed recently in court.

It’s unclear whether the victim knew the full contents of the letter because she speaks Spanish and Tolbert has requested a translator to assist her testimony at trial, court records show.

Booking photo of Walter Pacheco. (Courtesy of Polk County Jail)

Pacheco initially received suspended prison sentences for his convictions of burglary, stalking, tampering with a witness and willful injury. Despite subsequent warnings to cease his contact with the woman or face prison time — including one that resulted in a jail stint last year for violating a no-contact order — Pacheco was arrested in October for allegedly approaching her at a public gym and following her in his vehicle.

He was charged with felony stalking. While at the Polk County Jail, Pacheco called the victim nine times in October, November and December, most often using the phone accounts of other inmates, court records show. The victim declined to answer each of Pacheco’s calls, court records show. In addition to the stalking charge, Pacheco now faces nine more criminal charges for those calls for contempt of court, which were filed this week. His trial has been delayed to July.

A court hearing to discuss Pacheco’s request to reconsider the prison sentence was delayed to next week. He is still held at the county jail. Pacheco — also known by the surname Pacheco Belen — was a briefly a police officer in Carroll and Eagle Grove, even though another woman had alleged he threatened to kill her and her daughter. Pacheco was forced to resign from the Carroll job and was fired by Eagle Grove. He is no longer a certified peace officer.

(Decorah, Iowa via the Iowa Capital Dispatch) – With a multi-million dollar gift from a donor who wishes to remain anonymous, Luther College has broken its record for the most funds raised in one year. The Decorah-based private university announced in a news release Friday that the anonymous person’s donation, which will be put to scholarships for future students, is the second-largest planned gift to Luther College. More than $33 million has been committed to the college this fiscal year, topping the previous record of $26.1 million set in 2005-06.

“On behalf of all our current students, faculty and staff, we are so very thankful to those who have supported the mission of Luther College this year,” Vice President for Development Mary Duvall said in the release. “We have been so excited by some of the transformational gifts we have received in recent months, and we continue to be grateful for the groundswell of individuals who have stepped up to support Luther in the past year.”

Luther College also received its largest-ever individual gift this year in the form of a $10 million commitment from Michael and Nicole Gerdin and the Gerdin Charitable Foundation. The money will go to renovating the Regents Center and renaming it the Gerdin Fieldhouse for Athletics and Wellness. The fieldhouse also received a $2 million donation from Dennis and Suzanne Birkestrand, the news release stated, which will support the renovation and have its court named the Birkestrand Family Court. Its opening phase will begin this summer.

Giving Day records were also broken at the college, with $1.2 million raised for Luther’s unrestricted fund to support “all students, faculty, staff and community endeavors on campus,” according to the news release. The college’s athletics department had its most successful fundraising day on record as well, receiving more than $365,000 in donations.

More than 9,000 individual gifts were donated to the university this academic year, according to the news release.

BOONE COUNTY, Iowa — [KCCI] – An Iowa teen died in a rollover crash in Boone County, according to authorities. Authorities responded Thursday night to a crash that happened four miles east of Ogden on old Highway 30. Officials say the driver, a 17-year-old, was found dead. Their name has not yet been released (as of this report).

Investigators do not yet know what caused the crash.

(Red Oak, Iowa) – Police in Red Oak responded Friday night (May 17) to the 100 block of E. Prospect Street, for a reported fight in progress. Upon further investigation Officers arrested 22-year-old Matthew Scot Kepler Thomason at around 6:50-p.m., on two-counts of Serious Assault Causing Bodily Injury. Thomason was being held in the Montgomery County Jail on a $1,000 bond.

(Sioux City, Iowa) – A man who was convicted by a jury for receiving and possessing child pornography was sentenced, this past Thursday (May 16, 2024), to 16 years in federal prison. 35-year-old Anthony Michael Tucker, from Sioux City, Iowa, received the prison term after a jury verdict finding him guilty of Receipt of Child Pornography and Possession of Child Pornography.

Evidence at trial showed that in January 2022, the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children received a Cybertip from Google that accounts belonging to Tucker contained over 85 images and seven videos of child sexual abuse material.  The images and videos included depictions of sadistic or masochistic conduct as well as prepubescent children and toddlers.

During trial, jurors watched a video-recorded interview of Tucker speaking with an Iowa DCI agent where he admitted he was responsible for the content on the Google account and stated, “there’s more that I run across…those are just the ones I kept.”  In 2010, Tucker was previously convicted for Lascivious Acts with a Child.  Tucker, then 21, had sexual intercourse with a 13-year-old female.

Tucker was sentenced in Sioux City by United States District Court Judge Leonard T. Strand.  Tucker was sentenced to 192 months’ imprisonment.  He was ordered to pay $3,000 in restitution to the victims of the offense.  He was also ordered to pay $1,200 in additional fines and assessments.  Tucker must also serve a 5-year term of supervised release after the prison term.  There is no parole in the federal system.

Tucker is being held in the United States Marshal’s custody until he can be transported to a federal prison.

This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by the United States Attorneys’ Offices and the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who sexually exploit children, and to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.usdoj.gov/psc

For more information about internet safety education, please visit www.usdoj.gov/psc and click on the tab “resources.”