(Des Moines, Iowa; via the Iowa Capital Dispatch) – Sunday (Sept. 15th), was “Democracy Day, 2024.” This November, Iowa voters will not only cast their votes for candidates in the upcoming general election, but will also have the opportunity to decide if two measures are added to the state constitution. It’s one of the few opportunities Iowa voters have to weigh in directly on statewide public policy.

This year, Iowans will consider two amendment proposals, making the final decision on whether they will be enshrined in the state constitution:

Gubernatorial line of succession:

One of the constitutional amendments Iowans will vote on this year is about the state’s gubernatorial line of succession. Iowans will vote on whether whether to repeal and replace a section of the Iowa constitution dealing with what happens if an Iowa governor resigns, dies or is removed from office. The proposed new language would clarify that in these circumstances, the lieutenant governor will take over the position of governor until the end of the elected term. The measure also clarifies that this change will create a vacancy in the office of lieutenant governor, allowing the new governor to appoint a new lieutenant governor to fill the position. The amendment would change Article IV, Section 17 of the Iowa State Constitution to be:

(Photo by Robin Opsahl/Iowa Capital Dispatch)

Governor Reynolds is currently able to appoint a person to serve as her lieutenant governor without stipulations or legislative approval — and has said she plans to make an appointment for the position later this fall. The person appointed will serve for the remaining term of office, until the next gubernatorial election — in this case, until 2026.

Voting age, citizenship language:

Another proposed constitutional amendment would would repeal and replace Article II, Section 1 of the Iowa State Constitution to read:

The change would codify in the state constitution that 17-year-olds are allowed to vote in primary elections if they will be age 18 by the general election, in addition to modifying the voting age from 21 to 18. These voting age regulations are already in practice under state law, but would simply be added to the state constitution if voters approve the measure in the general election. The amendment also includes a language change, replacing the wording that “every citizen of the United States” who meets voter requirements can participate in the state’s elections to instead state “only a citizen of the United States” with needed qualifications can vote.

The amendment passed through the legislative process with unanimous support in all four votes.

What constitutional amendments could Iowans see on future ballots?

Though Iowans will only cast their votes for two measures during the 2024 general election, there are other proposals working through the legislative process that may appear on the ballot in future years. Iowa Republican lawmakers, who hold a majority in the House and supermajority in the Senate, passed two proposed constitutional amendments related to taxes during the 2024 legislative session. House Joint Resolution 2006 would amend the state constitution to require a two-thirds majority vote of legislators for passing increases to individual or corporate income tax rates. Another proposal, Senate Joint Resolution 2004, would enshrine a flat individual income tax rate in the state constitution.

Democrats argued during session that these proposed constitutional amendments would hurt the state’s ability to respond to financial problems, and could mean that future lawmakers are forced to pursue taxes that disproportionately impact lower- and middle-income families, like increased sales or grocery taxes. However, Republicans including Rep. Bobby Kaufmann, R-Wilton, said these policies are in place in many Democrat-led states’ constitutions, and that “the sky did not fall, every example of dystopian future did not happen.”

These measures passed largely along party lines in the Iowa House and Senate during the session. However, there’s still time before Iowans will see the tax proposals on a general election ballot. First, the measures must be approved during the next general assembly that will begin after the 2024 election.

(Adair, Iowa) – The Adair-Casey School Board will meet this (Monday) evening (9/16/24) in the AC/GC Junior High Media Center in Adair, beginning at 7-p.m. Among the action items on their agenda, is approval of:

• The 2022-23 Audit report
• SBRC Modified Allowable Growth – Special Education Deficit
• Consideration and Action on a Settlement Agreement with a former District Employee, and,
• A school board review of 500 Series Policies.

View the rest of this evening’s agenda, HERE.

(Radio Iowa) – The Chief of the Governor’s School Safety Bureau says they have been doing a lot of training of school staff, law enforcement and first responders on how to handle incidents at schools. Matt Anderson says they’ve also been getting emergency radios to school districts. “Twelve-hundred-53 radios, emergency radios were installed in our schools that came at a price tag of four-point-five (4.5) million to get that done. But it is important,” Anderson says. He says they’re in a second round of getting radios installed and have more than 100 schools who have asked for them. Anderson talked about the issue in an update to the State Board of Education, and says they are working to meet the requirements of the school safety bill.

“House File 26-52 is actually mandating that these schools, public and private, be able to at least access a communication center through Emergency Coordination,” he says. “So the second phase that we’re working on right now with that is one one-point-two million has been set aside to fund that and make sure that we provide that communication ability to all our schools.” They also are helping schools with “Safe and Sound Iowa.”

“This is an anonymous reporting app. It’s free. It is accessible every day of the week, 24/7, 365, you can you can communicate directly with the dispatch center,” Anderson says. The dispatch center then moves forward on the tip and that may include calling him if needed. He says this is an important part of preventing school violence. “We know that in 80% of our mass shooting events there was somebody that knew of the event. So if we can get to where these reports are coming in ahead of time, it actually gives us a chance to respond to them and prevent them from happening,” he says. Anderson says they have responded to several tips.

“Last year’s stats, 300 total tips came in to the system of those you …. assault and bodily injury, school safety, suicide, weapons, drugs, planned, school attacks and abuse,” Anderson says. He says one problem has been false tips designed to get a response. “Unfortunately right now with social media we are seeing a trend that way. It’s almost a challenge just to get it out there and see how far it spreads,” Anderson says. Anderson says 32 percent of schools are using the state ap, while several other districts are using another ap to do the same thing. Anderson was asked if having metal detectors at school doorways was a good deterrent. “If you have the money to buy the machines, if you have the staffing to run those and then to able to get your students in and out of classes on a timely basis and everything. I mean…that’s a very sensitive issue as far as how do you spend your dollars, and is this the best way to,” he says.

Anderson says he believes having a police presence at schools does serve as a deterrent.

(Red Oak, Iowa) – A Shelby County woman was arrested Sunday night in Red Oak, following a traffic stop. According to Red Oak Police, 28-year-old Victoria Anne Griffen, of Shelby, was taken into custody at around 10:25-p.m., for Operating a Motor Vehicle while barred/Habitual Offender. Griffen was being held in the Montgomery County Jail on a $2,000 bond.

(Atlantic, Iowa) — Cass Health’s Senior Life Solutions team is hosting a free community walk in support of National Suicide Prevention Month on Thursday, September 19, 2024, beginning at 6:30 pm at City Park in Atlantic. The event will begin after Produce in the Park has concluded for the evening. The event will kick-off with local speakers. After the program, the walk will take place around the City Park, and the Christmas lights will be on.

Karmen Roland, RN, Program Director of Senior Life Solutions, says “We are so thankful that the city has agreed to turn on the Christmas lights in the park for this event. We hope that it helps catch people’s attention, and that it helps shed light on suicide prevention. Our goal is to raise awareness about signs that can indicate someone is having suicidal thoughts or is possibly in danger of attempting suicide, so that friends, family, and loved ones can intervene and ultimately help prevent suicide from happening.”

If you or someone you know is in an emergency, call 911 immediately. If you are in crisis or are experiencing difficult or suicidal thoughts, call, text, or chat the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline at 988.

The walk is co-hosted by Healthy Cass County and Cass County Iowa State University Extension. For more information about the walk, call 712-250-8100.

(Sidney, Iowa) – The Fremont County Sheriff’s Office says an 81-year-old man from Sidney was arrested Sept. 13th, on multiple sex-related offenses. Ronald Dean Boyer is charged with:

• 4 counts of Sexual Abuse of a Child 2nd Degree, a Class B Felony
• 1 count of Sexual Abuse 3rd Degree, a Class C Felony
• 5 counts of Incest, a Class D Felony

Boyer was being held in the Fremont County Jail on a $150,000 cash-only bond.

Ronald Dean Boyer

It should be noted that a criminal charge is merely an accusation, and the defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty.

(Sidney, Iowa) – The Fremont County Sheriff’s Office reports a woman was arrested Sunday afternoon on numerous felony charges, including Attempted Murder. Authorities say 47-year-old Sylvia Marie Hayes, of Farragut, was taken into custody without incident following an investigation into a reported disturbance in the 1000 block of Essex Avenue, in Farragut, where a woman said she was being assaulted with a baseball bat. The victim was transported to Shenandoah Memorial Hospital for treatment of serious injuries.

Sylvia Marie Hayes

During the investigation deputies discovered evidence that Hayes allegedly intended to kill the victim with the baseball bat. Hayes is being held on charges that include:

• Attempted Murder, a Class B Felony
• Willful Injury, causing serious injury, a Class C Felony
• Going Armed with Intent, a Class D Felony
• Domestic Abuse 2nd Degree, an Aggravated Misdemeanor

Hayes was being held without bond, pending initial appearance with a Fremont County Magistrate.

(Sidney, Iowa) – The Fremont County Sheriff’s Office reports that a little after 7-a.m. Sept. 8th, Deputies arrested 38-year-old Jared William Rye, of Plattsmouth, NE, for multiple offenses near the intersection of 210th Avenue and Highway 2, in Fremont County. Deputies allege Rye rammed a vehicle and then exited his truck while displaying a knife. Rye was placed under arrest with the assistance of the Iowa State Patrol. He was charged with:

• Reckless Driving
• OWI 1st Offense
• Possession of Drug Paraphernalia
• Possession of a Controlled Substance
• Possession of Marijuana
• Assault while displaying a Dangerous Weapon
• Going Armed With Intent,
• and Introducing a Controlled Substance into a Correctional Facility.
  

  Jared Rye

Rye was being held on a $15,000 cash surety bond at the Fremont County Jail. Others arrested recently in Fremont County:

On Sept. 8th: Jonathan Allen Brink, age 30 of Hamburg, was arrested at 1700 Washington Street for Domestic Abuse, Strangulation. Brink was released on $2,000 cash/surety bond.

On Sept 10th: Tressa Dawn Haughton, age 41 of Hamburg, was remanded to custody pending sentencing on an order from the District Court after a guilty verdict was issued on a case in District Court. She is being held without bond pending sentencing; and, Lynn Ball, age 33 of St Joseph, Missouri, was transferred from the Pottawattamie County Jail for a Probation Violation. She is being held on a $10,000 cash only bond.

On Sept. 14th: Ashley Kay Frost, age 35 of Hamburg, was arrested for Public Intoxication at a gas station in Hamburg. Frost was released on her own recognizance.

It should be noted that a criminal charge is merely an accusation, and the defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty

MARION COUNTY, Iowa — The Marion County Sheriff’s Office says search and rescue teams have found a body near Lake Red Rock believed to be that of a man they have been searching for. The sheriff’s office says cadaver K-9 teams found a body just after 12:30 p.m. Sunday in a wooded area east of 150th Avenue.

They say the body has been sent to the medical examiner to positively identify the man. Officials have been looking for a missing man in that area since late July.

DES MOINES, Iowa — [KCCI] – Two men are dead after a shooting Sunday morning in downtown Des Moines. According to television station KCCI, shortly after 2 a.m. Sunday, foot patrol officers in the Court Avenue Entertainment District heard gunfire near Court Avenue and Water streets.

The officers found three people with gunshot injuries in the 200 block of Water Street. A 29-year-old man was pronounced dead at the scene. Two other adult men were transported by medics to local hospitals in critical condition. One of them, a 34-year-old man, died later at the hospital.

The two homicides bring the number of homicides this year in the capital city, to 11. Des Moines Police Department says three firearms were recovered at the scene of the shooting. Witnesses told investigators that there was a verbal argument between three men, followed by gunfire.

The shooting remains under investigation. Officials say there is no indication of any outstanding suspects.