712 Digital Group - top

King to moderate Cain/Gingrich debate in Texas; Gingrich looks forward to “serious conversation”

News

November 4th, 2011 by Ric Hanson

Iowa Congressman Steve King will serve as moderator of a debate between Republican presidential candidates Herman Cain and Newt Gingrich tomorrow night (Saturday) in Houston, Texas. The event’s

(R) Congressman Steve King, IA

organizers have said the “gossip” about allegations that Cain sexual harassed former employees in the late 1990s will not be discussed and King doesn’t expect the topic to come up at all.  “Only if Speaker Gingrich brings it up. I don’t think Herman Cain will and I don’t intend to,” King said during an interview with Radio Iowa. “My view is…you’re innocent until proven guilty. We don’t even have the name of anyone who alleges this at this point.” King says the whole issue should be off limits until “responsible media” produce an “Anita Hill” — a reference to the woman who came forward during U.S. Senate confirmation hearings to say that Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas had sexually harassed her.

 

“It may well be that these allegations, even if true, are so devoid of substance that the voters would decide they like Herman Cain a lot more,” King says. Cain and Gingrich have agreed to focus the debate on entitlement reform.  “It’s going to be really interesting to see how the two candidates interact with each other,” King says. Beyond Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid, King is prepared to press the candidates to reveal their plans for dealing with the federal budget deficit and the interest on the federal debt.  “I want to see if we can get the presidential candidates, in this case Herman Cain and Newt Gingrich, to address the components of the entitlements and what they would do to slow the growth in Medicare, Medicaid and Social Security in such a way that we can get ourselves to a balanced budget again,” King says. The event is billed as a “Lincoln-Douglas” style debate. Earlier this week during an appearance in Pella, Gingrich described the format this way:

“Having two people sit down and have a serious conversation, not a Mickey Mouse debate, not a gotcha — but just talk.” Gingrich expects to present “three big” reform proposals.  “My guess is that Herman and I are going to have a very interesting conversation that’s very different than most political stuff,” Gingrich said. “That’s what I’m looking forward to is an interesting two hours of the American people seeing people talk about very large solutions at a time when we have very large problems , as opposed to: ‘In 30 seconds, what’s your position on X?’ which, when you think about it, is pretty silly.”

The debate — which will be 90 minutes long rather than two hours — is set to begin at 8 p.m. Saturday and will be broadcast nationally on C-SPAN. According to the agreed-upon format, King as moderator is to have a limited role, asking just three or four basic questions during the event. Iowa Democrats have criticized King for “chasing the limelight” and paying more attending to the presidential campaign than to the concerns of his Iowa constituents. King was a panelist at a South Carolina forum for the G-O-P presidential candidates and this past winter King hosted a candidate forum in Des Moines.

(Radio Iowa)

DeLOY CANNON, 69, of Greenfield (Svcs 11-8-11)

Obituaries

November 4th, 2011 by Ric Hanson

DeLOY CANNON, 69, of Greenfield, died Fri., Nov. 4th, at her daughter’s home in Guthrie Center. Celebration of Life services for DeLOY CANNON will be held 11-a.m. Tue., Nov. 8th, at the Greenfield United Methodist Church.  Steen Funeral Home in Greenfield has the arrangements.

Visitation at the funeral home is from Noon until 8-pm Mon., Nov. 7th, with the family present to gret friends from 6-8pm. Online condolences may be left to the family at www.steenfunerals.com. Memorials may be directed to the DeLoy Cannon Memorial fund to be established by the family.

Burial will be in the Massena Center Cemetery at a later date.

DeLOY CANNON is suvived by:

Her daughter – Laura (Brick) Imerman, of Guthrie Center.

Her brother – Dan Anderson, of Glenwood.

Her sister – DeLaine Erickson, of Cumberland.

5 grandchildren, other relatives, and friends.

Iowa Democratic Party loses libel lawsuit

News

November 4th, 2011 by Ric Hanson

COUNCIL BLUFFS, Iowa (AP) – A man has been awarded $50,000 in winning his libel suit against the Iowa Democratic Party.  The Pottawattamie County jury ruled for Randy Higginbotham on Wednesday. He’d sued the state party over a campaign pamphlet mailed during a 2008 Iowa House seat race between Democratic incumbent Paul Shomshor and Republican challenger Scott Belt.

Higginbotham’s attorney, Mark Rater, says the pamphlet mentioned that Belt, in 1994, had bailed Higginbotham out of jail. The pamphlet said Higginbotham was a convicted sex offender. Rater says Higginbotham had been charged but had never been convicted “of any sexual-related offense.”

Party executive director Norm Sterzenback says the party had relied on an independent firm for the research, which proved to be inaccurate about Higginbotham’s court record.

Lake Manawa No-Wake Restriction Removed

Ag/Outdoor, News, Sports

November 4th, 2011 by Ric Hanson

COUNCIL BLUFFS – The no-wake restriction for boaters on Lake Manawa was removed today (Friday) after the Iowa Department of Natural Resources determined the lake was back down to acceptable levels.  The no-wake restriction had been in place since June 27th, to minimize the impact of the high water to infrastructure around the lake. Many of the docks were submerged and posed a safety hazard to boats operating at higher speeds.

Dan Jacobs, park manager for Lake Manawa, said they will place a boat dock on the west boat ramp that will remain in place through the winter, but the docks on north and south boat ramps will be removed next week.

(DNR Press Release)

No. 13 Michigan Kicks Off November Grind at Iowa

Sports

November 4th, 2011 by Jim Field

IOWA CITY, Iowa (AP) – No. 13 Michigan just finished its best October in years, winning three games after taking just two in its last two years under Rich Rodriguez.  But the Wolverines (7-1, 3-1 Big Ten) know the true measure of their season will come during four-game grind that starts Saturday at reeling Iowa (5-3, 2-2).  The Hawkeyes are coming off a stunning 22-21 loss at Minnesota.  They’ve struggled stopping the run, while Michigan ranks among the best running teams in the country.  But Iowa is unbeaten at home this season, and six of Michigan’s seven wins have come in the Big House.  Michigan closes the season at Iowa and Illinois before a two-game home stand against Nebraska and Ohio State.

Iowa State Wary of Upset-Minded Kansas

Sports

November 4th, 2011 by Jim Field

AMES, Iowa (AP) – Iowa State went on the road last week as a double-digit underdog that hadn’t won a Big 12 game – and won by 34 points. Kansas hits the road this week as a double-digit underdog that hasn’t won a Big 12 game.  On Saturday, the Jayhawks (2-6, 0-5 Big 12) face Iowa State, the one team that knows how dangerous a supposedly weaker team can be in this league.  Iowa State (4-4, 1-4) stunned the Big 12 by throttling Texas Tech 41-7 in Lubbock last week. The Cyclones insist they’re on guard against letting Kansas (2-6, 0-5) pull off a similar feat.  The Jayhawks have lost six straight and gained just 46 yards in a 43-0 loss at Texas last week.

No. 9 Huskers Expect Test Against Northwestern Spread

Sports

November 4th, 2011 by Jim Field

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) – Northwestern brings its spread offense to Nebraska on Saturday, the kind the ninth-ranked Huskers used to go against week after week in the Big 12.  Cornhuskers defensive coordinator says Northwestern’s Dan Persa is close to if not the best quarterback Nebraska has faced.  Persa has been sharing time with the versatile Kain Colter, and the pair has combined to throw for 289 yards a game in Big Ten play.  Nebraska has been playing some of its best defense the last two games, holding Minnesota and Michigan State under 300 total yards.  Nebraska (7-1, 3-1 Big Ten) has won three straight to move into a three-way tie for the lead in the Big Ten’s Legends Division.  Northwestern (3-5, 1-4) is playing its final road game and needs to win three of its last four to become bowl eligible.

Former Cardinals Star Bob Forsch Dies at 61

Sports

November 4th, 2011 by Jim Field

ST. LOUIS (AP) – Bob Forsch, who threw two no-hitters for the St. Louis Cardinals and is the third-winningest pitcher in team history, has died at the age of 61.  Cardinals spokesman Brian Bartow said Forsch died Thursday at his home near Tampa, Florida.  A cause was not immediately known.  The death came less than a week after Forsch threw out the first  pitch at Game 7 of the World Series.  The Cardinals beat the Texas Rangers 6-2 last Friday to win the championship.  Forsch won 163 games for the Cardinals from 1974 to 1988, trailing only Bob Gibson and Jesse Haines, before ending his career in Houston in 1989. He threw no-hitters in 1978 and 1983, the only Cardinals pitcher to accomplish the feat twice.

Branstad announces IA’s withdrawal from MO. River Association of States & Tribes

News

November 4th, 2011 by Ric Hanson

(DES MOINES) – Gov. Branstad today (Friday) announced that he will withdraw Iowa as a member of the Missouri River Association of States and Tribes (MoRAST) effective immediately. Gov. Branstad has sent a letter to notify MoRAST Executive Director Michael Hayden of Iowa’s withdrawal.  In the letter,  Branstad said, “I do not believe that MoRAST is the best avenue to pursue Iowa’s interests and priorities.  Rather, I believe more direct discussions with relevant local, state, and Federal partners will allow for enhanced engagement on Missouri River management and better prioritization of flood control over recreational and other uses. 

“At the recent MoRAST meeting in Rapids City, South Dakota, MoRAST was not responsive to the perspectives of some states, including Iowa.  While seven of the eight Missouri River governors have called for a heightened focus on flood control, MoRAST did not actively pursue this goal at the recent meeting.  Moreover, there have been long-standing concerns that MoRAST’s by-laws are too narrowly constrained to adequately represent the diversity of key stakeholders and multiple uses of the River.” 

The Governor cited several examples in the letter of why states must improve the focus on flood control for Missouri River management. Those examples include: 

  • Flooding caused an estimated $207 million in lost crop sales and related economic activity as over 280,000 farm acres were impacted, according to Iowa Farm Bureau estimates.
  • 350 homes met FEMA’s definition of destroyed or major damage.
  • Hundreds of miles of Iowa roads were impacted.
  • 950,000 trees could die from over-exposure to flood waters, according to Iowa Department of Natural Resources estimates.
  • The flooding has severely hampered Western Iowa’s economy.  

Gov. Branstad concluded by saying, “The negative impacts of Missouri River flooding on communities in Western Iowa were immense, and impacted Iowans deserve a fresh approach to Missouri River management.”

ISU Guard Christopherson on Lowe’s Watch List

Sports

November 4th, 2011 by Jim Field

OVERLAND PARK, Kan. – Iowa State senior guard Scott Christopherson is one of 30 men’s basketball candidates eligible for the 2011-12 Lowe’s Senior CLASS Award. To be eligible for the award, a student-athlete must be classified as an NCAA Division I senior and have notable achievements in four areas of excellence- community, classroom, character and competition.
A native of LaCrosse, Wis., Christopherson averaged 13.7 ppg and made 86 3-pointers while earning All-Big 12 honorable mention honors in 2010-11. Christopherson, who is Iowa State’s all-time leader in 3-point percentage (43.7 pct.), achieved over a 3.5 GPA in finance in the spring of 2011 and has been extremely active in the Ames community in his four years at Iowa State.
An acronym for Celebrating Loyalty and Achievement for Staying in School, the Lowe’s Senior CLASS Award focuses on the total student-athlete and encourages students to use their platform in athletics to make a positive impact as leaders in their communities.
The 30 men’s basketball candidates will be narrowed to 10 finalists midway through the regular season, and those 10 names will be placed on the official ballot. Ballots will be distributed through a nationwide voting system to media, Division I men’s and women’s coaches and fans who will select one finalist who best exemplifies excellence in the four Cs of community, classroom, character and competition.
For more information on all of the candidates, visit seniorCLASSaward.com.