(Radio Iowa) – A weekend fundraiser for Republican Congresswoman Mariannette Miller-Meeks showcased two issues that are galvanizing voters. About a third of the program was focused on remarks from Riley Gaines, a former competitive swimmer who’s suing the N-C-Double-A for allowing a transgender athlete to compete at the national championships in 2022. “Half of the states have passed some sort of fairness in women’s sports bill — Iowa, of course, being one of those states,” Gaines said, “ultimately preventing men from competing on women’s sports and on women’s teams.”

Miller-Meeks reminded the crowd she was the first woman in her family to go to college and the first woman faculty member in the University of Iowa Department of Ophthalmology.  “I was the first woman president of the Iowa Medical Society and have often been called a trailblazer. That’s why I am passionate about this issue,” Miller-Meeks said. “We have fought for women’s rights and it is Republicans who will be women’s rights a place.”

Miller-Meeks voted for a bill to bar students who were listed as male on their birth certificate from participating in women’s sports. The subject of the Israel-Hamas war also came up during the event as four protesters in the crowd interrupted speakers to call for a ceasefire. State Representative Bobby Kaufmann of Wilton, the event’s emcee, addressed the crowd just after one protester was escorted from the event by off-duty law enforcement officers. “Isn’t it great that we live in a country where you can protest despite having very limited brain cells?” he said. “Try that stuff in Iran or in front of Hamas.”

One of four protesters escorted out of Miller-Meeks fundraiser on Sept. 7, 2024. (RI photo)

Kaufmann’s father, Iowa Republican Party chairman Jeff Kaufmann, told the crowd opposition to the protesters’ message is a key issue in this year’s election. “What you just saw there is not a splinter group of the Democratic Party,” Kaufmann said. “…a part of the Democratic Party that is going to come alive if we don’t stop this thing.”

Miller-Meeks noted the four protesters made a donation to her campaign so they could get into the event.  “We’re happy to take the Democrats’ money to beat them,” she said.

All four protesters called for a U-S arms embargo against Israel. Miller-Meeks visited Israel in late August as part of a congressional delegation. In statements posted online during the trip, Miller-Meeks called Hamas barbaric and said the U-S must stand with Israel in the face of terrorism that has no bounds. Miller-Meeks is seeking a third term in the U-S House. Christina Bohannan, Miller-Meeks’ Democratic opponent in 2022, is running against her again this year.

(Atlantic, Iowa) – In an update to our earlier posts: Atlantic Police Chief Devin Hogue said this (Sunday) afternoon, a 12-year-ol juvenile was taken into custody in connection to alleged threats on social media, made towards the Atlantic Middle School and Schuler Elementary School.

The Chief says “On Sunday, Sept. 8th, the Atlantic Police Department received a report of a threat that was posted on social media that named two of our district buildings as a target. An investigation into the incident has found that the threat is not credible and students and staff are not in danger to attend school tomorrow [Monday], September 9^th, 2024. However, due to the seriousness of the threat and the disruption to the school and learning environment, a 12 -year-old juvenile has been taken into custody and transported to the Juvenile Detention Center in Council Bluffs.

The juvenile – who was not identified because of his age – is being charged with Threats of Terrorism and False Reports to or Communications with Public Safety Entities.

Chief Hogue said “The Atlantic Police Department will provide heightened presence at the ACSD buildings all week.” He said also, “The Atlantic Police Department worked alongside the Cass County Sheriff’s Office and Atlantic Community School District during the investigation. We have also made contact with the Iowa Governor’s School Safety Bureau with regard to the incident.”

No other details are being released at this time. If you have information regarding the incident, please call the Atlantic Police Department at 712-243-3512.

Note: A criminal charge is merely an accusation and the defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty.

(Creston, Iowa) – Officials with the Creston Police Department today (Sunday) said an accident on August 29th caused a total of $5,200 damage, but no one was injured. Authorities say a 2010 Chevy Equinox driven by 54-year-old Jason Glenn Beard, of Creston, was traveling on Fremont Street at around 8:15-a.m., when Beard attempted to put something in his back pocket and became “lost in thought.

Beard’s SUV struck a large utility trailer attached to a legally parked 1999 Ford F-350 Super Cab pickup truck. No citations were issued.

(Atlantic, Iowa) – Officials with the Atlantic Community School District have sent an e-mail to parents of students in the District, with regard to an alleged threat on a social media platform. KJAN received a copy of the e-mail which reads:

“We’re aware of the social media threat made to AMS and Schuler. Law enforcement and administration are investigating the threat and taking proper precautions to ensure the safety around the district.

“More information will be available once we have been able to determine the credibility of the threat.”  Atlantic Police Chief Devin Hogue told KJAN News in a text message this (Sunday) morning, in response to our inquiry, that “We have been made aware and are diligently working on the situation.”

The A-PD also posted on its Facebook page, “The Atlantic Police Department has been made aware of a social media post that was made as a threat to our school district. Our agency along with the Cass County Sheriff’s Office have been diligently working on the situation and have been in contact with the Atlantic Community School District to ensure safety precautions are being made and the Governor’s School Safety Bureau for assistance with the investigation.”

Additional information will be released when it is made available to us. KJAN will not elaborate on the nature of the threat until law enforcement has had a chance to complete their investigation.

(Red Oak, Iowa) – Two women from Red Oak were arrested on separate charges early this (Sunday) morning, in Red Oak. The Red Oak Police Department reports 56-year-old Kimberly Dee Rocha was arrested at around 12:04-a.m. in the 1200 block of E. Summit Street, for OWI/1st Offense. Rocha was being held in the Montgomery County Jail on a $1,000 bond.

And, at around 12:18-a.m., Red Oak Police arrested 19-year-old Heavyn Lee Aherns in the 2400 block of N. 8th Street, for Public Intoxication/1st Offense. Aherns was being held in the Montgomery County Jail on a $300 bond.