(Radio Iowa) – The three candidates competing for the Iowa Democratic Party’s U.S. Senate nomination say college student debt is a problem, but during a debate last (Thursday) night on Iowa P-B-S they disagreed about providing relief to borrowers. Mike Franken of Sioux City says wage stagnation and the profits banks and investors make from college loans have made the situation worse.

“But I believe it’s a divisive issue in America to set aside student loans,” Franken said. “…Somebody who graduated two years ago, do we compensate them?…Is this an ongoing thing and if we constantly wipe out student loan debt, what do you think the cost of college is going to do?” Abby Finkenauer of Cedar Rapids suggests college debt relief could be offered as an incentive to get college grads to settle in places where there’s been population loss.

“If we do anything when it comes to relief, it should be targeted,” Finkenauer says. “I mean, you should not be giving anything to anybody who’s making more than — gosh — $100,000 or more a year. That’s just not how anything like this should work.” Glenn Hurst, a physician from Minden, supports not only wiping out current college loan debt, but paying back people who paid off their loans.

“We really need to be looking even farther forward,” Hurst says. “…Community college should be free, so should trade schools.” The candidates agree that congress should pass a law guaranteeing access to abortion nationwide. Finkenauer said as a 33-year-old woman, her presence in the Senate would send a strong message as lawmakers debate abortion rights.

“Wouldn’t it be nice to be able to replace the oldest man currently in the United States with the youngest woman in history ever to get there?” Finkenauer asked. As the U.S. Supreme Court appears poised to overturn Roe v Wade, Franken says it’s time to put the framework of the opinion in federal law, without additional restrictions. “I believe this is a responsibility of the women, and her doctor,” Franken says. Hurst supports expanding the U.S. Supreme Court from nine to 19 justices.

“We’ve got to have a complete change in the way we do things in Washington, D.C.,” Hurst said. Finkenauer says congress should consider term limits for Supreme Court justices. Franken suggests justices should be limited to serving no more than 18 years.

The three candidates are asking Primary voters to choose them as the General Election challenger to Republican Chuck Grassley. Grassley, who is seeking an eighth term in the U.S. Senate, is widely expected to defeat a primary challenger. Jim Carlin, a Republican state senator from Sioux City, had about 54-hundred dollars cash on hand in his campaign account at the end of March.

(Shelby, Iowa) – Two people in an SUV were injured Thursday afternoon, during a crash in Pottawattamie County. The Iowa State Patrol reports a 2011 Chevy Suburban driven by 57-year-old Eric Schiefelbein, of Johnston, was eastbound on Interstate 80 near Shelby, when the vehicle left the road and entered the south ditch. The accident happened at around 2:45-p.m.

The SUV struck a pile of concrete and vaulted into the air before coming to rest on its top, in a ravine. Two passengers in the vehicle, 58-year-old Ann Schiefelbein and 31-year-old Olivia Ritter, both of Johnston, were injured. Ann Schiefelbein – who was not wearing a seatbelt – was flown by LifeNet helicopter to the UNMC in Omaha. Ritter was transported by Minden Fire and Rescue to the UNMC. Authorities she was was wearing a seat belt.

Additional passengers and the driver, were uninjured. Shelby and Minden Fire assisted the Patrol at the crash scene.

(Radio Iowa) – A major league baseball star who’s now a pastor is the headliner for a faith-based event at the Field of Dreams movie site this weekend. Darryl Strawberry, a power hitter for the New York Mets and New York Yankees, played on four teams that won the World Series, but he was suspended three times during his playing career for substance abuse. Mike DeJong, organizer of this Saturday’s “Revival at The Field” in Dyersville, says Strawberry is a born again Christian with a powerful message.

“In his past, he had addictions, he had many other things that he dealt with, but quite a life change,” DeJong says. “Quite a story of hope and change.” Strawberry lives in the St. Louis area and released a book last year titled “Turn Your Season Around: How God Transforms Your Life.” DeJong met Strawberry a decade ago, while DeJong was on his honeymoon.

“Watching his life today is just incredible, what he’s went through, so developed a friendship with him and have done some ministry with him over the years,” DeJong says. “Just a wonderful guy to share a message of hope.” DeJong, who lives in Sioux Center, is an area representative of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes.

The revival event he’s organized at the Field of Dreams this Saturday is to start at 1 p.m. and ends after sunset. Each vehicle at the site will be charged a 20 dollar parking fee, but DeJong says there are no other fees for participants.

(Atlantic, Iowa) – The Cass County Sheriff’s Office reports charges and citations are currently pending in connection with an injury accident that occurred at around 5:06-p.m. on April 30th. The accident happened near the intersection of North Olive Street and Boston Road.

Officials say a 2001 Ford Explorer being operated by Timothy Asmus, of Audubon, was southbound on Olive Street when the SUV crossed over the center line. An oncoming 2017 Chevrolet Silverado being operated by Gary Hogberg, of Exira, was traveling northbound and was forced to veer off the roadway to avoid a collision. The Silverado continued through the ditch, an adjacent fence and came to rest in a farm field.

The Explorer also continued through the ditch, paralleled the fence line for a distance but eventually drove through the fence as well. Asmus attempted to continue through the field but his SUV became stuck or disabled. Asmus left the scene of the accident but was later identified by law enforcement officers investigating the case.

Hogberg was transported for medical attention and care. The Silverado sustained an estimated $3,000 worth of damage, the Explorer sustained an estimated $1,000 worth of damage and the fence line sustained an approximated $1,000 worth of damage as well.

(Atlantic, Iowa) – The Cass County Sheriff’s Office today (Thursday) released a report on arrests stemming from April 26th through May 16th.

On May 16th: 33-year-old Steven Behlers, of Atlantic, was arrested on a Cass County Warrant for Theft in the 3rd Degree. Behlers was transported to the Cass County Jail where he was booked and held.

On May 10th, 37-year-old Aaron McCutcheon, of Harlan, was arrested on a Cass County Warrant for Domestic Abuse Assault 1st. McCutcheon was transported to the Cass County Jail where he was booked and held pending his later release on his own recognizance.

On the 7th, Cass County Deputies arrested 53-year-old Rene Valdivia, of Carroll, for Violation of a No Contact Order and Trespass 1st Offense. Valdivia was transported to the Cass County Jail where he was booked and held pending his later release on bond.

And, on May 2nd, 50-year-old Hadjii Covington, of Omaha, NE, was arrested in Cass County for OWI 2nd Offense. Covington was transported to the Cass County Jail where he was booked and held until his later release on bond.

On April 29th, Deputies arrested 36-year-old Jacqueline Griffith, of Exira, on a Cass County Warrant for Violation of Compulsory Education. Griffith was transported to the Cass County Jail where she was booked and held until her later release on her own recognizance.

On April 26th, 28-year-old Zachary Wood, of Anita, was arrested on a Cass County Warrant for Child Endangerment. Wood was transported to the Cass County Jail where he was booked and held until his later release on bond.

“All criminal charges are merely accusations, and the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty in the court of law.”