(Radio Iowa) – The Iowa Supreme Court has scheduled a hearing on Wednesday to hear arguments over U.S. Senate candidate Abby Finkenauer’s appeal of a district court judge’s decision that has thrown her off the June 7th Democratic Primary ballot.

The ruling issued Sunday night declared three signatures on Finkenauer’s nominating petitions invalid, due to errors in the section of the signature line where a date is to be listed. With the three signatures thrown out, Finkenauer does not meet the minimum threshold in two counties where her campaign had to collect at least 100 signatures. Finkenauer says the ruling is “outrageous…deeply partisan and a massive gift to Washington Republicans who support Chuck Grassley’s reelection to the U.S. Senate.

Two other Democrats — Mike Franken and Glenn Hurst — have been competing with Finkenauer for the chance to face Grassley in the General Election.

Saturday, April 23rd is the deadline for county auditors to begin sending Primary ballots to Iowans who are overseas. That makes end of this week the printing deadline for the ballots, according to the secretary of state’s office. It means Finkenauer is hoping for a ruling from the Iowa Supreme Court in the next few days if she hopes to have her name printed on the Democratic Primary ballot.

(Radio Iowa) – Iowa students of any age can access free, live tutors online through a program called Brainfuse HelpNow, which is marking its first full year in the state. Any day of the week, between the hours of 2 and 11 P-M, the program’s Jack Rothstein says tutors are available to help answer practically any question ranging from basic reading skills all the way to university physics courses.

“HelpNow provides access to live tutors for kindergarten up through adult learners,” Rothstein says. “If I live in the state of Iowa, I have access to Brainfuse HelpNow. That means if I’m working on my math homework and I’m stuck, I can log on and connect with a live tutor for free.” The program employs more than three-thousand tutors nationwide who are available through the Online Classroom where there’s a Whiteboard and a chat window.

“So many kids today, they don’t even like to talk on the phone and many prefer to text and chat and that’s the preferred method of communication,” Rothstein says. “With the Whiteboard, students can copy and paste or upload assignments or papers that they’re working on.” There’s also a Writing Lab where students can upload virtually any sort of writing assignment and get a critique within 12 to 24 hours.

“The Writing Lab is very popular,” Rothstein says. “It can be used for the proverbial ‘What I Did Over Summer Break’ paragraph when I start a new school year, up to maybe I’m applying for college and as part of my application I need to do an essay.” There are also practice tests, electronic flashcards and other study tools available for free. Through funding provided by the Iowa State Public Library, there are several other online programs designed to help Iowans.

“JobNow provides access to live job coaches, interview coaches, resume coaches and unemployment benefit navigators,” Rothstein says. “VetNow provides access to VA benefit navigators, college-level tutoring and career transition support for veterans.” All you need to take part is an Iowa library card and the ability to log on to: https://home.brainfuse.com/iowa/

Adair County Sheriff Jeff Vandewater reports two arrests from last week. On April 6th, 50-year-old Jason Edward Caldwell, of Stuart, was arrested by Deputies for Driving While Barred, Reckless Driving and having defective tires. His arrest was the result of an investigation into a 1998 Ford F-150 pickup that had crashed into a ditch at 190th Street and the Stuart Road, at around 8:50-p.m. on Dec. 25th, 2021.

At the time, Caldwell has a temporary restricted license (TRL) with multiple withdrawals in effect. His license was barred for Habitual Offender until 11/11/24. When speaking to the investigation deputy, Caldwell claimed he was working at a bar in Stuart, which turned out not to be true, and meant he was in violation of his TRL.  He was cited for the offense and released.

And, on April 4th, 25-year-old Layne Douglas Ruby, of Creston, was arrested for Driving While License Denied/Revoked or Suspended. When he was pulled over for speeding, Ruby did not have his required Ignition Interlock Device installed in his vehicle, and his TRL was invalid. He was released later the same day on a $1,000 cash or surety bond.

Sheriff’s officials in Mills County report four arrests from the past few days. Saturday afternoon, 60-year-old Mark Alan Schmahl, of St. Joseph, MO., was arrested for OWI/1st offense and Possession of a Controlled Substance ($2,000 bond). And, 36-year-old Nicholas Lynn Wolfe, of Malvern, was arrested at around 1:50-a.m. Saturday, for OWI/2nd offense ($2,000 bond).

Friday afternoon, 35-year-old Daniel John Vornbrock, of Glenwood, was arrested for Driving While Barred ($2,000 bond). And, at around 10:30-p.m. Thursday, 35-year-old Danis Marita Brown, of Omaha, was arrested for Poss. of Contraband in a Correctional institution, and Trespass in the 1st Degree (Bon $5,300).

Sheriff’s officials said also a man from Pottawattamie County was transported to Bergan Mercy Hospital in Omaha, following a motorcycle accident Sunday afternoon, in Mills County. 43-year-old Brian Deyo, of Council Bluffs, was operating a 2006 Harley Davidson motorcycle eastbound on Highway 34 at around 4:30-p.m., when he locked-up the brakes as he was preparing to turn north onto Hilman Road.

The cycle cut in front of a car in the turning lane and crashed at the intersection at slow speeds. Deyo was unconscious and bleeding from the right side of his head before he was flown from the scene to the hospital.