(Radio Iowa) – The Iowa House has sent the governor a bill giving state and local law enforcement officers authority to arrest undocumented immigrants and have them deported. The vote came two hours after the U-S Supreme Court allowed a similar Texas law to take effect — at least temporarily — while an appeals court reviews the policy. Republican Representative Steven Holt of Denison says Iowa must act because the federal government isn’t doing its job.

“We have never had such a situation on our southern border and extraordinary times require extraordinary measures,” Holt said. Holt says the bill pushes the envelope when it comes to state authority to enforce immigration law, but he says that’s what is required to address a clear and present danger.

“There are many in our country and in our state illegally who just came here for a better life. We know that,” Holt said, “but there are also gang members, drug dealers, terrorists and people who have killed American citizens who are endangering our citizens.” The bill passed with the support of nearly all Republicans and a couple of Democrats in the House. Representative Sami Scheetz, a Democrat from Cedar Rapids, says this bill may put the state in a legal quagmire because immigration policy is constitutionally reserved for the federal government.

“Illegal immigration is a serious problem that requires action, yet the approach laid out in this bill misses the heart of what it truly means to address this issue,” Scheetz said. “…Moreover, this bill in attempting to solve only one problem risks creating others, fostering fear among immigrant communities, disrupting families and potentially hindering cooperation with law enforcement.”

Governor Reynolds says the Biden Administration has failed to enforce immigration laws and she looks forward to signing the bill into law.

MADISON COUNTY, Iowa [KCCI] — A Creston man faces several charges related to a fatal crash last month in Madison County. Authorities say 30-year-old Charles Lohoff, was driving recklessly, and under the influence, when he crashed around 4 a.m. Feb. 4 in the 1000 block of Pitzer Road, between Dexter and Earlham. Lohoff’s passenger, 42-year-old Jonathan Taylor, of Adel, was pronounced dead at the scene.

Lohoff was charged on March 18 with homicide by vehicle-operating under the influence, homicide by vehicle-reckless driving, and knowingly leaving the scene of an accident resulting in serious injury.

Criminal complaints say that black box data obtained from the truck Lohoff was driving show he was driving 110 mph right before the crash and 90 mph at the moment of collision with a telephone pole.

Lohoff (Madison County S/O photo)

According to court records, Lohoff has posted a $40,000 bond and is scheduled for an initial appearance on April 2nd.

(Radio Iowa) – A northwest Iowa school district is working to change extracurricular policies after a hazing controversy involving the wrestling team that parents say targeted seven freshmen. Police investigated after a video on social media showed a wrestler from Hinton High School being held down and tasered during the state duals tournament in Coralville in early February. During last night’s (Monday) school board meeting Superintendent Ken Slater says the district met with parents to come up with suggestions to improve the district’s handbook.

“We believe that, in the end, Hinton will be stronger and safer for all students. Now is the time for us to come together and work for the betterment of all students. We are all Blackhawks,” Slater says. Slater says the new changes will likely be finalized this summer. Holly Keegan is one of the parents who met with administrators and told the board she wants to make sure a wrong is made right.

“There can be no more blame on the freshman parents, no more saying ‘we’re making a bigger deal than what it is,” Keegan says.

The high school principal and athletic director both said earlier this month they are stepping down at the end of the school year. And the school board accepted the resignation of head wrestling coach Casey Crawford last night. Crawford will stay on as a math teacher.

(Atlantic, Iowa) – The Cass County Auditor’s Office reports Steve Baier, of Griswold, filed his nomination papers today (Tuesday) to run for re-election in the June 4th Republican Primary for County Supervisor in District 4. Baier is currently the Chair of the Cass County Board of Supervisors. The filing period for persons wishing to run for County Office ends at 5-p.m. Friday, March 22nd.

As previously mentioned, the following Republicans have also filed their nomination papers (Name/Office/date filed):

Kathy Somers, of Atlantic – County Auditor (March 4th) – Incumbent

John Westering, of Atlantic – County Sheriff (March 4th)

Bernard Pettinger, of Anita – Supervisor/District 5 (March 6th) – Incumbent

Stephen S. Green, of Atlantic  – Supervisor/District 1 (March 13th) – Incumbent

Steve Baier, of Griswold – Supervisor/District 4 (March 19th) – Incumbent

(Radio Iowa) – A bill that could potentially ban TikTok which passed the U-S House last week is now arriving in the Senate, where some observers say it faces a graveyard. Iowa Senator Chuck Grassley, a Republican, says he’d like to see restrictions placed on the popular social media app and he believes the legislation -will- pass in the Senate, eventually.

“I am not that pessimistic about it,” Grassley says. “I think it’s going to not move as quickly as it did in the House, but nothing moves quickly the United States Senate. I think it’s going to have a hearing in the Commerce Committee before it gets out of committee.”

The House passed the bill last Wednesday (352-65) that would force ByteDance, the Chinese parent company of TikTok, to sell the app or face being banned across the U-S. Iowa Congresswoman Ashley Hinson, a Republican from Marion, backed the bill, saying ByteDance is beholding to the Chinese Communist Party, and Grassley agrees that TikTok is a threat.

“A good case is made for compromising our national security,” Grassley says. “So much information can be tapped from anybody’s phone, and that’s 170-million Americans, for use as China wants to use it.” Grassley fears how all that potential data mining could be used to harm the U-S. “We all know that China is a competitor to the United States, and a potential danger to the world,” Grassley says.

Given its wide user base, Hinson said she fears TikTok could even be used to manipulate our elections.

(Radio Iowa) – A House committee has approved a bill that outlines a new legal avenue for landowners who don’t want a carbon pipeline to run through their property. Representative Bobby Kaufmann of Wilton says it’s the fifth time the House has introduced a bill to address the ability of developers to gain eminent domain authority to seize ground from unwilling property owners.

“To the landowners that are here today, I will not stop fighting for you. House Republicans will not stop fighting for you and I think you’ll see House Democrats will not stop fighting for you,” Kaufmann said. ” This is a bipartisan issue….and this is now a live round for the rest of the session.” The bill would give the Polk County District Court authority to review claims from landowners OR developers about whether eminent domain authority may be used for any project — including the proposed Summit Carbon Solutions Pipeline. Representative Chuck Isenhart  of Dubuque says he’s not sure the Iowa Utilities Board will make a clear determination on whether Summit’s pipeline is a public necessity and, therefore, may use eminent domain. “I think the courts are ultimately are going to be the place where that happens,” Isenhart says, “so why don’t we get about that sooner rather than later?”

The bill cleared the House Ways and Means Committee on a 24-to-zero vote. It’s now eligible for House debate. Earlier this year the House passed a different bill about carbon pipelines, but it never came up in the senate before last week’s deadline for action on the bill.

(Glenwood, Iowa) – The Glenwood Police Department reports two Glenwood men were arrested on separate charges, Monday. 24-year-old Tyler Bascue was arrested on 2 counts of supplying alcohol to a person under the legal age. He posted a $2,000 cash or surety bond and was released.

19-year-old Jonathan Young was arrested Monday for possession of a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia. He posted a $1,300 cash or surety bond before being released.

(Radio Iowa) – Pointing a laser at an aircraft has been a federal crime since 2018 and it is likely to become a state crime soon. A FEDERAL conviction carries a prison term of up to five years and an 11-thousand dollar fine for a single incident. Senator Dan Dawson of Council Bluffs explains what state penalties are proposed. “Depending on the conduct and injury, the penalties range from a misdemeanor to a Class C felony,” Dawson says. A judge could sentence someone to up to a decade in prison for a Class C felony conviction.

A bill making it a state crime to point a laser at an airplane cleared the Senate unanimously a year ago. The Iowa House approval it this week, sending it to the governor for her signature. Representative Sami Scheetz of Cedar Rapids points to a 2021 case in which a laser was aimed at an Iowa National Guard helicopter flying in the Waterloo area. “This is a good bill that will help protect the members of the National Guard in our state,” Scheetz said.

According to the Federal Aviation Administration, between 2010 and 2010, there 271 incidents of lasers being pointed at aircraft flying over Iowa. Officials say if a laser hits the Plexiglas windshield of an aircraft, it can flood the entire cockpit with light and temporarily blind a pilot. Pilots reported over 13-thousand laser incidents to the F-A-A in 2023.

(Radio Iowa) – The salaries of Iowa’s direct care workers have remained mostly stagnant in recent years, according to a recent report by the Iowa Caregivers, which represents certified nursing assistants and home health aides. The organization compared Iowa Workforce Development data from 2019 to 2022, the most recent year available. It found, for example, the median wage for certified nurse aids increased just 62-cents during the period to 14-dollars-42-cent per hour. Di Findley, executive director of Iowa Caregivers, says low wages are causing many workforce issues.

“It contributes to not being able to attract people,” Findley says, “and to the shortages, and it contributes to the high turnover, and the cost of turnover.” Findley says wages growing by less than five percent over four years is directly contributing to the worker shortage in the industry.

“These individuals are grossly underpaid,” she says, “and they’re not being paid a wage that’s consistent with the importance of the work that they do.” The report comes as many Iowa nursing homes are facing chronic staffing shortages of direct care workers.

(Atlantic, Iowa) – The Cass County Board of Supervisors, today (Tuesday) received a presentation from a representative with the Anita Food Pantry, and a request for funds to pave access to the property. Tim Miller explained the situation with the access road.

He said in addition to making it easier for deliveries to take place, it would be better for the Food Pantry’s clients. The Board took no action on the funding request. Instead, it was tabled while that wait to receive more information with regard to the City of Anita’s role in the project, and related matters. Board Chair Steve Baier….

In his regular report to the Board, Cass County Engineer Trent Wolken talked about Secondary Roads Department maintenance and activities. He mentioned they are hauling road rock out of Atlantic. Wolken said also, work on Bridge 319 west of Atlantic Highland Road/G-30 over Indian Creek, will start Wednesday (March 20th), beginning with the approaches and guardrails.

Last week, the Engineer’s Office said the bridge will be closed. A signed detour is being provided via Cass County Road M-56, U-S Highway 6, and County Road M-47 back to G-30. The project should be complete in approximately four to five (4-5) weeks, weather permitting.

In other business, the Cass County Supervisors tabled action of the abatement of taxes for 405 Cherry Street in Atlantic, and instead directed the Treasurer to collect taxes owed on the property. They also approved the appointment of Peter Smith to the Cass County Condemnation in Eminent Domain Board for the 2024 term. The Supervisors accepted the resignation of Michelle Schroder, RN, as Medical Examiner, effective March 23rd, and appointed Madison Lund as ME effective the same date.