(Radio Iowa) – Two Senate Republicans have called for felony charges against educators who provide books with passages they deem obscene, but Majority Leader Jack Whitver — the TOP Republican in the Senate — is expressing support for the governor’s plan for addressing parents’ concerns.

“Charging anyone with felonies for these types of things, I don’t think is a good idea,” Whitver says. “…There’s a lot of ideas on the table and so we’re going to look at those ideas like we do everything.” Governor Reynolds has proposed requiring lists of school books be posted online and requiring school officials to respond within 30 days to parents’ complaints about any book. Parents would have a final appeal heard by the State Board of Education. Whitver says that kind of transparency is a good step, to let parents address any concerns they may have.

“And then it comes down to school board elections as well…Ultimately, if none of that works, you need to give parents a choice on where their kids are going to school,” Whitver says. “Whether that’s going from one public school to another public school, like we did last year, or a public school to a charter school or maybe now public to private schools — that’s I think the best path forward for Iowa.”

Whitver made his comments this weekend during an appearance on “Iowa Press” on Iowa P-B-S. Last year, the legislature voted to end diversity plans in five Iowa districts which allowed school administrators to deny student transfer requests. This year, Governor Reynolds has enlarged her plan to give parents state money to cover enrollment in a private school. Democrats say public tax dollars should be spent on public, not private schools.

(Atlantic, Iowa) – Members of the Cass County Board of Supervisors will hold their regular weekly meeting beginning at 9-a.m. on Monday, Jan. 31st. On their agenda is action on approving an application by the Griswold (rural) Dollar General Store for a Class-C Beer Permit, and discussion, along with possible action on:

• A Resolution for funding of economic development (using the Valley Business Park money)
• Possible use of funding from the American Rescue Plan (ARPA)
• Applications filed in response to openings on the Condemnation in Eminent Domain, and Cass County Zoning Commissions, as well as a Brighton Township Trustee.

The Supervisor’s meeting takes place in their Courthouse Boardroom, in Atlantic.

(Red Oak, Iowa) – Red Oak Police report a woman from Webster County was arrested at around 9-p.m. Saturday, in the 2300 block of Eastern Avenue. Authorities say 51-year-old Carrie Ann Rosburg, of Ft. Dodge, was arrested for Disorderly Conduct – a simple misdemeanor. Rosberg was transported to the Montgomery County Jail, and held on a $300 bond.

(Red Oak, Iowa ) — One person was arrested on a felony drug charge Saturday evening in Red Oak, following a traffic stop and investigation. The Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office reports 64-year-old Kenneth Earl Huber, of Lenox, was arrested at around 6:40-p.m., for possession of a controlled substance/3rd or subsequent offense — a class D felony.

Huber was transported to the Montgomery County Jail and held on a $5,000 bond.