(Washington, D-C) – The office of Iowa Republican Senator Joni Ernst, says “As part of her continuing effort to prevent sexual misconduct in the prison system, Senator is supporting the bipartisan Prison Staff Safety Enhancement Act, to address the increasingly pervasive sexual assault and harassment of Federal Bureau of Prisons (BOP) employees by inmates.” The Senator’s office says “from 2019-2023 there were 1,600 female staff members attacked by inmates at Thomson Federal Prison, just across the Iowa border in Illinois.”

Senator Ernst says “Federal prison workers play a vital role in our justice system and in keeping our communities safe. They deserve to have a workplace that is free from harassment. Through this legislation, I’m working to protect correctional staff and allow them to do their important jobs.”

Jon Zumkehr, President of the BOP Employees Union, Local 4070 (which represents correctional officers), said “We thank Senator Ernst for joining Senator Blackburn in leading the charge to protect correctional officers from harassment and assault by inmates. This bill represents an important first step, and we look forward to working with them on this and future legislation to ensure a safer workplace for all our members.”

The legislation would require:

• The Department of Justice Office of Inspector General to conduct a comprehensive statistical review and analysis of the incidence and effects of sexual harassment and assault perpetrated by federal inmates against Bureau of Prison (BOP) staff, including at Thomson Federal Prison;
• The U.S. Attorney General to report the findings of the Inspector General’s review to Congress; and
• The U.S. Attorney General to promote a rule adopting national standards for prevention, reduction, and punishment of sexual assault and harassment of BOP staff by inmates.

Click here to view the bill.

(Radio Iowa) – Fans of the Iowa State Fair can pick up memorabilia or keepsakes in an auction that begins today (Thursday). The Blue Ribbon Foundation helps fund the upkeep of the fairgrounds and spokesperson Drew Sniezek says there’s plenty of items to bid on. “Folks can go online, take a look at over 300 different souvenirs that will be up for bid. And bidding takes place until Sunday evening, November 17th, at 8 p-m,” she says. Sniezek describes some of the items up for bid.

“The Blue Ribbon Foundation has had a pottery collection where we come out with a new one every year since 1997 so there’s pottery pieces, there’s Isabel Bloom sculptures, there’s lapel pins, there’s a few vintage T-shirts, just all kinds of Iowa State Fair memorabilia and souvenirs,” she says.  You can go to the website BlueRibbonFoundation.org to make your bid. “There’s pictures of all of the items. It gives you instructions on how to register to bid,” . There’s information if after Sunday evening, you’re the winning bidder, you can come out to the fairgrounds to pick up the item or make arrangements to have it shipped to you,” Sniezek. She says the money from the auction will go toward updating buildings.

Iowa State Fair items like these are up for auction. (Blue Ribbon Foundation photo)

“We’re focusing our dollars in fundraising right now to the livestock buildings and those barns renovations. It’s a 25 million-dollar project,” she says. The Sheep Barn was the first building to undergo renovation. “So we’ve got new restrooms, new offices, a new roof, replace that terra cotta that was beautiful on that sheet barn. So now we’re Turning our focus to look at plans for horse barn, cattle barn and swine barn,” Sniezek says. “We know that the Iowa State Fair agriculture is the heart of it, and that’s the tradition, and so we want to make sure we can upkeep these historic 100 year old barns.” Sniezek says buildings on the fairgrounds are used throughout the year and not just during the 11-day run of State Fair.

The online auction again runs from 10 a-m today (Thursday) until Sunday November 17th at 8 p-m.

(Red Oak, Iowa) – A traffic stop a little after 1-a.m. today (Thursday) in Red Oak, resulted in the arrest of a woman from Pottawattamie County. The Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office reports the traffic stop was conducted at around 1:10-a.m. near Broadway and Linden Streets, in Red Oak. Upon further investigation, Deputies arrested 55-year-old Kathleen Louise Brown, of Council Bluffs, for Driving Under Suspension.

Brown was transported to the Montgomery County Jail and held on bond amounting to $491.25.

WAUKEE, Iowa [KCCI] — In a display of generosity, second graders at Sugar Creek Elementary in Waukee received a special gift Wednesday — a Caitlin Clark picture book.

KCCI reports the initiative, part of a statewide effort, aims to inspire young readers through the story of the famous basketball player. The books were donated by Dickson and Luann Jensen, with Dickson being one of Caitlin’s former coaches during her time with the All Iowa Attack. Altogether, 50,000 books were distributed across the state of Iowa and the Greater Indianapolis Area.

The students, who are already familiar with Caitlin’s journey, were thrilled to receive the books. Caitlin’s story illustrates her inspiring journey from playing basketball in her driveway to the WNBA, encouraging youngsters to dream big and work hard. Second-grade teacher, Christina Smith, reflected on the impact of the book, stating that Caitlin’s local roots make her aspirations feel attainable, motivating students to pursue their own dreams.

More than just about achieving greatness, the book emphasizes the importance of passion, resilience, and sportsmanship. Students say teaches a valuable lesson: “If you win or lose, it doesn’t matter because you can always keep trying and keep practicing,” said second-grader Urban Palmer.

Written by Jensen’s daughter, Ali Obermeier, the book can be found online at JustLikeCaitlin.com.

ADEL, Iowa — The Dallas County Board of Supervisors certified election results on Wednesday, confirming Democrat Sarah Trone Garriott’s re-election in State Senate District 14 by a narrow margin of 24 votes. KCCI says Dallas County Auditor Julia Helm presented the board with election results from every precinct. The board verified the votes by reviewing a tally book from each polling location. The county’s official report confirmed Trone Garriott’s victory over Republican Mark Hanson.

Hanson told KCCI he believes a recount could change the results, though he has not yet decided whether to request one. Helm explained that if a recount is requested, it would be conducted by a three-person board, including one representative from each campaign and a neutral member.

Helm emphasized the importance of the county’s canvass of votes in ensuring public confidence in the election process.

Hanson stated he wants to discuss with his team and family before deciding on a recount. He has until Monday at 5 p.m. to make his decision.