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Retiring Iowa legislators say raise lawmakers’ pay

News

April 16th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

(Radio Iowa) – A few of the legislators who aren’t seeking reelection say it’s time to raise the pay for those who’ll be serving in the Iowa General Assembly next year.

Republican Representative Phil Thompson of Boone got his colleagues to laugh when he brought up the subject earlier this month. “Today I get to deliver my retirement speech at the age of 33,” Thompson said. “Unfortunately for me, I have to make up for all the money I lost these last six years and probably won’t get to do one of these ever again.”

The current salary for an Iowa legislator was set 18 years ago. “You all know how hard we have to work just to get here — all the doors, the events, the fundraisers, the parades. It’s a grind. My wife and I really did enjoy it most of the time. It was a fun run, but honestly we just can’t afford to do another round of it with our first kiddo on the way. I owe it to her to put my head down, earn and be a super dad,” Thompson said. “As rewarding as this work is, it really isn’t cut out for working age families. You guys should really fix that if you want a representative government.”

Sixty-four-year-old Representative Brian Best, a Republican from Glidden, is not seeking reelection after serving 10 years in the Iowa House. “I’m leaving, so it’s easy for me to say this,” Best said during his retirement speech. “What we pay you, me and those who will be elected — maybe we should think about paying a little bit more because it does really leave it to a really small portion of our population that can run for the Iowa House because of the wages that we pay.”

Iowa Capital Building

The six lawmakers who have leadership roles in the House and Senate are paid a salary of $37,500 a year. The other 144 legislators are being paid $25,000 a year. Most legislators get over $17,000 in expense payments each year as well to cover things like mileage and renting hotel rooms or apartments in Des Moines during the legislative session. Polk County lawmakers get less since they have homes near the Capitol. Polk County Representative John Forbes, a Democrat from Urbandale who’s not seeking reelection, said serving in the legislature has become a full-time job and he wouldn’t have been able to make it work financially when he was younger. “I would hope that the legislature looks at a salary increase at some point in time,” Forbes said, “to make sure that people who really want to run have that opportunity and not making salary a barrier for running for public office.”

The governor’s annual salary of $130,000 was set in 2005. More than a thousand state employees are paid more than Governor Reynolds. The salary for Iowa’s attorney general is about $123,000. The salaries for the four other statewide elected officials is just over $103,000.

Daisy Brand plans to build $708 million facility in Boone

News

April 16th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

(Radio Iowa) – The maker of a well-known brand of sour cream and cottage cheese is planning to open a production facility in Boone

The Boone City Council has voted to submit an application for Daisy Brand to the Iowa Economic Development Authority. The application is for tax incentives from the state’s High Quality Jobs program. Boone Mayor Eli Stine says a state board is expected to approve the application Friday.

The City of Boone has agreed to a number of infrastructure improvements to attract Daisy’s investment and over 250 jobs. Stine says Daisy is “an incredibly well run company” and its $708 million project is by far the largest capital investment the community has seen.

The headquarters of Daisy Brands is in Dallas, Texas, and the company currently operates plants in Arizona, Ohio and Texas.

Iowa’s Varsity 8 Named Big Ten Boat of the Week

Sports

April 16th, 2024 by admin

 

IOWA CITY, Iowa — The University of Iowa’s Varsity Eight was named the Big Ten Boat of the Week on Tuesday after racing past Kansas and Kansas State last weekend at the Big Ten/Big 12 Double Dual at Wyandotte County Lake in Kansas.

This honor marks the 18th time in school history a boat has tabbed as the Big Ten’s best of the week. It is also the first weekly honor for the Hawkeyes since April 18, 2023.

The Hawkeyes won both V8 races with the lineup of: Natalie Maher (coxswain), Orla Cuffe, Emma Dabinett, Karire Evans, Claire Wragge, Molly Shannon, Taryn Lindaman, Abbey Klostermann, and Hailey Mercuri.

Varsity Eight
IOWA (6:59.07)
Kansas (7:05.93)

IOWA (6:54.16)
Kansas State (7:06.59)

QUOTING HEAD COACH JEFF GARBUTT
“We are honored to be recognized for our performance this week in the double duals. This crew raced hard, overcame some challenges and were able to come away with two convincing victories this past weekend. We are excited to get down to Sarasota this weekend for the Big Ten Invitational and race against some of the top teams in the country.”

The Hawkeyes will return to action April 19 for the Big Ten Invitational in Sarasota, Florida.

 

Iowa punter Rhys Dakin on adjusting to his move from Australia

Sports

April 16th, 2024 by admin

Rhys (reece) Dakin (dah-kin) has big shoes to fill at Iowa. Dakin takes over the punting duties from fellow Australian Tory Taylor, who won the Ray Guy Award as the nation’s top punter while at the same time becoming a fan favorite as a Hawkeye.

 

Dakin says he is adjusting to life in Iowa but admits a stretch of January was difficult brutal weather wise.

 

The Hawkeyes close spring drills with an open practice on Saturday.

Iowa baseball looks to get its season turned around

Sports

April 16th, 2024 by admin

It has not been the season the Iowa baseball team was hoping for. Ranked as high as 18th early in the season the Hawkeyes are 18-15 overall and 6-6 in the Big Ten heading into Wednesday’s nonconference game against Bradley. Iowa dropped two of three games at Ohio State last weekend.

 

That’s Iowa coach Rick Heller. With a month remaining in the regular season The Hawkeyes are hoping to get things turned around.

 

Injuries have limited two of Iowa’s top three hitters the past couple of weeks. Sam Peterson is battling a lower leg injury and Andy Nelson has been hampered by a hamstring injury.

 

The Hawkeyes host Rutgers beginning Friday in a three game Big Ten series.

Exira homeowner stabs alleged intruder last Friday

News

April 16th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

(Exira, Iowa) – The Audubon County Sheriff’s Office reports a man who was allegedly breaking into a home in Exira, Friday night, was stabbed by the home’s owner. The incident occurred a little after 10-p.m., in the 100 block of E. Depot Street, in Exira.

Deputies were on scene within minutes and both parties were identified.  The alleged intruder was transported by private vehicle to the hospital, for medical attention. No names were released.

The case is still under investigation.

Mark Farley on the quarterback race at Northern Iowa

Sports

April 16th, 2024 by admin

It is a two-man race at quarterback at Northern Iowa this spring. Arkansas State transfer and former Southeast Polk quarterback Jaxon Dailey and former Dubuque Hempstead standout Aidan (ay-din) Dunne (done) are competing for the starting job. Dunne was the backup last season to three year Panther starter Theo Day.

 

UNI coach Mark Farley says leadership will play a factor in who becomes the starter.

 

Farley on leadership and making plays.

 

Farley is confident in the quarterbacks on the roster.

 

UNI’s spring game is Friday night.

Wailes/Wailes Win Lake Anita High School Bass Tournament

Ag/Outdoor, Sports

April 16th, 2024 by Jim Field

The Southwest Iowa Fishing Team started up their spring tournament season in the AgriVision Elite boat series. Seventeen student angler teams launched their boats early on Sunday morning and navigated the lake looking to hook the five biggest fish. Atlantic Trojan anglers Joaquin and Jake Wailes of Wiota reeled in the winning bag in Powerade High School Series at the AA Tree Service TBF bass fishing tournament on Lake Anita. The brothers found the fish early and late to bring their limit of 5 fish weighing 10.32 pounds. The rest of the Top places were highly competitive Cam Cougars Owen and Brentyn Hoover finished in the runner up spot with a total of 8.68, third place went to Atlantic Trojan’s Colton and Colin Rudy with 8.32, West Central Valley Jordon Robison / Nathan Bentler were fourth with 8.20 and rounding out the top five Atlantic Trojans Gavin Dougherty and Harlan Cyclones Cody Swank 5.55.

Robinson hooked a 4.80 to win AM Cohron & Son Big fish for the Powerade High School anglers.

In the Fairlife Junior division Colton and Adien Krueger from Riverside weighed in their winning bag of 5 fish totaling 6.03. Runner up spot went to Talan Vanarsdol and Tim Donovan Tri Center with 5.43, Grayson Molgaard / Owen Miller Atlantic Trojans finished third 4.65, fourth was Colton and Kaden Frieze from Griswold, 4.34,and rounding out the top five was Mater Heigenberger / Liam O Banion with 1.29.

Other winners from the tournament were.

  • Big Bite Baits Fish On- (first fish caught)- Nathan Bentler
  • Fast Metal First Five in the Box- Joaquin & Jake Wailes – HS
  • Fishing Assault Beat your best- Nathan Bentler
  • Dump Truck Jig Haulin in the Bass- Joaquin and Jake Wailes
  • Ol Blue Bait Tackle Trash It- Owen Miller, Colton Kruger
  • Middle River Deer Blinds Off the Hook- Holden DeVore
  • Firman Power Move of the Tournament- Rob Clausen
  • Jump Start Boat Captain of the Tournament- Adam Kruger

The next event for 4th Annual Strike King Iowa SAF/TBF/MLF Bass State Championship in Okoboji on Saturday April 26th. High School anglers will be trying to qualify of the SAF/MLF High School National Championships and the Juniors will be trying to qualify for the TBF Junior World Championship in July.

For complete details and updated information visit www.swifishingteam.com

For regular updates, photos, tournament news and more, follow SWIFT’s social media outlets at Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube.

Thanks to all the sponsors, boat captains, parents, volunteers, and anglers for making an awesome event.

04/14/2024 Lake Anita

Powerade High School Teams

Place  Team                                                          Weight

  1.           Joaquin Wailes / Jake Wailes                    10.32
  2.           Owen Hoover / Brentyn Hoover                8.68
  3.           Colton Rudy / Colin Rudy                          8.32
  4.           Jordon Robinson / Nathan Bentler           8.20
  5.           Cody Swank / Gavin Dougherty                5.55
  6.         Tegan Steinkuehler /  Brock Limerick       4.84
  7.          Braxton Hass / Hunter Quist                      3.48
  8.           Jarrett Hansen / Christan Thompson       0.00
  9.          Carson Faue / Gannon Otte                       0.00
  10.         Cameron Hoden / Wyatt Conard              0.00

Fairlife Junior Teams

Place  Team                                                         Weight

  1.           Aiden Krueger / Colton Krueger                6.03
  2.           Talan Vanarsdol / Tim Donovan               5.43
  3.           Grayson Molgaard / Owen Miller              4.65
  4.           Colton Freize / Caden Freize                     4.34
  5.          Mater Heigenberger / Liam O Banion      1.92
  6.           Holden DeVore / Colton Anderson           0.00
  7.           Letty McSorely / Brendan Wilke                0.00

Photo credits to Jill & Callie Rudy, and Hade DeVore.

Clark Named Academic All-America Team Member of the Year

Sports

April 16th, 2024 by admin

AUSTIN, Texas – University of Iowa guard, Caitlin Clark, was named as the 2023-24 Academic All-America Team Member of the Year. It was announced Tuesday by the College Sports Communicators (CSC).

Clark was also the recipient of the award last year, becoming the seventh player to earn the honor in back-to-back seasons. It’s the third time in her career being selected to the first team, having also earned the honor in 2021-22.

The senior guard from West Des Moines, Iowa, carries a 3.64 GPA while majoring in marketing. Clark leads the nation in 10 different offensive categories including averaging 31.6 points and 8.9 assists per game. She also led the country with six triple doubles while ranking fourth with 24 double doubles. Clark led the Hawkeyes to their second straight National Championship appearance while becoming the first Division-I player to record 1,000+ points in back-to-back season.

Four other student-athletes join Clark as a repeat selection on the Academic All-America Division I team. Ayoka Lee of Kansas State University also earns her third Academic All-America honor after earning the honor in 2020-21 and 2021-22. The other repeat selections from last season were Mackenzie Holmes (Indiana University), Hannah Jump (Stanford University), and Elizabeth Kitley (Virginia Tech).

The West Des Moines, Iowa, native recently joined the Indiana Fever as the first overall pick in the 2024 WNBA draft.

CLARK’S SENIOR CAMPAIGN…
– Academic All-America Team Member of the Year
– Wooden Award
– Nancy Lieberman Point Guard of the Year
– Ann Meyers Drysdale Award
– Honda Sport Award
– Wade Trophy
– Associated Press National Player of the Year
– Naismith National Player of the Year
– USA Today National Player of the Year
– ESPN.com National Player of the Year
– The Athletic National Player of the Year
– Sporting News National Player of the Year
– AP, USBWA, USA Today First Team All-America
– Big Ten Player of the Year
– First Team All-Big Ten
– Big Ten Player of the Week; Nov. 13, Nov. 27, Dec. 11, Dec. 18, Jan. 2, Jan. 8, Jan. 15, Feb. 5, Feb. 19, Feb. 26, March 4.
– WBCA National Player of the Week; Nov. 14, Nov. 28, Jan. 3, Jan. 9, Jan. 16, Jan. 31, Feb. 6, Feb. 20.
– AP National Player of the Week; Nov. 14, Jan. 9, Feb. 20.

Record number of Iowa schools win Carrie Chapman Catt Award for registering 90% of students to vote

News

April 16th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

DES MOINES – Iowa Secretary of State Paul Pate has announced a record high 43 high schools have been recognized for registering eligible students to vote as part of the Carrie Chapman Catt Award for the 2023-2024 school year. The Carrie Chapman Catt Award goes to Iowa schools that register at least 90 percent of their eligible students to vote. The Carrie Chapman Catt Award was created by Secretary Pate in 2019 to encourage voter registration in Iowa high schools. Studies show that students who report being encouraged to vote or taught how to register to vote in high school are more likely to vote and be more invested in elections throughout their lifetimes. Secretary Pate says….

This year, approximately 3,500 high school students registered in conjunction with the Catt Award initiative. Currently, there are over 4,500 17-year-olds registered to vote in Iowa. This number is a thousand more than the 3,500 17-year-olds who were registered to vote in the fall of 2023 when the Carrie Chapman Award program opened for the 2023-2024 school year. Iowa law allows 17-year-olds to register to vote and to vote in primary elections if they will be 18 years of age by the time of the general election.

A total of 64 schools are being recognized this year as part of the Carrie Chapman Catt Award program:

  • 43 schools won the Carrie Chapman Catt Award trophy for registering more than 90% of eligible students.
  • 3 schools won the Capitol Award plaque in its inaugural year, which goes to schools with 300 or more students that registered at least 100 students.
  • 9 schools are receiving a banner for registering at least 70% of eligible students.
  • 9 schools are receiving a certificate for registering at least 50% of eligible students.

The record 43 Iowa schools who have been awarded the Carrie Chapman Catt Award surpasses the 2023 record of 31 recognized schools. Each of the 43 Iowa schools being recognized with this award is invited to host or attend a special award ceremony and trophy presentation with Secretary Pate.

A full list of the 63 schools that are being recognized is available below.

A total of 43 schools are being recognized with a trophy for the Carrie Chapman Catt Award and registering at least 90% of eligible students to vote.

Five schools have qualified for the Carrie Chapman Catt Award for all five years (denoted with five asterisks*****). Four schools qualified for the award for the fourth time (four asterisks****), eight schools for the third time, (three asterisks***), six for the second time (two asterisks**), and 20 schools for the first time (one asterisk*). These schools include:

  • Ankeny Christian Academy (Ankeny)*
  • Ballard High School (Ballard)*****
  • Bishop Garrigan High School (Algona)****
  • Camanche High School (Camanche)*
  • Cedar Valley Christian School (Cedar Rapids)*
  • Central Community High School (Central City)***
  • Central Lyon High School (Rock Rapids)***
  • Clayton Ridge High School (Guttenberg)****
  • Clear Creek Amana High School (Tiffin)*
  • Columbus Catholic High School (Columbus)*
  • Diagonal High School (Diagonal)***
  • Dike New Hartford High School (Dike)*
  • Dowling Catholic High School (West Des Moines)*
  • Dubuque Senior High School (Dubuque)**
  • Emmetsburg High School (Emmetsburg)*
  • Essex High School (Essex)**
  • Fairfield High School (Fairfield)**
  • Fremont Mills High School (Tabor)*
  • Gladbrook-Reinbeck High School (Reinbeck)***
  • Harlan High School (Harlan)**
  • Highland High School (Riverside)*
  • Holy Trinity Catholic School (Des Moines)*
  • Isaac Newton Christian Academy (Cedar Rapids)*****
  • Johnston High School (Johnston)*
  • Keota High School (Keota)*
  • Lone Tree High School (Lone Tree)*****
  • Marquette Catholic School (Bellevue)****
  • Martensdale St. Mary’s (Martensdale)*
  • Mount Ayr High School (Mount Ayr)***
  • Newman Catholic High School (Mason City)***
  • North Tama High School (Traer)*
  • Norwalk High School (Norwalk)*****
  • Prince of Peace Catholic School (Clinton)*
  • Riceville Community School District (Riceville)***
  • Rivermont Collegiate (Bettendorf)*****
  • Storm Lake St. Mary’s (Storm Lake)***
  • Tripoli High School (Tripoli)**
  • Turkey Valley High School (Turkey Valley)*
  • Wapello High School (Wapello)*
  • Waterloo Christian Academy (Waterloo)**
  • West Harrison High School (Mondamin)*
  • West Sioux High School (Hawarden)*
  • Woodward Granger High School (Woodward)****

Schools with 300 or more students that registered at least 100 eligible students (3) also receive a trophy recognizing their achievement:

  • Pleasant Valley High School (Riverdale)
  • Valley High School (West Des Moines)
  • Waukee High School (Waukee)

Schools that registered at least 70% of eligible students (9) will receive a commemorative banner recognizing their achievement:

  • Atlantic High School (Atlantic)
  • Greene County High School (Jefferson)
  • Hudson High School (Hudson)
  • MOC-Floyd Valley (Orange City)
  • North Mahaska High School (New Sharon)
  • Prairie City Monroe High School (Monroe)
  • Sibley-Ocheyedan High School (Sibley)
  • West Branch High School (West Branch)
  • Winterset High School (Winterset)

Schools that registered at least 50% of eligible students (9) will receive a personalized certificate from the Iowa Secretary of State:

  • Clarke High School (Osceola)
  • Clear Lake High School (Clear Lake)
  • Dallas Center Grimes School (Grimes)
  • Grundy Center High School (Grundy Center)
  • Hillcrest Academy (Kalona)
  • Muscatine High School (Muscatine)
  • Regina High School (Iowa City)
  • Walnut Creek High School (West Des Moines)
  • Westwood High School (Sloan)