(Radio Iowa) – Iowa Senator Chuck Grassley is blasting what he calls “dominant tech giants” like Google, Facebook, Twitter and YouTube for squelching free speech. Grassley, a Republican, says these powerhouse platforms are now “the new public square,” where he says it’s important that all voices and viewpoints are able to be heard. “I’m so irritated because of the censoring and the violation of free speech,” Grassley says, “that I’m going to join almost any effort that will make sure that these platforms allow more free speech and less censoring.”

It has been 25 years since Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act was signed into law, which grants wide sweeping immunity to interactive computer services that host third-party content. Back then, Grassley says the internet was in its infancy and the goal of the act was “laudable.” In a conference call with Iowa reporters today (Tuesday), Grassley says the tables have turned dramatically and it’s not clear how Congress should respond. “There’s a few on the right that think we should just leave things alone,” Grassley says, “that this immunity from lawsuits by these platforms is the right thing to keep if we’re going to have strong social media platforms.”

Others argue that the private companies have their own terms of service and are able to enforce them as they wish and they’re not covered under the First Amendment. With the immunities these companies have and the importance of dialogue on their platforms, Grassley says they’re arguably “state actors” and First Amendment protections -should- apply to user-generated content. “Even if I had to repeal this Section 230 immunity, I would do that,” Grassley says. “I don’t know whether I’m going to get that opportunity, but you know where I’m coming from, I’m really irritated.”

In a floor speech on Monday, Grassley said Section 230 was enacted to encourage free speech while giving companies the ability to remove illegal or obscene materials. Today, however, he says those interactive computer services are among the largest corporations in the world. Grassley says the size and power of these companies contributes to their ability to censor speech and “undermine” the First Amendment. He says Google controls 87 percent of searches, Facebook has 2.8 billion monthly active users, 500 million tweets are sent on Twitter each day and over 1 billion hours of videos are watched daily on YouTube. Grassley says, “When a company has monopoly power, it no longer is constrained by normal market forces.”

The Guthrie County Sheriff’s Office reports two injury-accidents occurred over the past few days. One accident happened at around 9:36-a.m. Monday (April 12). Authorities say 48-year-old Brian S. Cox, of Grand Island, NE., was traveling north on Frontier Road, when his 2021 Infiniti Q50 went out of control. The vehicle entered the northbound ditch and struck a field drive before coming to rest. Damage was estimated at $30,000. Cox was wearing his seat belt. He complained of pain and possible injury. He was transported by Adair County Ambulance to the hospital.

And, at around 9:15-p.m. Saturday, a 2008 Dodge Caliber driven by 16-year-old Rebekah Lynn Gosch, of Glidden, was traveling westbound on Highway 141 near Horn Avenue, when a deer appeared on the road. The car struck the animal, sustaining $10,000 damage. Gosch was wearing her seat belt. She complained of pain, but did not request medical treatment.

The Adair County Board of Supervisors will continue Wednesday, with discussions they’ve held in previous meetings the past couple of months, with regard to a Solar Panel Ordinance. In past meetings, some rural residents voiced their concerns and objections over proposed plans by MidAmerican Energy to take more land out of production, in favor of large solar farms. The Board’s meeting begins at 9-a.m.

At around 9:30-a.m., Wednesday (April 14), the Adair County Supervisors will hear from County Attorney Melissa Larson. Members of the public will be allowed to attend in person in the courtroom at the Adair County Courthouse, but officials note in-person attendance will be limited to 21 people, in order to allow for social distancing. If you plan on attending, please wear a mask. The conference phone will still be available for those to cannot attend in person. It can be accessed by call (605)-313-6157, and when prompted, enter code 526272#.

The supervisors discussed at length during their last meeting on March 31st, what would be appropriate for allowing such industrial-sized solar development in the county. After considering ordinances other counties have and discussing what their options are, and considering that rural parts of Adair County are not zoned, the supervisors decided to draw up an ordinance restricting solar panels to be 500 feet or more from any dwelling, regardless of project participation; 500 feet from a property lie of a parcel less than 10 acres of a non-participant; 250 feet from the property line of a larger non-participating parcel; 50 feet from a road right-of-way; and a radius of 150 feet from a road right-of-way at intersections from the center of the road. The supervisors would also like panels to have native grasses or other manageable vegetation under them and for there to be a decommissioning plan developed.

The Board will also receive a report from Weed Commissioner Nathan Jensen, with regard to Noxious Weed Notices, and County Engineer Nick Kauffman, who will talk about a new hire, a concrete box culvert project for W20 Jackson Road, as well as a “No Spray” agreement for the City of Fontanelle’s Well site, and other matters.

(Des Moines, IA) (Des Moines, IA) Officials with the Iowa Department of Public Health, Tuesday (Today) said “With the announcement from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) this morning, the Iowa Department of Public Health (IDPH) has advised that all Iowa vaccine providers pause administration of the Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine until more details are confirmed.

Dr. Angela Weppler receives her first dose of the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine. (photo submitted)

The CDC and FDA are reviewing data involving six reported U.S. cases of a rare and severe type of blood clot in individuals after receiving the J&J vaccine. Right now, these adverse events appear to be extremely rare.”

Read the statement issued by the CDC here. CDC and FDA will provide additional information and answer questions later today at a media briefing. A recording of that media call will be available on the FDA’s YouTube channel. IDPH says “We will provide an update when we have further details.  “

Creston Police report  a man and woman from Creston were arrested Monday night on separate charges. Authorities say 37-year-old Alexander King was arrested at around 7:21-p.m., for Driving While Barred and OWI/2nd offense. He was being held on $3,000 bond in the Union County Jail. And, at around 11:20-p.m., 47-year old Jennifer White was arrested for Public Intoxication. She was being held in the Adams County Jail on a $300 bond.

A man from Polk County tried to board an airplane with a carry-on bag containing a loaded handgun, Sunday. KCCI says Transportation Security Administration officers prevented the man from bringing his .45 caliber handgun loaded with five bullets. TSA officers alerted Des Moines police, who confiscated the firearm before citing the man.

(File Photo image from tsa.gov (Not the actual gun seized at Dsm Int’l. Airport)

TSA Federal Security Director for Iowa John Bright reminds Iowans and others NOT to bring your gun to an airport security checkpoint. Regardless of whether or not you have a concealed carry permit, it is NOT allowed. If you want to travel, you must pack your weapon properly so it can be processed as checked baggage. Failure to comply with regulations will result in a stiff federal civil penalty that may cost you thousands of dollars.

Sunday’s incident was the third time this year a firearm was confiscated at the Des Moines International Airport. In 2020, there were a total of seven firearms confiscated. There were 12 guns confiscated in both 2018 and 2019.

The TSA has details on how to properly travel with a firearm posted on its website.