Des Moines, IA – State Auditor Rob Sand today released a report on the Iowa Department of Education that shows the cost of administering the Educational Savings Account (ESA) program will more than double by fiscal year 2027 because of an amendment to the original contract.

“Just three months after signing the contract to administer the ESA program, the Department of Education agreed to amend it for no good reason.  And in doing so, the Department violated its own policies and procedures,” said Sand.  “Most Iowans believe a deal is a deal and can recognize a bait and switch when they see one.”

The amendment allows Odyssey, the company chosen in April 2023 to administer the ESA program for the state of Iowa, to collect an additional 25 cents for every $100 in qualified educational expenses processed on its platform.

“Conservative estimates show that alone could cost Iowa taxpayers an additional $2.3 million by 2027,” said Sand.  “But we won’t know exactly how much more Iowans will pay for these administrative fees until we know how many students are enrolled in the program.”

Odyssey, which claimed in its contract proposal to have an office in the State Capitol, will also collect 5 cents per ESA transaction, a $100,000 annual “Standalone System Fee” not included in its contract proposal, and be reimbursed for payment processing fees.

“The State Capitol is the peoples’ building and this is their money,” said Sand.  “I want to thank the Auditor’s Office staff for their diligence and hard work, and for shining a light on how Iowans tax dollars are spent.”

In a second finding, the report also noted the improper use of more than $840,000 from the Elementary and Secondary Education Act.  The use of the funds is limited to programs for school leaders but was inappropriately allocated to paraeducator programs.

COUNCIL BLUFFS, Iowa – A Council Bluffs man was sentenced July 16, 2024 to 120 months in federal prison for distribution of methamphetamine. According to public court documents, Lawaun Maurice Webster, 44 distributed approximately 70 grams of methamphetamine to another person from his residence in Council Bluffs, Iowa. During a search warrant at the residence, law enforcement recovered a loaded firearm near where other drugs and drug paraphernalia were found.

After completing his term of imprisonment, Webster will be required to serve five years of supervised release. There is no parole in the federal system.

United States Attorney Richard D. Westphal of the Southern District of Iowa made the announcement. This case was investigated by Southwest Iowa Narcotics Task Force, Division of Narcotics Enforcement, and Council Bluffs Police Department.

This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results. For more information about Project Safe Neighborhoods, please visit Justice.gov/PSN.

(Radio Iowa) – The southwest Iowa town of Greenfield is welcoming thousands of RAGBRAI riders as the near-halfway point on today’s 82-mile leg of the bike ride between Atlantic and Winterset. Greenfield was hit by a powerful tornado in May that killed five people and wiped out dozens of homes.

Local health care worker Bailey McLaughlin is a RAGBRAI volunteer and she notes as cyclists explore Greenfield, the tornado’s path is still very evident. “It mainly hit residential areas but the hospital that I work at, Adair County Health System, did sustain some damages,” she says. “It’s mostly internal so you’ll see that they don’t look that bad on the outside, but on the inside, lots of damages.”

McLaughlin is encouraging cyclists on the week-long ride to make a donation to help the town recover. “We are getting a lot of support from RAGBRAI, especially today, but we still continue our efforts on our website which is ACHSiowa.org,” McLaughlin says. “You can go and click on our link up there and then that goes straight to tornado relief as well.”

Photo of tornado damage in Greenfield by Melissa Ehrman Johnson

On that website, you’ll find a link to the Go Fund Me page that has a $250,000 goal.

In addition to the five people killed, 35 people were injured by the twister, which the National Weather Service classified as an EF-4 with top winds of 185-miles an hour.

(Radio Iowa) – Iowa Senator Chuck Grassley says the attempted assassination of former President Trump cast major doubt on Secret Service policies and procedures.

“Obviously everything that I’ve heard, either the non-answers or what we know for a fact, it wasn’t handled as properly as it should have been,” Grassley said this morning.

Secret Service director Kimberly Cheatle resigned today, saying she takes full responsibility for the security lapse.

Grassley has posted messages on social media calling it a monumental security failure and he’s called on the Inspector General reviewing security measures at Trump’s rally in Pennsylvania to provide regular updates to the public.

(Radio Iowa) – The latest report from the Iowa Association of Realtors shows home sales are down in Iowa, while the number of homes on the market is rising. The president of the Iowa Association of Realtors says the strong storms that hit the state in late spring and early summer likely dampened the market — and the group’s news release says sales took a slide in June.

There were 17 percent fewer homes sold last month compared to June of last year. There’s been a huge year-to-year jump of nearly 32 percent in the number of homes on the market. The Realtors say the slight decrease in interest rates and more available homes could spur late summer home sales.

(Atlantic, Iowa) – The 75th Cass County Fair gets underway this Thursday, July 25th, in Atlantic. The Fair runs through July 30th, and concludes with the Livestock Auction at 8-a.m. Tuesday. In between now and then, there are lots of 4-H/FFA shows, inflatable carnival and many other activities for the whole family to enjoy. The Cass County Fair is always FREE: No entry fee, no charge to park, and no charge to view the exhibits and entertainment. There’s also great Fair food at the 4-H and FFA Foodstands, along with the Chuckwagon, each of which have a variety of delicious hot, and refreshingly cold, food and drinks to choose from.

Highlights include: The Little Miss & Mister, King & Queen Contests, on Thursday, as well as Senior Recognition and a Youth Dance; Mechanical Bull riding and a Bull Ride/Rodeo on Friday, as well as Mutton Busting; Saturday’s entertainment includes Youth Water Fights, and a Tractor Pull; There’s a Pedal Tractor Pull on Sunday, as well as a County Fair Church Service, 75th Fair Grounds Celebration Cake Special, Cow/Calf and Feeder Calf shows, and a Horse Fun Show.

Next Monday at the Cass County Fair, there’s a Beef Show at 8-a.m., Best of Iowa at 9-a.m., Rotary Watermelon Feed, Dairy Cattle Show, Building Awards, the Parade of Champions & Bucket of Junk Fundraising Auction, along with the Grand Champion Beef Selection.

See the full schedule HERE.