Here is the latest Iowa news from The Associated Press at 5:00 a.m. CST
DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Nearly 50 years after Iowa moved to reduce partisanship in its court system, Republicans who control the governor’s office and the Legislature say it’s time to give politicians greater control. Legislative leaders want to change how judges are chosen after being repeatedly frustrated by court rulings on topics like gay marriage and abortion. The Iowa proposal appears to be part of a national effort in conservative states to bring the courts into sync with the other branches of government.
DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — A storm has buried much of Iowa and Nebraska under more than a half-foot of snow. The National Weather Service says just over 8 inches of snow had piled up in Des Moines by midday Sunday, with totals a little higher in parts of southwest Iowa. About 6 inches of snow was reported in the Omaha area. The weather service issued a winter weather advisory throughout Iowa and for northeast Nebraska.
COUNCIL BLUFFS, Iowa (AP) — A jury has convicted a Council Bluffs man on charges related to the death of a 16-month-old girl but acquitted him of murder. The Daily Nonpareil reports the jury on Friday found Javon Jennings guilty of involuntary manslaughter and child endangerment resulting in death but not of murder. Jennings was charged in the death of 16-month-old Jazlynn Harshbarger, who died last April of blunt force trauma after suffering from numerous injuries.
DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — A Des Moines woman accused of trying to pin a murder on an innocent man has been found guilty of second-degree murder and other counts in the case. The Des Moines Register reports that 54-year-old Helen Jeanette Frazier was convicted Friday of the murder count, as well as two counts of malicious prosecution. Police say Frazier stabbed 55-year-old Andrea Brown to death Jan. 2, 2017 and implicated two men who had nothing to do with the slaying.

Red Oak Police say a call about a possible drunk driver early Sunday afternoon, resulted in a traffic stop on a vehicle traveling on the wrong side of the road. The driver, 63-year old Gregory Alan Smith, of Red Oak, was arrested for OWI/1st offense. He was booked into the Montgomery County Jail and held on a $1,000 bond.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Iowa was in the forefront of a national effort to reduce partisanship in the courts nearly 50 years ago when it decided to stop electing judges and instead rely on nominations by a panel of citizens and lawyers. In all, about three dozen states adopted similar systems aimed at emphasizing legal expertise over politics. But now Republicans who control the governor’s office and the Legislature say it’s time to give politicians greater control. House and Senate leaders are moving to change how judges are chosen after being repeatedly frustrated by court rulings on topics like gay marriage and abortion.

The Iowa proposal appears to be part of a national effort in conservative states to bring the courts into sync with the other branches of GOP-led government. Iowa is among at least four states where Republican lawmakers are trying to lessen the role of attorneys on judicial nominating panels, a move that some critics say could lessen public faith in the judiciary. The Iowa proposal would allow legislative leaders rather than lawyers to select attorneys for a state panel that nominates judges for the Iowa Supreme Court and Court of Appeals. The governor, who also appoints members to the panel, chooses judges from among the finalists provided by the panel.

Iowa created its system in 1962, when voters amended the state constitution. Iowa legislative leaders say the change is a way to give power to elected officials rather than private attorneys, but key supporters initially acknowledged the plan was born from frustration at court rulings, starting with a 2009 decision that legalized gay marriage.Iowa’s commission is comprised of 17 members and overseen by a state Supreme Court justice. The spots are split between lawyers elected by other attorneys and citizens appointed by the governor. All of those named by the governor are Republicans, and of the lawyers, five are Democrats, two are Republicans and one is an independent.

House Speaker Linda Upmeyer said the process “doesn’t have much accountability because you have attorneys selecting attorneys who select judges.” When asked if the change would be perceived as a partisan move, Gov. Kim Reynolds said, “Let’s not make it about that. Let’s make sure we’re representing all Iowans. I think that’s what they’re trying to do.” However, the influential Christian conservative group The Family Leader, said the goal is to curb liberal rulings. Chuck Hurley, a lobbyist for the organization, said laws passed by the Legislature have been undone by “activist” judges that he says have declared a right to abortion in Iowa and redefined marriage. Tom Levis, president of the Iowa State Bar Association, denied that lawyers have stacked the Iowa courts with liberal judges, noting that there are twice as many Republicans as Democrats on the nominating council.

If the new system is approved as expected, the new process would immediately take effect and result in Republicans naming 12 of 16 available positions — eight by the governor and the others appointed by the majority and minority leaders of each legislative chamber.

COUNCIL BLUFFS, Iowa (AP) — A jury has convicted a Council Bluffs man on charges related to the death of a 16-month-old girl but acquitted him of murder. The Daily Nonpareil reports the jury on Friday found Javon Jennings guilty of involuntary manslaughter and child endangerment resulting in death but not of murder. Jennings was charged in the death of 16-month-old Jazlynn Harshbarger, who died last April of blunt force trauma after suffering from numerous injuries.

Jennings now faces up to 55 years in prison with no minimum time to be served before he’s eligible for parole. His attorneys say they expect to appeal.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — A winter storm buried much of Iowa and Nebraska under more than a half-foot of snow. The National Weather Service says just over 8 inches of snow had piled up in Des Moines by midday Sunday, with totals a little higher in parts of southwest Iowa. About 6 inches of snow was reported in the Omaha area. Atlantic received 9.5-inches through 7-a.m., and another 1.5 inches afterward, for a total of 11-inches. The weather service issued a winter weather advisory throughout Iowa and for northeast Nebraska. Highways in Iowa were covered in snow and officials recommended that people stay off the roads if possible. Temperatures are expected to remain below freezing, and more snow is forecast Tuesday night.

The Griswold School Board meeting, Monday, begins with a Public Hearing on the 2019-2020 School Year Calendar. Afterward, the Board will take care of administrative matters, and move on to New Business, which includes, but is not limited to:

• Discussion and Possible Acceptance of, the Lewis Elementary School Purchase Price. (Last month, the Board heard two proposals for the school and elected to move forward with a proposal and purchase price of $40,000 from Chris Jahnke, with 3-H-O, LLC in Atlantic.)
• Approval of the 2019-2020 Calendar
• And, approval of bids for: Chemical application, Mowing and Auditor.

The Board will move into a closed session for Collective Bargaining strategy discussions, prior to adjournment. The Griswold School Board meeting begins 5:30-p.m. Monday, in the Central Office at the Middle School/High School Building.

Audubon School District Superintendent Brett Gibbs reports two public hearings are set to take place Monday evening, at the start of a regular Audubon School Board meeting. During their 7-p.m. Session in the High School Board room, hearings will be held with regard to the Sale of School Property (a small parcel), and the FY 2019 School Calendar.

In other business, the Audubon School Board is likely to take action on:

• The sale of School land
• The School Calendar for 2019-2020
• A Bargaining Group for FY 2020
• Setting the date and time for Public Bargaining meetings
• Approving a Spanish Teacher from Spain application
• Approval of EMC Local Agency three-year rotation
• and, Personnel matters.

The Board will then discuss staffing options, and receive regular reports from the Superintendent and Principal’s.

The Exira-EHK School Board will meet 6-p.m. Monday, in the Conference Room at the Elk Horn Building. At 6-p.m. the Exira-EHK Education Association will present its initial contract proposal between the Association and the School Board, for the 2019-20 school year. Immediately afterward, a closed session will be held for the purpose of negotiations/strategy planning. Afterward, the Board of Education will present in an open session its initial contract proposal for the coming school year.

During their regular session, the Board will hold a Public Hearing on the 2019-2020 School Calendar. New Business includes discussion and action on approving the 2019-2020 Calendar, as well as approval of personnel hires, transfers, resignations, etc. The Board will also discuss and/or act on various Board Policies.

The Griswold Community School District will hold a public hearing 5:30-p.m. Monday (Feb. 18th), on the 2019-2020 District Calendar. The hearing is part of the regular Griswold CSD School Board meeting that takes place in the Central Office at the Middle School/High School Building. Action/or New Business on their agenda includes:

• Discussion and possible acceptance of the Lewis Elementary Purchase Price.
• Approval of E-Rate Application
• Approval of the 2019-2020 Calendar
• Approval of Chemical Application Bids
• Approval of Moving Specifications
• And, approval of Auditor Bids

The Board will also hold the first reading of various 700- and 900-series Board Policies. And the second reading of certain 700-series Board Policies. Prior to adjourning for the evening, the Griswold School Board will consider entering into a closed session, for the purpose of discussing negotiations with a Certified Bargaining Unit.

Here is the latest Iowa news from The Associated Press at 5:00 a.m. CST

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — A Des Moines woman accused of trying to pin a murder on an innocent man has been found guilty of second-degree murder and other counts in the case. The Des Moines Register reports that 54-year-old Helen Jeanette Frazier was convicted Friday of the murder count, as well as two counts of malicious prosecution. Police say Frazier stabbed 55-year-old Andrea Brown to death Jan. 2, 2017 and implicated two men who had nothing to do with the slaying.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Des Moines police have released the identity of a man whose body was found outside an apartment building. Police said Saturday in a news release that the body of 38-year-old Gabriel Boettger was found on the ground on the city’s south side around 6:40 a.m. Saturday. Police have not offered any details about how Boettger died, but say his death is considered a homicide.

OSKALOOSA, Iowa (AP) — Authorities say a 7-year-old boy has died from injuries suffered in a house fire in southeastern Iowa. Des Moines television station KCCI reports that the fire broke out Friday night in a home in Oskaloosa. Officials say 7-year-old David Fogle was in the basement when firefighters arrived, and that his mother, Angelia Wells, suffered second-degree burns to her upper body trying to rescue him. Two other children, ages 6 and 9, managed to escape the fire unharmed.