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Hinson says TikTok can avoid ban by cutting ties with China

News

September 20th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

(Radio Iowa) – Iowa Congresswoman Ashley Hinson says she understands the angst TikTok users have about the looming U-S ban of the app, but Hinson says the law congress passed gives Chinese-owned TikTok a way to keep operating in the U-S. “That bill recognizes and puts into place, I think, a very fair path that allows them to make the right decision here, to divest their spy tool on millions of Americans’ phones,” Hinson says, “and they can sell it to an American company, they can sell it to a country that’s not one of our adversaries, but that’s what has to happen.” If TikTok doesn’t those steps, the nationwide ban on the app is set to take effect January 19th. TikTok has sued, arguing the right to free expression outweighs other concerns. The U-S Court of Appeals in Washington, D.C. heard the case this week. Hinson, a Republican from Marion, is a member of the House Select Committee on the Chinese Communist Party.

“I’ve had many conversations with folks in the district who are concerned about having a platform to get out and get their message across,” Hinson says. “I feel that. I’m one of those who uses lots of platforms to get my message across, but what I think is important is we have to balance making sure we have that avenue in a private company with national security threats.” Hinson says TikTok already exhibited concerning tactics in its lobbying effort before congress voted on it this spring. “We saw what they did when they mobilized that app…They wouldn’t even let you log in unless you called your representative,” Hinson said. “What if, on Election Day, they say to all their millions of users, ‘Oh, you know what? We’ve received word that elections are cancelled today. Stay Home.’ This could be a tool that they could use for election interference, not mention to mention a tool that they are using to control the algorithm and what people are seeing.”

170 million Americans are on TikTok, including former President Donald Trump. Trump, who owns Truth Social — a social media platform, has said it’s important to maintain TikTok as a competitor of Facebook. In mid-2020, Trump called for banning TikTok in the U-S, but this spring Trump said a ban is not necessary because national security and data security issues can be resolved if TikTok’s U-S managers cut ties with its Chinese owner. In December of 2022, Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds banned state agencies from using TikTok due to the national security risk.

Pharmacist is sanctioned after several alleged prescription-filling errors

News

September 20th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

(Des Moines, Iowa) – A western Iowa pharmacist has been sanctioned by the state for incorrectly filling multiple prescriptions for patients. According to the Iowa Capital Dispatch, the Iowa Board of Pharmacy alleges that in June 2023, three weeks after he renewed his license to practice pharmacy in Iowa, Christopher Steele of Underwood incorrectly filled a prescription for a patient. In July, August and September of 2023, the board alleges, he incorrectly filled three additional prescriptions for a different patient.

The board has not publicly disclosed where Steele, 57, was working when the drugs were dispensed, the nature of the alleged errors, the types of drugs that were dispensed, or the effect the alleged errors had on the patients. Steele recently agreed to settle the case by paying a $1,000 civil penalty and having his license placed on probation for one to two years. As part of the settlement, Steele will be required to complete an educational course on medication errors and patient safety.

Steele declined to comment on the matter other than to say the alleged errors occurred while he was working at the Foodland store in Woodbine. Court records show that Steele’s hiring at Foodland resulted in a significant court decision on the scope of a state law that legislators passed in 2022 in an effort to discourage price gouging by staffing agencies working for health care entities.

Shortly after the legislation was signed into law, a staffing agency called PharmServ Solutions sued the Foodland store, alleging the store had asked PharmServ to provide a pharmacist for six days in early 2022. PharmServ routed Steele to the job, after which Foodland allegedly hired Steele as a permanent employee of the store’s pharmacy. PharmServ then sued Foodland, alleging the store was refusing to pay an agreed-upon fee of up to $30,000 for Steele’s hiring.

Foodland argued the new price-gouging law prohibited employment agencies in the health care field from charging fees when temporary workers were hired by the agency’s clients on a permanent basis. PharmServ argued the law didn’t apply since Foodland was not a “health care entity” as defined by the legislation. A Harrison County judge disagreed and dismissed the lawsuit while ruling that the new law applied to Iowa pharmacies and pharmacists.

Atlantic Chamber Ambassadors hosted by Wildwood Farms in Lewis

News

September 20th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

(Lewis, Iowa) – The Atlantic Area Chamber Ambassadors were hosted Thursday, September 19th,by Brent & Michelle Vance of Wildwood Farms in Lewis. The Ambassadors were on hand to welcome the couple as Chamber members, and to learn about their high-quality hemp products and view their quaint Airbnb.
Michelle Vance worked at Creighton University in the pathology department for many years, where she began to see the increase in studies showing the potential health benefits hemp has for cancer patients and long-term conditions such as autism, arthritis, Parkinson, and more. Michelle began using hemp products personally and experienced significant relief. In 2020, Brent and Michelle got married and embarked on the venture of producing hemp products that are both effective and safe.

Pictured from Left to Right: Chris Parks, Krysta Hanson, Dolly Bergmann, Dr. Keith Leonard, BJ Hart, Michelle Vance, DeeDee Kalny, Jeff Christensen, Brent Vance, Kathie Hockenberry, Sue Liston, Kelsey Beschorner

Michelle & Brent shared with the Ambassadors that unlike marijuana, hemp contains negligible amounts of THC, the psychoactive compound that causes a “high.” Instead, hemp is rich in cannabidiol (CBD), a non-psychoactive compound that has been studied for its potential therapeutic properties. Wildwood Farms products are made using premium-quality hemp extract, ensuring purity and potency. Whether you’re seeking relief from discomfort, improving your overall well-being, or simply exploring new and innovative products, Wildwood Farms has something to offer. Products include topical gels and rubs along with edible gummies, jams, jellies, and most recently added Seltzers.
Wildwood Farms is also home to a charming 5 bed, 1.5 bath Airbnb. The historic farmhouse features cozy amenities and a welcoming atmosphere, making it the perfect place to unwind and recharge. Wildwood Farms in located in rural Lewis, Iowa. For more information about their products, visit their website at www.wildwoodfarmsiowa.com.

Iowa visits Minnesota Saturday evening

Sports

September 20th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

Iowa visits Minnesota in the Big Ten opener for both. Iowa coach Kirk Ferentz learned quickly about the Battle for Floyd of Rosedale after joining Hayden Fry’s staff in 1981 and always lets the new player know what it means.

Iowa’s defense has given up numerous big plays the past two weeks and Ferentz says it needs to be fixed.

Ferentz says the Gophers provide a tough challenge.

Listen for the pre-game show on KJAN beginning at 4:30-p.m., Saturday. Kick-off from Huntington Bank Stadium in Minneapolis is at 6:30-p.m.

No. 20 Iowa State hosts Arkansas State

Sports

September 20th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

The 20th ranked Iowa State Cyclones host Arkansas State. ISU coach Matt Campbell is concerned about the Red Wolves team speed.

Campbell says Arkansas State has a lot of weapons on offense.

Campbell says communication will be a key for the Cyclone defense against an Arkansas State defense that wants to play hurry up.

Campbell says the first chore is to be lined up at the snap.

Kick-off is at 1-p.m. Saturday (CT)

UNI visits Hawaii Saturday night

Sports

September 20th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

Northern Iowa is at Hawaii for a late night kickoff, Iowa time. Panther coach Mark Farley on the long wait for kickoff.

Farley says there is a plan to keep the players busy.

Hawaii is 1-2 with the losses to UCLA and Sam Houston.

Farley says Hawaii is also highly skilled on defense.

Kick-off is 11-p.m. CT Saturday.

Georgia man dies in a northern IA crash Thursday afternoon

News

September 20th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

(Mitchell County, Iowa) – One person died and two others were injured Thursday, during a collision between two trucks in northern Iowa. The Iowa State Patrol says a 2024 Mack truck was traveling south on Kirkwood Avenue west of Staceyville (in Mitchell County). A 2012 Peterbilt semi was traveling east on 465th Street. The Patrol says the driver of the Mack truck, 43-year-old Senika Range, of McDonough, GA, failed to yield the right of way from the stop sign and entered the intersection, where the truck was struck on the passenger side by the semi. The Peterbilt rolled over and spilled a load of corn as a result to the crash, which happened at around 12:35-p.m., Thursday.

A passenger in the Mack truck – 60-year-old Eric Mitchell, of Atlanta, GA – was ejected from the vehicle following the impact and died from his injuries after being flown to a hospital in Minnesota . He was not wearing a seat belt. Senika Range, and the driver of the semi, 24-year-old Christo Vander Linde, of Staceyville, were injured. Both were transported to a local hospital.

The Patrol was assisted at the scene by crews with the Staceyville Fire Dept., St. Ansgar Fire & EMS, and the Mitchell County Ambulance service.

MARION WISSLER, 88, of Windsor Heights, a Lewis native (9-23-2024)

Obituaries

September 20th, 2024 by Jim Field

MARION WISSLER, 88, of Windsor Heights, a Lewis native, died September 17, 2024 at Kavanagh House in Des Moines.  Graveside services for MARION WISSLER will be held on Monday, September 23, 2024 at 11:00 a.m. at Oakwood Cemetery in Lewis.  Hamilton’s on Westown Parkway is assisting the family.

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Memorial visitation will be held from 4 to 7 p.m. Saturday, September 21, 2024 at Hamilton’s on Westown Parkway, 3601 Westown Pkwy in West Des Moines Iowa.

The family requests memorials be sent to the Hitchcock House in Lewis. Marion was extremely proud of the role that his great-grandfather, Henry Wissler, played in the Underground Railroad, working with other abolitionists in southwest Iowa. Henry was a station agent/conductor who helped freedom seekers find their way to safety, and the Hitchcock House keeps this important history alive.  Donations can be sent to: Hitchcock Advisory Board, 63788 567th Lane, Lewis, IA 51544.

MARION WISSLER is survived by:

Sons:  Mike (Sara) Wissler and Steve (Cindy) Wissler of Ankeny

4 Grandchildren

Banned book give-away planned in central Iowa this weekend

News

September 20th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

(Radio Iowa) – Iowa is the first stop this weekend on the national tour of what’s known as the Banned Wagon, as publishing giant Penguin Random House offers free books that are the focus of court battles and controversy. Jan Danielson Kaiser, spokeswoman for Beaverdale Books in Des Moines, says they have a long list of speakers who will use the vehicle as a backdrop for addressing censorship, and the importance of protecting the freedom to read. “It is a 20-foot bookmobile and it’s going to be parked right smack in front of the store,” Danielson Kaiser says, “and they are going to be giving away 20 different titles of banned books.” The Banned Wagon is scheduled to make stops in multiple cities and states that are being impacted by book banning, and they chose Iowa to start the venture.

“We’re just happy to be able to help them spread the word, spread some great titles,” she says, “some wonderful books that you might even know, like, “I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings,” “The Color Purple,” “The Fault in Our Stars,” “The Outsiders,” even “The Adventures of Tom Sawyer.” Danielson Kaiser says the American Library Association tracked instances of book banning during the first half of the 2023-24 school year, and reached the highest level ever documented.  “There were 4,240 unique book titles that were targeted for censorship in the last year, and there’s been 1,247 demands to censor library books,” Danielson Kaiser says, “so there’s a lot of pressure on libraries, a lot of pressure on schools.”

Penguin-Random House image

Sunday’s event will run from noon to 4 P-M, while a Banned Book Fair is planned for September 29th at the Franklin Events Center in Des Moines. Other cities the Banned Wagon will visit include: Milwaukee; Chicago; Indianapolis; Cleveland; Richmond, Virginia; Chapel Hill, North Carolina; Gainesville, Florida and Austin, Texas — all places with a high volume of book bans and challenges.

Auditors find utility billing error in small NE Iowa town’s billing system

News

September 20th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

(Radio Iowa) – A report from the state auditor’s office has identified a costly error in a small northeast Iowa town’s utility billing system. About 500 people live in the town of Elma. Staff in the state auditor’s office reviewed the city’s financial records for the 2022 fiscal year and found the city had deficits of over 441-thousand dollars in its Enterprise, Sewer and Water Funds. The review by auditors discovered the sewer and water bills for Elma residents and businesses hadn’t been raised, as required by a city ordinance.

Starting in 2019, the utility rates were to go up three percent every July 1st.

The state auditor’s report says the rates in the billing system have not increased as required. The report did not indicate whether the error was made in just one year or over several years.