(Radio Iowa) – While top Congressional Democrats are calling for a “Day of Action” tomorrow (Tuesday) at U-S Post offices, accusing President Trump of trying to sabotage the election, Republican Iowa Senator Chuck Grassley says there’s no need for alarm. Grassley says concerns about the mail being significantly slowed are unfounded and the postal service is in no immediate danger of shutting down. “I know that the postal service is not running out of money until next year,” Grassley says. “That gets us through the election.”

Reports say Speaker Nancy Pelosi is considering calling House members back from recess to address the postal service. Grassley says a recent university study found a pandemic-era campaign to use absentee ballots for the November election would only boost mail volume by two-percent. “So I don’t think that there’s anything to worry about,” Grassley says, “and I think Pelosi is putting together the meeting at the House of Representatives for political purposes.”

Speaker Pelosi calls the postal service “election central” during the pandemic, adding, “Americans should not have to choose between their health and their vote.” Grassley says the election process is not being threatened. “Vote by mail, absentee ballot, if you want to, or vote by going to the polls personally,” Grassley says. “And one thing, if you go to the polls personally, you will know that your ballots will be counted.”

He sites the mishandling of absentee ballots in New York that caused “tons and tons” of ballots to not be counted. Republicans say changes being made at the postal service are designed to thwart voter fraud. Democrats propose legislation that would forbid any changes to U-S-P-S operations that were in place as of January.

(Radio Iowa) – President Trump announced outside the White House this (Monday) morning he has OK’d federal assistance to help Iowa recover from last week’s derecho. “I just approved an emergency declaration for Iowa who had an incredible wind storm like probably they’ve never seen before,” Trump said. “It really did a lot of damage.”

Trump spoke with reporters before heading to campaign events scheduled in Minnesota and Wisconsin today (Monday) and hinted he may make a surprise visit to Iowa. “If we can get it in, we’re going to do that, but the very important thing is that we approved the emergency declaration for Iowa, so they’re in good shape,” Trump said. “They’re working as we speak. Also, FEMA is in Iowa now, full force, and helping them greatly.”

The administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency tweeted early this (Monday) morning that he was headed to Iowa to meet with Governor Reynolds, but he did not say where the meeting will take place. Reynolds has tweeted she was visiting Marshalltown and Tama early this (Monday) morning, but has not released a public schedule for the day. The governor’s request for federal help indicated storm-related losses are estimated at this point to be nearly four-billion dollars.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Police say a man was arrested this weekend at the Des Moines International Airport after a loaded handgun was found in his carry-on bag. The Des Moines Register reports that the incident happened Sunday. Transportation Security Administration spokeswoman Lisa Farbstein said in a news release that nine bullets were found in the gun, including a round in the chamber. The man was arrested by Des Moines police and faces a weapons charge. Farbstein says it was the third loaded firearm found by TSA agents in Des Moines this year. Twelve loaded guns were found at the airport last year,

A hay bale on the road in Union County over the weekend, was struck by an SUV, causing the vehicles’ air bags to deploy. The Union County Sheriff’s Office reports a pickup driven by 20-year old Dalten Bierle, of Creston, was traveling south on Highway 25 at around 11:45-a.m. Sunday, when a bale fell off a large utility trailer being pulled by the pickup, and landed in the northbound lane. The bale was struck by a 2010 GMC SUV driven by 48-year old Melinda Kay Eslinger, of Greenfield.

Eslinger complained of pain and possible injury after her vehicles’ air bags went off, but was not transported to the hospital. There were no citations issued.

The Atlantic School Board met this (Monday) morning via YouTube and acted on a handful of matters, including the second and final reading of the COVID-19 revised school policy. During their meeting last Wednesday, the Board passed the first reading of a COVID-19 policies by a vote of 3-to 2.  One section of the Policy currently states “Non-medical grade face masks are encouraged to be worn by all individuals on school grounds, including students, employees, and volunteers. Masks will be provided to individuals who request them. Reusable masks should be washed regularly by individuals wearing them.” The Policy does NOT mandate the use of masks.

After considerable discussion, the Board finally came to agreement on an amended policy, with regard to face coverings/face shields, as read by Board Secretary Sarah Sheeder.

Prior to the Board’s unanimous approval of the revised policy, Superintendent Steve Barber said the Board had received emails from staff and the public on their thoughts with regard to the use of masks, and the Board expressed its appreciation for that input.

Board member Laura McLean said “Masks are not the solution” to the question of how to protect students and staff from COVID-19. She said it’s “Just a piece of it.”

In other business, the Atlantic School Board adopted a Transportation Request form for parents to fill-out and file with the district.Superintendent Steve Barber said they hadn’t received any further guidance from the State on that issue.

The agreement stipulates in-part, parents or guardians may to drive their student(s) to an event or events, to participate in various competitions, with the understanding that the parent or guardian “Hold harmless” the Atlantic Community School District from any and all damages and/or claims that may arise out of the transportation of the child to those activities. Rural families planning on driving their children to school rather than ride the school bus, should contact the bus garage to let them know of those plans, in advance.

In other business, the Atlantic School Board approved the resignation of Steve Andersen as Route Bus Driver, with the understanding he would be available as a substitute driver from time-to-time, and they approved and Contract Recommendations for: Jennifer Rumery – Food Service; Abby Becker – Volunteer Cross Country Coach; and Richard “Dick” Casady – Car driver.

The Board also approved a pay application to Henningsen Construction in the amount of $23,238.78, for work completed to date on the Middle School sidewalks. The amount is 95% of the accepted bid price. Funds for the payment will be derived from the PPEL/SAVE accounts.

The Mills County Sheriff’s Office reports three arrests: On Sunday, 36-year old Darrell Adam Klahn, of Omaha, was arrested for Driving While Barred. And, 36-year old Khadar Adan, of Council Bluffs, was arrested for OWI/1st offense. Saturday morning, 47-year old Melissa Ann Talbott, of Malvern, was arrested for Child Endangerment and Interference with Official Acts.