DES MOINES — Gov. Kim Reynolds and the Iowa Department of Education today (Monday) announced the state has received $26.2 million in federal relief to ensure education continues for students of all ages impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Iowa’s grant is part of the nearly $3 billion Governor’s Emergency Education Relief (GEER) Fund authorized by the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act. The GEER fund allows governors to determine how to best meet the needs of students in public and non-public schools, postsecondary institutions, and other education-related organizations.

Better enabling remote learning for K-12 and postsecondary students is the goal of Iowa’s GEER application. It focuses on providing and expanding broadband access and improving access to technology in other ways. That could include providing Wi-Fi hotspots and devices. Funding also may be used to offer professional development related to remote learning to educators in school districts and non-public schools as well as in public and private colleges and universities.

Gov. Reynolds said “These resources will equip Iowa schools and educators to pave a pathway for student success in the growing digital classroom and future workplace.” Iowa Dept. of Education Director Ann Lebo says “Superintendents told us better connectivity is what they need most to provide high-quality learning for all students during the pandemic. “We have students without access to the technology they need and Iowa’s GEER grant is an important step toward solving that problem. I am so proud of the work school leaders and teachers are doing, and that we can help support it in this way.”

The Iowa Department of Education in collaboration with the State Office of the Chief Information Officer (OCIO) is conducting a statewide survey regarding barriers Iowans face to remote learning, including broadband access. The household survey targets families with K-12 students but also asks about college students. The intent is to prioritize areas of the state with the greatest need based on the survey results.

These GEER funds are in addition to the $71.6 million Iowa received in federal relief for PK-12 schools through the Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief Fund within the CARES Act. The Iowa Department of Education will provide more information soon about how the GEER funding will be allocated.

The Adair County Sheriff’s Office reports 28-year old Dalton James Cormeny, of Fontanelle, was arrested at around 10:40-p.m. Friday, on charges that include Domestic Abuse Assault/3rd or subsequent offense (for allegedly striking a female, Possession of a Controlled Substance/Marijuana, Reckless Driving, and Felony Eluding. Cormeny was taken into custody by Fontanelle Police, and was being held in the Adair County on a $10,000 cash-only bond.

And, at around 12:33-a.m. May 24th, Stuart Police arrested 20-year old Payton Allyssa Hill, of Guthrie Center, for: Possession of a Controlled Substance/1st offense – marijuana; Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, Unlawful Possession of a Prescription Drug, and felony Eluding. The drugs and paraphernalia were found in her backpack. Hill was released from custody later that same day, on her Own Recognizance,

(Radio Iowa) — Governor Kim Reynolds says the peaceful protests in Iowa this weekend had a powerful message, but she’s condemning the few who resorted to rioting. Reynolds says the curfew in Iowa’s Capital City seems to have worked to diffuse violence. She supports continuing the curfews in Polk County, Scott County and Council Bluffs as law enforcement figures out who may be instigating riots here.

“You don’t come to a peaceful protest with bricks and hammers in your backpack,” Reynolds says, “and so until we get figured out who’s doing that, get it identified and really do every we can to give Iowans the opportunity to peacefully protest, that’s our goal.” Windows were broken during rioting in downtown Des Moines on Friday night and things escalated 24 hours later, as 90 percent of the businesses in the Court Avenue Entertainment District in Des Moines suffered property damage and a grocery store was looted.

Reynolds says she, along with key Polk County leaders met to discuss their options for a couple of hours before issuing the overnight curfew on Sunday. “It wasn’t something that we came to the table wanting to do,” Reynolds says. “It was something we felt that was necessary to control the violence and the looting that we heard was about to take place across this state and that is unacceptable.” The American Civil Liberties Union of Iowa argues a county-wide, stay-at-home order is far broader than necessary and gives police too much discretion in enforcing the curfew.

Davenport’s curfew was announced early this (Monday) morning after two people were shot to death and a police officer was wounded in overnight rioting. Davenport’s mayor has asked for Iowa National Guard troops. An aide to the governor says Iowa National Guard troops have not been assigned, but could be deployed within hours in Davenport, where the Guard has an armory.

IOWA CITY, Iowa (AP) — Relatives of a 22-year-old woman say she was shot and killed while leaving a protest against police brutality outside a Walmart store in Davenport. Italia Marie Kelly was one of two people fatally shot overnight as civil unrest roiled the city. Kelly’s aunt says she joined a protest late Sunday over the killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis. Police say they are investigating the circumstances surrounding Kelly’s death.

No arrests have been made. Police say dozens of people gathered at a mall late Sunday then fanned out across Davenport, firing guns and damaging businesses. One officer was wounded in a shooting.

SIOUX CITY, Iowa (AP) — A Texas man and woman who spent nearly $25,000 using stolen credit card numbers in stores across Iowa have been sentenced to five years in prison. Police say 36-year-old Yuniel Sanchez, of Grand Prairie, Texas, and 35-year-old Shannon Marlowe, of Forth Worth, used the numbers to create fake credit cards. The purchased items such as lawn mowers, welding supplies and furniture at stores in four Iowa cities and one in Rochester, Minnesota.

They were caught June 11 in Sioux City. Sanchez and Marlowe were sentenced Friday in federal court after pleading guilty to four charges. Twenty-one other charges were dropped as part of the plea deal.

The City of Council Bluffs has implemented another curfew beginning tonight, June 1 at 8 p.m. lasting until June 2 at 5 a.m. This curfew does not prohibit people from getting to/ from work, seeking medical care, etc and it is not meant to disrupt open businesses or travel plans.

Council Bluffs PD Shield

Authorities said “We are not concerned with law-abiding citizens. Please use common sense and avoid any potentially dangerous areas.”

(Radio Iowa) — As of today (Monday), Iowans are again allowed to gather in groups of ten or more for outdoor performances and some sporting events, while minding the rules on social distancing and capacities. Iowans can also now mourn the loss of a loved one with visitations and graveside services. Suzanne Gebel, of the Iowa Funeral Directors Association, says decisions will ultimately be up to families, funeral homes and officiants.

“People will be able to line up inside again or outside again for visitations to see families, when they’ve lost a loved one,” Gebel says, “if the family so chooses, and if the funeral home so chooses to proceed that way.” Even as many activities are allowed to resume, some places of worship in Iowa remain closed and some funeral homes are setting their own restrictions. Gebel says families and funeral homes will decide what they’re comfortable doing during the pandemic.

“It depends on the community, quite honestly, because we have communities and areas of Iowa that have been very majorly impacted, were hotspots for a long time,” Gebel says. “It feels to me that those areas are proceeding with a lot of caution.” Even as more activities are allowed to resume, some funeral homes are explicitly urging mourners to not hug or shake hands, or they’re asking elderly Iowans to avoid in-person services entirely.

(By Kate Payne, Iowa Public Radio)