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Iowa ranks 49th in the USA for its lax animal cruelty laws

Ag/Outdoor, News

January 30th, 2020 by Ric Hanson

(Radio Iowa) — For the third straight year, Iowa ranks among the very worst states in the nation for its animal welfare laws. The Animal Legal Defense Fund places Iowa 49th in its latest report, ahead of only Mississippi. Colin Grace, director of legal initiatives for the Animal Rescue League of Iowa, says a bill pending before Iowa lawmakers would bring about significant and much-needed changes, especially when dealing with animal hoarding cases. “It does a lot of excellent things to improve the definitions of animal cruelty crimes towards companion animals,” Grace says. “It enhances penalties and it requires mental health evaluation and treatment. That’s important because there is a proven link between cruelty and violence towards animals and cruelty and violence towards humans.”

That’s why, he says, the F-B-I now tracks all such animal-related crimes. Iowa’s existing rules on animal neglect are too vague, Grace argues, while the proposed legislation — known as House File 737 — would lay out specifics. “What HF-737 does is require that the living space be sanitary and free of excessive waste,” Grace says. “It requires that the animals are getting a nutritionally-appropriate quality and quantity of food, as well as potable water.” The bill passed in the Iowa House last year by a 96-to-zero vote but stalled in the Senate. Grace says his organization is working to educate legislators about the bill’s contents.

“We’ve heard that there are some senators who are worried that this bill might unduly affect agricultural interests,” Grace says. “This is a misplaced fear because our bill does not concern livestock animals and only affects the companion animals — dogs and cats — that share our homes.” Iowa had a record number of animal rescues cases in 2019, which A-R-L officials say proves Iowa’s animals cannot wait another year for better protections.

Man gets probation for helping set fire to corncrib

News

January 30th, 2020 by Ric Hanson

SAC CITY, Iowa (AP) – A man has been given two years of probation for helping set fire to a corncrib in western Iowa. Sac County court records show Alexander Lilly was sentenced Wednesday and given a deferred judgment. Under a deferred judgment, his conviction can be removed from his record if he were to successfully complete the terms of his probation. The Sioux City Journal reported that Lilly had pleaded guilty to arson. Authorities say Lilly helped firefighter Brent Mack start the blaze Aug. 19. Mack, of Newell, is scheduled to stand trial in April for arson, burglary, criminal mischief and trespass causing damage.

Adams County traffic stop results in drug-related arrest

News

January 30th, 2020 by Ric Hanson

A traffic stop south of Prescott early Wednesday afternoon in Adams County resulted in the arrest on drug charges, of a man from Oklahoma. Authorities report 55-year old Duane Sickles, of Oklahoma City, was taken into custody for Possession of a Controlled Substance/Methamphetamine – 2nd Offense, and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. Adams County Sheriff’s K9 “Baxo” assisted in the investigation.

Sickles was being held in the Adams County Jail on a $2,300 cash bond.

Red Oak man arrested for DWB Wed.

News

January 30th, 2020 by Ric Hanson

Police in Red Oak arrested 26-year old Ozzy Ray Hunter, Wednesday evening. The Red Oak man was taken into custody at around 6:52-p.m. on a Driving While Barred, charge. He was being held on full bond in the Montgomery County Jail.

Skyscan Forecast for Atlantic & the area: 1/30/2020

Weather

January 30th, 2020 by Ric Hanson

Today: Areas of fog this morning; Mostly cloudy. High 32. E/SE @ 5-10.

Tonight: Mo. Cldy w/light snow. Low 25.

Tomorrow: Mo. Cldy w/light snow. High 34. (less than 1″ total accumulation)

Saturday: Partly cloudy. High 43.

Sunday: P/Cldy. High 49.

Wednesday’s High in Atlantic was 30. Our Low was 23. Last year on this date, the High in Atlantic was -2 and the Low was -19. The record High for Jan. 30th in Atlantic, was 65 in 2012. The Record Low was -24 in 1965.

House, Senate GOP unveil their competing school funding plans

News

January 30th, 2020 by Ric Hanson

(Radio Iowa) – About 20 million dollars separates the public school funding plans Republicans in the Iowa House and the Iowa Senate are proposing. SENATE Republicans like Majority Leader Jack Whitever of Ankeny favor an increase of just over two percent in general state spending on K-through-12 public schools.

“This is an amount that we feel allows us enough money to continue to fund our other priorities as well,” Whitver says, “Whether that’s state troopers, mental health, health care issues — we want to make sure that fits in the larger budget picture.”

HOUSE Republicans have joined Republican Governor Kim Reynolds in calling for a two-and-a-half percent increase in per-student state funding. Democrats like Representative Ras Smith of Waterloo say schools really need more than two-and-a-half percent or roughly 100 million dollar boost.

“I don’t think it really digs our schools out of the hole,” Smith says, “understanding that we’ve dug a trench and we’re slowly filling it in like a teaspoon at a time and that’s not going to get us where we need to be.” Republicans control a majority of seats in the House and Senate, so G-O-P leaders will likely negotiate a school funding deal in the next couple of weeks. The decision is for general state aid for the school year that starts next fall.

Williams beats buzzer to lift Indiana State over Drake 58-56

Sports

January 30th, 2020 by Ric Hanson

TERRE HAUTE, Ind. (AP) – Christian Williams made the winning layup as time expired, giving Indiana State a 58-56 victory over Drake. Jordan Barnes scored 16 points, Tre Williams added 11 points and Jake LaRavia had 10 points and nine rebounds for Indiana State, which is 9-0 at home this season. Tyreke Key, Indiana State’s leading scorer at 17 points per game, was held to four points. Liam Robbins had 12 points, 11 rebounds and three blocks for the Bulldogs. Jonah Jackson had 12 point and Garrett Sturtz had eight rebounds.

Green scores 27 to lift N. Iowa over Missouri St. 95-66

Sports

January 30th, 2020 by Ric Hanson

CEDAR FALLS, Iowa (AP) – AJ Green scored 27 points, Austin Phyfe added 17 and Northern Iowa extended its home win streak to 12 games, rolling past Missouri State 95-66. Keandre Cook had 16 points for the Bears. Tulio Da Silva added 11 points and seven rebounds.

Midwest Sports Headlines: 1/30/20

Sports

January 30th, 2020 by Ric Hanson

Here is the latest Mid-America sports news from The Associated Press

AMES, Iowa (AP) — MaCio Teague scored 15 points and No. 1 Baylor beat Iowa State 67-53. Mark Vital had eight points, 10 rebounds and seven assists for the Bears. Baylor used a 17-2 run midway through the second half to turn a five-point lead into a 59-41 edge with 7:43 left. Devonte Bandoo scored seven of his 12 points off the bench during the spurt, which came after Iowa State coach Steve Prohm was assessed a technical foul. Baylor has won 10 of its past 13 games against the Cyclones. Rasir Bolton led the Cyclones with 19 points and Tyrese Haliburton scored 16.

MIAMI (AP) — Kansas City is back in the Super Bowl 50 years after Chiefs coach Hank Stram cracked up the football world by agreeing to be wired for sound for the big game highlight film. And the way we think of highlights will never be the same. NFL Films took a risk in asking Stram to wear the microphone during Kansas City’s 23-7 victory over the Minnesota Vikings in Super Bowl 4. It was the first time it had ever been done in the Super Bowl. What came out of it was video gold. The highlight video is now a classic. It’s highlighted by Stram’s stream-of-consciousness patter that was delivered to players, assistants and the refs. These days, highlight films are filled with players and coaches mic’d up, but few can do what Stram did the last time the Chiefs were in the big game.

MIAMI (AP) — It’s common for coordinators in the Super Bowl to have a head coaching position with a new team waiting for them after the game. Not this year. The Kansas City Chiefs have perhaps the most dynamic offense in the NFL and the San Francisco 49ers feature one of the stingiest defenses in the league. The men in charge of both units got interviews but were passed over. Chiefs offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy interviewed with the Panthers, Browns and Giants during the team’s bye before the playoffs. Niners defensive coordinator Robert Saleh also interviewed with the Browns.

MIAMI (AP) — Brett Veach has boyish looks and a down-to-earth demeanor that probably make many people mistake him for a Super Bowl volunteer. But the former small-college wide receiver is in fact the architect of the best Kansas City Chiefs team in 50 years. Their general manager was instrumental in the drafting of quarterback Patrick Mahomes, he overhauled the entire defense in one offseason, and he helped to give coach Andy Reid the pieces to reach the big game in Miami on Sunday.

MIAMI (AP) — Kansas City’s Travis Kelce and San Francisco’s George Kittle are talkative tight ends at this year’s Super Bowl who are among the most entertaining personalities in the NFL. They also could play big roles in who wins the big game Sunday. Kelce comes up with zany dances to celebrate his touchdowns that instantly go viral moments after he gets into the end zone. Kittle uses a celebratory gesture to honor a Mexican wrestler every time he makes a first down. The two say they love football and life in general. And it shows on and off the field.

MIAMI (AP) — It’s no accident that the league’s two fastest offenses are playing for the Super Bowl title as offenses seek more and more to get playmakers the ball in space rather than just up the middle with brute force. The Kansas City Chiefs with speedsters such as Tyreek Hill and Mecole Hardman were the NFL’s fastest team this season. The San Francisco 49ers were only a tick behind thanks to players such as Raheem Mostert and Matt Breida. The speed will stress the defenses and will play a role in determining who wins the championship.

DAVIE, Fla. (AP) — Running back Tevin Coleman returned to practice Wednesday as the San Francisco 49ers began final preparations for the Super Bowl. The Kansas City Chiefs had everyone on the field as they put the finishing touches on their game plan. Coleman dislocated his shoulder in the NFC championship game. Meanwhile, the only injury concerns heading into the week for the Chiefs were defensive tackle Chris Jones, who was hobbled by a calf strain in the AFC title game, and tight end Travis Kelce, who has been dealing with a sore knee. Both looked good during Wednesday’s workout.

MIAMI (AP) — Katie Sowers says being the first woman and openly gay coach to work the Super Bowl feels a bit surreal. She also hopes she’s blazing a path for more to follow. Sowers says she feels like a broken record but will continue saying that the most important thing is that she not be the last woman or openly gay coach at the Super Bowl. Simply attending a Super Bowl was Sowers’ dream growing up in Kansas and playing football in the yard with her twin sister. And yes, becoming an NFL head coach is on the San Francisco assistant’s list.

Iowa early News Headlines: Thursday, Jan. 30, 2020

News

January 30th, 2020 by Ric Hanson

Here is the latest Iowa news from The Associated Press at 3:35 a.m. CST

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump is set to coast to victory in the first Republican primary contests of 2020, but that doesn’t mean he’s taking them for granted. Without a credible challenger, Trump’s team sees the first elections beginning next week as a test of the Trump campaign’s organizing prowess. It is pouring resources into the contests, dispatching surrogates and staging presidential rallies. The goal is to put Democrats on notice and to demonstrate that Republicans are excited about supporting the president. Trump’s campaign views Monday’s Iowa caucuses and the Feb. 11 New Hampshire primary as a challenge to meet sky-high expectations and an opportunity to flex political strength.

SIOUX CITY, Iowa (AP) — Joe Biden plans an address Thursday in Iowa at the same time President Donald Trump is to stage a rally in Des Moines. And the Biden campaign is promising an aggressive and direct counterstrategy ahead of Monday’s Iowa caucuses, as the former vice president fends off a new onslaught of GOP attacks over his son’s business overseas and faces piling pressure to show Democratic voters he can handle the incoming. Republicans have amplified their allegations against Biden in a series of charges stemming from Trump’s impeachment trial.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Hours after a group of Republican lawmakers proposed a bill to amend the Iowa Civil Rights Act to remove protections against discrimination for transgender people a committee chairman declared the measure dead. Gender identity was added to the state law in 2007 that already offered protections for race, color, religion and others. Nine Republican House members sponsored the bill introduced Wednesday morning to remove transgender protections. However, hours later Republican Rep. Steven Holt, chairman of the House Judiciary Committee said he will not assign it to a subcommittee, killing it. He says it would have had many unintended consequences.

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — Billionaire Warren Buffett is giving up on the newspaper business. He’s selling all of Berkshire Hathaway’s publications to Lee Enterprises for $140 million. The deal announced Wednesday covers 31 daily newspapers in 10 states as well as 49 paid weekly publications with digital sites and 32 other print products. Buffett is a lifelong fan of newspapers but he has said for several years that he expects most of them to continue on their declining trajectory, save for a handful of national papers such as The New York Times and The Wall Street Journal. Lee has been managing the BH Media publications since July 2018. Berkshire Hathaway is providing about $576 million in long-term financing to Lee.