More area and State news from KJAN News Director Ric Hanson.

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One dozen of the 57 Republicans in the Iowa House have signed onto a bill that would incrementally raise the state sales tax by fractions, to raise money for water quality initiatives. Representative Bobby Kaufmann, a Republican from Wilton, is the proposal’s lead sponsor.

The bill would raise the sales tax by one-eighth of a percent in each of the next three years. By that third year, it would raise 180-million dollars annually. Kaufmann says that 180 million could REPLACE other state tax money being spent on water quality projects — and he’s suggesting INCOME taxes for low-income Iowans could be reduced as a result.

Representative Ashley Hinson, a Republican from Cedar Rapids, says voters told her last year water quality is a quality of life issue. Representative Andy McKean, a Republican from Anamosa who is another co-sponsor of the bill, says it’s crafted in the tradition of former Republican President Teddy Roosevelt who founded the National Park system. “I think it’s high time that Republicans start taking the lead on some of these environmental and conservation issues,” McKean says.

There’s another water quality improvement package already moving through the legislature. Governor Branstad has expressed support for its contents — and Branstad has said he’s not interested in raising the sales tax to expand the state’s water quality efforts.

(Radio Iowa)

The Iowa Senate has passed a bill supporters hope will reduce what they consider “nuisance” lawsuits about the location of livestock operations. Senator Dan Zumbach, a Republican from Ryan, says the bill establishes new legal protections for livestock producers who are “prudent” and “reasonable.”

“It only is going to protect good actors,” Zumbach says. “It’s going to do nothing for bad actors and you can still sue. You can still file for damages. It just creates equitable damages.” The bill, for example, would put new limits on the damages a court could order for health care costs connected to living near a confinement. Senator Bill Dotzler, a Democrat from Waterloo, says some big livestock operations “don’t give a hoot about their neighbor.”

“I support agriculture in this state,” Dotzler says. “It’s a good thing for us, but you’ve also got to respect other people’s properties.” Senate Democratic Leader Rob Hogg of Cedar Rapids, says the bill is “fundamentally unfair.”

“This is about people’s dreams and their lives,” Hogg says. “And what they don’t want is to have somebody come in unfettered and have a nuisance put in next to them and be told when they try to do something about it: ‘You know what? Your rights don’t matter. The fact that you were there first doesn’t matter.'” Senator David Johnson of Ocheyedan, an independent, says things have changed, for the worse, in many rural areas. “We’ve got to get rid of this notion that you can just put a confinement anywhere, at any time,” Johnson said.

Zumbach says the bill is necessary because banks are reluctant to loan money to livestock producers because of the threat of “nuisance” lawsuits. “This bill’s about a young gentleman or lady coming out of Iowa State University educated well, ready to go into the livestock industry,” Zumbach says, “and having the ability to go to a bank that will loan that person money and feel comfortable with that loan to start them in the livestock industry.”

And Zumbach says the bill’s designed to protect smaller producers who cannot afford to hire a lawyer. He accused critics of the legislation of trying to “slaughter” the state’s livestock industry.The bill passed with the support of 31 of the 50 state senators. It must clear the House Ag Committee by March 30th or it will no longer be eligible for consideration by lawmakers this year.

(Radio Iowa)

Two people have been arrested on separate warrants for Violation of Probation. The Creston Police Department reports 30-year old Shaune William Tindle, and 40-year old Teresa Joan Earley, both of Creston, were arrested Tuesday on the Union County warrants. Tindle was later released on $1,000 bond, while Earley was released on a $300 bond.

The area’s top news at 7:06-a.m., w/KJAN News Director Ric Hanson

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Iowa Senator Joni Ernst says she is “very disappointed” and angered by the conduct of thousands of male soldiers who have posted and viewed naked photos of FEMALE soldiers on a private Facebook page. “There is absolutely no excuse for this,” Ernst says, “especially for those who wear our nation’s uniform.”

The “Marine United” Facebook page was created as a private meeting place for active duty and retired Marines, but a veteran who runs the “War Horse” NEWS site recently revealed photos of female Marines were being posted on the Marines United page. Ernst, a retired Iowa National Guard commander who is a combat veteran, spoke Tuesday during a U.S. Senate hearing with two Marine Corps generals. “Those who participated in these disgusting and horrible actions have not only failed our Marine Corps, they’ve failed the men and women who wish to join your ranks,” Ernst said, “and they have failed our country.”

Ernst cites additional reporting which indicates similar activity in other branches of the military. “This is a cultural problem, not just in our military, but society at large and hearing that many individuals were not surprised about these reports disappoints me. Hearing that there may not be a way to hold many of the people that were involved in this accountable, that angers me,” Ernst said. “Illegal or not, members of our community need to know this they type of activity creates a culture that leads to sexual assault.”

Marine Corps leaders admit investigators are having trouble identifying “Marines United” Facebook users for possible prosecution or discipline within the military, plus spin-off websites are popping up with links to the naked images of female soldiers.

(Radio Iowa)

JOHNSTON, Iowa (AP) – A Waukee man who says he’s been sober for 10 years has thanked the last police officer who pulled him over for driving drunk. The Des Moines Register reports Callin Prieskorn went to the Johnston Police Department on Tuesday and hugged Sgt. Kenny Agan, whom he’d last seen alongside a road.

Prieskorn says the arrest led to jail time and the loss of a job before he could turn a corner in his life and begin his recovery. Over the past 10 years he’s married, welcomed two sons into his family and gotten new jobs. Agan told Prieskorn that “it’s impressive to see the changes you’ve made.” Johnston Police Chief Dennis McDaniel says police “never get this kind of feedback. It’s a big day for us.”

A traffic stop late Tuesday night in Adams County resulted in the arrest of a Missouri man on a drug charge. 26-year old Andrew Kerwin, of Sheridan, MO., was arrested just before midnight, Tuesday, for Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. His bond was set at $300.

Fremont County Sheriff Kevin Aistrope reports a man from Nebraska was arrested Monday on a Fremont County felony warrant for Sexual Exploitation of a Minor, causing a minor to engage in sex act. Fremont County authorities received confirmation from Nebraska, that 21-year old Brock Jay Wichman, of Nebraska City, NE., had been arrested in Fremont, Nebraska on the Fremont County, Iowa warrant.

The charge stems from an investigation initiated by the Fremont County Sheriff’s Office in August and September of 2016. Deputies were assisted by the Nebraska City Police Department, Fremont, Nebraska Police Department, and the United States Marshall Service. Wichman is being held at the Fremont County Jail without bond, pending an initial appearance with a Magistrate.

Brock Wichman (photo submitted)

Here is the latest Iowa news from The Associated Press at 3:40 a.m. CDT

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — The Republican-controlled Iowa Senate has begun debate on a bill that would ban most abortions in the state after 20 weeks of pregnancy. The chamber launched floor discussion Tuesday night. It’s unclear when lawmakers will vote on the measure, though it’s expected to pass. Iowa law bans abortions at the end of the second trimester of pregnancy, or 27 weeks. The bill would ban most abortions after 20 weeks of pregnancy, based on the disputed premise that a fetus can feel pain at that stage.

GRAETTINGER, Iowa (AP) — Environmental officials say about 1,600 gallons of ethanol leaked into a northwestern Iowa creek as crews pulled three derailed train tankers from the water. A news release Tuesday from the Iowa Natural Resources Department says the last three tankers from the fiery train derailment were pulled from Jack Creek on Monday. One spilled about 1,500 gallons, and another spilled about 100 gallons.

DENMARK, Iowa (AP) — Authorities say a suspect in the weekend shooting of a southeastern Iowa man is the man’s 13-year-old son. The Hawk Eye report that the 58-year-old man was treated at an Iowa City hospital for two gunshot wounds not believed to be life-threatening. His son is being held at a juvenile detention center in Montrose. The Associated Press generally does not name juveniles charged with crimes.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Financial analysts say Iowa is taking in less-than-expected revenue and must address a new shortfall of about $131 million for its current budget. The three-member Revenue Estimating Conference announced Tuesday that Iowa was expected to take in about $7.1 billion for the current budget year, which ends June 30. It’s the third time the revenue forecast has been cut since last fall. Gov. Terry Branstad’s spokesman says the state should offset the deficit by tapping its cash reserves.