Des Moines – The State of Iowa entered into a settlement with TradeStation Crypto, Inc. (TradeStation) to resolve a multi-state securities investigation into TradeStation’s crypto interest-earning program. “Whatever Iowans may be looking to invest in, it’s always important for them to be vigilant and protect their assets,” Commissioner Doug Ommen said. “Iowans can always double-check before investing to make sure an investment is properly registered with the Iowa Insurance Division by calling 877-955-1212.”

TradeStation, a Florida corporation formed in 2018, provides crypto-asset-related financial services to retail and institutional customers in the United States, including investing and trading services. From approximately August 2020 until June 2022, TradeStation offered a crypto interest-earning program to Iowa investors. Under this program, investors passively earned interest on crypto assets by loaning them to TradeStation. TradeStation maintained total discretion over the revenue-generating activities utilized to earn returns for investors. The company offered and promoted their crypto interest-earning program in Iowa and the United States at large via its website and various platforms.

The $1.5 million multistate settlement, on behalf of 51 United States jurisdictions, is the result of a North American Securities Administrators Association task force of eight state securities regulators from Alabama, California, Mississippi, North Carolina, Ohio, South Carolina, Washington, and Wisconsin. The task force determined that during the offering period, TradeStation engaged in the unregistered offer and sale of securities via its crypto interest-earning program.

(Clarinda, Iowa) – The Page County Sheriff’s Office today (Feb. 7th), issued a report on arrests made & citations issued, from January 29th through Feb. 2nd:

(Atlantic, Iowa) – Atlantic SplashPad Fundraising Committee Co-Chair Jeremy Butler, today (Wednesday), issued a statement to the media with regard to the February 6th, 2024 Atlantic City Council meeting, during which there was considerable discussion, followed by a social media backlash against City leaders, for their perceived role in delaying the project.

Butler said, “The minutes that were read from the April 5th, 2023 were correct but comments that were made were not put into context. Before that meeting the fundraising had not been kicked off. The “fiasco” that Councilman Brink was referring to was the fact that my committee had been trying to start fundraising since the fall of 2022. We were running into road blocks at every turn and that night the council made a unanimous decision to let us go and raise the money. The committee has never wavered from their primary focus which was getting the Splash Pad completed. It has been one of the things at the top of the community’s wish list for several years.

“I want to go on record saying that we have an amazing City Council that has supported this project from the beginning. They have had questions and concerns that have always been discussed and worked through with give and take from both sides. They would not be doing their jobs if they were not only looking out for the citizens of Atlantic but also being good stewards of the tax dollars that they are entrusted with. Our City Administrator has also done a very good job in supplying them with information on any impact maintenance on the splash pad could have on future budgets as well as where the funds could come from for their contribution to the initial build. This has allowed the Council to make informed decisions.

“Lastly I would like to thank SWIPCO. John McCurdy and his staff have been amazing. They were doing what they were told by the “City of Atlantic” They are now working tirelessly to put a large grant together in 10 days that should have been worked on for several months. They could have very easily and understandably said no but instead decided to buckle down and get this done.

In closing I would like to thank concerned citizens that have reached out or commented on social media. I however ask that we do not start a mob mentality. We are part of an amazing community and I urge each of you to be a part of the change that you would like to see happen. There are so many committees that need volunteers and this project proves that volunteers can get things done. Please feel free to reach out if you have a passion and I will be happy to get you connected with the right people.”

(Glenwood, Iowa) – The Mills County Sheriff’s Office says two men were arrested on drug charges Monday evening, in Malvern. 18-year-old Nicholas William Kerbo, and 22-year-old Matthew Dakota Kerbo, both of Malvern, were arrested at around 7:50-p.m.  They were charged with Drug Distribution Violation, Gathering Controlled Substance Used, and Attempt to Entice Minor. Bond for both men was set at $25,000, each.

And, at around 4:55-p.m., Tuesday, Mills County Deputies arrested 24-year-old Faith Leeann Clemmons, of Emerson, on a warrant for Violation of Probation. She was taken into custody at the Pottawattamie County Jail and transported to the Mills County Jail, where Clemmons’ bond was set at $10,000.

(Radio Iowa) – A bill introduced in the Iowa House would require parental permission before Iowans under the age of 18 could create a social media account on websites or smart phone apps like SnapChat. Tom Chapman, executive director of the Iowa Catholic Conference, says his church urges parents to actively monitor social media use by their children. “Anybody who’s been a parent recently knows that minors can easily create and use social media accounts without parental awareness or supervision,” Chapman says, “and we’d like to give parents a chance to help.”

The “Social Media Parental Authorization Act” would require platforms like Instagram or TikTok to verify a parent or guardian has granted written and digital permission for a minor to have an account. The bill cleared a House subcommittee this (Wednesday) morning. Representative Sami Scheetz, a Democrat from Cedar Rapids, supported it. “I love the intent of this bill,” Scheetz said. “As somebody who grew up in the social media age I understand how damaging social media can be to the mental health of young people.”

Iowa Catholic Conference executive director Tom Chapman testifies at House subcommittee hearing on Feb. 7, 2024. (RI photo)

But Scheetz says the bill needs work because, as written, it would be hard to enforce and likely would be challenged in court. There are other bills in the legislature designed to restrict minor’s access to social media. The governor has proposed requiring people to upload an I-D like a driver’s license to prove they’re an adult before getting access to sites with pornographic content.