Here is the latest Iowa news from The Associated Press at 3:30 a.m. CDT

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Rep. Steve King’s recent insensitive comments about rape are the kind that have doomed other political candidates, but some fellow Iowa Republicans say they actually could help his re-election chances by reinforcing his credentials as a social conservative. Tuesday to a conservative group, he questioned whether there would be “any population of the world left” if not for births due to rape and incest. The congressman faces a tough GOP primary in his bid for a 10th term.

SUMNER, Iowa (AP) — A preliminary report from federal aviation safety officials says a crop duster involved in a fatal crash in northeastern Iowa hit power lines before going down on Aug. 9. The report from the National Transportation Safety Board released Thursday says a witness told investigators that the airplane flew “very low” over his home early that morning and that he was “amazed it cleared the trees.” The fiery crash near Sumner killed the pilot, 56-year-old David Baker, of Swedesburg.

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — The latest monthly survey of bankers in parts of 10 Plains and Western states indicates a shrinking rural economy, and three-quarters of bankers said President Donald Trump’s trade policies are having a negative effect on their local economies. The Rural Mainstreet survey released Thursday shows the its overall index falling from an already anemic 50.2 in July to 46.5 this month. Any score below 50 indicates a shrinking economy.

ALLISON, Iowa (AP) — A northern Iowa sheriff says improper employee payments uncovered by a state audit were errors caused by a misunderstanding of several policies. The audit report of the Butler County Sheriff’s Office released Thursday says the improper payments totaled more than $57,000.

Red Oak Police have arrested a man in connection with an incident that took place Wednesday. Authorities say 55-year old Allen Lee Glasgo, of Red Oak, was taken into custody at around 5:15-p.m. Thursday (today), on a charge of simple Assault.

Glasgo was being held in the Montgomery County Jail on a $300 bond, as of the latest report.

COUNCIL BLUFFS, IA – An official with the Pottawattamie County Emergency Management Agency reports levee and drainage district repairs are underway in the northwest portion of the county that has been inundated with floodwaters since early March. River levels and conditions have improved to the point where damaged levees and drainage district protection structures can now begin to be assessed and emergency temporary repairs made.

Doug Reed, Director of Emergency Management for Pott. County, said Thursday “This is a big step in our collective road to recovery.”  Work has begun on several breach and damage locations that will help stem the inflow of water and allow other areas to drain. It will still be some time before other areas can be accessed but progress is being made in hopes that property and landowners can start realizing some long awaited relief.

Honey Creek S. Levy Breach 2 (All photos courtesy Doug Reed/Pott. County EMA)

Honey Creek Drainage Ditch Breach and Levee Breach

Work on HC Drainage Ditch

Work on Honey Creek Drainage Ditch

Reed was joined Thursday in a survey of the area by Iowa Senator Tom Shipley, Tim Wichman – Chairman of the Pottawattamie County Board of Supervisors, Joyce Flinn – Director of Iowa Homeland Security and Emergency Management, John Benson – Chief of Staff for Iowa Homeland Security and Emergency Management, and Katie Waters – Public Assistance Bureau Chief from Iowa Homeland Security and Emergency Management.

The H&P Drainage District has made temporary repairs to the banks of the Boyer River and the Honey Creek Levee/Drainage District began work today in multiple locations along the Honey Creek Drainage Ditch and the Honey Creek North Levee. Engineers for the Vanman Levee District were to begin assessing the major levee breaches at Desoto Bend Wildlife Refuge this week in order to get estimates and solicit contractors to construct temporary emergency repairs at two priority areas of damage on the Vanman Levee.

Repairs to portions of the Pigeon Creek Drainage District have been assessed with repairs started. Other areas along the Sac Drainage District and areas of the Pigeon Creek Levee are still inundated with floodwaters and still need to be assessed as soon as conditions allow.

Reed commented that, “although there is a lot of work to get done, progress is being made and each small project completion will have an impact in improving the conditions within the region. The temporary repairs being made are critical to stop the free flow of water throughout the region until the river levels drop and ground conditions improve to a point where detailed plans and more equipment can be employed to make permanent repairs in the overall system.”

Updates in progress will be made at the county flood website which can be found on the emergency management department page at www.pottcounty-ia.gov.

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — The latest monthly survey of bankers in parts of 10 Plains and Western states indicates a shrinking rural economy, and three-quarters of bankers said President Donald Trump’s trade policies are having a negative effect on their local economies.

The Rural Mainstreet survey released Thursday shows the its overall index falling from an already anemic 50.2 in July to 46.5 this month. Any score below 50 indicates a shrinking economy.

Creighton University economist Ernie Goss, who oversees the survey, says trade tensions “are driving growth lower for areas of the region with close ties to agriculture.” Goss also noted that despite negative consequences from tariffs, nearly 7 of 10 bank CEOS surveyed support either raising or continuing the Trump administration’s current tariffs.

Bankers from Colorado, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, South Dakota and Wyoming were surveyed.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Rep. Steve King’s most recent insensitive remarks about rape are the kind that have doomed political candidates elsewhere, but some fellow Iowa Republicans say it’s possible they actually could do more good than harm for the embattled congressman’s re-election chances by reinforcing his credentials as a social conservative.

King, who faces steep competition just to win the GOP primary in his bid for a 10th term, made the comment Tuesday before a conservative group. He was attempting to justify his support for a ban on abortions without exceptions for rape and incest.
“What if we went back through all the family trees and just pulled those people out that were products of rape and incest? Would there be any population of the world left if we did that?” King said. “Considering all the wars and all the rape and pillage that’s taken place … I know I can’t certify that I’m not a part of a product of that.”

The assertion was reminiscent of Missouri Senate candidate Todd Akin’s “legitimate rape” comment in 2012 and Indiana Senate candidate Richard Mourdock’s statement months later that a pregnancy due to rape was “something God intended.” While Akin and Mourdock struggled to move beyond those comments and lost races they’d been favored to win, it’s unclear whether King will pay a price considering many in his conservative district support his position on abortion, even as they might cringe at how he worded it.

King also could benefit from the simple fact that since he was first elected in 2002, he has made so many comments prompting outrage on topics ranging from immigration to race that one more controversial statement may not carry as much weight.

Tuesday’s justification of an abortion ban came about eight months after King was rebuked by the House and stripped of his committee assignments after being quoted by the New York Times questioning why “white nationalist, white supremacist, Western civilization” language was offensive.

Shane Vander Hart, an Iowa political consultant and conservative writer, said King has plenty of problems as he faces a contested primary with little campaign money. But Vander Hart notes Republicans hold a 70,000-voter registration edge in the districts, and many of those people — including his top rival for the nomination — agree with King on most issues, including that abortion should be illegal in all cases.

“This is not some silver bullet that’s going to kill his campaign,” Vander Hart said. “The overall principle of what he’s saying, that’s what pro-lifers believe.” Craig Williams, the Republican Party chairman in Carroll County, said support for King is strong and many Republicans think the congressman’s views aren’t fairly portrayed by the media.

“People in the 4th District like the fact that the congressman doesn’t mince words very often,” Williams said. “And he probably says things that are unfortunate from time to time, but who doesn’t? Ask Joe Biden supporters about that.”

David Rowley, the GOP chairman in Dickenson County, said King has built up a lot of good will over the years in the conservative county, where Republicans outnumber Democrats by more than a 2-to-1 ratio. Most Republicans in the region oppose abortion rights, and many will question whether the media took King’s comments out of context, Rowley said.

“There’s a lot of strong support for Congressman King generally among Republicans within the 4th District, but it is a concern,” Rowley said.
Nationally, an AP-NORC poll conducted in May found that 70% of Republicans believe abortion should be illegal in most or all cases, though a much smaller 19% think it should be illegal in all cases.

As he seeks re-election, King could be at greatest risk in the primary, where he faces at least three candidates, including a well-funded state senator. That senator, Randy Feenstra, shares King’s anti-abortion views but has argued King doesn’t effectively represent the district because of his history of controversial comments.

Feenstra has noted that King narrowly beat Democrat J.D. Scholten, a former minor league baseball player, in the 2018 election despite the GOP’s large registration edge. After King’s comments Tuesday, Feenstra released a statement criticizing his “bizarre comments” and adding, “We can’t afford to hand the 4th District to Nancy Pelosi and her allies in Congress. President Trump needs defenders in Congress, not distractions.”

Scholten recently announced he’d again run to represent the district, and within hours of King’s comments Tuesday had sent out emails spotlighting the issue and seeking campaign contributions. Despite the criticism King faces from other Republicans seeking the nomination, he could benefit from the vote being split four ways, increasing the chance his most avid supporters will outnumber those backing the other candidates.

And if King wins the nomination, those who tire of his comments will ultimately support the Republican, said Clay County GOP Chairman Will Jones, even as he expressed exasperation at the congressman’s habit of wading into controversy.
“Democrats are not going to win this district,” he said.

The Audubon County Sheriff’s Office has released a report on arrests and incidents for the month of July. Diane Marcelyn Black, 56, of Hamlin, was arrested and booked into the Audubon County Jail on July 2nd for Possession of a Controlled Substance 3rd or Subsequent Offense – Meth and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. She is currently being held in the Audubon County Jail.

Brandon Michael Barringer, age 35, of Brayton was arrested on July 2nd at approximately 3:00pm for Driving While Barred. He was booked into the Audubon County Jail and later released after posting a $2,000.00 bond.

Mathew Dean Christensen, age 54 of Phillipsburg, KS, was arrested on July 4th at approximately 12:13am for OWI – First Offense. The arrest stems from a traffic stop that occurred on Hwy 71 just south of Littlefield Drive in Audubon County. He was held in the Audubon County Jail until the following morning after appearing before the Magistrate.

Eddie Ray Mack Jr., age 35, of Hamlin was arrested on July 5th at approximately 11:45pm for Assault. He was booked into the Audubon County Jail and released the following afternoon after posting a $2,000.00 bond.

Scottie Lynn Mitchell, 41, of Exira was arrested on July 7th at approximately 7:00am for Domestic Abuse. He was booked into the Audubon County Jail and released the following day after posting a $1,000.00 bond.

Antonio Delgado, age 30, of Omaha was arrested on July 12th for Possession of Controlled Substance – Marijuana 3rd or Subsequent and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. He was brought back to the Audubon County Jail where he posted bond.

The Audubon County Sheriff’s Office arrested Allison Marie Martin, age 31 of Audubon, on July 11th at approximately 1:06pm for Theft 5th. The arrest stems from a traffic stop that occurred on 210th St just south of the Audubon County Memorial Hospital. She was held in the Audubon County Jail until the following morning after appearing before the Magistrate.

Terrill Arthur Burger, 41, of Audubon was arrested on July 18th at approximately 1:46am for Domestic Abuse. He was booked into the Audubon County Jail and released later that morning after appearing before the Magistrate.

The Audubon County Sheriff’s Office arrested Willard Edward Frazier, age 31 of Audubon, on July 16th at approximately 4pm for an outstanding warrant out of Mills County and for Driving While Barred. He was held in the Audubon County Jail until July 22nd when he posted bond for the Audubon County charge and the outstanding Mills County warrant.

Joshua Robert Saunders, age 41, of Audubon has been charged with Assault with Intent to Cause Serious Injury. He was being held in the Audubon County Jail on unrelated charges when he assault another inmate. He is currently being held in the Audubon County Jail.

The Audubon County Sheriff’s Office arrested Jacky Ray Walters, age 32 of Brayton, on July 25th at approximately 3pm for an outstanding warrant for Domestic Abuse Assault – 3rd or Subsequent Offense, Child Endangerment, and Child Endangerment – Bodily Injury. The warrant stemmed from an incident that occurred the prior weekend.

Deputies were called to the Brayton residence in reference to a domestic assault that had happened earlier that evening. Mr. Walters had already left the residence and was unable to be found that night resulting in a warrant being requested. The Sheriff’s Department received a call on July 25th stating Mr. Walters was back at the Brayton residence.

While a Law Enforcement Officer was arresting Mr. Walters on the warrant he was also charged with Possession of Controlled Substance – Meth. A search warrant was applied for and granted for his property and conducted later that evening. He was, also, charged with Unlawful Possession of a Prescription Drug, and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. He was held in the Audubon County Jail until the following evening when he posted bond.

Scottie Lynn Mitchell, 41, of Exira was arrested on July 29th at approximately 4:15pm for Contempt – Violation of a No Contact Order. He was booked into the Audubon County Jail and released the following day after posting bond.

(Radio Iowa) — Three state legislators and three people from the business community joined for a discussion at the Iowa Republican Party’s headquarters today (Thursday) to tout what Iowa G-O-P chairman Jeff Kaufmann calls the “Trump economy.”

“The Democrats are ignoring these statistics,” Kaufmann said. “I mean, they’re just not talking about them.”Anthony Marlowe is the C-E-O of an Iowa City based firm recently recognized as the state’s fastest growing company.  “Rumors of a recession is nothing short of a scam,” Marlowe said. “…There is no recession around the corner or looming anywhere soon. It’s absolutely explosive what’s happening in the economy right now.”

The G-O-P chairman says economics is an art, not a science. “You can see just by using pragmatic logic that these Democrats are just making this crap up for political points and they’re cherry picking some economists who will say what they want them to say,” Kaufmann says. “For trying out loud, we have socialist economists and we have capitalist, hard-core economists.”

Kaufmann says today’s (Thursday’s) event was organized to counter the messages delivered by the 20 Democratic presidential candidates who’ve been campaigning at the Iowa State Fair. Brook Doheny, a realtor from Clive, says people are listing their homes for sale because the Democratic candidates are fueling uncertainty.

“These people honestly want to be president of the United States of America and I wouldn’t even be friends with any of them. They scare me,” Doheny said. “They’re so out of touch.” Republican State Representative Lee Hein raises corn, soybeans and cattle on his farm near Monticello. Hein says the farm economy is “tough,” but trade and tariff issues with China are “a small part” of the market downturn.

“If you follow the markets and trends and things, you will know that Iowa and the world right now are overproducing and demand is probably more of a problem,” Hein said. John Wills of Spirit Lake, another Republican member of the Iowa House, says China has been stealing from “every sector” of the U.S. economy.

“This trade war is needed,” Wills said. “I support the president and it’s something that will pay dividends forever.” Republican State Representative Pat Grassley, the grandson of U.S. Senator Chuck Grassley, says “pure hatred” of President Trump is preventing Democrats from “doing what’s good for the country.”

(Updated 3:55-p.m.) — The Shelby County Sheriff’s Office reports that at around 3:30 this (Thursday) morning, Deputies arrested 20-year-old Tyson Lee Daniel Hines, of Hamlin, as the result of a truck stop along County Road M-47 and Highway 44. Hines was taken into custody without incident and charged with Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. He was transported to the Shelby County Jail where he was released later than morning on his own recognizance.

On Wednesday, 33-year-old Phillip Michael Houston, of Walnut, was taken into custody following a pursuit through Shelby County. Houston’s vehicle eventually stopped, and he was taken into custody without incident. Houston was transported to the Shelby County Jail where he is being held under $4,000 cash or surety bond for eluding, driving while barred-habitual offender, reckless driving, speeding, no insurance, operating a non-registered vehicle and failure to obey stop sign.

On Tuesday, an Iowa State Patrol Trooper arrested 32-year-old Dustin Douglas Williams, of Harlan, as a result of a traffic stop. Williams was brought to the Shelby County Jail and charged with driving while revoked, and no seat belt. Williams had an appearance with the magistrate later that evening was released on his own recognizance.

The Shelby County Sheriff’s Office reports also, on Aug. 7th, 58-year-old Penny Jean Swensen-Jacobsen, of Kimballton, was arrested for operating while intoxicated 1st offense. Swensen-Jacobsen was brought to the jail without incident and released the following day after posting the required $1,000 surety bond.

On Aug. 3rd, Deputies arrested 46-year-old Marc Ryan Holm, of Defiance, after authorities were called to a disturbance at the residence. Holm was arrested and charged with prohibited acts, possession of controlled substance (marijuana), and possession of drug paraphernalia. Hold was held and released later that evening after posting the $3300 surety bond.

On Aug. 1st, the Shelby County Sheriff’s Office assisted by the Harlan Police Department, arrested 50-year-old Blake Edward Cooper on an active outstanding no bond federal warrant. Cooper was brought to the jail without incident and transferred over to the US Marshals the following morning. Cooper was out on bond from the Sheriff’s Office after being charged on July 30th, for possession of explosive/incendiary device, which is a class C felony in the State of Iowa. Cooper was released on July 31st, after posting a $100,000 surety bond.