(Radio Iowa) — Moms Demand Action and Everytown for Gun Safety held a forum in Iowa Saturday and, while the crowd applauded the gun-related policies of the Democratic presidential candidates who spoke, the audience was equally animated about building a movement to counter the National Rifle Association.  “In the 2018 midterm elections we outspent the NRA and we outmaneuvered them.” Shannon Watts founded Moms Demand Action after the 2012 shooting at a Connecticut school. “Going into 2020 the NRA is weaker than it’s ever been and our movement is stronger than it’s ever been, giving every ‘gun sense’ candidate a clear advantage,” Watts said.

Former New York City Mayor Mike Bloomberg promised to dip deeply into his fortune and bankroll “the most massive effort on gun safety our country has ever seen.” “We’re going to win races up and down the ballot and if that means I have to buy a red t-shirt for every mom in America who wants to join our cause and one for every dad and aunt and uncle and student who wants to join, just send me the bill,” Bloomberg said, to extended cheers. Bloomberg told the crowd after the “tragically sad” shootings in El Paso and Dayton, their presence in Des Moines ended the week on a “hopeful note.”  “You’re here because you know America can answer this challenge,” Bloomberg said, “and you’re here because you refuse to settle for thoughts and prayers and demand action and laws.”

Ohio Congressman Tim Ryan was the first of 15 candidates to speak to the crowd in person. The crowd erupted with cheers when Ryan mentioned defeating Mitch McConnell, the U.S. Senate’s Republican leader. A few minutes later, Ryan counseled the crowd that their lobbying must be a “bottom up” effort. “You’re not going to tweet your way into making this happen, sad as it to say,” Ryan said. “This is going to be knocking on doors…you go eyeball-to-eyeball with people. You tell your stories like you’re doing.”

Victims of shootings from all around the country as well as relatives of those who’ve died in shootings asked the candidates questions. South Bend, Indiana Mayor Pete Buttigieg (BOOT-ih-jedge) told the activists the country “cannot allow what amounts to a war to continue.” “I beg you to stay on those front lines,” Buttigieg said, as the crowd stood and the cheers nearly drowned out his voice. “This will change with your help.”

Many of the candidates — including former Vice President Joe Biden — were asked how best to “counter the influence” of the N-R-A.  “The vast majority of people, including gun owners, agree with us. Members of the NRA agree with us,” Biden said. “The people who are going to make a difference in terms of giving some backbone to those Republicans, in particular, and a few Democrats who are afraid to take them on are all of you.” Massachusetts Senator Elizabeth Warren said campaign finance reform would go a long way to breaking “the stronglehold” the gun industry has on congress. “We are going to make this a congress, make this a government that is responsive to the will of the people. That’s why we’re here,” Warren said, to cheers.

The Iowa Department of Public Safety said today (Saturday), that Sheriff’s officials in northwest Iowa’s Lyon County had requested the Iowa State Patrol investigate a single-vehicle motor vehicle accident involving a Deputy. The crash happened Friday morning. The Deputy’s name was not immediately released.

A preliminary investigation shows that crash occurred on County Road K-52/Hickory Ave. Just south of 160th St.  A Lyon County Deputy was operating a 2018 Ford Explorer Police SUV northbound in non-emergency status on K-52 entering a sharp curve to the right.  The SUV left the roadway to the left, entered the ditch, vaulted a private driveway, and rolled.  The SUV came to rest on the driver’s side on the gravel driveway.

The Deputy suffered incapacitating injuries and was flown by air ambulance to Sioux Falls, SD. The crash remains under investigation by the Iowa State Patrol, and a technical collision investigation is being completed by the Iowa State Patrol.

Other agencies assisting at the scene were the Lyon County Ambulance, Lyon County Sheriff’s Office and Rock Rapids Fire and Rescue.

A 53-year old male reportedly suffered from a gash on his head, during a motorcycle accident at around 3-p.m. Saturday on Highway 6 about a mile west of Highway 59, near Oakland. He was said to be conscious and alert. No other details are currently available.

STORM LAKE, Iowa (AP) — A northwestern Iowa school librarian and art teacher has been accused of stealing more than $2,000 from two school fundraising events.
The Sioux City Journal reports that 50-year-old Susan Slagle-Boyd, of Storm Lake, was arrested Thursday on suspicion of theft. Police say officers were called to St. Mary’s Catholic School on Thursday after school officials discovered money collected from two book fairs missing.

Police say Slagle-Boyd is accused of using $630 from a fall book fair and $1,500 raised from a spring book fair for her personal use. The money was supposed to go to the school system for curriculum supplies.

Slagle-Boyd was booked into the Buena Vista County Jail and her bond set at $5,000.

SIOUX CITY, Iowa (AP) — A man accused of fatally punching a Sioux City resident is scheduled to enter a plea in the case.

The Sioux City Journal reports that a plea and sentencing hearing has been set Monday for 25-year-old Ray Avila. He had been scheduled to stand trial on Aug. 20.
In June, Avila pleaded not guilty to involuntary manslaughter, assault and flight to avoid prosecution. Avila was arrested in May in Jalisco, Mexico, where he had relatives.

Sioux City police say Avila became involved in an altercation on July 29, 2018, between Juan Espinoza and Peter Johnson. Police say Johnson suffered a skull fracture when Avila knocked him to the pavement. Johnson later died.

A power outage that struck Griswold and Lewis early this (Saturday) morning, was restored to most residents in the Griswold area by around 3:10-p.m., according to Cass County Emergency Management Coordinator Mike Kennon. Power was restored to Lewis by around 4-p.m., according to citizen reports.

Kennon said earlier, that a utility pole fire was reported at around 11-p.m. Friday, with the power going out for most customers in Griswold and Lewis, at around 3-a.m. At the time, he thought the power would be restored to both communities by around 4-p.m., Saturday.

About 300-to 600-MidAmerican Energy customers were without power in the Griswold area.