(Radio Iowa) — The Libertarian Party of Iowa and one of its 2018 candidates have filed a lawsuit challenging a recent change in Iowa election law. Jake Porter of Council Bluffs, last year’s Libertarian candidate for governor,  says it will likely reduce the number of third party candidates who run for office.

“Voters should ultimately have options on the ballot and it goes against our democratic process to deny them options and that’s what this does.” Since 1953, third party candidates have had until mid-August to submit the paperwork necessary to get their names on the General Election Ballot. The new state law that goes into effect for the 2020 election moves the deadline up five months, to mid-March. Porter says it increases the advantages Democrats and Republicans already have.

“I think it was done as part of what I call ‘The Incumbent Protection Act,'” Porter says. “A lot of times they don’t like challenges and I think that was probably why it was put in there.” Porter says if the law stands and there’s more than one candidate vying for an office, some candidates who file papers in mid-March won’t get their party’s endorsement at summertime conventions.

“The Libertarian Party of Iowa and the Green Party — all their candidates would have to file at the same time that the Republicans and Democrats do,” Porter says. “Now, if we had a primary, that would make sense, but since we don’t, that means we cannot get on the ballot later on like it’s always been done.”

The lawsuit has been filed in federal court. There’s been no comment on the lawsuit yet from Governor Reynolds or Republicans who hold the majorities in the Iowa House and Senate.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — A western Iowa Republican lawmaker says he’s holding a campaign fundraiser featuring U.S. Sen. Chuck Grassley at a shooting range despite calls for him to cancel the gun-centered event following weekend mass shootings in Texas and Ohio.

State Rep. Steve Holt says his Sweet Freedom Celebration in Denison remains scheduled Monday night. Holt posted on his campaign Facebook page Sunday that “mental deviants have killed innocent people in El Paso and Dayton” and he offered his prayers. A writer responded that gun safety legislation was needed more than prayers.

Holt then noted his support for the Second Amendment. He blamed the shootings on “the loss of our value system brought about in part by idiotic far-left ideology that forced Biblical values from our schools, the media and the public square…”

Grassley’s staff didn’t immediately verify whether he would attend the event.

A man from Lenox was arrested today (Monday), in Montgomery County. 21-year old Benjamin P. Moreno was taken into custody on a warrant for Violation of Probation, on an original OWI/1st offense charge. Moreno was processed at the Montgomery County Jail, and released after posting bond.

(Radio Iowa) — The Democrat who came within three points of defeating Republican Congressman Steve King in 2018 will run for congress again in 2020.   J.D. Scholten, of Sioux City, released a campaign video ad this (Monday) morning to make the announcement and he’ll hold a campaign rally in his hometown of Sioux City tonight (Monday). A rematch with King is not certain. King faces three G-O-P challengers in the fourth congressional district, although King could run as an independent candidate in November of next year if King loses the June Primary. Republicans hold a voter registration edge of 70-thousand in the fourth congressional district. In 2018, Scholten won the six largest counties in district.

Scholten’s first 2020 campaign video ad is narrated by actor Kevin Costner

CENTERVILLE, Iowa (AP) — Authorities say two bodies were found in a rail car that had carried about 100 tons of steel from Mexico to south-central Iowa. The Daily Iowegian newspaper reports that Iowa Southern Railway workers discovered the bodies Friday when decoupling cars from an engine about 1.5 miles southeast of Centerville. The cars had been pulled there Friday after BNSF railroad dropped them off Thursday in Albia.

Authorities think the two people were killed by the tons of shifting steel that had been loaded in Monterrey, Mexico. It’s unclear when they got into the car. The pair have yet to be identified. The bodies were taken to the Iowa state medical examiner’s office.

OSKALOOSA, Iowa (AP) — A second trial has been scheduled for a woman found guilty nearly five years ago of killing her daughter in south-central Iowa’s Mahaska County. Court records say the trial of Alicia Ritenour is set to begin Sept. 30 and has been moved to Henry County because of intensive news media coverage of the crime and her first trial. Ritenour was convicted of first-degree murder in November 2014.

Authorities went to Ritenour’s Oskaloosa apartment in January 2014 following a 911 call. Officers found 17-month-old Ava Ritenour dead. An autopsy showed she died of head trauma.
Judge Daniel Wilson set aside Ritenour’s conviction in December, agreeing with her arguments that her trial attorney had been ineffective.

The Union County Sheriff’s Office says a Creston resident reported Sunday afternoon,  that sometime between 6-p.m. Saturday and Sunday, someone took his 2016 black single axle dump trailer, while it was parked on 240th, just east of Clover. The loss was estimated at $1,000. Friday night, 30-year old Robert Tyson Hall, of Texas, was arrested at Green Valley State Park, near Creston, for domestic abuse assault. Hall was later released from the Union County Jail on $2,000 bond.

And, a man from Creston, reported that sometime between July 14th and 16th, someone took Snap-On and Craftsman tools and a tool box, from his vehicle. The loss was estimated at $1,000.

CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa (AP) — A nurse anesthetist has pleaded guilty to tampering with opioid painkillers in northern Iowa. Records for the U.S. District Court in Cedar Rapids say Christopher West also pleaded guilty to obtaining a controlled substance by deception. The Waterloo-Cedar Falls Courier reports that West had been accused of ordering extra painkillers so he could use the leftovers. Prosecutors also say West reported several times that painkiller vials broke when he dropped his anesthesia kit at the Floyd County Medical Center in Charles City.

Prosecutors say he actually stole the vials and used the painkillers himself. Hospital officials who’d grown suspicious of West last year also checked a supply of painkiller vials and ampules and found they’d been opened, the painkiller replaced with saline and then glued back together.

The Cass County Board of Supervisors are expected to act on a few matters during their meeting 9-a.m. Tuesday, at the courthouse, in Atlantic. According to the agenda, the Board will act on approving an agreement for additional GIS (Geographic Information System) services. During their meeting last week, Cass County Auditor Dale Sunderman said an employee who was performing some GIS along with other duties, has moved, and the new employee will not be performing those GIS services. Therefore, the County is planning to contract for those additional GIS services. Representatives from Schneider Geospatial (already under contract for other GIS services) and Midland GIS Services presented proposals, which were taken under advisement.

The Board will also act on a Conservation park roadway project funding request. Conservation Director Micah Lee and two Conservation Board members reported last week, on a proposed project to asphalt the roadway at Cold Springs State Park, south of Lewis. The project is estimated cost about $109,000. Lee and the Conservation Board members requested assistance from the County to help fund the project. They suggested the project be paid for with 50% conservation funds and 50% from a ‘general fund’.

And, the Cass County Board of Supervisors will act on approving the County Employee handbook, in addition to hearing regular reports from various Department Heads.

AtlanticFest, presented by First Whitney Bank & Trust, will be held Saturday, August 10th rain or shine. AtlanticFest is an annual festival that serves as a fundraiser for the Atlantic Area Chamber of Commerce. Bailey Smith, Executive Director at the Atlantic Area Chamber of Commerce says “We are so thankful to have so many generous sponsors and community members to help make this event our biggest annual fundraiser for the Chamber. Our sponsorships help cover a lot of the costs of the event, allowing us to raise funds through registration fees, pop stand sales and the 50/50 raffle. We use the funds from AtlanticFest to continue to grow community events while also supporting business-based programs. AtlanticFest is a great event where people can spend the day with the community while supporting local businesses, civic organizations and the Chamber.”

Bailey said also, downtown Atlantic will be filled with fun activities for the whole family to enjoy. Come early and enjoy a pancake breakfast or start the day off with a run through Schildberg Recreation Area in the Annual Road Race with chip timing coming back this year. The Annual Tractor Ride will also be taking place, kicking off at the Cass County Fair Grounds at 8 AM. There will be crafters from all over Southwest Iowa, as well as some of the best food vendors to help satisfy any appetite. Kids can enjoy the pony rides and bounce house and again this year, a family Carnival. The 21st Annual Car Show and Motorcycle Show will be taking place once again this year. And with free entertainment throughout the day, you can’t go wrong.

Registrations for the Car Show, Motorcycle Show and Road Race are going on now or you may show up the day of. If you are interested in being a part of AtlanticFest, please visit www.atlanticiowa.com or call the Chamber at 712-243-3017.

The Chamber thanks its Proud Partners: First Whitney Bank; A.M Cohron & Son; Atlantic Municipal Utilities; Brown Electric; Casey’s General Store; Salute Gymnastics; Villa Dance; Dance Atlantic; Precision Concrete Services; Deter Motor Company; Nishna Valley YMCA; Rush, CPA & Associates; Connect-A-Dock; Cass County Health System; Atlantic Bottling Company; Benning Carpentry, LLC; HyVee; Brocker, Karns & Karns; Brown’s Shoe Fit; Gade Insurance; J&B Amusement; MAHLE Engine Components; Outfitters Outlet Store; R/T Motors, Inc.; Olsen’s Outdoor Power; Hanson’s Fine Jewelry; TW Auto Sales; Rolling Hills Bank & Trust; Lindeman Tractor; Dvorak Tire & Service; SeedPro North; Weirich Welding; Hepler Curbside Recycling & Sanitation; Cook Sanitation; Casey’s General Store; Roland Funeral Home; Airworks; Atlantic Business & Professional Women; Atlantic Home Realty; Atlantic Rock Island Inn & Suites; Downtowner Café & Catering Granny’s Kettle Korn and the Atlantic Community Promotion Commission.