DES MOINES – Iowa Secretary of State Paul Pate has announced that nominations are now open for the 2024 John Lewis Youth Leadership Award. Iowans aged 25 or younger who have made a meaningful commitment to addressing civil rights and bringing about authentic change in their communities are eligible. “Many young Iowans will hear throughout their young adulthood that they are the leaders of tomorrow, but I maintain that most of these Iowans are already accomplished leaders in their own right,” said Secretary Pate. “The John Lewis Youth Leadership Award is just one way for our office to recognize the bright young Iowans who are dedicated to making a difference in their communities.”

This will be the third time Iowans have been honored with the John Lewis Youth Leadership Award. Most recently, Secretary Pate recognized SirMichael Carrington Williams-Thomas, a 9^th grader from West Des Moines, and J.J. Kapur, an American Connections Corps Fellow at CultureAll with the award. “Congressman John Lewis has made a long-lasting impact on so many of us and we are honored to recognize his legacy with this award,” Pate said. “So many young Iowans are exemplifying the leadership abilities of Congressman Lewis in their everyday lives, and we are lucky to be a small part of it.”

IA Sec. of State Pate with SirMichael Carrington Williams-Thomas, a 9th grader from West Des Moines, and J.J. Kapur, an American Connections Corps Fellow at CultureAll with the 2023 award.

The John Lewis Youth Leadership Award was established in 2021 by the National Association of Secretaries of State (NASS) as a way for every state to honor the extraordinary accomplishments of Congressman John Lewis. Secretaries of State across the nation are encouraged to recognize gifted, civic-minded young people with demonstrated leadership abilities with the award each year. The deadline to submit nominations is noon on Friday, March 1, 2024.

(Des Moines, IA) – Officials with the Iowa Economic Development Authority (IEDA) have announced a new collaborative agreement with the Iowa International Center (IIC) to manage and facilitate the citizen-to-citizen diplomacy components of Iowa’s Partner States, which were established as an opportunity to build connections between Iowans and the international community. From the first partner state of Yamanashi, Japan, in 1960, to Iowa’s most current relationship established with Kosovo in 2013, the partner states have hosted exchanges in agriculture, law, business, culture and education among other areas.

Debi Durham, director of IEDA and Iowa Finance Authority, says “Iowa’s robust network of partner states has generated goodwill and cooperation and served as the foundation for establishing trade and investment opportunities over the past several decades. As we begin this new chapter, I look forward to exploring greater opportunities for collaboration and ensuring strategic coordination for productive relationships with Iowa and our partner states.”

As a result of the state government realignment efforts this past legislative session, the authority of managing Iowa’s partner state programming, initiatives, functions and relationships formally transitioned from the non-profit Iowa Sister States organization to IEDA on July 1, 2023. IEDA’s International Trade Office now has a position dedicated to managing Iowa’s partner state relationships and the government and business-related exchanges associated with these entities and collaborating with IIC to facilitate the cultural and educational connections.

Founded in 1938, the IIC began by welcoming and providing safety for refugees fleeing Germany and Poland. Since that time, the non-profit has been providing personal and professional opportunities linking Iowans with people from around the world. Today, in addition to offering access to important educational and cultural resources to Iowans, new Iowans and international visitors in Iowa, IIC provides interpretation and translation services and a variety of programming that fosters international understanding and civic diplomacy.

“We look forward to partnering with the State to further strengthen long-held and cherished global relationships. For 85 years Iowa International Center has welcomed hundreds of visiting delegations to Iowa. These people-to-people experiences have reinforced – and often been the catalyst for – important economic and cultural connections. We are honored to assist Governor Reynolds and the Iowa Economic Development Authority with cultural and citizen diplomacy initiatives between Iowa and its Partner State Affiliates,” said Patricia Grote, executive director, Iowa International Center.

Iowa’s current partner states include:

• Yamanashi Prefecture, Japan (1960)
• Yucatan, Mexico (1965)
• Hebei Province, China (1983)
• Terengganu, Malaysia (1987)
• Stavropol Krai, Russia (1988)
• Taiwan (1989)
• Cherkasy Oblast, Ukraine (1996)
• Veneto Region, Italy (1997)
• Kosovo (2013)

(Radio Iowa) – The president of the board that oversees the three state universities is stepping down from that post. Board of Regents President Mike Richards of West Des Moines announced Tuesday he will remain on the board until his term expires at the end of April, but is resigning as president. Richards issued a statement that said he is proud of the accomplishments of the Board in the seven years he has served, but did not give any reason for the timing of his resignation from leadership. Richards was appointed to the Board of Regents by then Governor Terry Branstad in 2016. President Pro Tem Sherry Bates will serve as interim President until a new leadership election is held at a future Board meeting.

(Radio Iowa) – You may be eligible for some help with your heating bill. The federally funded Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program or LIHEAP, partners with local agencies that will cut a check to utilities like MidAmerican Energy to lower the financial strain that comes with higher winter heating bills. Hawkeye Area Community Action Program spokesman, Chris Ackman, says applications have increased with the cold weather. The LIHEAP program doesn’t pay the entire heating bill, but it does free up some money in a household budget. Household income must be at or below 200 percent of the federal poverty guidelines for you to quality. For a household of three, their annual gross income must be 49-thousand dollars or less.

(Radio Iowa) – Iowa Senator Chuck Grassley is being treated in a hospital for an infection. According to a statement from Grassley’s Senate office, Grassley is receiving antibiotic infusions at a hospital in the Washington, D.C. area. He is in good spirits, according to the statement, and will return to work as soon as possible following doctors’ orders. Grassley, who is 90, is the oldest currently serving member of the United States Senate. Grassley often posts on X, the social media platform formerly known as Twitter, and several of his senate colleagues and Iowa elected officials have posted messages on the site, wishing him well.

(Red Oak, Iowa) – A Page County man was arrested Tuesday evening in Red Oak, on a Red Oak Police Department warrant. Authorities say 33-year-old Nicholas Ryan Pruett, of Clarinda, was arrested in the 1100 block of N. 3rd Street, on the warrant for Violation of a No Contact/Protective Order – Contempt of Court. Ryan was being held in the Montgomery County Jail on a $300 bond.

(Creston, Iowa) – Police in Creston report no one was injured after two vehicles collided at an icy intersection, Tuesday afternoon. Authorities say a pickup driven by 33-year-old Jessica Carter, of Creston, was traveling west on Devoe Street at around 4-p.m., and had attempted to stop at the intersection with Division Street, but her vehicle slid through the stop sign, due to the ice/snow covered road.

The pickup struck the right front side of a southbound 2016 pickup, driven by 28-year-old Erendira Ornelas, of Creston. Damage from the collision amounted to $2,500. No citations were issued. Both vehicles were able to be driven from the scene.