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KJAN News can be heard at five minutes after every hour right after Fox News 24 hours a day!
Keep up-to-date with Fox News Radio, Radio Iowa, Brownfield & the Iowa Agribusiness Networks!
The top concerns among the CEOs of the state’s largest businesses haven’t changed much in the new year. Elliott Smith is executive director of the Iowa Business Council (IBC). “Business leaders in the state really continue to be concerned about workforce issues and the availability of the quality, skilled employees that they need,” Smith said.
The IBC has released its annual review of the state’s economic climate — what the group calls the Iowa Competitiveness Index. Smith says the “report card” shows business leaders are struggling to find qualified workers in order to expand their operations or replace employees who are retiring. “It’s been an ongoing issue for a number of years now and it’s a real issue that continues to be on a challenge list for corporate executives, recruiters, and economic development officials,” Smith said. “I think that’s the overriding key priority out of the 2016 Competitiveness Index.”
This is the sixth year the IBC has compiled the Index, which examines data in five areas deemed important to the state’s prosperity; economic growth, education and workforce readiness, governance and fiscal matters, and health and well-being. The index is released just prior to the start of the legislative session. The IBC is pushing state lawmakers to find ways to constrain “explosive” Medicaid costs.
“A lot of that is driven by efficient and effective delivery of services,” Smith said. “A lot of that is also based on better disease prevention and management through addressing all the growing chronic disease conditions in the state and things like obesity and smoking.” In addition to the top executives of the largest businesses in the state, the Iowa Business Council is comprised of the three Regent university presidents, and the president of the Iowa Banking Association.
(Radio Iowa)
Iowans who pay estimated quarterly taxes face their first deadline of the new year next week as fourth quarter taxes are due January 15th. Bob Burger, a C-P-A in Omaha-Council Bluffs, says there are new rules every filing season. The year’s biggest issue is thanks to new requirements under the federal Affordable Care Act, as the penalty is rising for anyone who doesn’t have health care coverage.
“That penalty, if you don’t have health insurance, at a minimum is increasing from $95 in 2014 to $325 for an uninsured household in 2015 and then in 2016, it goes up to $695,” Burger says, “so that’s a significant jump.” As you begin to organize all of your tax paperwork, Berger says don’t forget about contributions to non-profit groups you made during the past year.
“Most of the people don’t realize how big of an advantage charitable donations are,” he says. “Make sure, when you go to the charity, get a receipt and bring that with you because it’s a huge deduction and it benefits both parties.” The I-R-S requires you have proof of such donations, with a cancelled check, a bank or credit card statement, or a letter or receipt from the organization. Donors also need written acknowledgement from the charity for all gifts worth $250 or more.
(Radio Iowa)
Police in Glenwood report the arrest today (Wednesday), of 37-year old Wendy Meadows. The Glenwood woman was arrested for Harassment. Her bond was set at $1000.
The rules regarding use of your driver’s license as a form of I-D at the airport are changing, even for domestic flights. Cass County Treasurer Tracey J. Marshall points to information on the website totalnewswire.com, which says the Department of Homeland Security will begin enforcing what is now a 10-year-old law called the Real ID Act, which set new regulations for sufficient ID for air travel. Passengers have long had to use their federally issued passports for international trips, but for millions of Americans, that may now extend to flights inside of America as well.
Only 22 states are in full compliance with the law. Many more have been granted extensions that will expire by October 10, 2016 (or earlier). However, four states have not received extensions, meaning their residents will be out of luck starting January 10.
In the Midwest, Iowa, Kansas, Nebraska, South Dakota and Wisconsin are in full compliance with the law. Many other states have received temporary extensions through October 10 to comply, while Illinois, Minnesota, and Missouri are not in compliance at all. You can find the full list of States compliant with law, those that have received an extension to comply, and those not in compliance, at http://totalnewswire.com/drivers-license-domestic-flights-new-rules/?trackback=email
If you have any questions, contact Tracey J. Marshall at the Cass County Treasurer’s Office.
More area and State news from KJAN News Director Ric Hanson.
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Atlantic Police say no injuries were reported following a chain-reaction accident Tuesday afternoon, near 7th and Olive Streets. Officials say vehicles driven by Sherrill Clausen, of Atlantic, Shirley Schmitt, of Marne, and Michael Grogan, of Audubon, collided at around 2:30-p.m.
All three vehicles were traveling west on 7th Street, when Clausen and Schmitt slowed for the traffic light. Grogan’s vehicle struck the rear of Schmitt’s vehicle, causing it to be pushed into the rear of the Clausen vehicle. Damage from the collision amounted to $2,200. Police cited Grogan for Following too Close.
Creston Police say no citations were issued and no injuries were reported following a collision Tuesday afternoon at West Taylor Street and Wyoming Avenue. Officials say a 2001 Ford Taurus driven by 29-year old Christina Elizabeth Mills, of Bridgewater, was traveling west on West Taylor Street at around 2:50-p.m., when 43-year old Katharina Jean Davis, of Terre Haute, IN., tried to make a left turn off of Wyoming Avenue. Davis told police she didn’t see the approaching Taurus because of other traffic in the area. Her 2001 Chevy Impala was struck by the Taurus, causing a total of $6,000 damage.
A Madison County woman was arrested Tuesday afternoon in Creston, on a warrant for Fraudulent Practice in the 3rd Degree. Creston Police say 35-year old Jordan Ingram, of Winterset, was arrested at around 2-p.m. at the Union County Law Enforcement Center. Ingram was later released on a $5,000 bond.
20-year old Jacob Davis, of Red Oak, was arrested Tuesday afternoon in Creston, on two Union County warrants for Failure to Appear, on an original charge of Unauthorized Use of a Credit Card (under $1,000), and for Failure to Appear on an OWI/1st offense charge. Davis was being held in the Union County Jail on $3,000 bond.
Creston Police report also, 63-year old Dora Shimer, of Creston, was cited for Failure to Abate Nuisance, on her property at 405 S. Pine Street. Shimer was released on a promise to appear later, in court.
The area’s top news at 7:06-a.m., w/KJAN News Director Ric Hanson
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SIOUX CITY, Iowa (AP) – A former Sioux City high school band director has pleaded not guilty in a student sex case. Court records say 34-year-old Lucas Sursely, of Sioux City, filed a written plea Tuesday to one count of sexual exploitation by a school employee. He resigned from North High School on Dec. 11. His trial is set to begin on April 26.
Authorities say Sursely texted a 15-year-old female student in one of his classes about having sex with her and sent the girl a picture of himself in his underwear.