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Gov. Reynolds Announces Appointments to Iowa’s Boards and Commissions

News

July 1st, 2024 by Ric Hanson

DES MOINES – Today, Gov. Kim Reynolds announced appointments to Iowa’s boards and commissions. 

 The following appointments of the following from around the KJAN listening area, are subject to Senate confirmation (name/County): 

 Commission of Deaf Services   

Dustin Blythe, Dallas County

Tina Caloud, Pottawattamie County 

Board of Behavioral Health Professionals 

Lora Keipper, Dallas  

Plumbing and Mechanical Systems Board 

Randy Watts, Cass 

Jeffrey Miller, Pottawattamie     

Real Estate Commission 

Tanner Westberg, Dallas 

Accountancy Examining Board 

Jessica Richter, Dallas 

Lindsay Knoop, Dallas  

Board of Mortuary Science 

Martin Rieken, Pottawattamie 

John Parrish, Dallas 

Kelsey Lo, Dallas   

Landscape Architectural Examining Board 

Nate Weitl, Madison   

Real Estate Appraiser Examining Board 

Tonya Eller, Crawford  

Board of Speech Pathology and Audiology 

Caitlin McKenney, Dallas  

Architectural Examining Board 

Dan Dutcher, Dallas   

Interior Design Examining Board 

Cathy Koch, Dallas  

Engineering and Land Surveying Examining Board 

David Tallon, Harrison

State Workforce Development Board  

Jessica Dunker, Dallas  

The following appointments are not subject to Senate confirmation: 

Iowa Arts Council  

Donna Dostal, Pottawattamie

Council on Agricultural Education 

Ben Booth, Carroll  

Council for Early ACCESS 

Dr. Shelley Horak, Dallas

Statewide Interoperable Communications System Board (ISICS):

Jeffery Vanderwater, Adair 

Fire Service and Emergency Response Council  

Pamela Kenkel, Dallas 

State Banking Council 

Debora Quandt, Crawford 

State Casino revenue trending flat for the fiscal year

News

July 1st, 2024 by Ric Hanson

(Radio Iowa) – The state fiscal year ends on June 30th and it looks like revenue from casino gambling is going to be down slightly. Racing and Gaming Administrator, Tina Eick says that’s been the trend through May. She says they are down less than two percent through May. The June numbers are expected to show the same thing once they completed.

“Keep in mind we are coming off a couple of really good post COVID years for AGR (adjusted gross revenue), so we have been trending upwards, but I would say this year we’re trending flat,” she says.

Gambling revenue in the last fiscal year was one-point-seven BILLION dollars.

Higgins Named Walter Camp Preseason First-Team All-American

Sports

July 1st, 2024 by Asa Lucas

IOWA CITY, Iowa — University of Iowa fifth-year senior Jay Higgins has been named a 2024 Walter Camp Preseason First-Team All-American, it was announced Monday by the Walter Camp Foundation.

It is Higgins’ third preseason honor as he was also selected as a preseason first-team All-American by Phil Steele and Athlon. He was also named the Phil Steele Preseason Defensive Player of the Year.

The Hawkeyes had three Walter Camp All-Americans in 2023 (Cooper DeJean, Tory Taylor, Higgins) and the program has had at least one Walter Camp All-American in each of the last 10 years (dating back to 2014).

The Indianapolis native started at middle linebacker in all 14 games in 2023, leading the team with 171 tackles (79 solo, 92 assists).  The figure tied an Iowa single season school record, led the Big Ten and ranked third nationally.   He finished with 15+ tackles in three games and 10+ tackles in 10 contests.

Higgins earned All-America distinction from eight different outlets a season ago and was Iowa’s Roy Carver Most Valuable Player on defense for a unit that ranked fourth nationally, surrendering 14.8 points per game.

The Hawkeyes open the 2024 season Aug. 31, hosting Illinois State at 11 a.m. (CT) inside Kinnick Stadium.

SWITA adds new Maintenance Assistant and Scheduler

News

July 1st, 2024 by Ric Hanson

ATLANTIC, Iowa- Southwest Iowa Transit Agency (SWITA) reports they have recently added two new members to the office team in Atlantic. Kyle Rock has taken the role of Maintenance Assistant and Michael Wolff was added as a Transit Scheduler.

Kyle comes to SWITA from the AHSTW School District and resides in Avoca. He graduated from Avoca and has a varied work background from teaching/coaching to beverage sales to driving. Kyle said he knew about SWITA’s services for a long time because his sister uses the service, and he came to SWITA to be a driver. It happened to work out that the Maintenance Assistant position would come open around the time he was set to join the team. With his background it was a great fit that gave him the type of hours he was looking for. Kyle will help to maintain the SWITA fleet and facilities, while also helping with driving as needed.

Kyle Rock

Michael comes to SWITA from Austin, Texas. He moved with his fiancé, son, and two dogs to be closer to family in the area. They moved up to Oakland with his parents while they search for a place in Atlantic. He found out about the position from his father, who is a driver for SWITA.

Michael Wolff

Gov. Reynolds Issues Open Letter to Iowans on Department of Labor’s Excessive Fines on Iowa Businesses

News

July 1st, 2024 by Ric Hanson

(Updated) – Governor Kim Reynolds says the needs and challenges of today’s workforce have changed — and the U-S Department of Labor is enforcing outdated child labor rules on Iowa businesses. Reynolds has released what she describes as an open letter to Iowans, criticizing federal fines being proposed against Iowa businesses that have employed minors beyond 7 p.m. on school nights. Reynolds signed a state law in 2023 that said 14 and 15 year olds could work until 9 p.m. during the school year and until 11 p.m. in the summertime.

Reynolds says while the extra two hours of nighttime work looks like a sensible option to most Iowans, she says the federal government is treating it like a sinister plot. The governor says for decades Iowa and more than 20 other states have let young teens work more hours than is allowed under federal standards and Iowa businesses are being singled out by heavy-handed federal bureaucrats.

A spokesperson for the U-S Department of Labor says it is dangerous and irresponsible for Iowa’s governor and state legislature to undermine federal child labor protections amidst a rise in child labor exploitation in this country. Democrats in the legislature who voted against the law say they warned Republicans and business groups pressing for the changes the state law violated federal standards.

Lacasse Makes Canadian National Team

Sports

July 1st, 2024 by Asa Lucas

OTTAWA, CANADA – University of Iowa graduate Cloé Lacasse (‘14) was named to the Canadian women’s national team on Monday. Lacasse will compete at the 2024 Paris Olympics from July 25 to Aug. 10.

The Ontario, native, becomes the first Iowa women’s soccer product to compete at Olympics.

“Congratulations to Cloe on a monumental achievement,” said Head Coach Dave DiIanni. “This is truly an example of her commitment and perseverance to develop, grow and challenge the environments she has been put in along the way as a professional soccer player in order to accomplish her most lofty goals.

“We are so proud of her, as she represents Iowa Soccer with the utmost class and excellence.”

Lacasse is one of six forwards selected to join the 18-player roster. Formerly a two-time All-Big Ten First Team honoree, Lacasse currently plays for Women’s Super League club Arsenal in the United Kingdom.

Canada is one of 12 participating nations at this year’s Olympic Games. The Canadian women’s national team won gold at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics and is the only squad to have reached the podium in each of the last three Olympic Games.

Hawkeye history is nothing new for Lacasse, who was part of the first NCAA Tournament qualifying team in program history during the 2013 season. Lacasse is tied for first in Iowa program history for career points (112) and sits atop the Hawkeye record book in career shots (306).

Nunn Secures $1 Million for Indian Hills Community College Truck Driver Education Center

News

July 1st, 2024 by Ric Hanson

OTTUMWA, IOWA — U.S. Representative Zach Nunn (IA-03) today announced that he secured a $1 million investment for a new driving pad at the Indian Hills Community College Truck Driver Education Center in Ottumwa.

“It’s time we start telling the truth: a four-year degree isn’t the only pathway to success. Hands-on learning opportunities open doors for Iowans to good-paying jobs,” said Rep. Nunn. “Indian Hills Community College and other community colleges in Iowa offer critical programs that help Iowans achieve success. This is a key investment to support Iowa’s workforce and economy.”

Rep. Nunn secured $1 million through the Community Project Funding process, which allows members to designate funding for critical initiatives. The funding was included in the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2024 that was signed into law on Saturday, March 9, 2024.

“We are excited for the announcement and thankful to Congressman Zach Nunn for his diligent work to help secure federal funding that will support improvements to the Commercial Truck Driving Skills Training Facility at the Indian Hills North Campus,” said Dr. Matt Thompson, President of Indian Hills Community College. “Our goal is to continue to increase the number of trained commercial truck drivers to meet regional and statewide workforce needs. Commercial drivers earn great wages and are in significant demand. This project will assist Indian Hills in recruiting and training more drivers to meet the needs of business and industry across our 10 County Region.”

The $1 million investment will assist Indian Hills Community College in constructing a new Commercial Driving Skills Pad at the North Campus in Ottumwa.

Rep. Nunn announced the new funding investment during a press conference with Indian Hills Community College President Matt Thompson at the North Campus Workforce Training Center.

Iowa State Announces Big 12 Football Media Day Participants

Sports

July 1st, 2024 by Asa Lucas

AMES, Iowa – Iowa State wide receivers Jayden Higgins and Jaylin Noel, defensive lineman J.R. Singleton and defensive back Beau Freyler will represent the Cyclones at Big 12 Football Media Day on July 9 in Las Vegas.

Iowa State’s top two leaders in receptions, receiving yards and touchdown receptions a year ago, Higgins and Noel form one of the league’s most exciting pass-catching duos. Noel hauled in 66 passes for 820 yards and seven scores while Higgins tallied 983 yards and six touchdowns on 53 receptions.

Higgins, a South Miami, Fla. native, comes off a season where he averaged 18.5 yards per catch, the seventh-best single-season average in school history, and was second in the Big 12 averaging 75.6 receiving yards per game.

Noel’s impact was felt beyond the offensive side of the ball last season. He became the first FBS player since 2014 to have four 50-plus yard receptions, two 50-yard kick returns and two 30-yard punt returns in a season. His 66 catches were the seventh-most in a single season in school history and the fourth-most among Big 12 players in 2023.

Singleton turned in his best season as a Cyclone a year ago, playing in all 13 games with eight starts. He logged 22 tackles and a career-best 3.5 sacks and eight quarterback hurries.

A Second Team All-Big 12 selection by the Associated Press last season, Freyler led the ISU defense with 107 tackles, tied for fourth among Big 12 players, to become the first Cyclone to reach 100 tackles in a season since 2017. The Colorado Springs, Colo. native also had three interceptions and five pass breakups.

Big 12 Football Media Days run July 9-10 at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas.

Former Adair Police Chief sentenced to 5-years in prison

News

July 1st, 2024 by Ric Hanson

DES MOINES, Iowa – The Adair Police Chief was sentenced yesterday (Monday) to 60 months in federal prison for conspiring to make false statements to the ATF, making false statements to the ATF, and illegal possession of a machine gun.

According to public court documents and evidence presented at trial and sentencing, since July 2018, Bradley Eugene Wendt, 47, has been the Chief of Police for Adair, Iowa. He is also the owner of BW Outfitters, a federal firearms licensee in Denison, Iowa. Evidence at trial showed that, between July 2018 and August 2022, Wendt used his position as Chief of Police to obtain machine guns for his own personal use and profit, including to buy machine guns for his own store.

Generally, machine guns made after May 1986 are illegal to transfer and possess. But law enforcement agencies can buy machine guns for their official use and an authorized dealer can get machine guns to demonstrate to a police department for the department’s future possible purchase. If a police department wants to purchase or receive a demonstration of a machine gun, it can submit a letter to ATF, referred to as a “law letter,” expressing its need for and interest in the machine gun.

Between July 2018 and August 2022, Wendt wrote nearly 40 law letters, requesting the purchase or demonstration of 90 machine guns for the Adair Police Department. In the law letters to purchase machine guns for his two-man department, Wendt said he was buying the machine guns for the official use of his department and was not getting the machine guns for resale. In the law letters requesting demonstrations of machine guns, Wendt said the Adair Police Department wanted a demonstration for the department’s future possible purchase of the requested machine guns.

A jury found that Wendt made false statements in several of the law letters, convicting him of one count of conspiracy to make false statements to the ATF and eight counts of making a false statement to the ATF. Evidence at trial showed that Wendt purchased machine guns for the Adair Police Department, but later resold those machine guns at a personal profit of nearly $80,000. The evidence also showed Wendt used demonstration law letters to purchase machine guns for his own gun store, BW Outfitters, including a .50 caliber machine gun called a “Ma Deuce,” which he immediately mounted to his personally owned armored Humvee.

Wendt was also convicted of one count of illegal possession of a machine gun, based on his personal possession of a belt-fed, M60 machine gun registered to the Adair Police Department. Wendt, along with his gun store BW Outfitters, hosted a machine gun shoot in April 2022, where he charged the public to shoot machine guns, including several registered to the Adair Police Department. The jury found Wendt was not acting within the scope of his official duties when he possessed the M60 machine gun.

Wendt was ordered to pay a $50,000 fine. After completing his term of imprisonment, Wendt will be required to serve a three-year term of supervised release. There is no parole in the federal system.

FBI Omaha Special Agent in Charge Eugene Kowel said “We expect law enforcement officers to uphold their oath to protect and serve our communities. Instead, Brad Wendt broke the law and betrayed the community by unlawfully obtaining and selling firearms for his own personal profit. The FBI remains steadfast in aggressively investigating and bringing to justice those who misuse their authority for personal gain.”

“Wendt was held accountable for committing a betrayal of the public’s trust by engaging in this machine gun trafficking scheme for personal gain,” stated Gordon N. Mallory, Acting Special Agent in Charge of ATF’s Kansas City Division. “This sentence sends a loud message to anyone in public service: if they betray their oath of office and their responsibility to their community, they will be held accountable.”

United States Attorney Richard D. Westphal of the Southern District of Iowa, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms (ATF), and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) made the announcement. “At its core this case was about false statements, driven by the personal ambition of man who saw his badge as a means to an end, rather than a calling.,” stated U.S. Attorney Richard Westphal, “Thank you to our dedicated law enforcement partners at FBI and ATF, and a hard-working prosecution team for pursuing a challenging case and holding Brad Wendt accountable.” This case was investigated by ATF and FBI, and prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Mikaela Shotwell, Shai Gonzales, and Ryan Leemkuil.

Hawkeyes Qualify for Henley Royal Regatta

Sports

July 1st, 2024 by Asa Lucas

LONDON – The University of Iowa women’s rowing team qualified for the Henley Royal Regatta this past week. Iowa’s Varsity Eight will compete in the Island Challenge Cup and the Varsity Four will compete in the Princess Grace Challenge Cup.

Iowa’s V8 will take on Edinburgh University in the first round of the Island Challenge Cup on Wednesday. Iowa’s V4 will race Twickenham R.C. & Trentham B.C on Thursday. Times for these races are still to be determined.

For more information on draws, race times, and live streaming: https://www.hrr.co.uk/.

First held in 1839, the event has been held annually ever since, with the exception of the years affected by the two World Wars and the COVID-19 pandemic. Originally staged by the mayor and people of Henley as a public attraction with a fair and other amusements, the emphasis rapidly changed so that competitive amateur rowing became its main purpose. The Regatta took place on a single afternoon but proved so popular with oarsmen that the racing lasted for two days from 1840. Today, the regatta is staged for six days, ending on the first Sunday in July.

The Henley Royal Regatta is “the most prestigious regatta in the world,” according to its website. Races are held on the River Thames, one of London’s main attractions.

QUOTING HEAD COACH JEFF GARBUTT

“I could not be more proud of this group of Hawkeyes. They have handled every challenge that has been thrown their way this year. Being able to travel for the last two weeks and preparing for the weekend ahead has been a privilege to watch. This group has done a wonderful job bonding and growing over these past few weeks. To have both boats qualify for the Henley Royal Regatta is a special thing, anyone who has experienced this level of racing in England understands that.”