The site of Joni Ernst’s inaugural “Roast and Ride” this past weekend is where Republicans intend to hold their Iowa Straw Poll two months from now. Critics call the contest meaningless, as campaigns often buy straw poll tickets for supporters and past winners like Michele Bachmann have fizzled ultimately as candidates. So far no 2016 candidate has committed to participating in this year’s Straw Poll, to be held on the grassy fields near Boone where the Farm Progress Show is often staged.

Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker isn’t an official candidate yet — and he was non-committal Saturday. “Should we be a candidate, we’ll be in Iowa quite a bit,” Walker told reporters. “Whether or not the Straw Poll is a part of that remains to be seen.” Jeb Bush, Marco Rubio, Mike Huckabee and Lindsey Graham have all said they will NOT participate. Ben Berringer of Lake Mills made the trip to Boone this past Saturday and he’s hoping to make the return trip two months from now to see candidates like Ted Cruz, who wasn’t there Saturday.

“We’re going to try to get back, if at all possible,” Berringer said. Republican Congressman Steve King gave a full-throated pitch for the Straw Poll on Saturday, arguing its value is in winnowing the field, especially this year when so many candidates are in the race. “The field does need to be narrowed,” King said. “We don’t want to say, ‘No,’ to anybody, but it does need to be narrowed.”

A recent Des Moines Register/Bloomberg Politics poll found only half of Iowa Republicans think it’s important for candidates to attend the Straw Poll. The event is a fundraiser for the Republican Party of Iowa and tickets to the 2015 Straw Poll are 30 dollars each. The first Iowa Straw Poll was held in Ames in August of 1979. Ever since, it has been held the summer before a presidential campaign year in which Republicans have a competitive race for the White House.

(Radio Iowa)

Here is the latest Iowa news from The Associated Press

AMES, Iowa (AP) — Central Iowa residents are picking up fallen tree limbs and dealing with other minor damage from overnight storms. The storms that moved across the state early Sunday knocked down some trees and traffic lights with 55 mile per hour winds. In Ames, two light poles were sheared off and several sheds in the parking lot of a Lowes store were damaged.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Iowa officials are optimistic after the growth of bird flu cases in the state slowed last week. Iowa Agriculture Secretary Bill Northey tells the Des Moines Register he’s hopeful the disease has been contained in the state. But officials are still working to dispose of millions of chickens and turkeys that were killed to limit the spread of the disease.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Data shows the number of abortions performed annually in Iowa is declining. Between 2010 and 2013, the number of abortions decreased from nearly 5,400 to just over 4,420. That represents an 18.1 percent drop. The Associated Press compiled the data based on information from the Iowa Department of Public Health.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — At least 10 Iowa businesses are now authorized to use drones, so the unmanned aircraft may become more common in the state. The Des Moines Register reports several of the businesses plan to use drones to monitor crops, some will use them to help market real estate while others obtained Federal Aviation Administration approval primarily to experiment with the aircraft.

The Massena City Council will hold a Public Hearing Monday evening, prior to the beginning of their regular session. The 6:30-p.m. hearing is with regard to an Ordinance Adopting the 2015 City of Massena Code of Ordinances.

During the Council’s regular session at 7-p.m., they’ll discuss the Main Street Fence Project, and hold the second reading to approve an Ordinance adjusting sewer rates, followed by approval of the Ordinance discussed during the Public Hearing.

The Massena City Council will also discuss: Air conditioning in the Council’s Chambers; Mulberry Street lights; Signs on Private Property, and a grant agreement with Massena Hillside Harvest, along with taking action on a Resolution setting the date for a public hearing on an Urban Renewal Plan amendment.

Five people were injured Sunday afternoon when a jet ski collided with a dock on the Mississippi River near Bettendorf. 44-year old Daniel Scott Nelson, of Davenport, was operating a jet ski when it hit a dock at Leach Park injuring an adult and four children at approximately 3:15-p.m., Sunday. Nelson was not injured. Three of the people injured sustained head injuries, one sustained a chest injury and one suffered an injured back and hip.

At least three people were thrown into the water by the collision, but were able to get safely to shore. None of those injured is believed to have sustained life threatening injuries. All five of the injured were taken to Genesis East hospital, two by ambulance and three by family members. The names of those injured are not yet being released.

The incident is still under investigation by the Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR). The incident is not alcohol related. The DNR was assisted at the scene by the Bettendorf police and fire departments.

The Atlantic School District’s Board of Education will meet in a regular session Monday evening in the Media Center, at the High School. The meeting begins at 7:30. On the agenda for the evening is special presentations with regard to the Silver Cord Program and 1-to-1 Laptop computer initiative.

Afterward, as part of the Consent Agenda, the Board will act on approving any contracts and/or Letters of Assignment, as well as any resignations. They’ll also act on approving a Resolution for a Voted Physical Plant and Equipment Levy (VPPEL) so it can be put on the September ballot. During the Board’s May 27th meeting, they discussed at length, the placing of a VPPEL on the September School Board Election ballot, and a PPEL Income Surtax charge. The Board was in favor of leaving the Surtax rate open when it comes to acting on the Resolution.

The Atlantic School Board will also act on approving the employment of a High School Guidance Counselor, Middle School Tuckpointing bid, and 2015-16 Administrator/Supervisors contracts.

Police in Red Oak arrested 25-year old Kiley Brian Caron, of Red Oak, Sunday afternoon. Caron was taken into custody just after 2-p.m.  in the 2400 block of N. 8th Street, and charged with Driving While Barred. He was being held in the Montgomery County Jail on $2,000 bond.

Authorities used a stun gun to subdue a man who was being uncooperative with authorities this (Sunday) afternoon, north of Treynor. Initial dispatch reports said the man, who is said to have had military training, may have been armed, suicidal, and under the influence. When a Pottawattamie County Sheriff’s Deputy confronted the subject near 15730 300th Street, he called for assistance, because the subject allegedly refused to turn around and obey commands. The man was Tazed and taken into custody just after 1-p.m.

Medics were called to evaluate the man and treat him for any injuries. Additional details are not available.

AMES, Iowa (AP) — Central Iowa residents are picking up fallen tree limbs and dealing with other minor damage from overnight storms. The storms that moved across the state early Sunday knocked down some trees and traffic lights with 55 mph winds.

In Ames, two light poles were sheared off and several sheds in the parking lot of a Lowes store were heavily damaged. Some windows were broken out at a car wash, and several stop signs were blown over. More than 2 inches of rain fell overnight on parts of Jasper, Webster and Marshall counties.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Data shows the number of abortions performed annually in Iowa is declining. Between 2010 and 2013, the number of abortions decreased from nearly 5,400 to just over 4,420. That represents an 18.1 percent drop.

The Associated Press compiled the data based on information from the Iowa Department of Public Health. Data on abortion rates was collected from health departments in 45 U.S. states that keep such information on a comprehensive basis. It shows the annual number of abortions has declined substantially since 2010 in most states.

Penny Dickey with Planned Parenthood of the Heartland in Iowa says the decline is linked to better access to family planning services like contraception. Jenifer Bowen with Iowa Right to Life argues more pregnancy centers in Iowa are offering counseling services to women.

Residents in the Midwest are once again receiving text messages saying their “ATM/Card/Account is blocked! Please respond…” and a link is provided. It is an attempt by scammers to gain access to your personal information. DO NOT respond to this text message or access the website given. Delete the text message. If you have any questions about your account, call Wells Fargo directly or stop by your local branch.

As with previous attempts at this scam, even persons without a Wells Fargo account are being hit with the text message. It hit Atlantic twice in March, and across Shelby County last month. Various forms of the phishing scam have been in circulation since at least 2011.