Iowa Senator Joni Ernst, a Republican from Red Oak, joined colleagues from the Senate Armed Services Committee Tuesday in calling for the Air Force to delay plans to take the A-10 Warthog out of service.

A-10 “WartHog”

Fellow Republican Senator Kelly Ayotte of New Hampshire led the news conference that included Ernst and says the Air Force has given conflicting stories about why it wants to retire the A-10. Ernst, a member of the Iowa National Guard who has served in Iraq, says the plane is a key support tool for troops on the ground.

“My colleagues and I are not here today to fight for a piece of equipment, what we are doing today is fighting for the very lives of our men and women that are serving on the ground in these dangerous areas,” Ernst says. The Air Force says newer planes can do the job of the A-10, but Ernst and the other senators disagree.

“I have heard over and over and over again from many colleagues that they would not be here today, with us, if it weren’t for the A-10,” Ernst says. “We do not have a comparable platform at this time. And bottom line again, we’re not fighting for a piece of equipment, we’re fighting for the lives of our American men and women.” Ernst was asked about the need to modernize the equipment used by the military. She says is interested in modernizing the equipment, but that’s not needed in the case of the A-10.

“Like many folks will say ‘if it ain’t broke, why fix it?’ We have a platform that works and is relied upon by so many of our fighters on the ground. So, if it’s working, it’s something we need to support,” according to Ernst. Ernst and others say the A-10 is key in the fight against ISIS. Arizona Senator John McCain, the chair of the committee, also spoke at the news conference.

Of the less than three-dozen votes cast during a special election held Tuesday, in Griswold, a majority of those who took the time to cast their ballot, voted in favor of a public measure that reduces the Mayor’s term from four-years, to two.

Cass County Auditor Dale Sunderman reports 32 ballots were cast during the election, with 28 of the 32 approving the measure. The results of Tuesday’s election will become official when the votes are canvassed by the Cass County Board of Supervisors.

Here is the latest Iowa news from The Associated Press

SIOUX CITY, Iowa (AP) — A jury has found a 20-year-old Denison man guilty of killing two elderly people and trying to burn their bodies. Jurors delivered the guilty verdict to Jayden Chapman, convicting him of two counts of first-degree murder and reckless use of fire in the deaths of 80-year-old Marvin Huesling and 81-year-old Alice Huisenga.

MOSCOW, Iowa (AP) — Authorities say a southeast Iowa man and the horse he was riding were killed by a lightning strike. The Muscatine County Sheriff’s Office says 35-year-old William J. “Billy” Clevenger and his horse died when they were struck by lightning near Moscow in rural Muscatine County.

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Turkey farmer Greg Langmo says he knew right away when the flock that usually clustered around him turned lethargic that his Minnesota farm had been struck by the bird flu that has shaken the poultry industry. Langmo lost more than 30,000 turkeys at his farm near Litchfield, and expects to lose well over $100,000 even after partial government compensation. The bird flu has affected nearly 28 million chickens and turkeys at over 100 Midwest farms, mostly in Minnesota and Iowa. Langmo plans to cut expenses until he can start raising and marketing turkeys again. But he says if his bank account runs dry first, he’s finished.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Gov. Terry Branstad wants to end to a perplexing abortion restriction adopted in Iowa two years ago. The Republican governor’s proposed Health and Human Services budget doesn’t renew a requirement that he sign off on any payments for publicly funded abortions. Lawmakers adopted that policy, which effectively halted state reimbursements for abortion under Medicaid because providers stopped submitting the claims.

SIOUX CITY, Iowa (AP) — A jury has found a 20-year-old Denison man guilty of killing two elderly people and trying to burn their bodies. Jurors delivered the guilty verdict Tuesday to Jayden Chapman, convicting him of two counts of first-degree murder and reckless use of fire in the deaths of 80-year-old Marvin Huesling and 81-year-old Alice Huisenga.

The Omaha World-Herald reports Chapman testified Monday in his own defense, saying he shot Huisenga because another man, 27-year-old Michael Schenk, gave him the gun. Chapman said Schenk threatened to kill him if he didn’t shoot. Authorities say Schenk and Chapman shot the pair in March 2014 at a trailer home in Deloit and then set it on fire. Schenk was sentenced in March to two life terms for his role in the slayings.

The Atlantic City Council will meet Wednesday evening in the Council’s Chambers, at City Hall. During their 5:30-p.m. session, the Council will act on a Resolution accepting the work for the 2013 Street Improvement Projects, and on several street closures for special events.

Among those events, is “Produce in the Park,” which will take place every Thursday from June 4th through October 16th, and during which 4th Street is expected to be closed from Chestnut Street west, to the alley between Chestnut and Poplar, from 4-until 7-p.m.  That same stretch of road is likely to be closed for “Crazy Days,” which is set for July 18th. And, the Council is expected to act on closing 6th Street from Chestnut to Poplar, October 9th and 10th, from 4-until 8-pm both days, for a Picnic Celebration honoring our firefighters, the event precedes the annual Fireman’s Parade.

In other business, the Atlantic City Council, Wednesday, will act on approving a parade permit for the May 16th “Ba-Da Ba-Da Bing Bang Rally.” They’ll also hear a presentation from Dave Chase, with Nishna Valley Trails (NVT), with regard to Surface Transportation Program (STP) Funds, and an Order of Support to seek up to $80,000 from the STP for NVT-related projects.

The Council is also expected to act on the first reading of an ordinance for prohibited parking within designated construction zones, with regard to re-routed traffic during the DOT’s 7th Street/Highway 6 construction project. And, they’ll likely act on an order setting May 20th as the date to fill a vacancy on the Council by appointment, if a candidate is selected. Councilperson Lori Stuart had earlier announced she would be stepping down from her seat in preparation for her family’s move to Cedar Rapids. The person appointed to fill her seat would hold the position until at least this fall’s election, at which time the voters will affirm or reject the appointment.

The Atlantic City Council will also set the date for a Public Hearing on an amendment to the Fiscal Year 2015 Budget. City Administrator John Lund has indicated only a few adjustments are needed for this current fiscal year, the reasons for which will be explained during the Wednesday’s meeting.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Legislation that would make it harder for two energy projects to win eminent domain rights has passed another legislative hurdle in the Iowa Senate. The Senate Government Oversight Committee approved the bill Tuesday. Under the proposal, a project seeking eminent domain to build through private properties could get permission only after negotiating voluntary deals for at least 75 percent of the affected land.

The proposed change could impact two current proposals, both before the Iowa Utilities Board. One is to build an oil pipeline that would ship 450,000 barrels daily from production sites in North Dakota to an oil hub in Illinois. The other proposal is to build an electrical line across 16 Iowa counties that would transmit wind-generated energy from Iowa to customers in the Midwest and East Coast.

The Cass County Board of Supervisors will meet Wednesday morning at their Boardroom in the Courthouse. During their session, which begins at 8:30-a.m., the Board will act on appointing a Cass Township Trustee to fill a vacancy term through 2016. They’ll also appoint a representative to SIRHA (the Southern Iowa Regional Housing Authority), to fill a vacancy through 2017.

Other business includes:Approval of the third Amendment to the Cooperative Reimbursement Agreement with Department of Human Services, Bureau of Collections (Child Support); Accepting or rejecting the bids for a bridge replacement project. The bridge (#83) is located over Baughman Creek.

The Board will also receive a quarterly report from Cass County Veterans Affairs Director Mitch Holmes, and regular reports from the Cass County Attorney, Engineer, and Mental Health/Disabilities Services & General Assistance Director.

The Cass County Sheriff’s Office reports one person was arrested Monday on drug and other charges. 33-year old Bo Wilson, of Lewis, was arrested for Criminal Mischief in the 3rd Degree, Possession of Marijuana/1st Offense, Domestic Abuse Assault/1st Offense, Obstruction of Emergency Communications, and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia.

Wilson was taken to the Cass County Jail where he was released today (Tuesday), on his own recognizance.

The Glenwood Police Department reports the arrest today (Tuesday), of 20-year old Dylan Conn. The Glenwood man was taken into custody on charges that include Interference With official acts, Carrying weapons, obstruction prosecution or defense, 2 counts of possession of paraphernalia, and Unlawful possession of prescription drug. His cash bond was set at $6,600.