A new poll finds an unusual “gender gap” in Iowa’s U.S. Senate race. Peter Brown is the assistant director of the Quinnipiac University poll. “Normally, women are more likely to vote for women candidates,” Brown says, “but in the U.S. senate race, actually, Bruce Braley — the Democratic candidate — is beating Joni Ernst — the Republican candidate — among women and Ms. Ernst — who would be Iowa’s first female U.S. Senator if she wins — is leading among men.” Braley leads Ernst by 11 percentage points among likely women voters, while Ernst leads Braley among likely male votes by four points.

“Women tend to lean Democratic,” Brown says. “Men tend to lean Republican, so those biases are part of this, but the fact that Ms. Ernst is winning among men but losing among women voters is somewhat noteworthy.” The university’s poll in March — while Ernst was still engaged in a primary against four competitors — found Braley leading Ernst by 13 points. The Quinnipiac survey conducted in mid-June found Braley’s lead over Ernst had shrunk to four percent.

“Because of the very hard-fought Republican Primary race, Iowa voters were subjected to a lot of campaign ads early in this race and that certainly helped introduce Ms. Ernst to voters in what seems to be a positive manner,” Brown says. The poll finds Republicans lining up behind Ernst’s candidacy after the primary contest, with 79 percent of likely Republican voters backing Ernst. Braley got the backing of a greater share of his fellow Democrats — 89 percent.

“The way you win in Iowa is that a candidate has to carry their own party by a larger margin than their opponent carries their party and win among independents,” Brown says. “Independents obviously in Iowa are a huge deal because independents are the largest block of voters in the state.” The poll found independents in Iowa split down the middle on this contest. There are more than 700-thousand voters in Iowa who are registered as “no-party” or independent voters. There are about 600-thousand Republicans and 600-thousand registered Democrats in Iowa. This latest poll has a margin of error of two-point-seven percent. It was conducted from June 12th through the 16th.

(Radio Iowa)

The Harlan City Council approved the 2014 Harlan Housing study conducted by SWIPCO. In a meeting Tuesday, John McCurdy from SWIPCO gave a final presentation on the housing study. McCurdy says there are three main factors driving the housing market in Harlan, “One is attrition. That is the number of homes, because of age, need to be replaced. Another is demographic change that is through the changing population even if you don’t add another person, the changes in demographic will drive. We have smaller household sizes which drive up the demand for housing units. And the third is that there is an increase in income particularly in middle to upper income. We have a pretty steady number of low to moderate income but there is a group that does have some money to spend on housing units.”

He says based on the factors, Harlan would need to make changes annually to keep up with the housing stock, “So our conclusion from the study is based on attrition, the city would need to rehabilitate or replace 10 low to moderate income, typically rental units a year, to keep the housing stock. Based on demographic change, another 10 housing units and those would be of all varying types, would be needed to maintain the housing stock. And then because of this increased affordability or increased income, the higher ends, there is a demand for at least 5 new construction and we turned that into the $165,000 or above range.”

In other business, the Harlan City Council approved a grant application for “The Jacket Store ,” on Market Street, for a new awning, storm door, window, tuck pointing and painting. The grant money is through the downtown upper story/façade funding. The total cost of the project amounts to just over $9,874, with the grant at a 50 percent share of slightly more than $4,937.

And, City Administrator Terry Cox reported to the board the city will go out for bidding on the Runway 15/33 Pavement Rehabilitation Project at the Harlan Municipal Airport. The council will act on those bids on Tuesday, July 15th. Cox also mentioned the Harlan Aquatic Center saw an increase of $8,475 from 2013 in season tickets for families, singles and daily visitors.

(Joel McCall/KNOD)

The Guthrie County Sheriff’s Office is seeking help from the public in solving a recent residential burglary incident. Authorities say sometime between the hours of 5-a.m. and 5-p.m. Monday, a person or persons entered a residence in rural Dexter, located on 310th Street, northwest of Lake Diamondhead.

The burglar or burglars forced their way into the home by destroying the front door and its frame. Once inside, they took possession of numerous items including: a Remington 870 12 gauge shot gun; antique lamps; toy figures; candle holders, and an urn with a loved one’s ashes inside. Also inside the urn was a gold one-third carat, diamond ring.

Anyone with information regarding this day time burglary is urged to contact the Guthrie County Sheriff’s Office at 641-747-2214.

Police in Atlantic say a Union County man was cited following a chain-reaction accident Tuesday evening. Officials say Kolby Shaw, of Creston, was cited for Failure to Maintain Control and Reduce Speed, after the vehicle he was driving rear-ended one vehicle, which in-turn collided with the rear of another vehicle. The accident happened at around 5:20-p.m. near the intersection of 7th and Olive Streets.

Authorities say vehicles driven by Brittney Jensen and Rebekah Rasmussen, both of Atlantic, were traveling east in the 500 block of east 7th Street and both had come to a stop at the intersection. Shaw failed to stop in time and hit the Rasmussen vehicle, causing it to be pushed into the rear of the Jensen vehicle.

Damage from the crash amounted to $8,100.

(9-a.m. News)

w/ Ric Hanson

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The office of Governor Terry Branstad reports the Governor has appointed a southwest Iowa woman to the state’s Electrical Examining Board. Marg Stoldorf, of Red Oak, was appointed, along with Allen DeHeer, of Winterset, and Emily Wuebker, of Afton.

The Iowa Electrical Examinging Board is responsible for: adopting wiring standards that protect public safety; issuing licenses; handling disciplinary matters; setting continuing education standards, and determining inspection fees.

The unpaid position appointments went into effect Tuesday, and are subject to Iowa Senate confirmation.

w/ Ric Hanson

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SIOUX CITY, Iowa (AP) – Officials have been extending levees and preparing for flooding along the Big Sioux River in northwest Iowa and southeast South Dakota. The National Weather Service says the river is expected to crest at nearly 110 feet Saturday, around 18 inches higher than the record set on April 10, 1969. Interstate 29 north of Northshore Drive in North Sioux City, South Dakota, likely will be under water. The service says the river level will rise 19 feet this week in Sioux City.

Officials in Union County, South Dakota, are trying to close a gap in a levee that sits east of I-29 near Northshore Drive. Officials in North Sioux City and Sioux City plan to close floodgates on the earthen levee that protects both cities from Big Sioux floodwaters.

The Atlantic City Council has a relatively light agenda for their meeting this evening, at City Hall. The Council will hold the second reading of an ordinance (required by the FAA & already approved by the Airport Board), pertaining to Airport Land Use and Height Overlay Zoning. The Council held a public hearing on the ordinance during their meeting on June 4th, during which there were no objections or comments. The hearing was followed by the 1st reading of the ordinance, which if adopted after the 3rd reading, will have to be adopted by the Board of Supervisors as well, since the Atlantic Municipal Airport is located just outside of the City limits.

In other business, the Atlantic City Council will discuss and act on the awarding of a contract for auditing services. The City has received proposals for the service from: The State of Iowa; Gronewold, Bell, Kyhnn & Company; and, Faller, Kinchloe & Company, of Des Moines. The City’s Personnel and Finance Committee has reviewed the proposals and is recommending the Council award the contract to the local firm, Gronewold, Bell & Kyhnn. The Committee cited the company’s price and experience in making its recommendation.

The Council is also expected to act on approving a Resolution approving a temporary construction easement and a Storm Sewer Easement agreement with the owner of a property in the 1100 block of Birch Street. The City is in the process of replacing and extending a storm sewer in the area, but never received an easement from the property owner before work began. The owner has since agreed to the temporary easements.

And, the Council will act on approving a resolution establishing a pay plan for all non-union City employees. The plan will be in effect from July 1st, 2014 through June 30th, 2015. It calls for a 3-percent increase in wages and salaries for all non-union employees (with the exception of an adjustment the Council approved last month for the new Wastewater Superintendent). The increase is the same increase granted to the two unions. The funding of the adjustment was included in the adopted Fiscal Year 2015 Budget.

The Adair County Board of Supervisors will hold their regular weekly meeting this (Wed.) morning, in Greenfield. During their 9-a.m. session in the courthouse, the Board will discuss and/or act on several matters, including: a longevity increase; township clerk wages; a transfer resolution; tax credits; a safety policy; Emergency Action Plan; Manure Management Plan Updates and on Manure application complaint correspondence.

In other business, Adair County Engineer Nick Kauffman will discuss a cell phone policy for the Weed Commissioner…SIRWA’s Max Crawford will talk about a Water Upgrade Project, and County Conservation Director Kevin Blazek will update the Board of Supervisors on a Safe Room, and provide a FY 2014 budget update.