(Radio Iowa) – Florida Governor Ron DeSantis is in the midst of his first campaign swing through Iowa since kicking off his campaign for president last week. DeSantis spoke at a West Des Moines church Tuesday night and he got several standing ovations from the crowd during his remarks. “Our great American comeback starts by sending Joe Biden back to his basement in Delaware,” DeSantis said. DeSantis called on like-minded Americans to run for seats in congress and join him in countering the elites in politics, in corporate America and in education.

“I think the parents of this country are really going to rise up in 2024. I think this is going to be a central issue: Do you support the rights of parents to direct the education and upbringing of their children?” DeSantis did not specifically call for House Republicans to reject the federal debt deal, but he said it would not solve the nation’s fiscal problems. “D.C. doesn’t produce much of anything besides mountains of debt and loads of hot air,” DeSantis said, to cheers. “…Stop passing the buck to subsequent generations to clean up your mess.”

DeSantis did not use the phrase “drain the swamp” as Donald Trump did during the 2016 campaign, but DeSantis said as president he would attack the “administrative state” in the executive branch. “It requires a disciplined, energetic president who will spit nails and fight the needed battles every day over an eight year period,” DeSantis said. “…You need to start cleaning house on day one.” DeSantis took questions from reporters after the event. He said it was ridiculous for Trump to say New York’s governor handled the pandemic better than he did in Florida.

“But it is an indication that the former president would double down on his lockdowns from March of 2020,” DeSantis said. Alan Daut of Altoona says DeSantis is the only Republican who can win in 2024.  “That’s the most critical and important thing, to win,” Daut says. “Trump was a good president. He did a great job from my perspective, but winning is everything.” A few people in the crowd cited the Florida governor’s age as they talked about DeSantis. He’s 32 years younger than Trump. Matt Stewart of Altoona put it this way.

“I don’t want another geezer General Election,” Stewart said. Lee Thornburgh of West Des Moines likes DeSantis, but isn’t ready to say he’ll Caucus for DeSantis. “He’s definitely in the running,” There’s so much time available, it’s hard to say so right at this moment,” he said. “I’d like to hear some other people, but I think he’s done a great job.”

DeSantis will campaign in Sioux City, Council Bluffs, Pella and Cedar Rapids today (Wednesday).

(Radio Iowa) – Two of the four Iowans who serve in the U.S. House say they’re likely to vote for the plan that would slow federal spending in the future and immediately raise the government’s borrowing authority. However, under certain circumstances, they might vote no. Republican Congresswoman Marianette Miller-Meeks of LeClaire says elements of the plan are common sense, like recouping 30 BILLION dollars in unspent COVID recovery money.

“COVID relief funds were supposed to be timely, targeted and temporary,” Miller-Meeks says. “They’re not supposed to be ongoing spending funds for agencies, so I think that’s important.” Miller-Meeks says it’s time to restart the monthly student loan payments that were suspended at the beginning of the pandemic — that’s part of the plan as well. Miller-Meeks says the House G-O-P is proving that it can govern and she plans on supporting the package, unless there are major changes made to it.

“We know that our debt and our deficit is on a trajectory that is unsustainable. It puts us at risk. It’s a national security risk as well, but we also knew that defaulting or a government shutdown was not the way to go, so we put forward a responsible, reasonable plan,” Miller-Meeks says. “It was very pragmatic.” Congressman Zach Nunn, a Republican from Bondurant, says he wants an assurance that Senate Democrats will back the plan.

“I think there’s a chance that the Senate could stonewall this thing long enough that we get into a very difficult situation,” Nunn says. “I don’t want any one senator to be the reason the United States defaults for its first time in U.S. history.” Both Miller-Meeks and Nunn say the plan’s limit on non-defense spending over the next two years is key.

“I think the time has come for us to move forward with a plan that helps drives down national spending and make sure the United States does not default,” Nunn says. “Those are my first two priorities going into it and from this I think there are a lot of good things that can happen.” Neither Republican Congresswoman Ashley Hinson of Marion nor Republican Congressman Randy Feenstra of Hull have commented on the deal.

DES MOINES – Today, Gov. Reynolds authorized the deployment of approximately 100 Iowa National Guard troops and 30 Department of Public Safety personnel to help secure the U.S. Southern border. The announcement comes one week after Gov. Reynolds and fellow Republican Governors received a security briefing from Texas Governor Greg Abbott and a request to support Operation Lone Star to help secure the border following the end of Title 42. 

“The crisis we are experiencing is a direct result of a dereliction of duty by President Biden. The consequences of an open border can be felt across the country as fentanyl and the cartels threaten our communities,” said Governor Kim Reynolds. “While the White House chooses to do nothing, Republican Governors stand ready to protect our states’ interests.” 

The approximately 100 Iowa National Guard troops will deploy for 30 days in August. The 30 Department of Public Safety personnel will deploy for 30 days in September.  In June 2021, Gov. Reynolds approved sending nearly 30 Iowa State Patrol troopers to Texas as part of Operation Lone Star. During the first deployment, Iowa troopers assisted with 240 criminal arrests, 51 vehicle pursuits and seizures of 948 pounds of marijuana, 37 pounds of cocaine and methamphetamine, 18 firearms, and $1.7 million dollars. 

“Two years ago, the Iowa Department of Public Safety provided humanitarian aid and public safety assistance along our nation’s southern border. Our officers experienced first-hand the challenges of a chaotic border and provided much needed aid and assistance to our colleagues at the Texas Department of Public Safety,” said Iowa Department of Public Safety Commissioner Stephan K. Bayens. “Their need for help is even greater today, and we stand ready to support them without compromising our duties to our home state.” 

“The Iowa National Guard is trained, prepared and Always Ready to aid in protecting Iowans, our communities, and nation,” said Adjutant General of the Iowa National Guard, Major General, Stephen Osborn. “Our units stand ready to deploy and conduct missions that are needed to secure our border and safeguard the American people.” 

DAVENPORT, IA – A federal grand jury in Davenport returned an indictment on May 22, 2023, charging 12 Quad Cities men with offenses related to a racketeering conspiracy, who conspired to engage in a years-long pattern of violence, including murder, attempted murders, robbery, and drug trafficking.

As alleged in this indictment, those charged were members and associates of a criminal organization or Enterprise known as the “Arsenal Courts Posse a/k/a Zone Fifth a/k/a Fifth Street Mafia a/k/a Rock Town Money Getters (RTMG) a/k/a Money Team,” whose members and associates engaged in acts of violence. The Enterprise’s origins began in Rock Island, Illinois, in the late 1990s and early 2000s.

At that time, members and associates of the Enterprise referred to themselves as the Arsenal Courts Posse. Arsenal Courts was the former name of Century Woods, a housing complex which members or associates of the Enterprise lived in or frequented on a regular basis. The housing complex is located in the 1400 block of Fifth Street. Between 2009 and 2011, the younger members and associates of the Enterprise began referring to themselves as “Zone Fifth” or “Fifth Street Mafia” continuing to represent the location of the Enterprise’s territory.

As alleged in this indictment, the principal purposes and objectives of the Enterprise were to distribute controlled substances, obtain money and things of value, and earn and maintain respect in the Quad Cities. To achieve those purposes and objectives, members and associates of the Enterprise committed acts involving murder, robbery, threatened to commit acts of violence, and trafficking of controlled substances.

The following members and associates of the Enterprise are charged in the Indictment and are all from Rock Island, Illinois:

• Ricky Lee Childs, Jr., 38, is charged with racketeering conspiracy. As part of this investigation, he was previously charged with felon in possession of a firearm and sentenced to 110 months of imprisonment.1 Between both charges, he is facing a maximum sentence of 30 years of imprisonment.
• Don Christopher White, Jr., 37, is charged with racketeering conspiracy and felon in possession of a firearm. As part of this investigation, White was previously charged with felon in possession of a firearm.2 White is facing a maximum sentence of 40 years of imprisonment.

• Devell Carl Lewis, 35, is charged with racketeering conspiracy. He is facing a maximum sentence of 20 years of imprisonment. In addition, Lewis is scheduled to be sentenced in August 2023 on federal drug charges out of Rock Island, Illinois.
• Deaguise Ramont Hall, 34, is charged with racketeering conspiracy. He is facing a maximum sentence of 20 years of imprisonment.
• Simmeon Terrell Hall, 34, is charged with racketeering conspiracy. He is facing a maximum sentence of 20 years of imprisonment.
• Brandon Deshane Branigan, 32, is charged with racketeering conspiracy. As part of this investigation, Branigan was previously charged with felon in possession of a firearm.4 Branigan is facing a maximum sentence of 30 years of imprisonment.
• Rasheem Damonte Bogan, 31, is charged with racketeering conspiracy and felon in possession of a firearm. He is facing a maximum sentence of 30 years of imprisonment. In addition, Bogan is scheduled to be sentenced in August 2023 on federal drug charges out of Rock Island, Illinois.5
• Raheem Jacques Houston, 30, is charged with racketeering conspiracy and felon in possession of a firearm. He is facing a maximum sentence of 30 years of imprisonment. In addition, in August 2023, Houston is scheduled to be sentenced on federal drug charges out of Rock Island, Illinois.6
• Michael Linn Cross, 30, is charged with racketeering conspiracy. He is facing a maximum sentence of 20 years of imprisonment.
• Lashawn D James Hensley, 30, is charged with racketeering conspiracy. He is facing a maximum sentence of 20 years of imprisonment.
• Devante Atwell French, 29, is charged with racketeering conspiracy and felon in possession of a firearm. He is facing a maximum sentence of 30 years of imprisonment.
• Timothy Justin Beaver, 28, is charged with racketeering conspiracy. He is facing a maximum sentence of 20 years of imprisonment.

The Indictment may be viewed here:
https://www.justice.gov/d9/2023-05/arsenal_courts_posse_indictment.pdf.

Timothy Beaver, Simmeon Hall, and Deaguise Hall made their initial court appearance on May 25, 2023, before U.S. Magistrate Judge Stephen B. Jackson, Jr. of the United States District Court for the Southern District of Iowa. The remaining defendants will make their initial court appearances on later dates.

As part of this investigation, in September 2022, Sinae Coral Lucille Tate, 33 of the Quad Cities, was charged with making false declarations to a federal grand jury regarding Don White’s use of her 2005 Pontiac Grand Prix during two of the overt acts in the racketeering conspiracy. On April 20, 2023, Tate pled guilty to one count of False Declarations Before a Grand Jury. She is facing a maximum sentence of five years of imprisonment and is scheduled to be sentenced on August 8, 2023.

“To those that choose criminal violence this case is an example of the fate that awaits you. We will continue to place violent crime as our highest priority. With our law enforcement partners like the Davenport Police Department, we are dedicated and motivated to use every legal tool to help protect the Davenport community,” said United States Attorney Richard D. Westphal of the Southern District of Iowa.

“The tremendous work of our investigators and federal partners delivered justice for those impacted by these violent crimes,” said Davenport Police Chief Jeffery Bladel. “These cases demonstrate, the outstanding partnership and collaboration between federal prosecutors and local law enforcement that has a long-term impact on the safety of our community. The Davenport Police Department is dedicated to the safety and wellbeing of our community and bringing those who commit violent crimes to justice.”

The Davenport and Rock Island Police Departments are investigating the case, with assistance from the Scott County Sheriff’s Office, Iowa Department of Criminal Investigations, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, Federal Bureau of Investigation, and Drug Enforcement Administration.

An indictment is merely an allegation, and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

(Radio Iowa) – The warm weather is here, the kids are out of school, and Iowans are making plans for extended family vacations. Before backing the packed S-U-V out of the garage though, Triple-A’s Nick Chabarria suggests you have a professional look over a few key things.  “B-E-T. That stands for battery, engine, and tires. Those are really the three components you want to make sure you have somebody check out before you hit the road,” Chabarria says.

Car batteries, for example, won’t usually last longer than five years. Chabarria says something important that Iowans can easily check themselves is the inflation rate on their tires. “The proper inflation is going to help make sure you’re getting the most fuel economy from your vehicle as well, so save some money when you’re taking a road trip,” he says. The number of cars broken down along the roadside rises this time of year, Chabarria says, in large part because of a problem with the battery, the engine or the tires.

“Those three components are really the main reasons that people will call us when they fail when they’re out on their road trips,” Chabarria says. “If you can take care of them ahead of time, that’s of course going to save you a lot of time and headaches down the road.” You’ll also need plenty of gasoline.

Triple-A says the average in Iowa is now three-37 a gallon, that’s down two-pennies in the past week. The national average is 20 cents higher at three-57.

(Radio Iowa) – Iowa Congressman Zach Nunn says the suicide rate among Iowa veterans in the first 12 months after leaving the military is four times higher than the national average. He’s introduced a bill that would create a pilot program to offer support to soldiers as they transition to civilian life. “We don’t have a military installation here, so when folks leave the front line and come back home, short of joining one of our guard units or one of veterans’ posts, the American Legion, it can feel really isolating,” Nunn says.

The bill is named in honor of Marines from Iowa and Rhode Island who served together in Afghanistan and died by suicide within a year after they left the military.  “These were two individuals who were in combat zones, came home and what this bill aims to do is recognize not only are you not alone, but you have a resource immediately available to you,” Nunn says. “It’s not just for those who may be susceptible to suicide, it’s for every member getting out to remind them: ‘Hey, let’s check in with my wing man. Let’s see how our battle buddy is doing,’ and make sure that we do those calls because in that 12 months immediately after a removal from a combat zone is when they’re most vulnerable.”

The bill would set up 10 pilot projects that would counsel exiting service members about the challenges that they might face as a civilian and how that might affect their mental health. Dean and Jill Lambert of Adel are the parents of Marine Corporal Adam Lambert who died by suicide in 2015 after leaving the military, They joined Nunn at a news conference today (Tuesday) to show support for the bill. Dean Lambert says the help that’s offered to returning veterans often seems too clinical.

“The people that veterans trust most are veterans — other veterans,” Lambert says. Part of the pilot project would include group counseling sessions about things that may remind veterans of combat. “They realize, well, that’s not a burn pit or that’s not bullets flying at you,” Lambert says. “You guys have no idea and eventually that wears on them and when they don’t know how to deal with those feelings or emotions, sometimes they just get tired of it all.”

Nunn, who has served in the Air Force and the Iowa National Guard, is currently in the Air Force Reserve. His bill has both Republican and Democratic co-sponsors, including Iowa Congresswoman Mariannette Miller-Meeks, who is an Army veteran. The bill would require local V-A hospitals to offer to schedule mental health counseling for ALL veterans within 90 days of their exit from the military

(Radio Iowa) – Davenport city officials gave another update today (Tuesday) on the partial collapse of an apartment building Sunday. Police Chief Mike Blaydel says they now believe two people may have died. “We have five that are unaccounted for and two that we have a firm belief that are potentially still in that building,” he says. Blaydel says they have been checking and double-checking sources of information to try and get a list of tenants. Davenport Fire Marshal James Morris, says it continues to remain an unsafe site.

“As been noted since day one that we’ve responded there that building is unstable and it continues to worsen as time progresses,” Morris says. He says they are hoping to figure out a way to safely conduct another search. “It’s the opinion of the structural engineer that any additional search operations in the area of that pile debris should be avoided due to potential collapse. We are currently evaluating the risk assessment of where we can go back into that building to do this other search,” Morris says.

A woman was rescued last night from the building. Davenport Mayor Mike Matson says they do not know how the woman was missed in multiple searches of the building or how she got there. Matson also addressed concerns raised by protestors when the city said it was preparing to demolish the building with the possibility of people remaining in the rubble. He says they want to do what they can while ensuring no one else is injured or killed.

” We have talked in depth about the being the respectful dignity peace, knowing that this could be a place of rest, for some of the unaccounted.” Matson says. “We are investigating and evaluating as best as we can with a lot of assistance from places other than here.” A relative of one of the men who is believe to be in the rubble of the building asked people not to protest, as she says the city has a plan.

(Red Oak, Iowa) – In an update to our earlier report, a traffic stop at around 4:37-a.m. today (Tuesday), in Red Oak, resulted the arrest of 31-year-old Bengerman Jordan Housh, of Whiting, for Driving Under Suspension. Housh was held in the Montgomery County Jail on slightly more than $491 bond until his release at 9:45-a.m., Tuesday. Authorities say at around 10:50-a.m., Housh proceeded to get into his vehicle and was arrested again for Driving While Suspended. He was taken into custody in the 2400 block of N. 4th Street, in Red Oak.

Housh was transported back to the Montgomery County Jail and once again held on slightly more than $491 bond.

(Lenox, Iowa) – The Taylor County Sheriff’s Office reports deputies were called to the Lenox Pocket Park for damage that occurred overnight Monday, into Tuesday morning. Officials with the City of Lenox and the Sheriff’s Office began an investigation into the incident. As result of the investigation, it was determined that at around 1:58-a.m., Tuesday, a 2005 Dodge Ram 1500, driven by 39-year-old Miguel Zapata,of Lenox, was traveling south bound on Main Street, when the pickup collided with the Lenox Pocket Park Landscaping.

Taylor County S/O photo

Damage to the landscaping and Lenox Town Clock occurred. Zapata’s vehicle came to rest on the south planter. Authorities say Zapata proceeded to remove the truck and left the scene of the accident without notifying proper authority or City of Lenox.

The Sheriff’s Office said citations were being issued for leaving the scene of an accident and failure to have insurance – accident related.

DES MOINES – Governor Reynolds’ landmark Students First Education Savings Account (ESA) program, which promotes universal school choice for K-12 students in Iowa, officially opens for applications on Wednesday, May 31, at 8 a.m. Parents and guardians can access the online application from a link on the Department of Education’s ESA webpage at educateiowa.gov/pk-12/students-first-education-savings-accounts. The link will redirect them to the Students First ESA platform managed by Odyssey, the program administrator selected by the state. The link will not be activated until 8 a.m. on May 31 when the application period opens. Applications are available in English and Spanish, and will be accepted until Friday, June 30, at 11:59 p.m.

The Students First Act was signed into law earlier this year and will provide state funding for eligible students who attend accredited nonpublic schools starting in the upcoming school year.  Students must be residents of Iowa and attend an accredited nonpublic school located in Iowa. All incoming kindergartners and all K-12 students currently attending a public school who choose to enroll in an accredited nonpublic school for the 2023-2024 school year are eligible for the ESA program regardless of income.

Students who attended an accredited nonpublic school at any time during the 2022-2023 school year are eligible for the 2023-2024 school year if their household income is at or below 300% of the 2023 Federal Poverty Level (FPL). Income eligibility will be automatically verified during the application process using the parent’s or guardian’s 2022 Iowa State Tax Return. If a parent did not file a 2022 tax return in Iowa, other documentation will be required to complete their application.

Parents planning to apply can find answers to frequently asked questions about the application process, eligibility, and more on the Department of Education’s ESA webpage.  After the ESA application period opens, technical support will be available from Odyssey representatives by phone at 515-368-9564 or email at help.ia@withodyssey.com.