(Radio Iowa) – The Iowa Board of Education is advancing a set of rules that give schools and teachers some clarification on a law to requires schools to remove books with sexually explicit content or illustrations. Enforcement of the law is set to take effect in January. Iowa Department of Education attorney Thomas Mayes says the proposed rules give officials the ability to end an investigation when a district responds to a complaint. “If a district voluntarily comes into alignment and permanently comes into alignment, there’s really no need for a citation,” Mayes says. “The problem’s been solved.”

State officials will not be releasing a list of books which are not to be in classrooms or school libraries. Another part of the new law forbids classroom instruction about gender identity or sexual orientation in kindergarten through sixth grade. The Board of Education’s proposed rules say a neutral mention of those topics does not violate the law. Mayes says that would include something like reading a book that happens to have L-G-B-T-Q characters.  “So that is sort of a…safe harbor for classroom teachers,” Mayes says, “that a neutral mention is not a promotion.”

The law, which went into effect July 1st, requires schools to notify parents when students ask to use a name that’s different from what’s on school registration forms. The proposed rules clarify that does not apply to a nickname, but only when a student asks to use a name or pronoun at school as part of a gender transition. The department is taking comments on the rules. Public hearings are scheduled to take place in Des Moines on January 3rd and 4th.

(Atlantic, Iowa) – Members of the Atlantic City Council, Wednesday, presented reports on various committee meetings they attended as liasions to the Council. Councilperson Elaine Otte sat in on the United First Aid meeting, pertaining to a grant Cass County received for volunteer emergency responders and AED/Overdose/stop the bleed “Go bag” kits. AmeriCorps volunteer Erik Johnson, who is also a paramedic with Cass EMS, is overseeing the local program. Cass County is one of three counties in the State that were recipients of the grants to facilitate the program.

You can read more about that program in a November 1st story on the News page at kjan.com. Councilman Jim Behrens said he attended a fire department meeting.

Councilman Pat McCurdy said he and Councilman Dana Halder attended a recent Landfill Commission meeting.

It was noted also, the new lift station is working well for the transfer station. Councilman Halder noted the Cass County Landfill Winter Hours will start on December 1st. From December through February, the landfill will be open on the first Saturday of each month through February. The hours are the same as they currently are: 8-a.m. until Noon on Saturdays. McCurdy said he also attend a November 13th meeting of the Personnel and Finance Committee, which was held at Snyder and Associates Engineers, in Atlantic. Dave Sturm is the City’s Engineer.

Councilperson Linda Hartkopf said the Airport Commission held a very brief meeting recently. She said they approved the second pay application for the runway lighting project. Engineer Dave Sturm provided an update on that project.

Sturm said a grant application will be submitted to the FAA in December for a taxiway extension and a new T-Hangar as well as a new Corporate Hangar a client wants to see built. Sturm said space for the Hangar was prepared years ago.

The Atlantic City Council recaps the various committee meetings attended each time the Council meets, as a regular part of their agenda.

(Atlantic, Iowa) – The City of Atlantic hosted a Legislative Round-table Monday evening for newly elected members of city councils in Cass County. Senator Tom Shipley, of Nodway, and Representative Thomas Moore, of Griswold were invited to attend, but City Clerk Barb Barrick said during Wednesday’s Atlantic City Council meeting, Moore didn’t appear at the meeting, and he gave no explanation of why he skipped it.

Barrick said that she, along with the three newly elected Atlantic City Council members – Emily Kennedy, Mike McDermott and Shawn Sarsfield – attended the meeting. Also in attendance was Atlantic Mayor Grace Garrett, Councilpersons Otte, Sisco and Behrens, as well as Police Chief Devin Hogue.

Among some of the topics discussed during the forum, was childcare, housing, and a House File dealing with property taxes. Barrick said Tom Shipley didn’t want to talk too much about the latter topic, because there’s still much to be worked out.

Councilman Lee Sisco mentioned discussion was also held with regard to cities making incentives to bring new businesses to town. Shipley suggested leaders shouldn’t be afraid to be aggressive.

The forum was moderated by Dan Stalder, with the Iowa League of Cities.

(Harlan, Iowa) – Officials with the Shelby County Sheriff’s Office have issued a report on 21 arrests that occurred from November 2nd through the 15th. On Wednesday (11/15), Deputies arrested 30-year-old Chelsea Jean Birtwell, of Persia, after she allegedly attempting to elude Law Enforcement. Birtwell was transported to the Shelby County Jail and charged with Unlawful Possession of Prescription Drug, and Interference with Official Acts.

There were two arrests Tuesday (11/14) in Shelby County: 58-year-old Kimberly Sue Zaccone, of Harlan, was arrested following a traffic stop, in Harlan. Zaccone was transported to the Shelby County Jail and charged with OWI 1st and Failure to use Headlamps when Required. And, 60-year-old Barbara Rose Kleymann, of Portsmouth, was arrested on Shelby County Warrants. Kleymann was transported to the Shelby County Jail and charged with Failure to Appear, and Violation of Probation.

On Monday (11/13), 42-year-old Ronald James Traynham, of Earling, was arrested by Shelby County Sheriff’s Deputies, following a call for service in the 2000 block of Juniper Road. Traynham was transported to the Shelby County Jail and charged with Kidnapping 3rd and Possession of Controlled Substance. Last Saturday (11/11), 36-year-old Daniel Reyes, of Lenox, was arrested in Shelby County, following a traffic stop in Defiance. Reyes was transported to the Shelby County Jail and charged with Driving while Barred, Speeding, and Failure to Provide Financial Liability.

On Nov. 10th, 47-year-old Charles Raymond Bird, of Avoca, was arrested following a traffic stop in Shelby. Bird was transported to the Shelby County Jail and charged with Driving while Licenses is Suspended, and Failure to Illuminate Registration Lamp.

Other arrested last week in Shelby County, include:

• 30-year-old Brandon J. Thunder Hawk Fry, of Shelby, who was arrested following a traffic stop on Highway 59. Fry was transported to the Shelby County Jail and charged with OWI 2nd, and Failure to Provide Proof of Insurance Liability.
• 30-year-old Philip Brian King, of Harlan, was charged with Burglary 3rd following the investigation of Burglary in the 1600 block of 12th St. in Harlan, IA.
• 48-year-old Glenn Robert Boyington, of Panama, was arrested last week following a call for service in the 2500 block of 12th St in Harlan. Boyington was transported to the Shelby County Jail and charged with Criminal Mischief 2nd.
• 35-year-old Cory Robert Kyle, of Avoca, was arrested on active Shelby County Warrants for Violation of Probation. Kyle was transported to the Shelby County Jail.
• 30-year-old Chad Alen Arbuckle, of Harlan, was charged with Burglary 2nd and Ongoing Criminal Conduct after an ongoing investigation.
• 29-year-old Andrea Michelle Kirk, of Harlan, was charged last week with Burglary 2nd and Ongoing Criminal Conduct after an ongoing investigation.
• 63-year-old James Allen Harriman, of Avoca, was arrested following a call for service in the 1100 block of Highway 59. Harriman was transported to the Shelby County Jail and charged with Trespass 1st offense and Possession of Contraband in a Correctional Institution.
• 25-year-old Courtney Breann Cook, along with 35-year-old Bleys Daniel McNany, both of Fort Dodge, were arrested last week, in Shelby County, after an ongoing investigation. Cook and McNany were transported to the Shelby County Jail and charged with Ongoing Criminal Conduct, Burglary 3rd, and Burglary 2nd.

On Nov. 2nd, 34-year-old Amanda Louise Lavender, of Woodbine, was arrested on active Shelby County Warrants for Violation of Probation. Lavender was transported to the Shelby County Jail. And, 25-year-old Jacob Austin Wingert, of  Panama, was arrested on active Shelby County Warrants for Violation of Probation. Wingert was transported to the Shelby County Jail.

On Nov. 3rd: 29-year-old Andrea Michelle Kirk, and 30-year-old Chad Alen Arbuckle, both of Harlan, were arrested on an active Shelby County Warrants for Burglary in the 3rd Degree. Kirk and Arbuckle were transported to the Shelby County Jail; 28-year-old Kendra Ray Lozano, of Exira, was arrested Nov. 3rd, following a call for service in the 4000 block of Main St in Elk Horn, IA. Lozano was transported to the Shelby County Jail and charged with Child Endangerment; 43-year-old Joel James Jens, Elk Horn, was arrested following a call for service in Elk Horn. Jens was transported to the Shelby County Jail and charged with Harassment 3rd, and Interference with Official Acts.

And, on Nov. 4th, 42-year-old Justin Michael Goins, of Carroll, was arrested in Shelby County, following a traffic stop in the 400 block of Highway 59. Goins was transported to the Shelby County Jail and charged with Possession of Controlled Substance Marijuana 3rd or subsequent offense, Keeping Premises or Vehicle for Controlled Substance, and Driving while Barred.

**Note: Criminal charges are merely accusations and defendants are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty in a court of law. All arrests reported on the Shelby County Sheriff’s Office Facebook page are arrests made by the Shelby County Sheriff’s Office with charges originating from the Shelby County Sheriff’s Office. If an arrest originated by another Agency (Iowa State Patrol, Division of Criminal Investigations, Division of Narcotics Enforcement, Department of Natural Resources, Etc.) but the individual was brought to the Shelby County Jail that arrest would not be reported on the page. Additionally, a person arrested on an arrest warrant from another County and brought to the Shelby County Jail to be held until picked up by a different County/Agency would not be reported on the page.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact the Shelby County Sheriff’s Office.

(Grinnell, Iowa) – Eight Iowa lawmakers** have rejected a dinner invitation from Grinnell College, citing their disagreement with the college’s response to pro-Palestine protests on campus. The Iowa Capital Dispatch reports in a Nov. 13th letter, the group said they will not attend a Nov. 28th dinner at Grinnell College. The lawmakers said their absence is intended to express their disappointment in a statement made by the college in the wake of a walk-out led by students to show support for Palestine and condemn Israel’s actions in the Israel-Gaza conflict.

Grinnell students have held multiple protests in the month since fighting began, including a “die-in” at a Nov. 11 alumni dinner. The Students for Justice in Palestine at Grinnell College have called for President Anne Harris and the university to announce support for a ceasefire, but according to a social media post from the group, Harris said in an email that she can’t and won’t make public statements that will “divide the community.” The letter said the lawmakers were alarmed at protests occurring at universities across the U.S., and said they were disappointed to see a similar walk-out at Grinnell College.

A campus-wide message from Harris, posted Nov. 1st, called for the campus community to stay informed about the conflict, look out for each other, reach out for support when needed, be aware of discrimination and report harassment when necessary. The legislators were concerned with another part of the message, which said instances of antisemitic and Islamophobic harassment are on the rise on college campuses, and the college denounces antisemitism and Islamophobia.  The lawmakers  said that statement equates the two forms of discrimination.

While the students were exercising their First Amendment right to free speech and assembly, the letter said, the representatives were hopeful that the college administration would respond with “truth instead of tepid, middle-of-the-road platitudes.” Pro-Palestine protests have also been held on the University of Iowa campus where school administration have issued no statements on the conflict.

**Iowa Lawmakers signing the letter include Representatives Barb Kniff McCulla, Austin Harris, Dean Fisher, Jon Dunwell, Helena Hayes and Hans Wilz and Senators Ken Rozenboom and Cherielynn Westrich.

(Washington, D-C) – Iowa Republican Senator Joni Ernst, a combat veteran and Ranking Member of the Senate Small Business Committee, led a hearing Wednesday in Washington, to increase the effectiveness of the Small Business Administration’s (SBA) veterans’ business development programs in meeting the challenges faced by veteran entrepreneurs and small business owners. Ernst heard directly from Iowans Lisa Shimkat, state director of the Iowa Small Business Development Center, and Dustin Rhoades, CEO and owner of Ability Tech, about the difficulties Iowa’s veteran entrepreneurs face in navigating SBA resources.

Senator Ernst at a hearing on Veteran’s Business Development programs (11-15-23)

During the hearing, Ernst discussed her Stop Stolen Valor for Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business Contractors Act, a provision included in the National Defense Authorization Act, that works to reduce fraud and stop stolen valor in the SBA’s service-disabled veteran-owned small business contracting program. Ernst also advocated for her bipartisan VET Act to reauthorize the SBA’s Boots to Business program and help America’s service members succeed in small business and entrepreneurship after their time in the military.

View the hearing by clicking on this LINK.

IOWA CITY, Iowa (KCRG) — One group at the University of Iowa is providing students with a new tool to help make their college experience safer. The undergraduate student government at UI is planning to give away 450 Nightcaps for free at several spots around campus. KCRG-TV reports it’s a relatively new product designed to prevent drink spiking. The product itself is designed as a scrunchie, which includes a hidden pocket. Users can pull a flexible cap out of it and cover their drink, preventing the possibility of drink spiking.

The initiative was sparked after a third-year student at the U-of-I saw the product being advertised on social media and knew there was a need for something like this on campus.

They plan to start giving out these products next semester.

(Radio Iowa) – Bob Dylan is considered one of the greatest singer-songwriters in generations, and a new touring Broadway production based entirely on his music will make a week-long stop in Iowa later this month. Actress and singer Chiara Trentalange starred in the original New York City cast of “Girl From The North Country” and she’ll be performing in Des Moines. The 31-year-old Trentalange wasn’t even born when Dylan first became popular, but she’s a longtime fan.

The story is set in 1934 in Duluth, Minnesota, which is Dylan’s hometown, and follows a group of wayward travelers whose lives intersect in a guesthouse. The musical contains 20 Dylan songs. Trentalange says you’ll definitely hear songs you know, and likely a few you’ve never heard before.

Chiara Trentalange and Ben Biggers (Photo provided by Des Moines Performing Arts)

The Tony Award-winning show will play the Des Moines Civic Center from November 28th through December 3rd.