An Iowa State University economist says with the drought pushing up corn and soy beans prices, you can expect to pay more for food at the grocery store. Chad Hart says prices in 2013 could go up about one to one-and-a-half percent more than the normal. “It’s going to be distributed across the products that we buy at the grocery story. We’re likely to see more impact in the meats than we will in say the produce or the grain section of the grocery store,” Hart says. He recommends putting some beef in your freezer now before prices go up. “It’s probably not a bad idea, and if you’re also one that consumes pork, buy some pork here during the fourth quarter. These will be some of the lowest pork prices that we’ll see,” Hart says. Hart says food prices normally go up about two-and-a-half percent each year, so you can tack that additional cost brought on by the drought problems to that increase.

(Radio Iowa)

A deep disagreement over voting and lack of progress on the Farm Bill were the hallmarks of last night’s debate between Republican Congressman Steve King and Christie Vilsack, his Democratic challenger. The two candidates appeared together at a forum in Hampton and King said it’s time to not only require a photo I.D. for voting, but for election officials all over the country to check the voter registration lists for non-citizens. “There’s no reason for anybody to defend anything else because there’s voter fraud that’s determining these elections and it’s got to stop,” King said, getting cheers and whistles from his supporters in the audience.

Vilsack expressed reservations about requiring a photo I.D. “It is restrictive in many cases for people who are elderly,” she said. “There are a lot of situations where people don’t have a picture I.D. and they need to be able to vote.” Vilsack did not directly address King’s comment about non-citizens casting ballots, but she did speak to his assertion there is voter fraud. “I don’t think that there’s any evidence that there is a great deal of voter fraud out there,” Vilsack said, getting moans and groans from some in the audience and applause from others in the audience. “It’s the most important right and responsibility a person has in this country, to be able to vote, and I’ll do everything I can to make sure that people are allowed to do it.” King was given a minute to offer a rebuttal.

“I heard that, ‘We should do all we can to encourage every person to vote.’ I don’t agree. I completely don’t agree. I think they should be citizens of the United States of America in order to cast a ballot,” King said. According to King, voter fraud is “real” and if it’s not addressed, he said it will change the “destiny” of the U.S. “There are people here that might be visiting America, they might be on a green card, they might be here illegally — and there are people out there recruiting them to vote now,” King said. “We’ve got to stop that before we turn this country over to people that are not American citizens.” The subject of the Farm Bill was raised by the debate’s moderator.

Vilsack began: “I think Steve King should have shown more leadership on this and should have pounded on the door of Speaker Boehner…in making sure we have a Farm Bill.” King replied: “I’m not really sure if Mrs. Vilsack wants me to be a leader or a follower. I’ve gotten advice to be both a leader and a follower and it depends on the issue.” Throughout the debate King accused Vilsack of lobbing “baseless charges” his way. He also attacked the way Vilsack’s husband, former Iowa Governor Tom Vilsack, is running the U.S.D.A., twice mentioning a “Meatless Monday” idea unsuccessfully floated by an agency employee. Christie Vilsack did not speak of her husband’s role as U.S. ag secretary during the debate. Vilsack closed the debate by saying she’d be able to hold her own in congress because — as a former 8th grade teacher — she’s “used to dealing with adolescent behavior.”

(Radio Iowa)

Here is the latest Iowa news from The Associated Press

Two vehicles, including an Iowa State Patrol cruiser sustained a total of $1,900 damage during an accident Friday afternoon, in Elliott. According to a report filed Monday by the State Patrol, at around 4:35-p.m. Trooper Sgt. Martin McCreedy, of Council Bluffs, had conducted a traffic stop at Main and Minden Streets in Elliott. The vehicle, a 2007 Chrysler Town and Country van driven by 64-year old Kenneth Peterson, of Elliott, was pulled over for speeding, and because Peterson allegedly failed to wear his seat belt. When Sgt. McCreedy activated the emergency lights on his 2008 Ford Crown Victoria patrol vehicle, the van stopped in the middle of the intersection, facing east.

McCreedy pulled up behind the van, exited his patrol car and noticed the van was backing up. The van continued to turn left while in reverse, and hit the cruiser on the left front bumper before coming to rest. Peterson told McCreedy he was backing up to a repair shop at the northwest corner of the intersection, to have a tired repaired, when the collision occurred. No injuries were reported, and no citations were issued in association with the accident.

The Iowa State Patrol, Monday, released more information about a crash which occurred on Interstate 80 last Wednesday (Sept. 12th), in Cass County. As we reported on KJAN.com that same evening, one person suffered minor injuries when a pickup pulling a camper  overturned into the north ditch, at around 7:30-p.m., near the Elk Horn exit. Officials say a 2002 GMC Yukon driven by 71-year old David Herrmann, of Sturgis, Michigan, was traveling west on I-80. As he entered a construction zone, the SUV hit the cones which set out to guide traffic into the left lane. The Patrol says Herrmann panicked and hit his brakes, causing the travel trailer he was pulling to jackknife. The SUV and trailer continued westbound until both rolled onto their left sides into the ditch at about the 54-mile marker. Herrmann, who was wearing his seat belt, was transported by Atlantic Rescue to the Cass County Memorial Hospital, for treatment of his injuries. He was later cited for Failure to Maintain Control. The SUV was totaled in the crash.

ONAWA, Iowa (AP) – A missing Missouri man has been found by some hunters in western Iowa.    Authorities say 36-year-old Daniel Stockwell, of Meadville, Mo., was found Sunday morning near the Missouri River, west of Onawa. He’d last been seen walking at the Whiting Marina on Wednesday.  Stockwell was taken to a hospital for observation.

Authorities in Clarinda are investigating recent incidents of theft and vandalism. Police Chief Keith Brothers said a resident on Wells Street reported Saturday, that her home had been burglarized and property taken. Entry was forced into the house through a sliding glass door. A thirty-two inch television and surround sound system was stolen from the home.  The loss of the property and damage to the home is estimated at $1,600.00. The burglary is believed to have occurred sometime between August 30th and September 15^th.

On Friday, a Clarinda man reported that four tires on a 2005 Dodge he owns were punctured sometime during the early morning hours of Wednesday, September 12^th while the vehicle was parked in the 100 block of West Washington Street. The damage is estimated at $400.00.

And, on Thursday, September 13^th,  a female resident in the 900 block of West Tarkio Street in Clarinda reported that two tires on a 2004 Kia she owns were punctured sometime on Wednesday, September 12^th between 10:30 p.m. and 11:00 p.m. while the vehicle was parked in parking lot at the Meadow Run Apartment Complex. The estimate of damage is $330.00.

All three incidents remain under investigation.

Clarinda Police Chief Keith Brothers says a Clarinda man was arrested early Saturday morning on assault charges, following a fight at 822 East Chestnut Street. 23-year old William Jake Champ, was charged with Serious Assault and Simple Assault, after allegedly striking 22-year old Tyson Banks, and 23-year old Taylor Banks, both of Clarinda. Both Tyson and Taylor Banks received injuries during the altercation, but neither sought medical attention at the time of the incident. Champ was taken into custody and later released on $1,000.00 bail. The matter has been referred to the Page County Attorney’s office for review.

Chief Brothers say also, a Clarinda man was arrested today (Monday), on drug charges. 35-year old Bradley William Honnold, faces a serious misdemeanor charge for Possession of a Controlled Substance, methamphetamine. Honnold turned himself in at the police department. He was later released on his own recognizance and will appear before the Page County Magistrate at a later date for an initial appearance.

And, Police officers in Clarinda  arrested four female juveniles at around 1:30-a.m. Sunday, for violation of the City of Clarinda curfew. The girls were taken into custody in the 300 block of Eas Garfield. Two of the juveniles were age 16, one 15 and one 14. The juveniles were subsequently released to the custody of their parents.

The Atlantic Police Department reports an accident Saturday evening at 9th and Walnut Streets resulted in $3,500 damage, but no injuries. Officials say Melanie Mullen, of Atlantic, was traveling north on Walnut Street, when she became distracted. When she looked up, her vehicle hit a legally parked car registered to Kenneth Archibald, of Atlantic. Mullen was cited for Failure to Maintain Control.

And, the A-PD reports 31-year old Mitchell Mullins, of Atlantic, was arrested Saturday, on a charge of OWI/3rd offense. Mullins was brought to the Cass County Jail and held pending a court appearance.

(12:40-p.m. News)

Iowa Governor Terry Branstad and Lt. Gov. Kim Reynolds said today (Monday), that they are inviting all Iowa middle schools and high schools to submit a video about what their school is doing to prevent bullying and what more might be done. The videos are being requested prior to the Governor’s Bullying Prevention Summit, which will be held Nov. 27th at Hy-Vee Hall in Des Moines.

During the Governor’s weekly Press Conference, Branstad and Reynolds noted that each video should reflect the theme of “Preventing Bullying in Your School and Beyond.” The audience for the video will include students, teachers, school administrators, parents and community leaders.

School, parents and businesses are encouraged to print out this flyer to help spread the word: https://governor.iowa.gov/wp-content/uploads/2012/09/Bullying-Summit-Video-Contest-Flyer.pdf

Branstad says students should use this as an opportunity to tell your school’s story about how bullying is being stopped, what more might be done, and how to better engage the community as a whole in bullying prevention efforts. Videos that meet all contest guidelines will be posted to Governor Branstad’s YouTube channel, with the public invited to choose their favorite between Nov. 12 and Nov. 21. Guidelines may be found at: https://preventbullying.iowa.gov/.

The top vote-getter will receive a $500 prize to be used for bullying prevention efforts at their school, along with a visit by the governor and lieutenant governor for an all-school assembly. The video contest winner will be announced at the Governor’s Bullying Prevention Summit.