There’s a race in the Iowa Senate to determine the future of traffic enforcement cameras — and it’s NOT clear which side will win. One bill under consideration in a senate committee would ban the cameras. The other bill cleared the Senate Transportation Committee Wednesday and it would keep the cameras, but fines would be slashed and the D-O-T would have to approve the placement of all the cameras. Senator Dan Zumbach of Ryan says the cameras are making some Iowa roadways safer.  “A place for people to drive without being fearful,” Zumbach says.

Senator Tod Bowman of Maquoketa is also lining up on the side of keeping the cameras operating. “I think it’s a way, in certain situations, that we can minimize fatalities and accidents,” Bowman says.

The bill that allows the cameras to continue policing the roads would redirect the money from the fines to road projects. Senator Tony Bisignano of Des Moines supports keeping the cameras, but he argues the money from the fines should be used to support the police. “We’re telling ’em where they can put their cameras and then we’re telling how they can spend their money,” Bisignano said. “Why don’t we just do a bill and get rid of city councils?”

Senator Jim Lykam of Davenport has a message for people who complain about tickets generated by a traffic camera: “If you don’t speed and you don’t run a red light, it doesn’t take your picture.” Senator Jeff Danielson of Cedar Falls was the only member of the Senate Transportation Committee who voted against the bill that would keep traffic cameras operating, but with some new restrictions. He warns putting the Iowa D-O-T in charge of WHERE the permanent AND mobile cameras can be positioned means all the complaints about tickets will filter up to legislators.

“I think this potentially could turn into a political nightmare for us,” Danielson says, “…but also a bureaucratic nightmare in trying to sort through all those applications and the process it would take.” Over the past few years, Iowa legislators have passed bills that have called for limits on traffic camera fines, plus bills that would ban the cameras altogether, but NONE of those proposals has gotten enough support to clear both the House AND Senate. The Senate Republican Leader who decides which bills get debated hasn’t indicated which path he may pursue.

(Radio Iowa)

Here is the latest Iowa news from The Associated Press at 3:25 a.m. CST

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Iowa’s top election official doesn’t plan to ask the Legislature for extra money to help inform the public about a voter identification bill that could soon become law. Iowa Secretary of State Paul Pate intends to use existing office funds to pay for voter education and outreach in connection to his proposal to require ID at polling places. Advocacy groups say a lack of designated money for public outreach could make it harder for people to find out about the change.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Pork industry experts say U.S. consumers shouldn’t worry about a bacon shortage. The reassurance comes amid news that demand for bacon depleted frozen pork belly supplies in the U.S. to a record low for December. But the industry is confident it can boost hog production enough to avoid any serious shortages.

IOWA CITY, Iowa (AP) — Volunteer fire departments all over Iowa have members who were improperly awarded nationally-recognized certificates by the state fire academy. The Fire Service Training Bureau has sent letters to 560 mostly volunteer agencies notifying them that “one or more firefighters on your department may have been” improperly granted certificates, despite failing their exams. The Iowa Department of Public Safety says 1,706 firefighters and emergency responders were improperly granted 2,278 certifications.

ELKADER, Iowa (AP) — Iowa officials say several deer killed in northeast Iowa during the fall hunting season in 2016 have tested positive for chronic wasting disease. The Iowa Department of Natural Resources says a deer killed in Clayton County had chronic wasting disease, making it the first to test positive for the disease outside Allamakee County. Another 10 deer killed in Allamakee County during the 2016 hunting season also had the disease.

The only independent in the state legislature is asking Iowa’s attorney general to issue a written opinion on the proper transfer of power when Republican Governor Terry Branstad resigns to become ambassador to China.  Senator David Johnson, of Ocheyedon, says  “Although a number of legal experts believe it’s a settled issue, there are others that don’t.” Johnson is a former Republican who switched his voter registration to “no party” this summer when Donald Trump became the G-O-P’s presidential nominee.

In December, Lieutenant Governor Kim Reynolds said the constitution is clear and that she will become governor when Branstad resigns. Johnson says there is “ambiguity” in the way the constitution is written and some analysts argue Reynolds may PERFORM the duties of governor, but will NOT get the TITLE of governor. “Being an independent, I believe I don’t have any partisan dog in this game,” Johnson says. “…I’m not a Republican. I’m not a Democrat. I can’t be accused of having any partisan leanings on this.”

Johnson has sent a formal request, asking Attorney General Tom Miller to issue an opinion on the matter by February 15th. “We need to have this issue more clearly defined before the governor goes to China,” Johnson says. Johnson’s asking the attorney general to weigh in on whether Reynolds has the authority to appoint a lieutenant governor and who would have the authority to swear her in as GOVERNOR once Branstad leaves.

Johnson suggests SENATORS could be forced to vote on transfer of power issues based on what the attorney general may determine. A spokesman for Attorney General Tom Miller said weeks ago that Miller agrees with the Branstad Administration, that Reynolds will become governor when Branstad leaves — and that she’ll have the authority to appoint a lieutenant governor.

A spokesman for Governor Branstad accuses Johnson of “political grandstanding.” Branstad press secretary Ben Hammes says “two months ago” the attorney general and secretary of state were “definitive” that that Reynolds will become governor when Branstad resigns.

(Radio Iowa)

Officials with the Sac City Police Department say a car-versus-pedestrian accident Tuesday afternoon claimed the life of an elderly man. The accident took place at around 1:40-p.m. at the intersection of Audubon Street and South 5TH Street in Sac City. Authorities say 74-year old Sherry Busch of Sac City, was driving a 2015 Chevrolet Impala northbound on South 5th Street, when her car struck 88-year old Alan Galbraith, who is also from Sac City. The accident happened as Galbraith was crossing the street.  The man was transported to Loring Hospital and then later air lifted to a Sioux City Hospital, where he died a short time later.

Atlantic Mayor Dave Jones administered the Oath of Office to Atlantic Police Officer Spencer Walton, Wednesday night. (click on the left side of the audio bar to play the cut)

The event took place as part of the regular City Council meeting. Walton, who has been an Officer with the A-PD for nearly 9-years, was promoted to Sergeant in order to fill a vacancy on the Atlantic Police force created by the resignation of Cody Eckles.

Atlantic Police Officer Spencer Walton (Left) becomes Sgt. Walton, after taking the Oath of Office from Mayor Dave Jones. (Ric Hanson/photo)