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Congressman Young, challenger Mowrer meet in first debate

News

October 24th, 2016 by Ric Hanson

The two major party candidates in Iowa’s third congressional district answered 18 questions in an hour-long radio debate Sunday night. Republican Congressman David Young expressed support for the T-P-P. “There’s a unique opportunity with the Trans Pacific Parternship, just that Asian ring out there of 12 countries, right? We need to get our goods there. We need to get our services there. We need to get our values there and also strategically China is right there in the background, o.k.?” Young said. “We need to get there before China does.”

Jim Mowrer of Des Moines, Young’s Democratic challenger, called the T-P-P a “bad deal. “We need to have trade deals that have environmental standards, that have labor standards and will pay off for the American economy in a big way,” Mowrer said. “…Even people like Donald Trump know that the TPP is bad for our country.”

Last (Sunday) night’s debate was held in the K-M-A studios in Shenandoah and broadcast live. The two candidates will debate again this Wednesday in Council Bluffs.

(Radio Iowa)

Nebraska utility permanently closing Fort Calhoun nuke plant

News

October 24th, 2016 by Ric Hanson

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — The nation’s smallest nuclear power plant is set to permanently shut down today (Monday). The Omaha Public Power District’s board decided earlier this year that the Fort Calhoun nuclear power plant is no longer financially sustainable. But the shutdown is only one of the first steps of a decommissioning process that could stretch on for as many as 60 years and cost more than $1 billion.

During that process, the utility will have to decontaminate and disassemble elements of the power plant. The nuclear plant sits on the Missouri River across from Iowa and is about 15 miles north of Omaha.

Iowa early News Headlines: Monday, Oct. 24th 2016

News

October 24th, 2016 by Ric Hanson

Here is the latest Iowa news from The Associated Press at 3:40 a.m. CDT

CHEROKEE, Iowa (AP) — Businesses in northwest Iowa are getting a boost when construction workers building the Dakota Access oil pipeline arrive in town. Local officials have noticed an increase in activity at hotels and restaurants near the oil pipeline. It’s hard to quantify the economic benefit to communities, but local businesses have noticed the increase in sales.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Iowa school districts are holding more than $145 million in their accounts, but superintendents say restrictions on that money is making it hard to spend. The Des Moines Register reports the money in dozens of different funds has grown since 2013 when the total was about $130 million, so school officials are lobbying for more flexibility.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Number of flood insurance policies sold in Iowa declines 22 percent in recent years to 13,872, but the reason for the decline wasn’t immediately clear. Officials say some homeowners may have dropped coverage when premiums increased, and people who paid off their homes might have dropped the insurance. Buyouts of homes in flood-prone areas may have also contributed to the declining number of policies.

CORALVILLE, Iowa (AP) — Labor union officials are criticizing staffing levels at Iowa Medical and Classification Center prison, but the state defends its hiring and says prison is filling its vacancies. Union president Danny Homan says the reduced staffing contributed to a recent incident where four inmates tested positive for methamphetamine.

Alex Smith leads Chiefs past mistake-prone Saints, 27-21

Sports

October 23rd, 2016 by Ric Hanson

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Alex Smith threw two touchdown passes in another efficient outing, Daniel Sorensen returned an interception of Drew Brees for another touchdown and the Kansas City Chiefs held off the mistake-prone New Orleans Saints 27-21 on Sunday. Spencer Ware ran for 77 yards to go with his 46-yard touchdown reception, and Tyreek Hill made an acrobat 38-yard TD catch to help the Chiefs (4-2) win their ninth straight at home.

Brees got the Saints (2-4) within 24-21 with his touchdown pass to Brandon Coleman with 2:33 left, but the ensuing onside kick went out of bounds. Kansas City added a 41-yard field goal, and the Saints could do nothing in the final 28 seconds to change the outcome.

The Chiefs’ Andy Reid coached his 300th game Sunday. Most of those were over his 14 seasons in Philadelphia, where he was 140-102-1. He is now 36-21 in his fourth season in Kansas City.

Iowa school districts have over $145 million sitting unused

News

October 23rd, 2016 by Ric Hanson

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Iowa school districts are holding more than $145 million in their accounts, but superintendents say restrictions on that money is making it hard to spend. The Des Moines Register reports the money in dozens of different funds has grown since 2013 when the total was about $130 million, so school officials are lobbying for more flexibility.

Iowa State Board of Education member Mary Ellen Miller says the legislature should look at the rules on this money, so it’s not just sitting in bank accounts. But some lawmakers say the districts should just spend the money for the purpose it was intended. Democratic state Senator Brian Schoenjahn says the spending rules are there for a purpose.

Goodwill Omaha executives earn higher pay than peers

News

October 23rd, 2016 by Ric Hanson

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — Top executives at Goodwill Omaha receive higher salaries than peers at area nonprofits and at other Goodwills nationwide. The Omaha World-Herald reports Goodwill Omaha CEO Frank McGree received total compensation of $933,444 in 2014. More than half of that was a $519,000 one-time retention bonus, but even without that McGree’s pay was higher than many nonprofit executives.

Thirteen of the nonprofit’s executives were paid more than $100,000 salaries in 2014, so a significant portion of the $4 million generated from Goodwill’s stores in eastern Nebraska and western Iowa went to administrative costs instead of Goodwill’s job training programs.

McGree’s compensation sits in the top tier among 150 independent Goodwill affiliates nationwide. Only two dozen Goodwill leaders make over $400,000 a year and two receive pay over $1 million.

Healthy U at CCMH Oct. 27th: Treatment Options for Men with an Enlarged Prostate

News

October 23rd, 2016 by Ric Hanson

Officials with the Cass County Health System say the next session of “Healthy U,” will be on Thursday, October 27th at noon at Cass County Memorial Hospital, Conference Room 2. The presentation this month will be given by Bruce E. Lundak, M.D. and is entitled, “Relief: Treatment Options for Men with an Enlarged Prostate.”

Dr. Lundak is a physician at Adult & Pediatric Urology and Urogynecology in Omaha, Nebraska, and he is one of the visiting physicians in the CCMH Outpatient Clinics. CCHS logo 2014 1 Dr. Lundak received his medical degree from the University of Kansas, and he completed his internship and residency in urology at William Beaumont Hospital, Royal Oak, Michigan. Dr. Lundak has been practicing urology since 1999. He is board-certified in urology and a member of the American Urological Association and Nebraska Urological Association.

Healthy U is a free, educational session that is open to the public, and it is held at noon in Conference Room 2 at Cass County Health System. Reservations are needed, as box lunches are provided. To reserve your spot, please call 712-243-7479.

Regional Volleyball playoffs continue Monday (10/24) at 7-p.m.

Sports

October 23rd, 2016 by Ric Hanson

Class 1A – Region 2

Westwood vs. Siouxland Christian @ Sloan

Boyer Valley vs. Ar-We-Va @ Woodbine

Sidney vs. West Harrison @ Sidney

Essex vs. East Mills @ Essex

Class 1A – Region 3

East Union vs. Lenox @ Afton

CAM vs. Grand View Christian @ Anita

Audubon vs. Exira @ Audubon

Stanton vs. Bedford @ Stanton

Class 2A – Region 1

Missouri Valley vs. West Monona @ Missouri Valley

Underwood vs. Logan-Magnolia @ Underwood

Hinton vs. West Sioux @ Hinton

Central Lyon vs. West Lyon @ Rock Rapids

Class 2A – Region 2

Panorama vs. South Hamilton @ Jewell

South Central Calhoun vs. IKM-Manning @ Lak City

Unity Christian vs. Alta-Aurelia @ Orange City/Unity Christian

Ridge View vs. Manson-NW Webster @ Schaller

Class 2A – Region 4

Tri-Center vs. Van Meter @ Neola

Des Moines Christian vs. Madrid @ Dsm Christian

Woodward-Granger vs. Colfax @ Woodward

Grundy Center vs. Ogden @ Grundy Center

Class 2A – Region 5

Council Bluffs/St. Albert vs. Griswold @ St. Albert

Treynor vs. Mt. Ayr @ Treynor

I-35/Truro vs. Central Decatur @ Truro

Pella Christian vs. North Mahaska @ P.C.

Red Oak man arrested on drug charge Sunday morning

News

October 23rd, 2016 by Ric Hanson

Police in Red Oak have arrested a man on drug charges. 34-year old Jesse Donald Trost, of Red Oak, was taken into custody at around 2:25-a.m. today (Sunday), for Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. Trost was arrested near the intersection of N. 6th and E. Joy Streets, in Red Oak, and brought to the Montgomery County Jail, where his bond was set at $300.

Skyscan Forecast for Atlantic & the KJAN listening area: 10/23/16

Weather

October 23rd, 2016 by Ric Hanson

Today: Sunny, with a high near 70. Southwest wind 7 to 14 mph becoming north northwest in the morning. Winds could gust as high as 20 mph.
Tonight: Mostly clear, with a low around 39. North northwest wind 5 to 7 mph becoming northeast after midnight.
Monday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 63. East southeast wind 5 to 10 mph.
Monday Night: Increasing clouds, with a low around 47. Southeast wind 6 to 8 mph.
Tuesday: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly after 1pm. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 67. East southeast wind 8 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 23 mph. New rainfall amounts of less than a tenth of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.
Tuesday Night: Showers and possibly a thunderstorm. Low around 55. Chance of precipitation is 90%. New rainfall amounts between three quarters and one inch possible.
Wednesday: Mostly cloudy, with a high near 62.