(Radio Iowa) – Governor Kim Reynolds says it’s more than likely she’ll decide who to pick as Iowa’s next lieutenant governor AFTER the November election.

Adam Gregg, who’d been Iowa’s lieutenant governor since mid-2017, resigned in early September to take the top job at the Iowa Bankers Association. Reynolds says she didn’t have a lot of advance notice about Gregg’s decision, and then left on a 10 day trade mission to India. The governor indicated she and her staff are collecting the names of people she might consider, but interviews have not begun.

Reynolds says she’ll sit down with different people who she thinks might be a good partner.

Former Governor Terry Branstad chose Reynolds fas his running mate in 2010 and she took over as governor when he resigned to become U-S Ambassador to China. The person Reynolds chooses as lieutenant governor is likely to be her running mate in 2026, if she runs for reelection.

(Radio Iowa) – State Auditor Rob Sand has released a report that found nearly 77-thousand dollars was misspent by the former director of the Tama County Conservation Department. Stephen Mayne was hired for the job in March of 2021. Sand says on August 1st of last year, the agency’s maintenance staff found a bunch of Menards receipts for an account that wasn’t typically used by the county.

Staff in the state auditor’s office reviewed financial transactions for the 29 months Mayne held the position of director at Tama County Conservation.

The conservation department was involved in a number of projects in Tama County at the time and county officials told the auditor’s office Mayne was also remodeling his home and at least one other property. Sand says not all expenses and receipts were properly documented and couldn’t be located — so auditors were unable to determine if other purchases were improper.

The report has been forwarded to the Tama County Attorney, the Iowa Attorney General and the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation.

Greenfield, IA – The Greater Greenfield Community Foundation, in partnership with Nodaway Valley Community School District, is thrilled to announce an exciting collaboration with Adventureland Resort to bring a fun and unforgettable experience to the residents of Greenfield.
In the aftermath of the devastating EF4 tornado that struck on May 21, the Greenfield community has shown incredible strength and solidarity as they work to rebuild. Now, Adventureland Resort is offering a unique and generous way to lift spirits. Adventureland has graciously provided free tickets for EVERY student and EVERY resident of Greenfield to attend their 3rd Annual Phantom Fall Fest—the largest Halloween event in Iowa.

“In times of tragedy, most Iowan’s look for a way to help. This is a small way for us to give back,” Adventureland General Manager Mike Lusky said. “We want to provide this escape to those in Greenfield as a way to get away for a day and enjoy the rides and haunted houses that our Phantom Fall Fest event has to offer.”

The Phantom Fall Fest offers a full day of excitement with four scare zones, four haunted houses, night rides, spooky food, and drink options, making it the perfect Halloween event. The festival runs on select dates through Sunday, October 27.

“The Greater Greenfield Community Foundation and Nodaway Valley Community School District are incredibly grateful to Adventureland for their generosity in lifting spirits and bringing some much-needed joy to our community during Greenfield’s ongoing recovery,” said Jennifer Garside, Executive Director of the Greater Greenfield Community Foundation. “Our community has shown remarkable resilience and unity as we work through the challenges of recovery. While we’ve made great strides, there’s still a long road ahead, and Adventureland’s thoughtfulness couldn’t have come at a better time.”

Tickets will be distributed starting Thursday, October 3rd. Any Greenfield residents in need of additional tickets can pick them up at the Greenfield City Library during regular business hours.

(Red Oak, Iowa) – Sheriff’s officials in Montgomery County reported two people from Red Oak were arrested this (Wednesday) morning on bench warrants out of Greene County. 38-year-old Jesse Ray Nelson and 37-year-old Jennifer Lynn Holz each face charges that include five counts of Burglary 3rd Degree, one count of Theft 4th Degree, and four counts of Theft 5th Degree. Their bonds were set at $27,000.

(Radio Iowa) – A top official with the U-S E-P-A says the agency is still reviewing a petition by an environmental group asking for federal authorities to take over enforcement of clean water laws from the Iowa D-N-R. The Sierra Club of Iowa petitioned the E-P-A in July, claiming the state is failing to stop harmful levels of nutrients from reaching waterways. Bruno Pigott, who leads the E-P-A Office of Water, says if the agency agrees enforcement in Iowa is falling short, state authorities would have a chance to change course before federal regulators step in.

Pigott highlighted projects the E-P-A is helping fund in Iowa to improve water quality, including a 348-million dollar upgrade to the Cedar Rapids wastewater system.

He discussed the petition on the Iowa Public Radio program “River to River.”