(Radio Iowa) – The Iowa Senate has begun debating the governor’s bill to reduce the number of state agencies from 37 to 16 and give Governor Kim Reynolds authority to set the pay for her top administrators. Among the 16 state departments, Reynolds notes the bill creates one new agency — the Iowa Department of Insurance and Financial Services. “That will bring together the Divisions of Insurance, Banking, Credit Unions,” Reynolds said, “and we believe this change really reflects Iowa’s position of national leadership in these important industries and it promises to continue to elevate the profile, all the while improving the delivery of state services.”

According to the Iowa Economic Development Authority, there are more than seven-thousand finance and insurance companies in Iowa — and more than 95-thousand Iowans work in the industry. Reynolds touted her government realignment plan this (Tuesday) morning during a speech to members of the Iowa Bankers Association. “You know as a business, I know that you know it’s second nature, right, to reassess your operations,” Reynolds says. “Unfortunately, government isn’t always so diligent.”

There are no layoffs outlined in the bill, but Reynolds says her plan will reduce the number of full time employees by more than 500 as long unfilled positions are eliminated. Critics have been saying the plan shifts too much authority from the legislature to the governor.

(Radio Iowa) – Iowa Senator Chuck Grassley applauds news the U-S Trade Representative plans to formally dispute Mexico’s proposed ban on genetically-modified corn from the U-S. If those imports to Mexico are cut off, Grassley says it’ll mean millions of tons of Iowa corn won’t have a key buyer. Mexico’s proposed ban on G-M-O corn would begin in January of 2024.

Grassley says such a ban would have “a devastating impact” on farmers across America and in Iowa. Grassley calls Mexico’s proposed ban “ridiculous,” and one report says it would effectively phase out the import of 90-percent of U-S corn by January.

Grassley’s office says Iowa corn growers export 16-million tons of corn to Mexico each year, and over the last decade, one-quarter of all U-S corn exports went to Mexico, totaling nearly three-billion dollars of revenue per year.

(Radio Iowa) – Researchers at Iowa State University are studying the water content and temperature of crops using two sets of far-away sensors, one that’s on a satellite in orbit, while the other is mounted on the International Space Station. Brian Hornbuckle, an I-S-U agronomy professor, says they ultimately want to develop an early warning system for crop stress. Thriving plants respond to sunlight by opening thousands of microscopic holes on their leaves, which also releases water vapor, a process called transpiration.

Hornbuckle says plants that are stressed heat up as they’re no longer, essentially, sweating. While corn growers who use center pivot irrigation systems might be able to take action based on this information, most Iowa farmers would have to use the data to make economic decisions about whether or not to sell the grain they have in storage. The three-year ISU project is being funded by a NASA grant of about 536-thousand dollars.

(Radio Iowa) – Republicans in the Iowa Senate have voted to repeal the requirement that Iowa K-12 schools employ a teacher librarian. Schools could instead hire someone who has worked in a public library. The bill would also let schools offer two rather than four units of a world language and offer two rather than three fine arts options, like music and art, but not theater.

Senator Tim Kraayenbrink, a Republican from Fort Dodge, said rural schools, in particular, are unable to hire teachers for some courses. “This bill gives more local control to school districts and school boards in their requirements by allowing them more flexibility within courses and offerings,” he said.

Democrats in the Senate voted against the bill. “Flexibility — what it really translates to is permission to cut,” Senator Herman Quirmbach of Ames said. “…We’re going to reduce programs, we’re going to limit opportunities, we’re going to shortchange our kids.”

The bill would remove a requirement that sex ed classes include information about AIDS, but that section of the bill was not debated by the Senate. The bill also says schools would no longer be required to teach technology literacy to all students.

(Sidney, Iowa) – Fremont County Sheriff Kevin Aistrope reports a man from Tabor was arrested following the pursuit of a stolen motorcycle.  52-year-old Jesse Eugene Sump faces multiple charges in Iowa and Missouri. Sheriff Aistrope says on Feb. 8, 2023, a deputy observed a vehicle reported stolen out of Atchison County, Missouri at an address on Park Street in Tabor.

Deputies conducted a search warrant on the residence and discovered additional evidence connected to additional burglaries and motor vehicle thefts that occurred in Fremont and Pottawattamie Counties in Iowa, and Atchison County, Missouri. A warrant was issued for the arrest of Jesse Sump.

Jesse Sump (Fremont Co. S/O photo)

Last Sunday (March 5), Deputies were notified of a vehicle pursuit of Sump on a stolen Harley Davidson Motorcycle entering Page County from Atchison County, Missouri. Page County Deputies located the motorcycle at an abandoned farm southwest of Coin, Iowa. Fremont County K9 Roby was deployed and SUMP, surrendered to authorities and was placed under arrest without further incident.

Sump was charged with:

• Theft 1st Degree
• Theft 2nd Degree
• Theft 5th Degree
• Possession of a Controlled Substance 3rd Offense (meth)
• Possession of Drug Paraphernalia
• Fugitive from Justice on an active felony warrant out of Atchison County, Missouri

Sump was being held on $10,000 cash/surety bond in Fremont County and a $100,000 cash/surety warrant out Missouri. Additional charges are pending.

Disclaimer: A criminal charge is merely an accusation, and the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.

(Red Oak, Iowa) – The Montgomery County Board of Supervisors breezed through most of their agenda, this (Tuesday) morning. One of their action items was to approved a Resolution approving the Final Plat of the Stanton Technology Park Subdivision. The vote was unanimous. Supervisor Mark Peterson…

The Stanton Area Industrial Foundation owns the property located on the north side of the community, near the intersection of Highway 34 and Halland Avenue. The Stanton Child Resource Center would be the first business located at the Technology Park. The Technology Park will be served with full fiber optic service through FMTC to accommodate businesses heavily reliant on technology and connectivity. Bids will be going out this spring, with construction scheduled to begin this summer. Officials say the project has a timeline of three-to-five years.

In other business, two women appeared separately via Zoom, to voice their opinions with regard to a proposed ordinance regulating carbon pipeline projects in the County, that’s currently on-hold. Vicky Rossander addressed the Board from Rapid City, SD. She’s a former member of the county’s planning and zoning commission, and expressed frustration the Ordinance is continually being delayed.

Rossander said the Ordinance has been through a due-diligence process and should be vetted with a vote.

Jan Norris from West Township in Montgomery County, also spoke with the Board, in particular, with regard to pipeline easements.

She said there needs to be a deadline for the next public hearing on the pipeline Ordinance.

Norris said “The clock is ticking.”

Officials have said previously, they hope the delay will give the county time to review the ordinance–particularly questions regarding setback regulations and the board of adjustment’s role in pipeline regulations.

[Kansas City, MO] — The U.S. Department of Transportation’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s (NHTSA) mission is simple: Keep people safe on America’s roadways. One way we work to accomplish this task is through Vehicle Safety Recalls Week March 6-12, 2023. The safety week coincides with the start of Daylight Saving Time, which begins Sunday, March 12, 2023. NHTSA Region 7, which includes Arkansas, Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, and, Nebraska is reminding drivers to check their vehicles for open safety recalls. In 2021 alone, there were 1,093 safety recalls affecting more than 34 million vehicles and other automotive equipment in the United States, some of the highest recall numbers on record.

“Checking for recalls is quick, easy, and, best of all, free,” said NHTSA Region 7 Administrator Susan DeCourcy. “During Vehicle Safety Recalls Week, we are urging everyone to take a few minutes to check for any open safety recall on vehicles, tires, car seats, and other vehicle-related equipment. Remember that every vehicle recall is important and should be repaired immediately. Your diligence will help keep you and others safe on the roadways.”

Two Simple Ways to Check for Recalls

NHTSA has two ways to check for open safety recalls: First, drivers can use the free, user-friendly Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) Look-Up Tool, located at NHTSA.gov/recalls. This web tool allows vehicle owners to check for open safety recalls on their vehicles or automotive equipment, such as tires and car seats.

While you’re there, sign up for Recall Alerts. If your vehicle is included in a future recall, you’ll receive an email letting you know. NHTSA’s free web recalls tool will provide details on any unrepaired recall in your vehicle for at least the past 15 calendar years. It will also provide details on unrepaired safety recalls from major automakers, motorcycle manufacturers, and some medium/heavy truck manufacturers.

Drivers can also check for open safety recalls by downloading the free SaferCar app. Once in the app, enter your vehicle’s VIN and NHTSA will send you an alert if a safety recall is issued on them.

Think of the SaferCar app as your virtual garage: Once you download the app — available for iOS and Android — you can add any vehicle or related equipment, like tires, trailers, and car seats. SaferCar notifies you of all related recalls, even directing you to local dealerships, so you can quickly make an appointment and get it fixed quickly and for free.

Either method for checking recalls is free and easy. In both cases, you will need to enter the vehicle’s VIN, located on the lower portion of your car’s windshield on the driver’s side. The VIN is also located on your registration card, and it may be shown on your insurance card.

Stay Recall Aware Every Day

Although last year’s recalls affected millions of vehicles, tires, car seats, and other equipment, approximately 25% of recalled vehicles go unrepaired every year. This puts drivers, passengers, and other road users at risk.

If you think your vehicle may have a safety-related defect that isn’t part of a current recall, contact NHTSA online or by calling the agency’s Vehicle Safety Hotline at 888-327-4236. Sometimes just one complaint is enough to trigger a safety recall.

NHTSA Region 7 is urging drivers to participate in Vehicle Safety Recalls Week March 6-12, 2023. But the awareness doesn’t have to stop there. Take advantage of NHTSA’s free resources — the VIN Look-Up Tool and the SaferCar app — and you’ll be covered every day of the year.

For more information on NHTSA’s Vehicle Recalls, visit NHTSA.gov/Recalls.

(Atlantic, Iowa) – A Public Hearing will be held 5:30-p.m. Wednesday at the Atlantic High School Media Center, during a meeting of the Atlantic School Board. The hearing is with regard to the Board adopting the proposed plans, specifications, form of contract and estimated costs, for Washington Elementary School Playground Equipment. A second public hearing for the 2023-24 School Calendar that had been set to take place, was instead scheduled for March 29, 2023, due to a publishing error.

In their regular session, the Atlantic School Board will act on approving the resignations of Evan Adamon (HS Vocal Music, Musical Director, NHS Advisor & TLC Mentor), and Sheryl Hinzmann, Washington Title Math Teacher. They will also act on Superintendent Steve Barber’s Contract Recommendations for: Ashley Mosier, Transfer to Title 1 Teacher, (2023-24); Alexandra Griffin Uren, 6-12 School Librarian Teacher (2023-24); Donald Klindt, School Bus Route driver; Tracy Daugherty, Transfer to Title 1 Math Teacher (2023-24); and Megan Anderson, HS Math Teacher.

Superintendent Barber is expected to remind the Board the Spring Parent-Teacher Conferences will be held March 15th from 3:30-to 6:30-p.m., to allow parents another opportunity to talk with their students’ teacher(s). Both the Washington and Schuler conferences will be shortened from 20-to 15-minutes. And, he’ll report Camblin Mechanical is installing a big HVAC unit for the High School air quality project, which, when connected to the duct work, will produce higher air quality, especially in the auditorium.

The Board is expected to act on several, including:

• A recommendation from Mr. Barber to terminate the 2023-24 School Business Officer (SBO) sharing agreement with Adair-Casey. A-C is looking to share the position with the Guthrie Center District, with which they also share students.
• Approving a 2022-23 sharing agreement between the Atlantic, Exira-EHK and CAM Districts, with regard for HS Boys Soccer. The recommendation comes from Athletic Director Andy Mitchell, who says the Atlantic CSD currently has the same agreement in-place for girls soccer.
• Approve a 2023-24 purchasing agreement with AEA, which allows the Atlantic CSD to buy from different consortium’s, especially in the area of Food Service, and is compliant with the Federal Food Program.
• Act on appointing Ahlers & Cooney as the District’s Legal Council. The two attorneys come to the District from the Lynch Dallas Law Firm and have a long relationship with the District.
• The Board will review bids received for the Washington Elem. School Playground Equipment which, if approved, would be paid for through SAVE funds.
• They will also act on passing a Resolution for a 2022-23 Fund Transfer from General -to- Activity, for proactive equipment (Protective athletic gear). That includes pads/girdles, helmets and helmet reconditioning, for a total of $19,300.
• And, the Atlantic School Board is expected to pass a Resolution for a Board Approved 2023-24 PPEL (Physical Plant and Equipment Levy), which – if approved – gives the Board the authority to approve 33-cents on the PPEL, and will be reflected in the certified budget. The money will be used for building repaid, transportation vehicles and technology.

In other business, the Board of Education is expected to set March 29th at 5:30-p.m., as the date and time for Public Hearings on the 2023-24 School Master Calendar, and, Certified Budget.

(Radio Iowa) – With a rash of recent cyberattacks on Iowa hospitals, schools and companies large and small, it’s recommended we consider abandoning the use of passwords and instead, switch to using pass phrases. Computer security expert Jesse La Grew says the old way of creating short, cryptic passwords that you change frequently is no longer practical for most Iowans. The longer a password, the more secure it should be from hackers.

Some computer systems require passwords that need to be between 16 and 20 characters, which is where using a pass phrase is handy. You can create a pass phrase out of a series of four or five words that are easy for you to remember, but that are exceptionally hard for anyone else to discover. It will make your account more secure from most attempts by hackers to force their way in.

(Radio Iowa) – Two Casinos and one sports betting operation have been fined by the Iowa Racing and Gaming Commission. Racing and Gaming administrator, Brian Ohorilko says the Diamond Jo Worth Casino had an underage individual enter and gamble in May of 2022. “That individual entered with three adult companions — the security officer posted failed to request identification — and so that end individual entered the floor unchallenged and was on the floor for two hours and 30 minutes,” he says.

The casino was fined 20-thousand dollars for the violation. “Diamond Jo Worth has not had any commission level underage gambling violations in the past 365 days. And that is why that fine is at 20-thousand dollars,” Ohorilko says. “The first two for any casino would come in at 20-thousand dollars typically.” The Iowa West Racing Association in Council Bluffs and its Horseshoe Casino was fined 20-thousand dollars for a self-exclusion violation involving a gambler in April of 2022. “That individual, after gambling for some time had approached a security officer and had requested to self exclude themselves from casinos. The facility had indicated to the customer that there wasn’t anyone on property to enroll that individual in the statewide self exclusion program,” Ohorilko says.

He says the casino directed the person to another casino where the gambler was able to sign up — but that violated regulations. “Every casino in Iowa is expected to have someone available to enroll a customer if a customer requests, and so obviously that did not occur that particular evening,” he says. The final violation involved licensed online sports book Rush Street Interactive. Rush Street used a payment processing company that had inadvertently permitted customers to use a credit card to load their sports betting account. “During the period of time in question, Rush Street had accepted 42 credit card transactions amounting to just shy of 10-thousand dollars. Rush Street acknowledged that this was a violation,” Ohorilko says.

The company agreed to an administrative penalty of 20-thousand dollars. Ohorilko says Rush Street was one of a half dozen companies that used this payment processing company that allowed the use of credit cards, which are not legal for gambling Iowa. The other companies have all paid fines for their involvement.