Iowa Senator Joni Ernst told a reporter for the Washington, D.C. publication “Politico” that she can provide the best “assistance” to Donald Trump as a senator rather than as his running mate. Ernst spoke briefly with Radio Iowa early Wednesday afternoon, saying she was “very impressed” with Trump after meeting privately with him Sunday.

When asked directly if she could envision being Trump’s vice president, Ernst said “any number of Republicans” could fulfill that role. “That’s entirely his decision and he will most certainly pick the right person for his ticket and I look forward to supporting that ticket,” Ernst said. Ernst told the Politico reporter she is just getting started in the U.S. Senate and expects to be an “advocate” for Trump on the campaign trail.

The New York Times is reporting the Trump campaign will give Ernst a prime-time speaking slot at the Republican National Convention in Cleveland later this month.

(Radio Iowa)

U-S Highway 34 in Adams County was reported to be blocked this morning in both directions west of Corning, due to an accident. The Iowa DOT says the road is blocked between County Road N-26 and Exit 62 (Highway 148). No other details are currently available.

The Iowa Department of Revenue is fast-tracking the rules to implement a business tax break lawmakers approved this spring. Last fall, Governor Branstad directed the agency to erase the state sales tax on items that are used in the manufacturing process, but in March lawmakers stepped in, dumped the department’s plan and approved a similar, but slightly smaller tax break.

Victoria Daniels, Public Information Officer for the Iowa Department of Revenue, says “The department’s original rule was more broad than the law that passed.” This new tax policy went into effect July 1st. It means the state sales tax is no longer charged on “consumable supplies” like oils and lubricants that are “directly” used to manufacture something in an Iowa factory.

“This is going to save a lot of paperwork for companies out there, company accountants out there who have been tasked with keeping of those items separately,” Daniels says, “and, believe me, we are talking about thousands and thousands and thousands of items.”

State officials estimate that in the coming year Iowa businesses will save about 29 million dollars that will no longer be spent paying sales taxes on those supplies. The governor’s broader proposal would have saved businesses up to 10 million MORE dollars by erasing the state sales tax on other factory supplies that do not make contact with the product being manufactured.

(Radio Iowa)

Work on the City of Atlantic’s streets and alley improvement projects could begin anytime, now that City Council has approved a construction bid from Henningsen Construction. Snyder and Associates Engineer Dave Sturm told the Council during their meeting Wednesday evening, that the latest work on more than a dozen alleys and streets could begin under the contract, is September 15^th, but it will likely begin much sooner.

Sturm said Henningsen’s bid was much less than what the City had budgeted for. The Engineers’ re-estimated costs was $1.18-million dollars, which was less than $1.59-million the City had budgeted for. Henningsen’s bid came in even lower than the re-estimate, at just under $1.14-million.

Sturm said Henningsen was able to bid lower than Western Engineering, because they have an asphalt plant near Atlantic due to the proximity of other area projects. A reduction in the price of oil (which is used in a Hot Asphalt Mix), was also a factor in the bid.

A traffic stop Wednesday in Fremont County resulted in a pursuit and arrest following an accident. Sheriff Kevin Aistrope reports deputies tried to stop a vehicle driven by 18-year old Drew Minono, of Hamburg, as he was traveling on Highway 275,  north of Hamburg. Minino failed to stop but was eventually apprehended in the 2700 block of 286th Street, after he lost control of his vehicle, which slid off the roadway. No injuries were reported.

Minino was taken to the Fremont County Sheriff’s Office, where he faces several traffic violations. He was subsequently released on bond.