(Midwest Region) – If you stayed up late Sunday night into early this (Monday) morning, and you had a clear view of the sky, you probably witnessed one of nature’s most fascinating phenomenon: The Northern Lights. Viewers from all across Iowa sent photos of what they saw to news outlets, including KJAN. The northern lights were visible as far south as Oklahoma and Arkansas on Sunday night.

We received these photos, courtesy Kenneth Lee, in the Nodaway Valley area.

(Radio Iowa)- The Iowa Utilities Board has issued two MILLION dollars in fines against two pipeline companies for operating in Iowa for years, without state permits. State officials recently checked the National Pipeline Mapping System and discovered Houston-based Enterprise Products Operating L-L-C didn’t have current permits for two underground storage facilities in Iowa and seven pipelines that cover about 750 miles in Iowa. All interstate pipelines are required by a 1995 Iowa law to get operating and maintenance permits from the state.

The Iowa Utilities Board is assessing a one-point-eight MILLION dollar fine against the company. Sinclair Transportation Company didn’t have a permit for a nearly 12 mile pipeline in Lee County, near Fort Madison, and is facing a 200-thousand dollar fine.

Last year the Iowa Utilities Board began reviewing hazardous liquid pipelines in the state, checking operators had expiring permits, and the board discovered these two companies had facilities in Iowa, but didn’t have permits. Both companies have recently filed new petitions seeking permits for hazardous liquid pipelines and underground storage facilities.

(Radio Iowa) – Flooding is expected in eastern Iowa along the Mississippi River in the coming days. Alexander Gibbs is the lead meteorologist at the National Weather Service office in the Quad Cities.

The river has reached major flood stage in Dubuque. By Tuesday, the National Weather Service forecasts major flooding from Dubuque to just north of Burlington, with moderate flooding in Fort Madison. In northeast Iowa, the Weather Service predicts flood levels in places like McGregor may reach above the crest during major flooding in 2019. Gibbs says most of the water heading down the Mississippi is melted snow.

Gibbs says there’s not much rain in this week’s forecast. The Iowa Department of Homeland Security and Emergency Management is coordinating with emergency managers in counties along the Mississippi river corridor to check on their supplies of water pumps and sandbags and to offer technical assistance. The agency’s director is recommending that Iowans who live along the Mississippi River prepare for possible flooding and have an evacuation plan ready.

(Radio Iowa) – Over a thousand Christian conservatives gathered this weekend in central Iowa to hear from several likely competitors for the G-O-P’s 2024 presidential nomination. Former President Donald Trump spoke at the Iowa Faith and Freedom Coalition event via a live video feed. Trump seemed to respond to a major anti-abortion group that’s criticized Trump for saying abortion policy should be left to the states. “I will stand proudly in defense of innocent life, just as I did for four very powerful, strong years,” Trump said. Trump reminded the audience he had appointed three U.S. Supreme Court justices, creating the court’s conservative majority that overturned Roe v Wade.

The other declared and potential Republican presidential candidates appeared in-person. Former Vice President Mike Pence said it’s likely abortion policies will be decided at the state level. “But I don’t agree with the former president who says this is a states’ only issue,” Pence told reporters after speaking to the crowd. “I mean, we’ve been given a new beginning for life in this country.” Pence said he’d sign a federal law banning abortions after the 15th week of a pregnancy.

Former Arkansas Governor Asa Hutchinson has previously said he’d be hesitant to take power away from the states, but this weekend Hutchinson said he’d sign a national 15-week abortion ban into law if he’s elected president. “I signed 30 pro-life bills, over 30, during my eight years as governor,” Hutchinson said. The other candidates and potential candidates who spoke — like South Carolina Senator Tim Scott — did not focus on the abortion issue.

Larry Elder, a radio talk show host who ran for governor of California in 2021, launched a presidential campaign last week. Elder says the number one domestic problem in America is the number of children living in a home without a father married to their mother.

Vivek Ramaswamy, a biotech entrepreneur, announced he was running for president in February and has criticized Democrats for pursuing a woke agenda.

Entrepreneur Perry Johnson, who announced he was running for president in February, has begun sending copies of his book to likely Iowa Caucus-goers. Without mentioning Trump by name, Johnson is criticizing Trump’s business record and the federal deficit that grew during Trump’s presidency.

Former Texas Congressman Will Hurd and former Hawaii Congresswoman Tulsi Gabbard, a 2020 Democratic candidate for president, also spoke at Saturday’s event in Clive. Gabbard left the Democratic Party in October and has been a paid contributor on Fox News since November and has been a guest host for Tucker Carlson Tonight.

The Red Oak Police Department reports the arrest of a Malvern man on Friday night. At 11:14 p.m. Officers arrested 59-year-old Michael Robert Aguirre Sr. of Malvern in the 400 block of West Washington Avenue in Red Oak on a charge of Public Intoxication. He was taken to the Montgomery County Jail and held on $300 bond.

(DES MOINES, Iowa – Transportation Security Administration (TSA) officers prevented a handgun from making its way onboard an airplane at Des Moines International Airport (DSM) Thursday. This is the third firearm detected at a DSM checkpoint this year. Fifteen firearms were detected at DSM security checkpoints in total last year.

During the routine screening of carry-on luggage, a TSA officer spotted the image of a handgun on the X-ray screen. The incident occurred around 6:30 a.m., and TSA officials immediately alerted the Des Moines Police Department. A law enforcement officer responded, confiscated the firearm, and issued a citation. The firearm was loaded with seven rounds, none in the chamber. An additional magazine was also present. The gun’s safety was engaged.

“When someone shows up with a firearm at the checkpoint the conveyor belt is stopped until the police arrive and can remove the carry-on bag from the X-ray machine to safely secure the weapon,” Iowa TSA Federal Security Director John Bright said. “Bringing a firearm to a security checkpoint not only slows down the individuals in that lane, but it slows everyone in line behind them down and is a security and safety concern. Guns should never be brought to the security checkpoint in carry-on luggage.”

This handgun was detected by TSA officers in a passenger’s carry-on bag at Des Moines International Airport (DSM) on April 20. (TSA photo)

Nationally, more than 1,500 firearms were stopped at airport checkpoints in the first quarter of 2023.

TSA recently announced that the penalty for bringing weapons to the airport increased and can reach as high as $14,950, depending on the circumstances. TSA determines the penalty amount for a violation based on the circumstances in each case. TSA will continue to revoke TSA PreCheck® eligibility for at least five years for passengers caught with a firearm in their possession.

Passengers are permitted to travel with firearms in checked baggage if they are unloaded, packed separately from ammunition in a locked hardback case and declared at the airline check-in counter. Firearm possession laws vary by state and locality. Travelers should check for firearm laws in the jurisdictions they are flying to and from.

TSA has details on how to properly travel with a firearm posted on its website. Travelers should also contact their airline as they may have additional requirements for traveling with firearms and ammunition.

April 21, 2023 (Des Moines) – Main Street Iowa hosted the annual Main Street Iowa Development Awards celebration Friday evening, at Community Choice Credit Union Convention Center in Des Moines. The program honors the efforts of those who work tirelessly to revitalize Iowa’s downtowns and to make a difference in the state’s Main Street districts.

This year, 14 projects were recognized and 47 leadership award recipients were honored for significant leadership and volunteer contributions to their local Main Street programs. Among those communities was Avoca and Sac City. Debi Durham, executive director of the Iowa Economic Development Authority (IEDA) and Iowa Finance Authority, and Michael Wagler, Main Street Iowa state coordinator, presented the honors.

“The Main Street Iowa program is a powerful economic development tool that has stood the test of time since its introduction in 1985,” Durham said. “We continue to see significant growth in businesses, jobs, and investment in communities of all sizes because of the program. As a result, these districts serve as inspiring examples of what’s possible for Iowa’s downtowns.”

The Spirit of Main Street Award was also presented to Peg Raney, president of the Why Not Us development group in Jefferson. Raney brought together 71 women to invest in the rehabilitation of a historic downtown building. The Spirit of Main Street Award is a special recognition presented to an individual or group who demonstrate the spirit of Main Street at work throughout Iowa.

“Main Street is grassroots economic development,” Wagler said. “It is inspiring to witness the impactful work of local Main Street program staff, volunteers, and community partners.”

During the event, 10 communities were recognized for reaching new milestones in the amount of private investment in their commercial districts:

• $1 million benchmark: Clarence
• $3 million benchmark: Avoca and Sac City
• $5 million benchmark: Lansing
• $10 million benchmark: Centerville, Elkader, Jefferson, and West Union
• $20 million benchmark: Washington
• $50 million benchmark: Charles City

In 1985, the Iowa Legislature adopted Main Street America’s Four Point Approach® to district revitalization by establishing Main Street Iowa within the agency that is now the IEDA. Since then, the Main Street Iowa program has had a significant impact on Iowa’s economy, including more than $2.6 billion in private investment, more than 3.7 million volunteer hours, more than 5,300 new businesses, and more than 16,000 jobs.

A list of awards presented during the ceremony may be found here:
iowaeda.com/UserDocs/News/2023-msiawards_winnerslist.pdf

(Clear Lake, Iowa) {Updated 1:18-a.m. 4/22] – A collision between a van and and SUV Friday afternoon in northern Iowa, claimed one life and resulted in two people being injured. All three crash victims are from Garner (IA). The accident happened in Clear Lake, at around 12:30-p.m.  According to the Iowa State Patrol, a 2012 Chrysler Town & Country van driven by 65-year-old Diane Lynn Schmidt was traveling west on U-S Highway 18. A 2012 Ford Edge driven by 61-year-old Dennis Lee Ostreum, and a 2016 Nissan Frontier driven by 60-year-old Tom Jay Richardson, were both traveling eastbound, when the van crossed the center line of the road near Four Winds Drive.

The van sideswiped the Ford SUV and struck the Nissan SUV head-on. All vehicles came to rest on the south ditch portion of the highway. All drivers were transported in critical condition to MercyOne North Hospital, where Schmidt died from her injuries.

The Patrol says all three drivers were wearing their seat belts. The accident remains under investigation. Assisting at the crash scene were officers with Clear Lake Police, Fire and EMS Departments.

(Des Moines, Iowa) – A former Atlantic resident, Brad Hartkopf, was recently confirmed by the Iowa Senate to serve on the State Judicial Nominating Commission. Governor Kim Reynolds appointed Hartkopf to the Commission last August. His appointment was subject to Senate confirmation, which was approved on April 17 by a vote of 35-15.

The State Judicial Nominating Commission is comprised of 17 individuals who select finalists for vacancies on the Iowa Supreme Court and the Iowa Court of Appeals. The governor then selects an individual amongst those finalists to fill the vacancy.

Brad Hartkopf (Photo submitted)

Hartkopf’s term on the Commission lasts through April 30, 2026. He currently resides in Ankeny with his wife Brooke.