(Radio Iowa) – Governor Kim Reynolds says Iowa voters have given Republicans in the legislature a clear mandate for decisive action on key issues. Governor Kim Reynolds spoke at a G-O-P fundraiser this (Monday) morning.

House Republican Leader Matt Windschitl hinted at quick G-O-P action on major legislation.

The House and Senate convened at 10 a.m. and elected floor leaders for both political parties.

(Glenwood, Iowa) – Officials with the Glenwood Police Department report two arrests from the past few days. On Friday, 35-year-old Jessie Harman, of Glenwood, was arrested for Child Endangerment. Her cash or surety bond was set at $2,000. And, on Sunday, 41-year-old Jose Ibarra Carrillo, of Glenwood was arrested for OWI/ 2nd offense. His has since posted a $2,000 bond and was released.

(Atlantic, Iowa) – The Cass County Board of Supervisors will hold two meetings, Tuesday morning. The first is their regular weekly session that begins at 9-a.m. at the Cass County Courthouse. On their agenda is a report by Cass/Guthrie County Environmental Health Director Jotham Arber, and weekly update from Cass County Engineer Trent Wolken. The Board will act on approving a five-year lease extension with the Cambridge Law Firm, for upper half of the County-owned building on south Poplar Street. And, the will consider and possibly act on the continuation of Zoom sessions for the Supervisor’s meetings in 2023. The Board began using Zoom as an option for in-person attendance, when COVID restrictions were set. They decided to continue the practice of using the interactive (Virtual)) feature last year, because many (including the media and those who have business with the County) found it to be very convenient.

Next up on their agenda, is the setting of 2023 County Holidays, and the appointment of Drew Williams as Victoria Township Clerk (effective 3/1/23). The Supervisors will also act on appointments for the Medical Examiner and Investigators:

• 1st Deputy: Edna Becht, DO
• Deputy: Angela Weppler, MD
• Investigators:
  • Darcy Young, RN
  • Ronnie Ross, PM
  • Michelle Schroder, RN
  • Andrea Stork, RN

Once their regular meeting business concludes, the Board will move into a Work Session (Beginning at 10-a.m., or 15 minutes after the previous meeting is adjourned). During the Work Session, the Supervisors will discuss with Department Heads, the new Employee Handbook, and Health Insurance renewal.

(Radio Iowa) – The U.S. Department of Agriculture is announcing more than nine-million dollars in grants and loans for projects to bolster independent meat processing, with direct impact on two ag projects in Iowa. U-S Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack says these investments are a way to give more marketing opportunities to small and mid-size farming operations. Vilsack says, “That will create hopefully more income for farmers, more choice for consumers, and more jobs in rural areas.”

A meat locker being built in the northwest Iowa town Marcus is receiving an 800-thousand dollar loan for new construction, while a cattle operation in the southwest Iowa town of Tabor gets a 210-thousand-dollar grant to expand production. Vilsack says the loan to Jordan’s Meat Market in Marcus will fund new construction and bring new jobs. “Creating an opportunity for not only additional opportunities for farmers to market their products,” he says, “but also this is a new business that expects and anticipates it will be able to employ six additional workers.”

The two Iowa projects are among 25 across 15 states.

(reporting by Katie Peikes, Iowa Public Radio)

(Council Bluffs, Iowa) – In an update to our previous post & report, the Council Bluffs Police Department has identified a man who died as the result of a gunshot wound, Sunday evening. Authorities says at 5:15pm, Council Bluffs police officers were dispatched to 209 South 4th Street for a report of gunshots being heard inside the building. Officers located Tucker Dobberstein (19 years old, of Fremont, NE) deceased on the floor of one of the apartments at this address. Preliminary investigation indicates that Dobberstein was struck by at least one of the gunshots.

Dobbertstein’s autopsy will be conducted at the State of Iowa Medical Examiner’s Office, in Ankeny; the date has yet to be determined. No arrests have been made related to this homicide. Anyone with information is encouraged to call Council Bluffs detectives at 712‐328‐4728 or to remain anonymous, they may call CrimeStoppers at 712‐328‐7867.

Council Bluffs PD Shield

(Creston, Iowa) – Officials with the Creston Police Department say two people were arrested on separate charges over the past few days. Both individuals were arrested at the Creston/Union County Law Enforcement Center. Authorities say 27-year-old Laura Lee Lagois, of Sioux City, was arrested Friday morning on a Union County Warrant for FTA (Failure to Appear) on the original charge of Operating While Under the Influence 1st Offense. Lagois was later released after seeing the Magistrate.

And, at around 1-a.m. Sunday, 58-year-old Timothy John Hood, of Creston, was charged with OWI 1st Offense. Hood was later released on $1,000 cash or surety bond.

Creston Police said also, that a woman residing in the 1000 block of E. Howard Street reported Friday evening, that $14 in cash and two cokes were taken from her room between January 5th and 6th.

Iowa City, Iowa — Nine semi tractor-trailers and six passenger vehicles were involved in a crash Sunday morning in eastern Iowa. Two people died and several others were hurt. The crash happened at around 5:40-a.m. on westbound Interstate 80, near Iowa City, just east of the Solon Exit (Highway 1/mile marker 246). Several other crashes in the eastbound lanes led both directions of I-80 near Iowa City to shut down for hours. A total of 15 vehicles were involved. The westbound lanes of Interstate 80 were closed for over eight hours on Sunday as crews worked to clean up the crash site.

The crash is under investigation, but KCRG reports the Iowa Department of Transportation initially described road conditions as 100% covered with ice. Fog was present in many parts of the state, and with sub-freezing temperatures, some icy roadways developed as a result.

(Council Bluffs, Iowa) – Police in Council Bluffs are investigating the shooting death of a person found in an apartment across the street from the fire department. The incident at the site located near 4th and Willow Streets, was reported at around 5:15-p.m., Sunday. Additional details are currently not available.

(Radio Iowa) – The four Republicans from Iowa who were elected to serve in the U.S. House were sworn into office at about a quarter ’til one on Saturday morning. The four Iowans supported Kevin McCarthy’s bid for House Speaker throughout last week as McCarthy negotiated and made concessions to try to win the support of 20 House Republican hold-outs. First district Congresswoman Marianette Miller-Meeks of LeClaire recorded a video early Saturday, after a 15th and successful vote for speaker had concluded.

“Tonight, we elected Kevin McCarthy as speaker of the House. It was a messy process, but it was transparent, out in the open,” Miller-Meeks said. “…Now, let’s get on to doing the work of the people and get this country back on track.” The other three members of Iowa’s congressional delegation issued written statements Saturday morning. Second district Congresswoman Ashley Hinson of Marion said McCarthy will be an incredible speaker and ensure House Republicans deliver on a historic agenda.

Fourth district Congressman Randy Feenstra of Hull said he’s encouraged by the deals McCarthy struck this past week that will ensure massive spending bills from being passed in the U.S. House. Third district Congressman Zach Nunn of Bondurant — taking the oath for his first term in office — said he’ll follow through and execute on tough requirements.

(Radio Iowa) – The 2023 Iowa Legislature begins later this (Monday) morning, with the G-O-P in firm control of the agenda since Republicans occupy 65 percent of the seats in the Iowa House and Senate. Republicans have what’s called a super majority in the Senate. With 34 of the 50 votes, Democrats will be unable to block Republican Governor Kim Reynolds’ nominees for appointed positions in state government. Senate Majority Leader Jack Whitver says it’s been a remarkable turn around for Senate Republicans.

“We were at 18 back in 2010, and then you go to 24 and then you go to 29 and then you go to 32 and now you’re at 34 and that really just builds momentum for the direction we’re taking the state,” Whitver says. In the House, Republicans hold 64 of the 100 seats. House Speaker Pat Grassley says each of Iowa’s 99 counties is now represented by at least one House Republican.

“That 99 of 99 was important to us because we knew that if we hit that, we would grow the majority, but more importantly I think it honestly puts us in a position to say: ‘We represent the entire state,'” Grassley says. “…I think that gives us an exciting opportunity.” Representative Brent Siegrist of Council Bluffs was House Majority Leader in the mid-1990s when the House G-O-P held the same number of seats. He warns there’s no guarantee every bill Republicans try to advance will have 64 “yes” votes.

“It is difficult to manage. When you have 64 you have different groups within your caucus that have a different idea than what the majority of the people in your caucus feel,” Siegrist says. “It’s apropos to say it’s like herding cats.” Democrat David Osterberg represented the Mount Vernon area in 1989 when Democrats held 61 seats in the House — and 60 percent of all seats in the legislature.

“You can do things that have never been done before,” Osterberg says. “However, remember Democrats had a big majority, but they didn’t have the governorship.” And Republican Governor Terry Branstad was a check on the Democrats in the legislature back then. Osterberg says with majority Republicans in the 2023 legislature sending bills to a Republican governor, expects some breathtaking moments. “Mischief happens when you have these kind of majorities,” Osterberg says. Siegrist says proposals that may be out of the mainstream have a better shot when one party has the trifecta in state government.

“You figure with 64, you can do whatever you want,” Siegrist says. Thirty-nine House members ad 14 state senators are starting their first terms. Siegrist says that’s more than a third of the legislature — and that’s a big challenge. “That’s not to say we won’t do a lot this year,” Siegrist says, “but it takes a while to get that many people used to the process and how everything works.” Republicans in the legislature say property tax reform is a top priority. Governor Reynolds says her top goal is ensuring every parent can choose where to send their child to school. House Democratic Leader Jennifer Konfrst  says she doubts Reynolds has the votes in the House to get that passed in 2023.

“Iowans don’t want to take public money and put it into private schools and I think there are some Republicans who also have some serious concerns…Will it make K-12 schools dry up in small towns?” Konfrst says, “so I think the book is not closed on that issue in any way, shape or form.” Senate Minority Leader Zach Wahls says Democrats will shine a light on Republican efforts to enact new abortion restrictions.

“We’ll be ready to provide the transparency and accountability that their radical ideas require us to do,” Wahls says. The House and Senate are scheduled to convene at 10 o’clock. Governor Kim Reynolds will deliver the annual “Condition of the State” message at 6 p.m. Tuesday.