The head of the U.S. Small Business Administration was in Iowa Friday for a roundtable discussion with women business owners. The Iowans told Linda McMahon they’ve purchased new equipment, increased advertising and one plans to reinstate her company’s bonus program because of federal tax cuts. A report released Thursday shows no overall growth in hourly wages in June of this year compared to June of last year. McMahon says she doesn’t dispute that statistic, but it doesn’t match what she’s hearing.

“Most of the businesses that I talk to around the country, I am constantly hearing that: ‘We are increasing our wages,'” McMahon says. “I mean, we heard today there are more 401K contributions not only from the company, but from the employees.” She says other factors point to a “really healthy” economy where wages will start to rise.

“We will see competition in the marketplace for workers and wages will go up as a result of the supply and demand issue…because there are fewer employees out there looking for work,” McMahon says.

A woman who owns a business in Pella told McMahon she’s hiring people from Missouri and Minnesota who keep their homes there, but commute for the work-week. McMahon says encouraging internships and especially apprenticeships will help Iowa students and Iowa businesses fill jobs here. McMahon has visited 40 states since she took over as the leader of the Small Business Administration in early 2017.

(Radio Iowa)

CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa (AP) — An Iowa charity is seeking donations to provide new, fully-stocked backpacks to children in the foster care system. Families Helping Families of Iowa says donations are being collected through July 23 at places around Cedar Rapids. Those places include two Bankers Trust locations, Capri College, the Junior League, Nadia’s Salon, and United Fire Group, as well as the Families Helping Families office.

An array of school supplies are being sought, from backpacks to pencils and pen and notebooks. A full list of needs can be found at http://www.familieshelpingfamiliesofiowa.org/programs/school-supplies/ .
The backpacks will be handed out to around 400 children on Aug. 4 at the Families Helping Families office in Cedar Rapids. The group’s Back to School Rally will also hand out free ice cream and vouchers for shoes and haircuts.

More State and area news from KJAN News Director Ric Hanson.

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The area’s latest and/or top news stories at 7:06-a.m. From KJAN News Director Ric Hanson

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A spokesperson for the Iowa State Patrol is reminding motorists that the state’s year-old law against texting and driving doesn’t just apply to vehicles that are in motion. Sergeant Nate Ludwig says it’s also illegal for a driver to text when they’re waiting at a stop sign. Ludwig says it can be frustrating for other drivers who are playing by the rules.

“It creates a little bit of a road rage between motorists,” Ludwig says. “You’re at a stop sign and maybe tap that horn…you know, usually, people will put their phone down because they realize, ‘oh yeah, somebody’s watching me while I’m on my phone – that’s probably not real safe.'”

The Iowa State Patrol recently reported, over the first year of the stricter texting-while-driving law, Troopers issued 1,131 citations to motorists. The violation can cost a person over $100. Ludwig says the State Patrol, at times, has placed Troopers in unmarked cars to catch unsuspected motorists who are texting behind the wheel.

“I know other states, like the Tennessee State Patrol, have utilized commercial motor vehicles – big semis traveling down the road, because those guys sit up high and 9 times out of 10 they’re getting passed on the interstate by other vehicles going by ’em and it’s alarming to see the number of people who are using their phone on the road,” Ludwig says.

The law that made texting while driving a “primary” offense took effect on July 1, 2017. Prior to that, police could only issue a citation for texting while driving if the officer stopped the driver for ANOTHER offense.

(Radio Iowa)

Here is the latest Iowa news from The Associated Press at 3:40 a.m. CDT

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Police say no charges will be filed against a business owner who shot and killed a suspected burglar outside his business in southern Des Moines. Des Moines police said Friday that 67-year-old Thomas Kraft encountered 37-year-old Amund Benjamin Haarstad, of Fergus Falls, Minnesota, stealing items from the shop on Wednesday and fired a gun into the ground after Haarstad threatened him. Police say the bullet ricocheted and hit Haarstad in the head.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — A termination letter shows that a member of the Iowa State Patrol was fired this month because of “intimidating, threatening and unwelcome” interactions with colleagues. The patrol fired Des Moines-based trooper Wade Karp on July 3 after a 10-month paid administrative leave. The agency had refused to explain the reason for the termination, saying only he violated department rules. The patrol reversed course and released a redacted copy of Karp’s two-page termination letter.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — A unique memorial service set for 5-year-old Garrett Matthias of central Iowa is matched only by the one-of-a-kind obituary the preschooler had a hand in authoring and that is now garnering national attention. The Des Moines Register reports that Garrett died July 6 of a rare cancer that attacked his temporal bone and cranial nerve. But his funny take on life and death in his obituary _ signed “See ya’ later, suckas! – The Great Garrett Underpants” _ that’s getting smiles.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Former Iowa Gov. Robert D. Ray was remembered at his funeral as a public servant and humanitarian. Family, friends and Iowa leaders gathered Friday for Ray’s funeral at the First Christian Church in Des Moines.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — A termination letter shows that a member of the Iowa State Patrol was fired this month because of “intimidating, threatening and unwelcome” interactions with colleagues. The patrol fired Des Moines-based trooper Wade Karp on July 3 after a 10-month paid administrative leave. The agency had refused to explain the leave or reason for the termination, citing only violations of department rules.

In response to an appeal filed by The Associated Press, the patrol reversed course Friday and released a heavily redacted copy of Karp’s two-page termination letter under the open records law.

The document shows Karp was accused of violating the state’s violence-free workplace policy and engaging in “unbecoming conduct.” The letter says Karp interacted with employees in and out of the patrol in ways that were “intimidating, threatening and unwelcome” and that those actions reflected unfavorably and impaired department operations.

The department blacked out nearly half of the letter, claiming it contains confidential personnel information.

CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa (AP) — Iowa roads officials say high outdoor temperatures are to blame for the buckling of a large section of pavement along Interstate 380 in Cedar Rapids. Television station KCRG says the Iowa Department of Transportation was called around 6:30 p.m. Thursday after pavement on the inside lane of northbound I-380 heaved upward.

Some employees said it was the largest pavement heave they’ve ever seen. Officials estimate the pavement buckled about 14 inches in the center of the heave.

The Iowa State Patrol says five vehicles drove over the buckled pavement before troopers could shut down the lane. Officials say there was no visible damage to any of the vehicles and no injuries were reported.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Police say no charges will be filed against a business owner who shot and killed a suspected burglar outside his business in southern Des Moines.
Des Moines police said Friday that 67-year-old Thomas Kraft checked security cameras at this business from his home Wednesday morning and saw the shop had been burglarized.

Police say Kraft drove to the business about two hours later and interrupted 37-year-old Amund Benjamin Haarstad, of Fergus Falls, Minnesota, loading items from the business into a stolen truck.

Police say Kraft retrieved a gun from inside the business after Haarstad threatened to kill Kraft. Kraft later went outside thinking Haarstad had left, but again encountered Haarstad. Police say Kraft fired a round into the ground, but the bullet ricocheted and hit Haarstad in the head.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — A unique memorial service set for 5-year-old Garrett Matthias of central Iowa is matched only by the one-of-a-kind obituary the preschooler had a hand in authoring and that is now garnering national attention.
Garrett, of Van Meter, died July 6 of a rare cancer that attacked his temporal bone and cranial nerve.

His obituary mentions the painful treatments he endured, but it’s his funny take on life and death that’s getting noticed. It notes his likes: Playing with his sister, his blue bunny, thrash metal music. And his dislikes: Pants and dirty stupid cancer.
The obit closes with his last message, “See ya’ later, suckas! -The Great Garrett Underpants.”

Garrett’s memorial service on Saturday will include some of his last requests — like five bouncy houses. Also planned are snow cones, fireworks and a local archer who will shoot a flaming arrow onto a small boat carrying Garrett’s ashes into a neighbor’s pond.