History will be made in the Iowa Capitol today (Tuesday) when Kim Reynolds becomes the first female governor to deliver the annual “Condition of the State” address. Reynolds told reporters yesterday (Tuesday) she’ll emphasize that when you “challenge yourself, big things can happen.”

“It’s more about acknowledging that, you know, as a small town girl from rural Iowa, if you dream big and work hard, anything can happen,” Reynolds said during a statehouse news conference, “and I think that applies to anybody.” This will be the third major speech Reynolds has delivered since she took over as governor in late May. Over the past several weeks, Reynolds has said she’ll use today’s (Tuesday’s) speech to unveil the “broad ideas” she has for tax cuts. “Delivering my vision for not only tax reform, but for Iowa moving forward,” Reynolds says.

Reynolds has been arguing cutting the state’s income tax rate will make Iowa more competitive. She’s also been promising to focus the tax relief on “working class families.” “We ought to do everything we can to make sure they can keep more of their hard-earned money,” Reynolds said. “People are working hard and what I still here is they’re struggling to make ends meet.”

Reynolds has hinted water quality and developing a more skilled Iowa workforce are among the other “pressing issues” she’ll discuss today (Tuesday). The annual “Condition of the State” address also requires a look back at 2017 and Reynolds has been telling crowds these are “exciting and critical times for Iowa.” “We have a great story to tell,” Reynolds says. “Iowa has so much capacity and opportunity within our borders.”

Republican legislative leaders have been talking about reducing Iowa’s income taxes and an analysis obtained by a blogger indicated the G-O-P would like to phase out the state inheritance tax as well. Senate Republican Leader Bill Dix says voters sent Republicans to Des Moines to cut taxes.”Tax relief is about emboldening our middle class and encouraging our citizens to invest in themselves, their local businesses and in our state,” Dix said yesterday during a speech on the legislature’s opening day.

Democrats in the legislative warn against mimicking the 2012 tax cut package in Kansas that’s left a current 900 million dollar state budget deficit there.  Senate Minority Leader Janet Petersen, a Democrat from Des Moines said “It would be irresponsible for Iowa to go down that road. Iowans want us to make wise decisions to improve our state. We can’t afford to repeat the mistakes of others.”

(Radio Iowa)

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

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — The Iowa Legislature has formally launched its latest session. Legislative leaders from both chambers gaveled in shortly after 10 a.m. Monday at the state Capitol in Des Moines. The day is expected to be focused mostly on ceremonial speeches. Republicans with majorities in the Senate and House will set the agenda for the session, and they’ve indicated that overhauling Iowa’s tax code will be high on their to-do list. A proposal has not been shared publicly.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — The Iowa Legislature has hired a human resources director to oversee harassment complaints at the state Capitol. Colin Tadlock, a spokesman for House Republicans, confirmed Monday the manager will begin work Jan. 21. The state agreed in September to pay $1.75 million to settle a lawsuit filed by a former GOP Senate staffer who said she was fired after reporting sexual misconduct in the workplace. The Legislature is still grappling with the fallout.

SIOUX CITY, Iowa (AP) — The Iowa attorney general’s office has filed a lawsuit against a former Sioux City council member alleging the improper storage and disposal of millions of pounds of electronics and hazardous waste. The Sioux City Journal reports the state filed the lawsuit Monday against Aaron Rochester, seeking unspecified civil penalties and a permanent injunction against his recycling businesses. The state says more than 17 million pounds of waste has been stored at facilities in Iowa and Nebraska.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — A California man from Russia charged with using stolen identification from Russian immigrants to file fraudulent unemployment benefits in Iowa and two other states has been sentenced to four years and nine months in prison. Court documents filed in U.S. District Court in Iowa say Nikolai Monastyrski also must repay the state of Illinois more than $230,000, Iowa more than $114,000 and Pennsylvania $46,000.

SIOUX CITY, Iowa (AP) — The Iowa attorney general’s office has filed a lawsuit against a former Sioux City council member alleging the improper storage and disposal of millions of pounds of electronics and hazardous waste.

The Sioux City Journal reports the state filed the lawsuit Monday in Woodbury County District Court against Aaron Rochester, who lost his bid for re-election in 2011 after a single council term. The suit seeks unspecified civil penalties against Rochester and a permanent injunction to prevent his recycling businesses from further violations.

The attorney general’s office says more than 17 million pounds of waste, some of which includes lead, mercury and other toxic material, has been stored at facilities in Iowa and Nebraska. The Iowa cleanup could surpass $1.5 million.

Rochester expressed surprise at the lawsuit and says he’s willing to work with the state.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — The Iowa Legislature has hired a human resources director to oversee harassment complaints at the state Capitol. Colin Tadlock, a spokesman for House Republicans, confirmed Monday the manager will begin work Jan. 21st. Nonpartisan administrators in both Republican-controlled chambers were involved in the hire. No additional information was provided.

The state agreed in September to pay $1.75 million to settle a lawsuit filed by a former GOP Senate staffer who said she was fired after reporting sexual misconduct in the workplace. The conduct centered on lewd and inappropriate language. The Legislature is still grappling with the fallout.

Tadlock says House Republicans considered creating the position prior to the lawsuit reaching trial last year. A recent internal Senate GOP report revealed office staff fear retaliation if they report harassment

Cass County Recorder Mary Ward, Monday afternoon, announced that she will be seeking re-election in the upcoming June 5th Primary and General Elections for 2018. Ward has been working in the Recorder’s Office for six years and this is her fourth year in her first term as Recorder. In a statement to the media, she said it has been a very rewarding job and she enjoys helping people that come into her office.

Ward said her office has seen a number of changes since she started this position. The changes include, but are not limited to: A state-wide system for registering boats, ATV’s, and snowmobiles, and, a state-wide system for all death and marriage records back to 1954 and births back to 1990.

Cass County Recorder Mary Ward

She said also, “Our recording of real estate documents has remained pretty steady the past couple of years with more documents being e-submitted rather than brought over the counter. We are also working on some back scanning projects for real estate records and have a few more projects that we would like to accomplish down the road.”

The records in her office dating back to the 1880’s. Ward says  she’s “Committed to making sure these records are preserved for current and future generations.” Mary Ward was raised in Adair and graduated from Adair-Casey High School. She obtained a Sales and Marketing Degree from Iowa Lakes Community College. She and her husband have lived in the Atlantic area for close to 25-years.

Ward added that she has taken courses to become a Certified Recorder with the Iowa County Recorder’s Association.

Four officers were elected during the Iowa State University Extension and Outreach Shelby County extension council organizational meeting Jan 2nd. The nine-member county extension council annually elects officers to comply with Iowa law.

Julie Klein, of Harlan, was re-elected as chairperson. Klein will preside at all meetings of the county extension council, have authority to call special meetings and perform duties as performed and exercised by a chairperson of a board of directors of a corporation. Michele Monson, of Irwin, was elected vice chairperson.

Sheila Rihner, of Shelby, was elected secretary and has the responsibility of keeping the minutes of all county extension council meetings and signing required papers for the council.

The council re-elected Elaine Baughman, of Kirkman to the treasurer position. The treasurer has charge of all of the funds of the county extension council; receives, deposits, pays and disburses. The treasurer insures an accurate record of receipts and disbursements and submits reports to the county extension council.

As elected officials, the county extension council is the governing body of ISU Extension and Outreach. The county extension council hires county staff, manages the county extension budget of approximately $122,719 and helps determine programming.

In partnership with ISU Extension and Outreach, the council provides educational opportunities that bring university resources to the needs of the county and region. The county extension office is located at 906 6th Street in Harlan. To learn more about ISU Extension and Outreach in Shelby County, visit www.extension.iastate.edu/shelby.

Four people were arrested in Clarinda over the weekend, on drug charges. Police Chief Keith Brothers says at around 11:20-a.m. Saturday, his officers arrested 47-year old Charles Thomas Harmsen, of Clarinda, on a warrant for operating a motor vehicle while under the influence of controlled substances that are believed to be methamphetamine and marijuana. Harmsen was arrested following an investigation stemming from an incident that occurred on November 15, 2017. Harmsen was arrested at his residence without incident and was released after posting ten percent of a $1,000 bail.

Saturday night, Clarinda Police arrested 27-year old Jeffrey Davison, of Clarinda, at 6th & Lincoln pursuant to a traffic stop. Davison was arrested for possession of drug paraphernalia, resisting arrest and on a warrant for contempt of court from Adams County. Davison was taken to the Page County Jail and held on $900 bail.

At around 1-a.m. Sunday, Clarinda Police arrested 57-year old Edward Paul Swanson,  of Clarinda, pursuant to a traffic stop at 12th & Garfield Streets. Swanson was arrested on felony possession of drugs believed to be methamphetamine and marijuana, third or subsequent offense, eluding a law enforcement vehicle and operating a vehicle without a license. He was taken to the Page County Jail and held on $6,000 bail.

And at around 2-a.m. today (Monday), officers arrested 35-year old Katie Ann Milledge, of Clarinda, on a felony charge: Possession of methamphetamine, third or subsequent offense. Milledge was arrested following to a traffic stop at 22nd & State Street. She was taken to the Page County Jail and held on $5,000 bail.

Police reports concerning the incidents have been submitted to the offices of Page County Attorney Carl M. Sonksen for review regarding the filing of formal charges.

(DES MOINES) – Gov. Kim Reynolds, along with Lt. Gov. Adam Gregg and Iowa Department of Transportation (DOT) Director Mark Lowe, unveiled a new app on Monday for commercial driver’s license (CDL) testing prep. The app is designed as an interactive study guide to help Iowans interested in getting a CDL study for the written portion of the exam. The app also helps seasoned drivers brush up on skills or study for certification of new skills. The Iowa DOT pursued development of the app in response to the shortage of drivers and after data analysis showed a large percentage of CDL applicants failed their written exam on the first attempt.

The app is an interactive version of the official CDL manual developed by the American Association of Motor Vehicle Administrators and approved by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, with resource guides and quizzes to help users identify subject areas they may need to study further. The app also provides full-length practice tests.

The Iowa CDL Testing App is available on mobile devices through iOS and Android app stores, as well as online at https://iowadot.gov/mvd/driverslicense/manuals-and-practice-tests?utm_medium=email&utm_source=govdelivery. It’s free to anyone with an Iowa driver’s license or ID card.

The Iowa Legislature has formally launched its latest session. Legislative leaders from both chambers gaveled in shortly after 10 a.m. Monday at the state Capitol. The day is expected to be focused mostly on ceremonial speeches. Republicans who hold majorities in the Senate and House will set the agenda for the session, and they’ve indicated that overhauling Iowa’s tax code will be high on their to-do list. A proposal has not been shared publicly.

Any plan to cut taxes must be balanced with Iowa’s roughly $7.2 billion budget, which has been below projections in recent years. That’s led to multiple reductions to government spending. There’s also growing pressure for legislators to address ongoing problems with the state’s privatized Medicaid program. Health care providers and patients have complained about reduced services. State officials have defended the program.

Adair County Sheriff Jeff Vandewater reports six arrests took place last week. 27-year old Noel Ornelas, of Creston, was arrested in Adair County, by the Iowa State Patrol Friday afternoon. Ornelas was wanted on a Clarke County warrant for Failure to Appear in court, on an original charge of Driving While Barred. He was transported to Clarke County and released to their deputies. And, 33-year old Timothy John Schrum, of Carroll, was sentenced to time served for Failure to Appear on an original charge of Driving While License Under Suspension. Schrum was released on his own recognizance later that same day.

Last Thursday, 23-year old Alaina Noel Goddard, of Des Moines, was arrested on an Adair County warrant for Violation of Probation. Goddard was being held without bond in the Adair County Jail, until making an appearance before the magistrate. Last Wednesday, 36-year old Justin Paul Parker, of Adair, was arrested by Adair County Deputies, on a hold from Guthrie County. He remained in the Adair County Jail without bond.

On Jan. 2nd, 28-year old Brian Keith Cunningham, of Greenfield, was arrested at the Clarke County Jail in Osceola, on Adair County warrants for Domestic Abuse Assault/3rd of subsequent offense, and Violation of Probation. His cash bond or surety was set at $6,000. And, 50-year old Todd Richard Eble, of Bridgewater, was arrested Dec. 31st in Bridgewater, on charges of Driving Under Suspension and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. He was released Jan. 1st on a $300 cash bond or surety.