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(Podcast) 7-am News & Funeral Announcements, 1/13/2014

News, Podcasts

January 13th, 2014 by Ric Hanson

A podcast of the area’s top News, with KJAN News Director Ric Hanson.

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Adair County Board of Supervisors’ Special meeting today

News

January 13th, 2014 by Ric Hanson

The Adair County Board of Supervisors will hold a special session this morning, beginning at 9 o’clock in their Board Room at the courthouse, in Greenfield. The Board is expected to hear several budget requests for Fiscal Year 2015, including, but not limited to, those from the: Library; Tourism Dept.; County Attorney; Sheriff; Social Services, Board of Supervisors and Data Processing Departments, along with the Adair County Conservation Dept.

Those requests will be followed by a Budget Work Session at 10:30.

Audubon City Council meeting set for tonight

News

January 13th, 2014 by Ric Hanson

The Audubon City Council is set to meet tonight during a regular session that begins at 7-p.m.  On their agenda is receipt of the proposed Library Budget, and an audit report from Schroer & Associates. The Council will also discuss Run-off elections prior to their adjournment.

Atlantic School Board meeting tonight (1/13/14)

News

January 13th, 2014 by Ric Hanson

The Atlantic Community School District’s Board of Education will meet during a regular session tonight, at the high school. During their 7:30-p.m. session in the Media Center, the Board will receive special presentations with regard to the Middle School Mock Trial, and, the old school boilers.

On the consent agenda, is approval of: Contacts and/or Letters of Assignment; Contracts for General Education and Special Ed; Volunteer coaches positions and any resignations. Other action items include: Approve of Schuler Principal James Northwick as the District’s Homeless Coordinator; The loan of Indian artifacts to the Cass County Historical Museum; The AHS Science curriculum proposal; Board Polices, series 500 and 600, and, a Financial Advisory Services Contract with Piper Jaffray.

Boil Advisory lifted for Pisgah

News

January 13th, 2014 by Ric Hanson

The Iowa Department of Natural Resources reported late Sunday night a boil advisory has been lifted for the Harrison County city of Pisgah. The boil advisory had been issued following loss of pressure in the entire system Thursday evening. An electrical contact on one of the pumps tripped out and prevented the wells from turning on.

The electrical problem has been repaired and pressure has been restored, but the drop that occurred in water pressure could have possibly allowed bacteria to enter the drinking water. The water has been sampled and determined to be safe.

Iowa AG keeping eye on Target’s handling of information breach

News

January 13th, 2014 by Ric Hanson

Officials with Target revealed Friday that the addresses, phone numbers and email addresses of some 70 million customers were impacted by the security breach which the company had said last month involved only 40 million people. Bill Brauch, the head of the Attorney General’s Consumer Protection Division, says its something Iowa is watching along with others. Brauch says nearly every state is part of a group that is looking at the Target situation and are in communication with the company. Brauch says the Attorneys General have two goals.

“Trying to determine whether Target did all it reasonably should have to avoid the problems that are there — the privacy breeches — and then also tracking what Target is doing to try to resolve that situation,” Brauch explains. He says they will be sure that the company follows through. “So many Iowans are impacted that we’re gonna be very involved, in making sure that first of all, that if Target didn’t do what it was reasonably expected to do to avoid these problems, that it fixes that situation pronto,” Brauch says. The company has been working with them.

“We appreciate the fact that Target has been up front with us in reaching out to us and communicating with us and we hope that that continues as we move through the process,” Brauch says. It’s hard to know exactly how many Iowans may’ve had their vital information stolen, so he says it’s important that you keep an eye on your accounts. “We strongly urge Target customers to watch their credit card bills — or if it was a debit card used — watch them very, very carefully,” he says. Brauch advises everyone, Target shoppers and others, to check their credit report every four months for any irregularities. He says the four major credit agencies are legally required to give you a free credit report once a year.

“You can do that very easily by going to annualcreditreport.com,” Brauch says. “That is the free site set up by the federal government. We strongly discourage consumers from going to pay sites that might be labeled free sites but really aren’t.” Brauch says if you see anything that looks out of the ordinary you should contact your credit card company.

(Radio Iowa)

Iowa News Headlines: Mon., Jan. 13th 2014

News

January 13th, 2014 by Ric Hanson

Here is the latest Iowa news from The Associated Press…

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — One state senator wants to make sure Iowa law enforcement officers are getting adequate training on using stun guns. The Des Moines Register reports Senator Tom Courtney of Burlington plans to investigate the rules for stun gun use during the legislative session that begins today.

WAVERLY, Iowa (AP) — Iowa officials are highlighting the benefits of planting trees, shrubs and native grasses for water quality and wildlife habitat in the state. The forestry bureau of the state Department of Natural Resources and Trees Forever are hosting a series of public meetings about the importance of natural buffers along waterways. The meetings will be held January 21st in Waverly, Feb. 11th in Charles City, and March 18th in Osage.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Iowa may allow graduates of the state’s two law schools to start practicing law in the state without taking the bar exam. The Des Moines Register reports the Iowa State Bar Association is considering the idea to help young lawyers get started quickly without accumulating more debt.

COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) — Roy Marble scored 22 points, Aaron White added 19 and Number 20 Iowa ended the game on a 22-9 run to hand Number 3 Ohio State an 84-74 loss yesterday. Melsahn Besabe had 11 points and 10 rebounds, Mike Gesell added 11 points and Jarrod Uthoff had 10 off the bench for the Hawkeyes, who ended a string of eight straight losses to the Buckeyes.

5 things to know about Iowa legislative session

News

January 12th, 2014 by Ric Hanson

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Iowa lawmakers will convene Monday morning for the 2014 legislative assembly with modest expectations, given that it’s an election year and the schedule calls for a short session. Still, there are some policy proposals on the table, a budget must be approved and some political posturing is expected.

Here are five things to know about the session:

1. SHORT SESSION

The sessions that occur in even-numbered years are designed to be shorter and tend to deal more with budget basics and less with sweeping policy debates. This year there are just 100 days scheduled, compared with 110 days in odd-numbered years. And leaders have already moved up a number of procedural deadlines to help speed the process and perhaps conclude before April 22, when lawmakers stop receiving daily expense payments. Democratic Senate Majority Leader Mike Gronstal, of Council Bluffs, said the calendar is designed that way for a reason. “When they created that timeline, they always presumed that the election year would be shorter than the non-election year,” Gronstal said.

1. MODEST POLICY GOALS

Gov. Terry Branstad has laid out a series of small policy priorities that the legislative leaders seem inclined to support. They include an expansion of Internet access, a crackdown on school bullying, job training efforts and a program supporting veterans. More substantive work is not expected, especially given that the Legislature accomplished some big policy efforts last year, with agreements on a property tax cut, new education spending and low-income health care expansion. And some ongoing issues — such as the debate over increasing the state fuel tax to pay for road repairs — seem unlikely to advance. “The legislature has only so much energy and they exhausted a good share of it last year,” said Republican political consultant Doug Gross.

1. BUDGET TALK

Even in a speedy session, legislators still must approve a state budget. One key issue will be how to manage the state’s projected budget surplus of nearly $900 million. But while Democrats will likely seek some new spending and Republicans may float tax cuts, Branstad is cautioning that most of that funding is needed to pay for the tax cut and education spending approved last year. “We wanted to make sure it was sustainable for the whole five years,” Branstad said of those plans. “That’s the reason you cannot spend the ending balance.”

1. POLITICAL POSTURING

Despite those realities, lawmakers will likely raise some items more for political reasons than with any real legislative intent. All the House members and half the Senate are up for re-election. In addition, a number of members are seeking higher office, such as Sen. Jack Hatch, D-Des Moines, who is running for governor, or Sen. Joni Ernst, R-Red Oak, who is seeking the open U.S. Senate seat. That means they all want stuff to brag about out on the campaign trail. So Democrats running the state Senate are likely to talk about boosting the minimum wage, while Republicans ruling the House may pitch tax cuts. But neither issue is likely to advance.

1. CRYSTAL BALL

Amid the campaign talk is a lot of chatter about how these elections will impact the makeup of the legislature for 2015. Currently the Democrats hold a 26-24 majority in the Senate, while Republicans enjoy a 53-47 edge in the state House. Both parties are hoping to pick up seats in the 2014 elections as there will be some vacancies in both chambers. Should the Republicans take over the Senate and hold the House, the Legislature might pursue a far more conservative agenda in 2015, perhaps seeking further restrictions on abortion and a referendum on a constitutional amendment banning gay marriage. Republicans have proposed such legislation in the past, but it has been stalled by Democrats in the Senate.

Iowa may cut bar exam for some law students

News

January 12th, 2014 by Ric Hanson

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Iowa may allow graduates of the state’s two law schools to start practicing law in the state without taking the bar exam. The Des Moines Register reports the Iowa State Bar Association is considering the idea to help young lawyers get started quickly without accumulating more debt. Typically, graduates of the University of Iowa and Drake University’s law schools must wait 4½ months after graduation before learning whether they passed the bar exam. During that time, many student take out more loans for living expenses.

Drake law school dean Allan Vestal says that time is a waste for most students. The proposal would still require graduated to pass an ethics exam and background check. Graduates would also have to take a class on Iowa laws and court procedure.

Adams County couple arrested on assault charges

News

January 12th, 2014 by Ric Hanson

An altercation in Corning early this (Sunday) morning, resulted in the arrest of a man and woman on assault charges. The Adams County Sheriff’s Office reports 34-year old Rebecca Simmer and her boyfriend, 41-year old Aaron Gray, both of Corning, were charged with Domestic Assault. The couple was brought to the Adams County Jail and held without bond until making their initial appearance in front of the magistrate.

Officials say Aaron Gray reported the incident between himself and his girlfriend. An investigation determined they had allegedly struck each other, causing minor injuries to both individuals.