The area’s latest and/or top news stories at 7:05-a.m. From KJAN News Director Ric Hanson.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (6.4MB)

Subscribe: RSS

The Adams County Sheriff’s Office reports the arrest late Thursday night, of 19-year old Tanner Eric Abraham, of Villisca. He was arrested at around 11:18-p.m. in Nodaway, for Domestic Abuse Assault, False Imprisonment, and Obstruction of Emergency Communications. Abraham was being held without bond in the Adams County Jail.

Here is the latest Iowa news from The Associated Press at 3:50 a.m. CDT

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Gov. Kim Reynolds has signed into law a package of police reforms only hours after lawmakers unanimously approved the legislation. Before signing the bill Friday, Reynolds praised lawmakers who quickly approved the bill Thursday night after debating it simultaneously in the House and Senate. She also thanked protesters who took to the streets to make clear the need for the legislation after the death of George Floyd in Minneapolis. Provisions include restrictions on the use of choke holds and additional options to prosecute officers. Supporters of the Black Lives Matter movement stood with a bipartisan group of legislators as Reynolds signed the bill.

IOWA CITY, Iowa (AP) — Iowa has purchased 1 million face masks through a Republican campaign vendor that will be used by some health care workers despite labels that warn they aren’t intended for medical purposes or hospitals. Iowa’s executive branch last month agreed to buy the reusable cotton masks from Competitive Edge, Inc. for $1.07 apiece. The $1.32 million contract was awarded to bolster the state’s personal protective equipment supplies to stop the spread of the coronavirus. It was Iowa’s fourth emergency purchase order with the Des Moines company owned by David Greenspon, a GOP donor whose firm has long sold promotional items to Republican campaigns.

IOWA CITY, Iowa (AP) — The University of Iowa has decided to stick with its original fall academic calendar, even as other regents schools move up their start dates amid the coronavirus. The Gazette reports that UI officials announced their decision to stay the course in a campus-wide message Friday. Student will return Aug. 24 and finish finals Dec. 18. The announcement came days after Iowa State University and University of Northern Iowa unveiled plans to start their fall semesters Aug. 17 and complete them the day before Thanksgiving, on Nov. 25.

The Page County Sheriff’s Department reports an Essex man, 29-year old Bradley Aeron Haley, was arrested Thursday, on charges of Violation of Sex Offender Registry – 2^nd Offense.

Bradley A. Haley

His arrest stems from an investigation conducted by the Page County Sheriff’s Office.

Haley was transported to the Page County Jail, where he was being held on $5,000 bond pending further court proceedings.

IOWA CITY, Iowa (AP) — The University of Iowa has decided to stick with its original fall academic calendar, even as other regents schools move up their start dates amid the coronavirus. The Gazette reports that UI officials announced their decision to stay the course in a campus-wide message Friday. Student will return Aug. 24 and finish finals Dec. 18.

The announcement came days after Iowa State University and University of Northern Iowa unveiled plans to start their fall semesters Aug. 17 and complete them the day before Thanksgiving, on Nov. 25.

The Red Oak Police Department reports one man suffered minor injuries during a head-on collision on Friday morning. At 11:27 a.m. Red Oak Police were called to the intersection of West Oak Street and North Broadway Street in Red Oak for the accident.

After investigation it was determined that a 2002 Toyota Camry driven by 96-year-old Paul Edwin Roby of Red Oak was traveling eastbound on West Oak Street and entered the intersection with North Broadway and lost control of his vehicle. The Camry hit a 2018 Ford F150 truck driven by 73-year-old Clinton Mervil Sunderman of Clarinda head-on. The truck was at a complete stop at a red light at the intersection when struck. Witnesses said the Camry was traveling well over the 25mph speed limit before losing control. Roby was taken by Red Oak Rescue to Montgomery County Memorial Hospital with minor injuries.

The Camry suffered $5,000 damage, a total loss, and the F150 sustained $3,000 damage. No citations have been issued at this time. Red Oak Police were assisted at the scene by Red Oak Rescue and the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office at the scene.

(Radio Iowa) – A rare scene on the Iowa Capitol steps this (Friday) afternoon. Surrounded by nearly every state legislator and a few dozen Black Lives Matter protesters, Iowa’s governor signed a police reform bill into law.

Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds signs bipartisan legislation Friday, June 12, 2020, in Des Moines, Iowa banning most police chokeholds and addressing officer misconduct. The signing took place one week after a group of Democratic lawmakers and activists stood in a similar spot, outlining demands to address police violence following the death of George Floyd in Minneapolis. (Olivia Sun/The Des Moines Register via AP)

The bill unanimously passed the House and Senate last (Thursday) night in a matter of hours. It prevents police with a record of serious misconduct from being hired by an Iowa law enforcement agency and bars police from using choke holds. Governor Reynolds began her remarks by saying George Floyd’s death in police custody opened the eyes of a nation and had sparked a movement.

Reynolds says the bill is historic, but just the first step to systemic change.

As Reynolds signed the bill, protesters chanted “black lives matter” and one of them held up a black power poster.

After the ceremony concluded, the protesters danced on the steps of the statehouse to one of gospel singer Kirk Franklin’s biggest hits: Revolution.

(Radio Iowa) — A group of Black Lives Matter protesters met with Governor Kim Reynolds late this (Friday) morning to discuss their priority issue of the day. The group is pushing the governor to immediately issue an executive order that would automatically restore felon voting rights. A proposal still awaiting debate in the Iowa Senate seeks to eventually amend the state’s constitution, so felons may vote once they’ve completed their sentences.

A woman who gave her name as Jalesha was among the group who met with Reynolds and she spoke with reporters immediately afterwards. “All of these officials are telling us we need to go about change the right way. We need to be a part of the official process. We need to talk to our legislators — all of that political correct jazz and so that’s what we’ve been doing,” she said. “We’ve been showing up here every day, we’ve had our meeting with the governor and now we need her to do her part.”

The protesters are lobbying legislators today (Friday) and will meet again with the governor on Monday. “I am hesitantly encouraged,” she said. “I don’t necessarily believe in government officials, but I believe in all the folks who show up every day and I believe in the pressure that we can put on them.” Matthew Bruce is one of the leaders of the Des Moines Black Lives Matter group.

“We’re going to spend the rest of the day pretty much pressuring all the legislators of both parties to support Kim Reynolds and support the executive order,” he said. Amending Iowa’s constitution is a lengthy process and 2022 is the earliest Iowans could vote to automatically restore felon voting rights. Bruce says having the governor make that state policy today, through an executive order, would build momentum for passage of that constitutional amendment.

The Black Lives Matter protesters can easily move throughout the state capitol as they occasionally gather to chant or sing. “It sounds like joy,” Bruce says. “I can’t even explain that catharsis that’s kind of coming out right now.” It’s possible the 2020 Iowa Legislature will complete its work and adjourn for the year sometime this weekend. The House and Senate are back in session today and may meet Saturday as well. Lawmakers who are not seeking re-election in November have begun delivering farewell speeches.