(Radio Iowa) — Governor Kim Reynolds says due to legal challenges of executive action in other states, she’s ruled out issuing an executive order that would restrict electronic cigarette sales. Reynolds met Friday with key staff to discuss ways to address underage “vaping” and the illness that’s been associated with the use of e-cigarettes. “Right now I’m not going to do an executive order. I’m not going to look at a ban,” Reynolds syas. “We’re going to continue to raise awareness both in our schools and our universities and just in the public in general.”

Public health officials have identified more than 40 vaping-related illnesses in Iowa and Reynolds says the majority of those involved the use of a vaping cartridge that was laced with T-H-C, the chemical in marijuana that causes the “high.” “We’ve seen it stabilize just a little, but we know like anything else it could escalate tomorrow, so I’m not saying that it’s even close to being addressed,” Reynolds says.

The president of the state Senate this past spring proposed raising the age for buying products that contain nicotine from 18 to 21, but the proposal was not adopted by the 2019 Iowa legislature. The governor says she’s willing to consider raising the age. “I think that would be maybe something that might help, moving forward,” Reynolds says. “…We need to look at everything, so I would say for the most part we’re not going to take things off the table until we evaluate what’s making a difference.”

The governor says she’s asked the Departments of Education, Human Services and Public Health to coordinate a social media campaign talking about the dangers of vaping, especially among minors.

IOWA CITY, Iowa (AP) — An eastern Iowa school district has secured federal grant funding to monitor students’ social media accounts for possible warning signs that students might harm themselves or their peers. The Iowa City Press-Citizen reports that the Iowa City Community School District received the grant from the U.S. Department of Justice. A portion of the $187,000 grant is earmarked to contract with a company that will scan social media posts. It’s part of a district-wide push to improve safety across the school district.

School officials have not yet determined what all the monitoring will entail. School officials note that the district already has the right to look at the emails and Google Drive accounts of students who are using district technology.

BURLINGTON, Iowa (AP) — Authorities are investigating the death of a man whose body was found inside an eastern Iowa home. The Hawk Eye in Burlington reports that authorities found the body after they were called to a home in Burlington shortly before 2 p.m. Sunday. Police say they’ve preliminarily identified the man who died but are not yet releasing his name because of the pending investigation and so they have time to notify relatives.

Burlington police say an autopsy has been scheduled and the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigations is working on the case as well. Authorities did not release any other details. They’re urging anyone with more information to call the Burlington Police Department.

IOWA CITY, Iowa (AP) — Iowa’s human resources agency has been investigating a personnel issue that has put two top crime fighters off work for two weeks. Assistant Division of Criminal Investigation director Terry Cowman and Special Agent in Charge C.J. Noelck were put on leave earlier this month. The two help run the Division of Intelligence, which includes the state fusion center and the Iowa Law Enforcement Intelligence Network. Cowman and Noelck have been with the department for more than 20 years.

Reached at home, Noelck said that he has been directed by the Department of Administrative Services to stay quiet about the investigation. He says, “I was told it’s a personnel matter and I can’t comment.” It’s unclear what the investigation entails, but that department has recently taken a lead role looking into sexual harassment complaints. Such investigations are confidential.
The two recently helped host an annual training conference for law enforcement.

Sheriff’s officials in Pottawattamie County say a deputy dispatched at around 8:20-p.m. Saturday, to a residence in rural, northwest Avoca, arrested a man for Domestic Abuse Assault by strangulation, with regard to an incident between a man and two women.  Following an investigation, 32-year old Curtis Clayton Roe, of Avoca, was arrested and transported to the Pott. County Jail.

And, at around 11:45-p.m. Saturday, a traffic stop on Old Lincoln Highway and Cold Water Streets in Honey Creek, resulted in the arrest of 38-year old Krystal Dawn Grund. She was taken into custody for OWI/1st offense.

MUSCATINE, Iowa (AP) — A growing trend has emerged in the states that matter most in the Democratic Party’s high-stakes presidential nomination fight: Primary voters appear to be getting less certain of their choice as Election Day approaches. The growing uncertainty is in part a reflection of the historically large number of candidates still in the race. But it also reflects a deepening sense of unease about the party’s top-tier candidates whose political liabilities are becoming more visible as the first voting contests approach.

Interviews with dozens of voters across Iowa and New Hampshire in recent days reveal a pervasive feeling of uncertainty. And even among those who have a favorite candidate, most say they could change their mind before voting begins.

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

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WATERLOO, Iowa (AP) — Waterloo officials will vote whether to spend $84,500 to study the feasibility of a city-owned broadband utility. The Waterloo-Cedar Falls Courier reports the City Council will be asked Monday whether to approve the study by Denver-based Magellan Advisors. The council voted earlier this month to set aside money from unspent general obligation bonds for the costs. The vote Monday would engage the company for the study.

Business groups and others have encouraged officials to consider the municipal utility because of dissatisfaction about current internet services offered by private companies. A study by the Waterloo Industrial Development Association estimated the cost of a fiber-to-home system at $39.2 million to $65.3 million. The study would be completed this spring.

The Creston Police Department reports six recent arrests. At around 3-a.m. today (Monday), 41-year old Regina Torres, of Creston, was arrested on a Union County warrant for Failure to Appear, on an original charge of Assault. Torres was being held in the Adams County Jail on a $300 bond. Sunday night, 25-year old Brittany Kuhn, of Creston, was arrested at the Union County Law Enforcement Center (LEC) on charges of Harassment, and two counts of Assault. Kuhn was later released on a $2,600 bond.

At around 2-a.m. Sunday 41-year old Mauri Graciani, of San Perilta, TX., was arrested in Creston for Public Intoxication, Assault on a Police Officer (without injury), and Interference with Official Acts. Graciani was later released on a $1,600 bond. At around 12:45-a.m., Sunday, Creston Police arrested 37-year old Mitchell Killion, of Creston, for Public Intoxication. He was later released on $300 bond. And, at around 12:30-a.m. Saturday, 33-year old Jacob Holbrook, of Creston, was arrested for OWI/1st offense. He was later released on a $1,000 bond.

Saturday afternoon, 31-year old Jennifer Bronkla, of Creston, was arrested for Theft in the 5th Degree. She was subsequently released on a promise to appear in court. And, a Creston woman residing in the 300 block of Livingston Avenue, reported Saturday, that sometime over the previous few days, someone broke into her vehicle parked in front of her residence. A purse containing several makeup items was missing. The loss was estimate at $500.

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

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