Winter is coming to Iowa about ten days early. National Weather Service meteorologist Jim Lee says the first statewide snowstorm system of the season is about to swoop over the state. Lee says, “Our confidence is pretty high for snow across about the northern half of the state on Saturday and maybe a more widespread but lighter snow on Sunday.”

The latest computer model shows southwest Iowa getting just an inch or two of snow while the opposite corner may get a lot more. “It depends on how you define ‘a lot,’ but there’s definitely the possibility for more than six inches of snow total between the two days across northeastern Iowa,” Lee says. “Anybody up there is going to have to break out their shovels and snowblowers, that’s for sure.”

An area from Mason City and Waterloo to Decorah and Dubuque could get seven inches of snow, or more. “The most significantly accumulating snowfall will begin in northwestern Iowa on Saturday morning and spread to the northeast by the afternoon, falling through the night and tapering off and also spreading out on Sunday,” Lee says. “Some areas, particularly north and northeastern Iowa, may see nearly continuous snowfall for about a day and a half, and that’s where the highest totals are expected.”

The calendar says winter officially arrives on December 21st. Iowa’s been walloped by big snowfalls before Halloween in some years, but Lee says this storm’s right on track. “This is really pretty normal,” Lee says. “It seems like most years in Iowa, we see the first significant snowfall generally in the first half or so of December. There’s a lot of variability. Some years it’s in November, some years it’s not until Christmas, but this is pretty close to normal.”

The storm will leave behind bitter cold temperatures as part of what’s known as a Polar Vortex. Wind chills early next week may be 10 and 20-degrees below zero.

(Radio Iowa)

DUBUQUE, Iowa (AP) – Some district parents have asked Dubuque schools to formulate a policy that would have teachers keep obscene materials out of their classrooms. The Dubuque Telegraph Herald reports  that seven people made the request Tuesday to members of a school board committee. The issue arose last month during debate over a novel that included descriptions of sexual activity and drug use. A committee composed of parents, teachers and students voted against barring “The Perks of Being a Wallflower” from classrooms.

The book is a coming-of-age novel that was on the American Library Association’s list of the top 100 challenged and banned books from 2000 to 2009. School board member Tami Ryan told the seven Tuesday that their request will require some research before any new policy is considered.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – A state official credits increased use of overdose antidotes for a decline in deaths due to heroin and pain pills in Iowa. A report released by the Governor’s Office of Drug Control Policy on Thursday shows the number of pain-pill overdose deaths jumped from 11 in 2003 to 77 in 2013, but fell to 42 in 2014, and 43 last year. The number of heroin overdose deaths quadrupled from five in 2009 to 20 in 2013, and then fell to 15 in 2015.

Steve Lukan, director of the office, tells The Des Moines Register that emergency medical responders and police officers have more training and experience in how to recognize and respond to overdoses. He says more first responders also carry antidotes, such as naloxone, that can counteract the effects of narcotic overdoses.

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

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The Creston Police Department says a resident in Creston reported Thursday evening, that someone had damaged the windshield on his truck that was parked in the 500 block of N. Division Street. The incident occurred sometime between the hours of 9-p.m. Wednesday and 7:15-a.m., Thursday. The damage was estimated at $100.

The area’s top news at 7:06-a.m., w/KJAN News Director Ric Hanson

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Authorities in Shenandoah say a Pottawattamie County man was arrested Thursday after he allegedly stole an SUV that was left running at a local convenience store. The suspect, 41-year old Richard Rapp, of Oakland, is said to have driven off from the Casey’s General Store on Highway 59 in Shenandoah. Authorities later received word the vehicle, a 2002 Chevy Avalanche, hit a tree at the American Legion Golf Course in Shenandoah.

Witnesses saw Rapp run from the scene of the accident. When Police caught up with him, Rapp was subdued through the use of a stun gun. He was transported by Shenandoah EMS to the Shenandoah Medical Center to be checked for possible injuries.

Charges were pending in connection with the incident.

Authorities in Montgomery County said late Thursday night that citizens in Stanton should be on the lookout for a black male who fled from law enforcement. The man, who was wanted on warrants out of another state, was wearing a light colored shirt and blue jeans. They advised residents of Stanton to make sure their vehicles and houses are locked.The subject was still be sought by law enforcement at last report (as of 5:54-a.m. today).

If you see this individual, do not approach and call 9-1-1 immediately.

About five-thousand people celebrated in Des Moines last (Thursday) night with President-elect Donald Trump. “I’m here today for one main reason: to say ‘Thank you’ to the great, great people of Iowa,” Trump said, and the crowd cheered. “You went out and you pounded, I mean, pounded the pavement.”

Trump touted his 10-point win in Iowa as “a lot more” than was expected. “Just to go into this for a second, so we won almost every single county in this state,” Trump said. “…We won one county that wasn’t won since Dwight D. Eisenhower. Anybody know the name of that county?” And a few people in the crowd yelled Dubuque.

Trump was the first Republican presidential candidate to win Dubuque County since 1956. Trump spoke for about 45 minutes, promising to pursue a “buy American, hire American” agenda as president, with tax reform and the repeal of ObamaCare as top agenda items. “I think you’ll be liking some of the things we’ll be putting forward in the not-too-distant future,” Trump said. “Do you know what I mean? Yes? Do you know what I mean?”

Trump also got cheers from the crowd when he asked if they liked his cabinet choices so far — including his decision to send Iowa Governor Terry Branstad to China as U.S. Ambassador. “I can’t tell you how many people wanted that position. You know, it’s not bad. You go over there. You live like a king,” Trump said. “But he’s not looking to live like a king. He and his beautiful wife came to my office the other day. They’re willing to work on that relationship.”

Trump cited Branstad’s long-term relationship with the president of China. And Trump offered a litany of thorny issues Branstad will be charged with tackling with the Chinese. Trump complained that China is manipulating the value of its currency. Trump accused China of the “massive theft of intellectual property” from U.S. companies. And Trump blasted China for “not helping with the menace of North Korea.”

“They haven’t played by the rules and I know it’s time that they’re going to start. They’ve going to start. They’ve got to,” Trump said, to cheers. “…We’ve got to play by the rules, folks.” Trump introduced Branstad to the crowd. “He’s going to do so great. With Terry on our side, I know we will succeed in bringing our jobs back and I also know the China that’s been so tough and so competitive and frankly, dealing with people that didn’t get it, but I’ll tell you we will have mutual respect and China’s going to benefit and America’s going to benefit,” Trump said, “and Terry’s going to lead the way.”

Branstad offered very brief remarks. “It has been a great honor and privilege to serve the people of this state and thanks to our great new president who’s going to make America great again, I am very proud to serve America in this very important role,” Branstad said. “Thank you very much.”

Vice President-elect Mike Pence introduced Trump, noting last night’s rally on December 8th marked the one-month anniversary of Trump’s victory on November 8th.

(Radio Iowa)