Former Iowa Congressman and current Transportation Commission chairman, Leonard Boswell, told the commission today (Tuesday) via telephone that his is in Arizona getting a tumor checked out. Boswell, a Vietnam veteran, says the tumor could be linked to the chemical known as Agent Orange that was used in Vietnam. He says he is seeking a second opinion on the diagnosis.

Boswell says he will get the second opinion in the next couple of days. Boswell spoke to the commission this morning during their informal workshop prior to their regular meeting. “Don’t be worried about me, I am still on my feet. I am doing the same, I just know that something is happening,” Boswell said. Boswell told the commission he would join the regular meeting via telephone.

Boswell, a Democrat from Davis City, was appointed to the Transportation Commission by Governor Terry Branstad in January of 2014. Boswell served in Congress from 1997 to 2013 and prior to that was a state legislator. He was awarded two Distinguished Flying Crosses while flying helicopters in Vietnam. Boswell, who is 81, had a non-cancerous tumor removed from his stomach in 2005.

(Radio Iowa)

The Harlan Police Department reports 39-year old Stephanie Anastasi, of Harlan, was arrested Monday on an active Shelby County warrant for theft in the 5th degree. Anastasi was taken to the Shelby County Jail.

On Sunday, officer with the Harlan P-D were called to the 700 block of Broadway for a disturbance. As a result of the investigation, 29-year old Charles Hayes, of Harlan, was arrested and transported to the Shelby County Jail where he was charged with burglary in the 1st degree for allegedly entering the residence at 708 Broadway, uninvited, and a scuffle ensued. Justin Henriksen, of Harlan, was treated at Myrtue Medical Center for a severe laceration as a result of that scuffle.

And, last Friday, officers were called to the 400 block of Durant for a family disturbance. 18-year old Christopher Buttry, of Harlan, was arrested and taken to the Shelby County Jail where he was charged with assault. Matthew Buttry, age 43, was also cited for assault and released.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — With most of this year’s corn and soybeans harvested, the U.S. Department of Agriculture is boosting its expectations for the size of the crops. An update Tuesday says farmers are expected to produce a record soybean crop totaling 3.98 billion bushels, up 1 percent from last year. That’s based on 95 percent of the crop harvested.

Illinois looks to remain the nation’s leading soybean producer with 550.5 million bushels, followed closely by Iowa. The corn crop will be the third-largest in USDA records at 13.7 billion bushels, based on 93 percent harvested. Iowa maintains its corn production lead with 2.49 billion bushels.

The abundance is sending downward prices that are already below production costs. Farmers who rent land will struggle to make a profit. Consumers shouldn’t see much effect.

Fresh from a recent Republican Primary Debate, Sen. Rand Paul (R-KY), will make presidential grassroots campaign stops in Iowa, Wednesday. Paul will be in Council Bluffs at 4-p.m, for a “Stand with Rand,” meet and greet at 2702 Mid America Drive.

Later in the evening, he has stops in Des Moines, and Ames. While on the campaign trail, Paul will discuss the importance of protecting the entire Bill of Rights, and his conservative agenda, which includes limiting the powers of those elected to office in Washington, D-C.

Rand Paul continues his visit in Iowa on Thursday, with another appearance in Ames, followed by a stop in Altoona, and at 3-p.m. in Winterset, at the Public Library.

(In an update to our earlier post….)

A pursuit that began this (Tuesday) morning in Harlan, resulted in the arrest of a man from Manning. According to Harlan Police, 32-year old Anthony John Bruns was taken into custody and faces numerous charges, including Felony Eluding, Possession of a Controlled Substance (marijuana), Possession of drug paraphernalia, speeding, and Failure to obey a stop sign. Additional charges are possible.

Authorities say at around 7:40-a.m., a Harlan Police Officer attempted to stop a black 1999 Ford Ranger for equipment violations near 9th and Cyclone Avenue. The driver – later identified as Bruns – refused to stop, and sped off. His vehicle eventually left the city limits northbound on County Road M36. The road surface turned to gravel and speeds reached 70-80 MPH. In addition to speed, Bruns ran numerous stop signs.

He stopped on Timber Road near 1500th Street where Shelby County Deputies had the road blocked in front him. Bruns surrendered to officers just before 8-a.m, was taken into custody, and transported to the Shelby County Jail.

Republican delegates from southwest Iowa will gather this (Tuesday) evening in Corning, for a Special Nominating Convention. The event begins at 6:30-p.m. at the Corning Opera House. At least four Republican candidates…Tom Moore of Griswold, John Hartkopf of Atlantic, Ian Barris, of Atlantic and Doug Borkowski of Elliott…have expressed an interest in filling the Iowa House District 21 seat left vacant by the death of State Rep. Jack Drake of Griswold.

The Democratic Party Nominating Convention will be held this 6-p.m. this Thursday, Nov. 12th, at the Massena Public Library. Delegates eligible for these conventions are the precinct committee members from Iowa House District 21 elected at the 2014 precinct caucuses or those elected by their county central committee after the caucuses.

House District 21 covers portions of Pottawattamie and Cass Counties and all of Adams and Union Counties.

The state’s ban on utility disconnections is now in place as a protection for those who may fall behind on their bills during cold weather. Iowa Utilities Board spokesman, Don Tormey, says you have to be signed up for a couple of programs to be protected from having your utilities shut off. “Households that qualify for low income home energy heating assistance or weatherization program assistance are protected from natural gas or electric service disconnection during the moratorium period — which started November 1st and it goes through April 1st of 2016,” Tormey says.

The programs are available on a first-come, first-served basis and you can contact your local Community Action Agency to sign up. Tormey says the programs provide some help to people who’re struggling to pay. “It doesn’t pay the entire energy bill, it’s meant to supplement it and lend assistance to low-income qualified customers,” Tormey explains. He says the weather has been pretty warm so far this fall and people may not be thinking about the program.

“While they cannot be disconnected from that service during the moratorium, the board also urges all LIHEAP and weatherization customers to continue paying toward their energy bills through the winter so they can avoid accumulating high debt, and then facing potential utility service disconnection when the moratorium ends,” Tormey says. The weatherization program helps low-income participants insulate their homes to help save on heating bills.

For more information on either program, go to the Iowa Utilities Board website or call the board at 1-877-565-4450.

(Radio Iowa)

Multiple reports of sexual assault prompted University of Iowa Police to issue a campus-wide “Hawk Alert” early this morning (Tuesday). UI Police say they received three reports of a male groping women. The incidents occurred in the areas of the UI Hospital, the main library, and Hospital Ramp 4. The suspect is described as a white male, about five feet 10 inches tall. He was wearing a red flannel shirt, with ripped jeans and flip flops.

U-of-I Police are urging anyone who sees someone matching the suspect’s description NOT to approach him and call law enforcement.

(Radio Iowa)

A spokesman for the state’s 118 hospitals says there’s too much uncertainty about the Branstad Administration’s push to switch more than half a million Medicaid patients in Iowa to a managed care plan on January 1st. “Put the brakes on this. Allow people time to talk things out, make things work and implement a plan that works for everybody.” That’s Scott McIntyre, the vice president of communications for the Iowa Hospital Association. He says the Branstad Administration still hasn’t provided hospitals with the “rate card” hospitals must use in discussions with the four private companies that will manage care for Medicaid patients.

“Hospitals really don’t have that starting point from which to negotiate a contract or from which to make financial plans,” McIntyre says. State officials have given hospitals and other Iowa health care providers a January 1st deadline to sign contracts with the managed care companies. On Monday, Branstad confirmed his administration will enforce a 10 percent penalty in Medicaid reimbursement to Iowa health care providers that fail to sign managed care deals by January 1st. McIntyre says lawyers tell him the state doesn’t have the authority to impose that 10 percent penalty.

“We don’t even know the base rates at this point, so we are talking about 10 percent of what?” McIntyre says. “It’s kind of another example of putting the cart before the horse and not being clear on what the state’s plans are.” After initially opposing the idea, Branstad in 2013 did approve expanding the number of poor Iowans who qualified for Medicaid. That has led to a reduction in so-called “charity care” in Iowa hospitals, but McIntyre says hospital executives fear those gains may be lost in the switch to “managed care” for Medicaid patients.

“Our concern, one of many, regarding this plan is that these companies will deny care. Folks will go to the emergency room anyway, which won’t be covered even if they do have insurance, and once again our charity care costs will go up and those costs impact everybody,” McIntyre says. “The hospitals really don’t have a choice but to pass along that impact.” Governor Branstad says 25 other states have shifted Medicaid patients into managed care and have saved money in the process.

(Radio Iowa)