Iowa’s rookie U.S. Senator is getting a prime speaking slot next week. Republican congressional leaders have picked Iowa Senator Joni Ernst to deliver the Republican response to President Obama’s “State of the Union” address next Tuesday. This is the first time G-O-P leaders have asked a first-year senator to speak in the prime time slot. Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell says Ernst understands that middle-class Americans want Congress “to get refocused on their concerns.”

Ernst released a written statement, saying congress must “implement real solutions” that “grow a vibrant economy…and ensure the federal government beings to run more effectively and efficiently.” The televised response to the president’s annual “State of the Union” speech is carefully crafted and has lately been used by whichever party does not hold the White House as a forum to showcase its future leaders.

Last year Ernst captured the attention of the nation’s political class with a campaign ad touting her hog castration skills. Senator Marco Rubio and Louisiana Governor Bobby Jindal have both delivered the Republican response during President Obama’s presidency and both are now considered possible presidential candidates in 2016.

(Radio Iowa)

A new vision loss support group continues to gather momentum as it prepares to hold its third meeting. The Low Vision Support Group will again meet at The Center at 714 Main Street in Council Bluffs on Tuesday, January 20 at 1:00 p.m. The agenda for this meeting includes discussion about group leadership, an appeal for volunteers to call members with phone reminders about upcoming meetings, and sharing topics of interest to feature at future meetings. The group also aims to establish a regular meeting time and date.

In addition, applications will be available for people to sign up for the City of Council Bluffs’ transportation service, Council Bluffs Special Transit Service (STS). Dawn Kruse, Rehabilitation
Teacher with the Iowa Department for the Blind, is providing assistance to the group during its formative phase.

The Council Bluffs group is one of several support groups throughout the state that aim to connect those with vision loss in local communities. The groups provide an opportunity for blind or visually impaired Iowans to share ways of doing everyday tasks non-visually, provide support to each other, and participate in fun activities. Support groups generally meet once a month.

For a list of vision loss support groups in the state of Iowa, visit the Iowa Department for the Blind webpage at: http://www.idbonline.org/living/support-groups. People of all ages and from all communities interested in learning more about living with vision loss are encouraged to attend.For more information, contact Dawn Kruse at (712) 355-2843.

Details were released today (Thursday) about a pursuit that took place Jan. 3rd, in Guthrie County. The Sheriff’s Dept. reports at around 1-a.m., a Guthrie County Sheriff’s Deputy patrolling the Bagley area observed a dark colored possibly three-quarter ton truck northbound on Quail Road. The truck failed to stop at the stop sign posted at Quail Road and Highway 141. The vehicle proceeded through the intersection at approximately ninety miles per hour and went airborne through the intersection.

The deputy attempted to catch up to the vehicle as it entered Greene County on Quail Road at a high rate of speed. The truck failed to stop for the deputy and a vehicle pursuit ensued through southern Greene County until west of Rippey when the deputy terminated the pursuit.

The suspect vehicle is believed to be dark in color, possibly a three-quarter ton and is believed to be a Chevrolet. Anyone with information about the truck or its occupant(s) is asked to contact the Guthrie County Sheriff’s Office at (641)747-2214.

A central Iowa man faces numerous charges following an incident that took place last Friday, in Guthrie County. Sheriff’s officials say 39-year old Thomas E. Hathaway, of Des Moines,was charged with Possession of Drug Paraphernalia and Interference with Official Acts – both Simple Misdemeanors, Three Counts of Assault on a Peace Officer – Serious Misdemeanors, and Harrassment in the 1st Degree – an Aggravated Misdemeanor. Hathaway also had warrants for his arrest out of Polk County at the time of his arrest. Additional charges are currently pending.

Authorities say at approximately 8:33-p.m. January 9th, the Guthrie County 911 Center received a call for a man needing medical assistance at 3481 280th Road rural Redfield, Guthrie County. Due to the nature of the call, a Guthrie County Sheriff’s deputy responded. Panora EMS and a Guthrie County Sheriff’s deputy arrived at the same time. Panora EMS attempted to render aid to Hathaway, but was unable to due to his behavior.

While the sheriff’ deputy and EMS were present at the residence, Hathaway became verbally and physically abusive. Hathaway made numerous threats towards the sheriff’s deputy and EMS. At one point, the sheriff’s deputy attempted to subdue Hathaway with his Taser but the Taser malfunctioned and was not effective. At that point, the sheriff’s deputy safely escorted EMS from the residence and called for additional law enforcement to respond. While waiting for back up, a physical confrontation ensued between the owners of the residence and Hathaway, who was visiting the residence. Law enforcement and EMS re-entered the residence and took Hathaway into custody with the assistance of the occupants of the residence.

Once in custody, Hathaway was placed in the rear of a Panora Police Department squad car. Soon after, he kicked the rear window out of the patrol car causing significant damage. With the assistance of numerous law enforcement officers, Hathaway was safely booked into the Guthrie County Jail without injuries to innocent bystanders or law enforcement.

During his arrest and processing, Hathaway assaulted three different law enforcement officers; Officer Ryan Harding of the Stuart Police Department, Officer Matt Stringham of the Guthrie Center Police Department and Deputy Kent Gries of the Guthrie County Sheriff’s Office. None suffered injuries as a result of the assaults.

Hathaway has since posted $200 cash bond and was transferred into the custody of the Polk County Sheriff’s Office. The Guthrie County Sheriff’s Office was assisted by Panora EMS, Panora Police Department, Stuart Police Department, Guthrie Center Police Department, Adair County Sheriff’s Office and the Iowa State Patrol.

Three people face charges following a fight at a gas station in Bayard. The Guthrie County Sheriff’s Office says Amy L. Chapman, of Bagley, was charged with Assault and Disorderly Conduct – both simple misdemeanors. Johnathon Kennedy, of Bagley, and Randy D. Esslinger, of rural Bayard, were charged with Disorderly Conduct.

Officials say on January 12th,deputies were called to investigate an alleged assault that took place at the Sparkie’s Gas Station in Bayard. After multiple witnesses were interviewed, witness statements were obtained and video surveillance was viewed by law enforcement, the three Guthrie County residents were charged.

The charges stem from a verbal altercation that occurred between the parties inside of the store that spilled into the parking lot where the altercation became physical.

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — A monthly survey of bankers suggests the economy will remain weak in rural parts of 10 Midwestern and Western states because of low grain and oil prices. The region’s overall economic index improved slightly to 50.9 in January from December’s neutral score of 50. The index ranges from 0 to 100. Any score above 50 suggests growth while a score below 50 suggests decline.

Creighton University economist Ernie Goss says growth is being restrained in rural areas because of low corn and fuel prices. But bankers say ethanol plants haven’t slowed production much. Despite the concerns, rural businesses have adding some jobs. The January hiring index was 52.8, down from December’s 55.2.

Bankers from Colorado, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, South Dakota and Wyoming were surveyed.

IOWA CITY, Iowa (AP) – University of Iowa President Sally Mason says she plans to retire after leading the school since 2007.  Mason announced Thursday that she will step down Aug. 1 after managing a devastating flood, major budget challenges and numerous controversies.

The 64-year-old biology professor came to Iowa City from Purdue University, where she had been provost. Almost immediately, she was thrown into managing one problem after another, many caused by events outside her control. A historic June 2008 flood came to symbolize her tenure, when heavy rains caused the Iowa River to overflow its banks and damage and destroy numerous buildings.

Mason worked to keep the university open and spent the following years overseeing hundreds of millions of dollars of rebuilding projects.

In an update to our earlier reports, officials with the Harlan Police Department today (Thursday) said they were still investigating a bomb threat incident at the Harlan High School located at 2102 Durant Street, and following up on leads. Meanwhile, they are continuing to ask for help from the public. Anyone with information about the incident is asked to call the H-PD at 712-755-5151.

Police Chief Frank Clark said the incident began to unfold when authorities were notified by school officials at around 12:16-p.m. Wednesday, that was bomb threat had been received at the Harlan High School. Officials would not disclose how the threat was conveyed. Authorities say at around 12:20-p.m., officers arrived at the school and learned district officials followed protocol and evacuated about 1500 students to two separate, safe locations.

The high school and grounds, along with the parking lot were searched, and with no evidence of an explosive device found, the building was turned back over to school officials at around 3:10-p.m. While the search was underway, law enforcement was in contact with the Iowa State Fire Marshal’s Office and Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation.

Other agencies that assisted in handling the incident include: Deputies with the Shelby County Sheriff’s Office; crews with the Harlan Fire Department; The Iowa State Patrol; Harlan Community School District officials; Shelby County Emergency Management; Shelby County 911; the City of Harlan Public Works Dept.; Medivac Ambulance Service; Shelby County Public Health, and Myrtue Medical Center.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – A group trying to draft Sen. Elizabeth Warren into the 2016 presidential race has hired several staffers in Iowa.  The “Run Warren Run” campaign announced Thursday that it had opened an office in Des Moines and hired an Iowa field director and four other field organizers in the early-voting state. The field director is Blair Lawton, an Iowa native who worked for President Barack Obama’s 2012 Iowa campaign.

The campaign is being organized by MoveOn.org and Democracy for America. They held their first Iowa meeting in Des Moines last month. The activists are trying to persuade Warren to seek the Democratic nomination in 2016, but the Massachusetts senator has said she isn’t running.

MoveOn plans to spend $1 million on its Warren effort and Democracy for America has pledged $250,000.

A truck driver from New Jersey has died on a crash on Interstate 680 in western Iowa. The Iowa State Patrol reports 48-year old Jeffrey Hall, of North Brunswick, NJ, died this (Thursday) morning, after the semi he was driving went off the road and into the median. When Hall swerved back onto I-680 westbound, the trailer hit the guard rail and the 2005 International rolled onto its left side before continuing north and west and going through the guardrail.  Hall was ejected from the cab of the truck as it rolled. The semi came to rest in the north ditch.

The accident happened just before 7-a.m. near mile marker 21. The State Patrol was assisted at the scene by Neola Fire and Rescue, and deputies with the Pottawattamie County Sheriff’s Office.