A bill that would give the parents of private school students state tax money to cover tuition and other expenses drew applause, groans and emotional testimony at a statehouse hearing yesterday (Tuesday). Trish Wilger, executive director of Iowa Advocates for Choice in Education, told legislators the bill will “blast the doors open” for parents who want to send their kids to a private school. “This act goes a long way to give some parents a choice who otherwise don’t have one,” she said. Critics say the proposed five-thousand dollar state grants for newly-enrolled private school students will divert scarce public resources. According to Cindy Garlock of Cedar Rapids, a retired educator, there’s “no evidence vouchers increase student performance.”

“Aren’t we here about students and what’s best for our students or are we here to shuffle public dollars off into private entities?” she asked. Kim Preston lobbies in 11 Midwest states for the Foundation for Excellence in Education. She argued competition from private schools will raise the quality of public schools.”First of all, I think all kids can learn if they’re put in the right educational environment,” she said. “…I also believe parents are best equipped to make the choices about what fits the needs of their children the best.”

Andrew Dunn, a senior at Okoboji High School in Milford, told lawmakers that unlike public schools, private schools are not accessible to all students. “Education has truly been one of the foundations for success in Iowa and our public schools are institutions we ought to take pride in,” Dunn said. “…Public schools should be fixed, not abandoned.” If the bill becomes law, the bill’s sponsor says next year about 50-million dollars of state money would be given to the parents of kindergarteners starting out at a private school and to parents who remove their child from a public district and enroll them in a private school. The bill is scheduled for debate in the House Education Committee today (Wednesday).

(Radio Iowa)

The driver of a 2013 Dodge Grand Caravan suffered unknown/possible injuries, following a collision in Creston Tuesday. The accident happened on Highway 34 near S. Sumner Avenue, at around 1:45-p.m.  Creston Police report the van, driven by 35-year old Ann Marie Bishop, of Cromwell, was stopped for traffic, when it was struck from behind by a 2002 Dodge Dakota Quadcab truck. The driver of the Dakota, 33-year old Ernest Kyle Sayler, of Bedford, told police he looked away for a moment, and could not stop in-time to avoid the collision. Sayler was cited for Failure to Maintain Control.

Bishop complained of pain after the impact, but was not transported to the hospital. Damage from the accident amounted to $3,500.

ADEL, Iowa (AP) — The adoptive brother of a 16-year-old girl who died of malnutrition in her family home has reached a plea deal with prosecutors. Court records say a hearing is scheduled Friday for 22-year-old Justin Ray. The records don’t outline the deal or how he’ll plead. Ray’s previously pleaded not guilty to two counts of child endangerment and two of willful injury.

Police say he “drop-kicked” Sabrina Ray down basement stairs sometime between April 15 and May 1, leaving her unable to walk, talk, eat or drink normally. The girl’s body was found May 12 in the Perry home she shared with her adoptive parents, who have also been charged. The girl weighed just 56 pounds.

WASHINGTON (AP) — Prominent Republican women say they’re frustrated by President Donald Trump’s handling of abuse charges against men in the White House’s midst.

Trump has refused to personally voice support for the ex-wives of two former White House aides who say their husbands abused them. He tweeted over the weekend that men’s lives have been shattered by “mere” allegations.

Republican Sen. Shelley Moore Capito of West Virginia says it’s difficult being a Republican woman and having to “fight through” the administration’s muddled message to women. Iowa Republican Senator Joni Ernst, from Red Oak, said on CNN that she’s “extremely disappointed in this situation. Abuse is never OK.”

Republicans have long struggled to attract female voters. The party is defending its House and Senate majorities in the midterm elections.

Council Bluffs Police have identified the Officer and suspect involved in an incident that took place early Tuesday morning, that resulted in the Officer being dragged by an SUV. During the course of the investigation the suspect was identified as 24-year old Cody Michael Doss, of Council Bluffs. Doss is a white male, 5-feet 10-inches tall, weighing 150-pounds. He has brown hair and brown eyes, and a tattoo on his neck.

Cody Michael Doss

Warrants for his arrest have been issued on charges that include Assault on a Peace Officer, Eluding a Peace Officer and Interference with Official Acts. The officer, Anthony Friend, suffered a minor injury to his leg, which did not require immediate medical assistance. Officer Friend is back to full duty and is in good condition.

As of last report, authorities say Doss remains on the run, and his current location is unknown. Anyone with information on the location of Cody Michael Doss can call 911, the Criminal Investigations Division 712-328-4728 or crime stoppers 712-328-7867. Do not approach the man, as he should be considered armed and dangerous.

The incident involving Doss and Officer Friend began at around 12:08-a.m., Tuesday, when the Officer saw a man sitting in a car who was believed to have warrants. As the Officer approached the vehicle, which was parked in a convenience store parking lot in the 3000 block of Avenue G, he spoke with the male suspect (Doss) and ordered him out of the vehicle. When the suspect refused, the Officer began to open the vehicles’ door. As he did so, the suspect put the vehicle in reverse and sped backwards, trapping the Officer’s hand in the door.

The Officer was dragged about 20-to 30-feet before freeing himself. He was able to remain on his feet during the incident. The suspect took off in the black, early 2000’s model Chevy Tahoe, with Iowa license plate FEH-415.