Iowa Senator Joni Ernst, a Republican from Red Oak, says she is still reviewing the Senate health care bill that was unveiled Thursday. She was asked at an event today (Friday) what she would say to Iowans who are afraid they would lose their Medicaid coverage under the bill. “I would say we’re still going through this bill, we’ll have some lengthy discussions, but I wouldn’t say we are losing it. We do need to go through the bill — but we want to make sure Iowans are protected,” Ernst says.

She says Medicaid will be part of the discussion when they return to work on Monday. “I think we are thoroughly vetting the bill and we will continue to move through that process. We will have a lot of time committed to speaking just about the health care bill. It’s up to leadership when they call that up for a vote ,”ERnst says. “But, we will continue to hear from our constituents, and we are already.” Ernst says she can’t yet specifically say what parts of the bill she would support or oppose.

“It was just released yesterday, so we have 142 pages to go through. And just as we did with the A-H-C-A that came over from the House, I want to make sure that I have time to go through it, talk to my staff, talk to folks around Iowa and understand what the impacts of the bill are,” Ernst says. Ernst says the senators who put the bill together understand the issues facing Iowa.

“They are very aware of Iowa’s situation,” according to Reynolds, “but again we have to talk through this. Now that we have the draft — and again it is just draft text — to make sure it is workable for Iowa.” Ernst made her comments during an event at the Iowa State Capitol on another issue.

(Radio Iowa)

A foot pursuit that was part of a search for a man wanted on warrants, caused injuries to the suspect and a Council Bluffs Police Officer. The incident leading to the arrest of 37-year old James David Yopp, Jr., began at around 11-a.m., Friday. Bluffs Police say officers went to a residence in the 2500 block of Avenue in an attempt to locate Yopp Jr., of Council Bluffs, who was wanted on outstanding arrest warrants for Domestic Abuse and Violation of a No Contact Order.

As the officers approached, Yopp ran from the area. After searching the neighborhood for approximately an hour, Yopp was located hiding in the 2500 block of Avenue H. He was taken into custody and booked into the Pottawattamie County Jail.

During the initial foot chase with Yopp, a CBPD officer sustained a knee injury; the officer was treated and released from a local hospital. A full recovery is expected.

Yopp

SPIRIT LAKE, Iowa (AP) — Authorities say a northwestern Iowa man has been charged with attempted murder and other counts after police say he stabbed two people. Spirit Lake police told the Sioux City Journal on Friday that 29-year-old Nicholas Thompson, of Spirit Lake, had been charged. Police were called at 5 p.m. Thursday to a home for a report of that a person had been stabbed.

Police say two people were injured. Their names have not been released. One person was taken to a local hospital and later flow to a Sioux Falls, South Dakota, hospital. The other person declined medical treatment.

Thompson, who remains in the Dickinson County Jail, has been charged with attempted murder and going armed with intent.

On Thursday the Cass County Sheriff’s Office arrested 38-year-old Phillip William Church of Griswold on a Cass County Sheriff’s Office warrant for Lascivious Acts with A Child (A Class C Felony). Church was taken to the Cass County Jail where he remains held on $10,000 bond.

The Creston Police Department reports a couple of minor accidents on Friday morning.

At 8:12am officers were called to an accident at the intersection of North Cherry Street and Townline Street.  A 2013 Chevy Silverado driven by 42-year-old Heather Senora Beck of Lenox was eastbound on Townline Street and went through a stop sign and hit a 2014 Chevy Cruze driven by 63-year-old Terrance Lee Borrall of Shannon City. Borrall complained of some pain and possible injury while Beck was uninjured. Beck was cited for Failure to Obey a Stop Sign.  Damage was estimated at $5,000 to each vehicle.

A little more than an hour later at 9:50am Creston Police were called to an accident at Sumner Avenue and Highway 34. A 2000 Chrysler Sebring driven by 25-year-old  Robert Dean Surrell of Corning was Eastbound on Highway 34 and according to witnesses ran a red light. Surrell struck a 2016 Buick Encore driven by 89-year-old Ethyl Jean Mikkelsen of Creston that was traveling south on Sumner through the green light at the intersection with Highway 34. Mikkelsen received minor injuries and Surrell was uninjured. Surrell was cited for Failure to Obey a Traffic Control Device along with Failure to Provide Proof of Financial Liability and No Valid Drivers License. Damage to the Buick was estimated at $6,500 and damage to the Chrysler was estimated at $3,000.