Candidates in two of Iowa’s congressional districts debated on live television last (Wednesday) night. The first district debate featuring Republican Congressman Rod Blum of Dubuque, and Democrat Monica Vernon of Cedar Rapids, was held in Cedar Rapids. Security issues were at the forefront of the debate in Council Bluffs featuring third district Congressman David Young, a Republican, and Jim Mowrer of Des Moines, his Democratic challenger. Young questioned Mowrer’s willingness to allow Syrian refugees into the country and Mowrer shot back.

“Do you want to send them back?” Mowrer asked. Young replied: “I want to protect America, Jim,” Young said. “What is your experience protecting America, congressman?” Mowrer asked. Young replied: “My first solemn oath when I was sworn in is to protect and defend the constitution from enemies both foreign and domestic. I’m not going to take a chance and when ISIS says they want to infiltrate our refugee system, I’m going to take it seriously.” Mowrer said: “I lived it. I know what it takes to keep America safe.”

Mowrer says while being a veteran is not a requirement for being a member of congress, he has a “unique perspective” because he is a veteran. The two candidates discussed border security as well. Young is co-sponsoring a bill written after police say a Council Bluffs woman was killed by a speeding drunk driver who was in the country illegally — and who has vanished after posting bail.

“It’s hard for me to believe that he wouldn’t support Sarah’s Law,” Young said, touting the “bipartisan” legislation. Mowrer said: “We need to fix our immigration system top-to-bottom. We have to pass comprehensive immigration reform.” Young said he favors “piece meal…targeted approaches” to immigration problems, rather than “10-thousand page bills.”

Iowa Public Television hosted the third district debate in Council Bluffs. The first district debate in Cedar Rapids was co-sponsored by The Cedar Rapids Gazette and K-C-R-G television.

(Radio Iowa)

Here is the latest Iowa news from The Associated Press at 3:35 a.m. CDT

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — A Des Moines hospital says it’s taking action after learning of accusations that a former pharmacy technician there watered down powerful pain prescriptions of hospital patients. Methodist Medical Center in Des Moines says the pharmacy tech is no longer employed there. Des Moines television station KCCI reports that from late August to early October, more than 730 patients were given watered-down drugs.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — The Iowa department that processes unemployment checks will receive a $500,000 grant from the federal government to improve fraud detection and to modernize outdated computer systems. The U.S. Department of Labor said Wednesday it is distributing more than $30 million in grants to 39 state agencies including Iowa.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — An Iowa church is dropping its lawsuit against the state and the city of Des Moines over an antidiscrimination law that church officials believed could force them to abide by transgender bathroom rules. The Fort Des Moines Church of Christ filed a voluntarily dismissal Wednesday.

IOWA CITY, Iowa (AP) — The University of Iowa has filed a lawsuit against a contractor that it blames for shoddy construction work that damaged the historic Old Capitol building. UI hired Knutson Construction to restore and improve the campus icon after a 2001 fire destroyed parts of the building. In a lawsuit this month, the university says it discovered construction deficiencies, including a leaky roof and deteriorated wood siding.

Cass County Auditor Dale Sunderman reports absentee voting is still available for the November 8 GENERAL ELECTION.  Absentee ballots may be voted in the Cass County Auditor’s office through Monday, November 7, 2016 at 5 pm.

IF VOTING AT THE COUNTY AUDITOR’S OFFICE: the absentee voter may come to the CASS COUNTY COURTHOUSE during the regular office hours of 8 AM and 4:30 PM, Monday thru Friday, up through the day before the election and cast a ballot.  In addition to regular office hours, the office of Cass County Auditor will be open Saturday, October 29, 2016 from 8 AM to 5 PM and Saturday, November 5, 2016 from 9 AM to 5 PM.  A voter may register and vote and an absentee ballot on the same day.

IF VOTING BY MAIL: A written request may be mailed or hand delivered to the County Auditor’s office.  (Absentee request forms are available at the auditor’s office and on the Secretary of State’s web site: sos.state.ia.us).  A ballot along with instructions on how to complete the ballot will be mailed to the requester.  For the ballot to be counted the completed ballot then must be returned either by personal carrier to the office of County Auditor before close of polls on November 8 or returned by mail postmarked no later than November 7.  Deadline to request an absentee ballot by mail is 5 PM on Friday, November 4.  All BALLOTS ARE TO BE RETURNED whether they are voted or not voted.  A postage paid return envelope is provided with each absentee ballot mailed out.

VOTER REGISTRATION: In order to vote in Iowa a person must be registered in the person’s current county of residence, under the person’s current name, and at the person’s current address.

The county election commissioner recommends that persons not currently registered or who have moved since last registering and are planning to vote in the November GENERAL ELECTION, pre-register in the office of the County Auditor as soon as possible.  You may register or re-register and vote absentee on the same day.  Last day to pre-register in the office of the County Auditor is Saturday, October 29, 2016.

The address for the Cass County Auditor / Election Commissioner is:

CASS COUNTY AUDITOR, COURTHOUSE, 5 W 7TH ST, ATLANTIC, IOWA 50022

(Phone:712-243-4570;   Email: auditor@casscoia.us)

The Adair County Auditor’s Office, Wednesday, issued a reminder to person voting in the County, that the electronic poll books they use on Election Day has the ability to scan the back of the voter’s driver’s license or the bar code on the voter registration card.  It is not required to present a driver’s license or voter registration card but it does speed up the process.  The polls will open at 7:00 a.m. on Election Day and close at 9:00 p.m.  Please contact the Auditor’s Office at 641-743-2546 if you are unsure where to vote.  Polling locations and sample ballots were published in the newspapers the week of October 24, 2016.

Absentee Voting continues to take place at the Adair County Courthouse Monday thru Friday from 8:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.  The Auditor’s office will be open on Saturday October 29, 2016 from 8:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m. and Saturday November 5, 2016 from 9:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m.