Governor Terry Branstad remains opposed to legalizing marijuana for recreational use in Iowa, but Branstad says he’s willing to work with advocates worried about the soon-to-end Iowa law that decriminalized possession of cannabis oil for treatment of chronic epilepsy. “We don’t want people to lose something they think will be helpful or that has been helpful to members of their family,” Branstad says. The law is set to expire July 1st.

“I intend to work with the legislature as well as with the (Governor’s) Office of Drug Control (Policy) as we look at what is the appropriate thing to do,” Branstad says. The group “Iowans for Medical Cannabis” has been lobbying legislators and the governor to EXPAND the law. They want those who suffer from other serious and terminal illnesses to be able to legally use cannabis as treatment for symptoms like nausea and pain. Branstad says he wants to review the experiences of patients as well as the latest medical research about cannabis.

“I’ve always said I have an open mind in looking at what is the best and most effective way to deal with it and do it in a way that’s not going to open up the possibility of abuse by people who want to use marijuana for recreational purposes,” Branstad says.

Advocates for the use of cannabis oil, patches and other products as treatment for a variety of illnesses argue the products should be made and produced in Iowa if the state legalizes possession of it. Branstad says he wants to “carefully review” how grow-and-dispense operations in the neighboring states of Illinois and Minnesota work.

(Radio Iowa)

A new report from the Governors Highway Safety Association shows fatal traffic crashes involving teenage drivers increased 10-percent last year compared to 2014. Rose White, with Triple-A Iowa, says distracted driving is the number one cause of teen driver crashes and teen passengers are the number one distraction for those drivers. “Any passenger should always avoid unnecessary conversations with the driver. That’s a big distraction,” White says. “Also, avoid unnecessary phone use. Always put the cell phone away, but if one must be used, never allow the driver to use it,” White says.

The report claims teen drivers are 1.6 times more likely to be involved in a crash than adults. White says parents should constantly be reminding their teenage drivers about keeping their focus on the road. “Parents can certainly provide assistance by being a good driver, setting a good example, never using their cell phone, and making sure their teen drivers never do so as well,” White says.

This is National Teen Driver Safety Week (October 16-22).

(Radio Iowa)

Here is the latest Iowa news from The Associated Press at 3:40 a.m. CDT

AMES, Iowa (AP) — Iowa State University is trying to shield the names of nearly two dozen people who have flown on a school airplane with President Steven Leath, including his best friend, a National Rifle Association Board member and an infamous athletics booster. The university released records detailing dozens of flights Leath took but redacted passengers’ names. The Associated Press obtained passengers’ names from flight billing records that had been on a university website.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Officials say repairs to the Iowa State Capitol’s dome have been delayed. The state legislature approved a nearly $10 million state appropriation for the major restoration project that is expected to take 12 to 18 months to complete. The Des Moines Register reports that architects are still working on drawings and specifications to allow competitive bidding on the project, which means repairs won’t start until the spring. Work had been expected to start in August.

MASON CITY, Iowa (AP) — The Music Man Square in the hometown of “The Music Man” creator Meredith Willson is floundering. The Mason City Foundation Board runs the attraction, which is housed in a large building that includes a 1912 streetscape, meeting rooms, a museum and recording studios. But board members said it’s losing about $60,000 a year. One board member thinks reorganization and restructuring could save it, but another says the upkeep costs don’t match the public’s interest.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Iowa’s election isn’t rigged and every vote cast by an eligible voter will be counted, the state’s top elections official said Monday, countering Donald Trump’s assertion that this year’s elections are rigged. Secretary of State Paul Pate, who like Trump is a Republican, was responding to comments from Trump who lashed out at fellow Republicans in an early Monday morning Tweet.

Officials with law enforcement and the Iowa Department of Transportation are warning Iowans about a new scam making the rounds through e-mail. The Creston Police Department posted Monday on its social media page that they have received information that an e-mail which appears to be from the Department of Motor Vehicles warns that you “Owe a fine for a traffic violation.” The e-mail contains links that you can click on to “pay” the fine.

Authorities warn that the City of Creston does NOT conduct traffic citations in that manner, and it is a scam. They advise you should “Block the sender and delete the email.”

Example of a Fake Ticket via e-mail

The Iowa DOT went one step-further, and explained how you can tell the difference between a real citation and a fake one: A real citation would not come from an entity called “The Department of Motor Vehicles“; All Iowa traffic fines would be paid though your local county Courthouse, not by an e-mail link; The Iowa court system does not use “EasyPay“, which the DOT has no knowledge of); and you should always check the email address of the sender…it should indicate the county or state. Not just “City.”

If you have questions or think you have been scammed, please contact local law enforcement right way.