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Iowa Attorney General Bird attends Trump’s trial in New York

News

May 13th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

(Radio Iowa) – Iowa Attorney General Brenna Bird is in New York City today, among a group of supporters who’ve joined Donald Trump at his trial.

Bird endorsed Trump last October, the only statewide elected official to publicly back Trump before the 2024 Iowa Caucuses. She spoke briefly at a news conference held during a break in the trial. “What we need to do is get politics out of the courtroom and let President Trump get back on the campaign trail,” Bird said. “Let the American people decide who the next leader of the free world will be and politics has absolutely no place in this courtroom or any other.”

In a written statement issued after her arrival in New York, Bird called the criminal charges against Trump “lawfare” and :election interference.” Bird said the trial is an effort by President Biden “and his far left allies” to keep Trump :off the campaign trail by keeping him tied up in court.”

Iowa Attorney General Brenna Bird speaking to reporters in New York City today. (Photo from @BrennaBird X account.)

Bird began her written statement by calling the case against Trump a “political prosecution.” Delegates at the Iowa GOP State Convention applauded Bird when she made a similar statement earlier this month.

“Politics has absolutely no place in a prosecution, right? It never should and never has when I prosecuted cases,” Bird said May 4. “We have to protect our court system and our justice system, too, from those kind of overreaches and people who would use it for political purposes.”

Bird, a former aide to Congressman Steve King and Governor Terry Branstad, was a county attorney when she was elected Iowa Attorney General in 2022.

In a written statement, Iowa Democratic Party chairwoman Rita Hart said Iowans “deserve an Attorney General who’s focused on serving her constituents rather than her political ambitions.”

A spokesperson for Bird says no taxpayer dollars were spent on Bird’s travel to the trial.

Mills County Sheriff’s report, 5/13/24

News

May 13th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

(Glenwood, Iowa) – Sheriff’s officials in Mills County report seven recent arrests:

On Monday (May 13th), at around 8-a.m., Mills County Deputies arrested 41-year-old Jennifer Lynne Kugland, of Council Bluffs, on a warrant for Harassment int eh 1st degree. Kugland taken into custody at the Pottawattamie County Jail, held without bond in the Mills County Jail.

There were two arrests Sunday, in Mills County: 50-year-old Jeffery Scott Leytham, of Pacific Junction, was arrested for  Possession of Controlled Substance and Driving Under Suspension (Bond $1,300); and, 48-year-old Jason Vaughn Young, of Silver City, was arrested on a warrant for Failure to Appear (Bond: $2,000).

Early Saturday morning, Mills County Deputies arrested Jose Manuel Maldonado-Santamaria, of Bellevue, NE, for OWI/1st Offense, and Interference with Official Acts (Bond: $1,000).

Last Friday, 52-year-old Scott Michael Hardman, of Malvern, was arrested for DUS (Bond $300); and 36-year-old Joshua Michael Brizendine, Council Bluffs, was arrested at the Pott. County Jail on a Mills County warrant for Violation of Probation (Bond $10,000).

And, finally, on May 9th: 23-year-old Alberto Lopez Velazquez (No known address), was arrested for Harassment 3rd, Operating Without Certificate of Title, No Valid Drivers License, Provide Proof Financial Liability and Operate Without Registration/Plate (Bond $300).

Montgomery County Supervisors likely to attend pipeline info. meeting

News

May 13th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

(Red Oak, Iowa) – Montgomery County Auditor Jill Ozuna reports the Montgomery County Board of Supervisors may be attending an Informational meeting to learn more about the proposed CO2 pipelines. They meeting is scheduled to take place on Tuesday, May 14th, from 7-until 8-p.m., at the Stanton Viking Center.

Ozuna says “There is a possibility that there will be a quorum. No official county business will be acted upon during that time.”

Iowa REALTOR® Awarded $150,000 Grant to Assist Iowans Displaced By April Tornadoes

News

May 13th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

WEST DES MOINES, IOWA — Following devastating storms in southwestern and central Iowa, the Iowa Association of REALTORS® wants to ensure Iowans are afforded the resources to rebuild their homes and sense of community. Today (Monday), IAR announced the launch of a grant program providing individuals impacted by recent storms with funds to help with their mortgage or rental payments.  In partnership with the REALTORS® Relief Foundation (RRF), IAR will provide up to $1,500 in mortgage and rental payments due to displacement, to individuals who primarily reside in Clarke, Crawford, Harrison, Mills, Polk, Ringgold, Shelby, Union, and Pottawattamie counties.

Gavin Blair, CEO of Iowa Realtors said “We are thrilled to partner with the REALTOR® Relief Foundation to provide $150,000 in grants to Iowans who suffered displacement due to recent tornadoes in Southwest and Central Iowa. The devastation caused by these storms is immense and it will take the entire community of Iowa to help ensure these communities can once again thrive. Iowa REALTORS® stand behind our communities and are ready to provide support, both financially and physically, to help get Iowans back home.”

Severe storms and 24 tornadoes wreaked havoc on many parts of Iowa on April 26. More than 300 residences and buildings were damaged during the storms, significantly impacting the housing for hundreds of Iowans.IAR

Qualifications for the REALTORS® Relief Foundation assistance include:

  • Individual grants may be approved up to a limit of $1,500 per household.
  • Recipient must be a primary resident of the following counties: Clarke, Crawford, Harrison, Mills, Polk, Ringgold, Shelby, Union, and Pottawattamie
Assistance is available to qualified applicants as one of the following options:
  • Monthly mortgage expense for the primary residence that was damaged during the severe storms on April 26, 2024.
  • Rental cost due to displacement from the primary residence resulting from the severe storms of April 26, 2024.
  • Reimbursement for hotel lodging required due to displacement from primary residence as a result of severe storms on April 26. 2024. Reimbursement only covers hotel room and tax costs.
  • Relief assistance is limited to a maximum of $1,500 per household.
All grants are contingent upon the availability of funds. As a result, aid will be provided on a first-come, first-serve basis. Applications close on June 28, 2024.
Learn more about Tornado Relief

$5 million in state gambling taxes going to renovation of state office building

News

May 13th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

(Radio Iowa) – The resolution of a disagreement between Republicans in the Iowa House and Senate means five million dollars in state gambling taxes will be used to complete renovations of the Lucas State Office Building. The building, which opened in 1952, is east of the Iowa Capitol. Republican Representative Jacob Bossman of Sioux City says the original plan House Republicans developed for spending gambling taxes did not include funding for the Lucas Building upgrades, while Senate Republicans suggested spending 10 million dollars on the building.

“We originally weren’t funding that project,” Bossman says, “but are acknowledging this money is necessary to complete the DHHS merger and allow everybody to be housed under one roof.”

In 2022, lawmakers approved the governor’s plan to merge the Departments of Human Services and Public Health — but the agencies were housed in two different state office buildings. The Department of Health and Human Services is the largest agency in state government, with over five-thousand employees. The Lucas building has six floors of office space and is named for Iowa’s first territorial governor, Robert Lucas.

Governor OKs State of Iowa’s $8.91 billion budget for next fiscal year

News

May 13th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

(Radio Iowa) – The governor has another week to sign or veto the remaining bills passed by the 2024 Iowa legislature. She’s already approved a billion dollar tax cut AND the state spending plans for the fiscal year that begins July 1st. The nearly nine BILLION dollar state budget is four-point-two percent higher than the current year’s spending level. The budget for the state’s court system includes a five percent salary increase for Iowa judges.

The governor has signed bills that divert 10 million dollars from Iowa’s Area Education Agencies to set up a new division in the Iowa Department of Education to oversee the A-E-As. As many as 62 new state employees will be hired for the Division of Special Education.

The budget for the Iowa Department of Natural Resources includes a quarter of a million dollars to address accessibility issues at state parks.

Longtime mental health program for girls and young women ends service

News

May 13th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

(Radio Iowa) – A residential health care program in northeast Iowa that’s offered help for girls and young women experiencing mental health crises for more than 150 years is transitioning away from those services this week. The program at Bremwood in Waverly is run by Lutheran Services of Iowa, which is shifting the focus away from residential care. Lutheran Services of Iowa C-E-O Renee Hardman says one of the big reasons programs like this are shuttering is due to obsolete care models.

Hardman says, “Residential care, the way it has traditionally been provided, probably is a bit outdated given the needs and demands of what these young women need.” Like many mental health care providers, she says staffing and wage difficulty has prompted them to make tough decisions. “It’s a combination of the acuity level of the girl, the 60 percent turnover in trying to recruit and retain staff that are paid at wages that, quite frankly, they could make more at a Walmart or McDonald’s,” she says, “but you can only pay so much based on what you’re reimbursed for.”

Fifteen young women and 50 staff will be affected by the transition. L-S-I hasn’t yet determined the next step for the campus.

Property damage accident in Glenwood

News

May 13th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

(Glenwood, Iowa) – Police in Glenwood say no injuries were reported following an accident Friday evening at the intersection of 4th and N. Locust Streets. The collision happened at around 5:37-p.m., as a 2010 Nissan Armada SUV driven by 35-year-old Dalena Sammons, of Council Bluffs, attempted to turn from southbound N. Locust Street, eastbound onto 4th Street.

Her vehicle and a 2016 Mazda SUV driven by 19-year-old Nora Dougherty, of Glenwood, collided in the middle of the intersection, causing an estimated total of $25,000 damage, according to the police report.

No citations were issued, but the police reported noted Sammons failed to yield the right-of-way upon making a left turn.

Iowa Gymnastics Head Coach Larissa Libby Resigns

Sports

May 13th, 2024 by Asa Lucas

IOWA CITY, Iowa — University of Iowa Gymnastics Head Coach Larissa Libby has resigned from her position effective Friday, May 10.

During her 20-plus year tenure leading the Hawkeyes, the program has been a consistent top 25 team nationally and appeared in 24 straight NCAA Regional appearances (individually or as a team) along with a 2021 Big Ten regular season title.

Coach Libby was a three-time Big Ten and two-time NCAA Regional Coach of the Year and coached 12 WGCA All-Americans and six first-team All-Americans at the NCAA Championships. Libby coached 15 Big Ten champions, six NCAA Regional champions, 11 NCAA Championships qualifiers, while student-athletes earned All-Big Ten honors 58 times, including 28 first-team selections.

Hawkeye gymnasts also excelled in the classroom and had a strong community presence during Libby’s tenure. Student-athletes earned Academic All-America distinction 51 times.

Jessa Hansen Parker will serve as the interim head coach as a national search for the program’s next head coach is ongoing.

Statement from Larissa Libby

“My time at Iowa has been a tremendous journey. Filled with amazing people, immense growth, and incredible firsts. Joining this Athletic Department under Dr Christine Grant as a young coach, was one of the best decisions I have made and one that essentially shaped the course of my career. I am very proud of all of our accomplishments both in the classroom and in the competitive arena. I am grateful for the amazing Iowa community and the many people who dedicated themselves to supporting the team. I will never forget the many young women and coaches who have journeyed through our program and are now out in the world contributing to society at the highest level. Leaving behind all of the wonderful coaches in all different sports, who mentored, encouraged, and inspired me throughout my years at Iowa will be the hardest part of saying goodbye. I will miss your friendship and unconditional support, but I look forward to the future and bringing all I have learned to whatever new opportunities lie ahead.”

Collision reported in Red Oak Monday morning

News

May 13th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

(Red Oak, Iowa) – Police in Red Oak say no injuries were reported following a collision at around 7:10-a.m. today (Monday), at Highway 48 and W. Corning Street. Authorities say an SUV driven by 49-year-old Gary Wyane Porter, of Red Oak, was heading southbound and had stopped at the traffic light-controlled intersection. A car driven by 19-year-old Cord James Nippert, of Villisca, was also traveling southbound. When Nippert failed to stop in-time, his vehicle rear-ended the SUV, causing minor (estimated at $2,400) damage. No citations were issued. The report noted the car was following too close.