DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — A Senate committee has narrowly passed a death penalty bill making it eligible for debate this year, the first time since the mid-1990s the issue will make it that far if it’s debated.

The Senate Judiciary Committee passed the bill out on an 8-7 vote Thursday. Two Republicans joined the committee’s five Democrats to oppose the bill including Sen. Kevin Kinney, a former sheriff’s deputy who investigated the death of 10-year-old Jetseta Gage. She was kidnapped, raped and murdered by a convicted sex offender near Iowa City in 2005. Kinney says he’s come to realize life in prison is more severe than the death penalty.

A similar bill last year failed to get through the committee process. Its chances of survival remain uncertain. The most recent full debate was in March 1995 when the Senate rejected a bill the Iowa House had approved just days before.

The bill would make it a capital offense to kidnap, rape and murder a minor, crimes Republican Sen. Jason Schultz says are so heinous they justify death.
Iowa abolished the death penalty in 1965.

COUNCIL BLUFFS, Iowa (AP) — Sen. Bernie Sanders is reasserting himself as the original champion of a progressive agenda many of his fellow 2020 Democratic presidential candidates have adopted.

Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt, takes leave after speaking at a rally in Council Bluffs, Iowa, Thursday, March 7, 2019. (AP Photo/Nati Harnik)

At a rally of 2,000 in a western Iowa convention center, the Vermont senator jabbed at some of his rivals, saying, “Shock of all shocks, those very same ideas are now supported by candidates — Democratic candidates — for president.”

Prompting roars from the crowd — most of them Nebraskans and ineligible for Iowa’s leadoff caucuses — Sanders ticked through the agenda, leading with “Medicare-for-all,” supported by rivals including Sens. Cory Booker, Kirsten Gillibrand, Kamala Harris and Elizabeth Warren.

That shows how the landscape has shifted since 2016, when Sanders was the lone supporter for such policies as “Medicare-for-all” and the $15 minimum wage.

COUNCIL BLUFFS, Iowa – United States Attorney Marc Krickbaum announced on March 6, 2019, 40-year old Randy Allen Gray, Jr., was sentenced by United States Senior District Court Judge Robert W. Pratt for possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine. Gray was sentenced to ten years in prison, to be followed by a term of supervised release for ten years.

In December 2016, following a search of defendant’s vehicle, a pound of methamphetamine, a loaded .380 handgun under the driver’s seat and over $4,000 in cash was recovered.

The case was investigated by the Dunlap, Iowa Police Department, Harrison County Sheriff’s Department, Sac County Sheriff’s Department, Greene County Sheriff’s Department, Crawford County Sheriff’s Department and the Iowa Division of Narcotics Enforcement.

The case was prosecuted by the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Iowa.

COUNCIL BLUFFS, Iowa (AP) — A western Iowa man is again behind bars for bank robbery. Federal prosecutors say 30-year-old Larry Eugene Burns, of Council Bluffs, was sentenced Wednesday to 2 ½ years in prison.

Prosecutors say that in September, Burns donned a bandanna and a pink shirt, walked into Centris Federal Credit Union and demanded money. Outside the bank, Burns ditched the bandanna and pink shirt in a nearby garbage can. Officers found a shirtless Burns walking a few blocks from the bank. Police say Burns later confessed to the robbery and identified himself on bank video surveillance.

Officials say Burns had been released from an Iowa prison just a month before the robbery after serving an 8-year sentence for another bank robbery.

IOWA CITY, Iowa (AP) — A review by The Associated Press shows that ex-offenders who violate Iowa’s strict ban on voting by convicted felons face severe legal consequences, even when it’s unclear whether they knowingly broke the law.

The review found that felons can be arrested, jailed, ordered to pay fines and even imprisoned after trying to cast ballots. In all, 10 have been charged with felony election misconduct for voting since 2017.

A man who is disabled from a brain injury was prosecuted after he mistakenly believed poll workers would alert him if there was a problem with his eligibility. A man who cast a provisional ballot after disputing that he was ineligible still owes $2,300 in court costs. The mayor of one town was forced to resign and prosecuted for illegally voting after a judge revoked his deferred judgment in a drug case.

Defendants and their supporters argue that the consequences are draconian. Prosecutors say they are enforcing laws intended to safeguard elections from participation by ineligible voters.

DES MOINES – Gov. Kim Reynolds today (Thursday) announced additional appointments to Iowa’s boards and commissions, including persons from western & southwest Iowa.

The following appointments are subject to Senate confirmation:

County Finance Committee:  Melvyn Houser, Carson; Amanda Waske, Tingley

Economic Development Authority: Lisa Hull, Clarinda.

Environmental Protection Commission: Ralph Lents, Menlo.

Iowa Great Places Advisory Board: Barbara Determan, Early

Council on Human Services: Carol Forristal, Macedonia

Iowa Law Enforcement Academy Council: Timothy Carmody, Council Bluffs (Council Bluffs’ Police Chief)

Mental Health and Disability Services Commission:  Maria Sorensen, Greenfield. Sorensen, the wife of District 20 Representative Ray “Bubba” Sorensen, said  “I’m so incredibly grateful to be appointed to the Mental Health and Disability Board . After losing my brother who struggled with those sort of issues, I hope to make a positive impact for others in his honor.”

Maria Sorensen

Mental Health Risk Pool Board: Eugene Meiners, Templeton

Plumbing and Mechanical Systems Board: Matthew Wyant, Crescent

School Budget Review Committee: Martha Bruckner, Council Bluffs

Iowa Workforce Development Board: Andy Roberts, Council Bluffs

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — The Iowa agency that has been marketing Gov. Kim Reynolds’ signature economic program has abruptly taken steps to lay off its communications staff. Iowa Workforce Development on Tuesday asked for the resignation of communications director Cory Kelly, a former military spokesman who had been with the agency two years. Agency leaders told two other full-time information specialists who reported to Kelly in the communications bureau that their jobs would be eliminated in coming weeks.

IWD Director Beth Townsend told The Associated Press in an email that the agency is “reorganizing our communications area.” She did not elaborate. Kelly said Thursday that he was surprised by the change, but proud of the work he accomplished. During his tenure, the agency helped promote the governor’s Future Ready Iowa initiative, which aims to increase the number of residents who get postsecondary education.

The Atlantic Rotary Club is putting out a call for all parents, students, and community members to nominate a teacher who deserves recognition for going above and beyond the call of duty. The Rotary  is seeking nominations for the 6th Annual Rotary Club of Atlantic Outstanding Teacher Award, and they would love to hear from you! The award, designed to recognize excellence in education in the Atlantic Community Schools, can be given to any certified, full-time teacher who spends at least 60% of his/her time instructing students. The teacher selected will receive recognition at a school employee event, and will also receive a $3000 cash award. The award may be used to enhance the educational resources of the teacher, further the teacher’s education, or for any other purpose which the selected teacher deems appropriate.

Gini Jordan, Atlantic 5th grade teacher was the 2018 award winner. She has since retired from a long career in Atlantic. The outstanding nominees each year make this process difficult and exciting. Past award winning teachers have had “exceptional nomination forms and letters of support from the community,” according to Ted Robinson, 2019 Rotary President. He says “We are hoping to continue the tradition of a strong pool of applicants this year. The selection process is always difficult, but we enjoy seeing the dedication to students and the art of teaching that comes through in each of the nominations.”

The Atlantic Rotary Club has been a dedicated supporter of education in the community for many years through senior scholarships, and annual events such as senior recognition and new teacher welcome. In addition, they are frequent contributors through funding for many school needs such as updating technology in the classroom, supporting curriculum for local preschools, and a number of other school requests. Members of the club have been continually insistent that it recognizes and supports the talented educators that are the heart of our schools, and Robinson says they are very happy we have been able to continue this program.

For teachers to be considered for the 2019 award, completed nomination forms, including letters of support, must be received by Friday April 19th. Nominated teachers will be evaluated based on their skill with students, classroom management, parent communication, peer interaction and community involvement. Teachers must be nominated by three individuals- they can be current or former students, parents of students, co-workers, or any combination of these. Forms were sent via email to all current parents through from the Atlantic Community School System in March. Application materials may be found on the Rotary Club of Atlantic website: www.atlanticrotary.com under the Grants and Scholarship tab. Hard copies of nomination forms may also be picked up from any school administration office, or at First Whitney Bank. Completed nominations may be dropped off, or mailed, to First Whitney Bank, Attn: Ted Robinson, P.O. Box 271, 223 Chestnut Street in Atlantic.

It is the intention of the Atlantic Rotary Club, through this award, to recognize and reward outstanding educators in our public school system who exemplify the Rotary motto of “Service Above Self” through their continuous dedication to students, parents, peers and the larger community, as well as the art and practice of education. This award is funded by proceeds from the Atlantic Rotary Club’s annual auction, which is made possible by the generous donations of local businesses and community members.