(DES MOINES) – Gov. Kim Reynolds, along with Lt. Gov. Adam Gregg and Iowa Department of Transportation (DOT) Director Mark Lowe, unveiled a new app on Monday for commercial driver’s license (CDL) testing prep. The app is designed as an interactive study guide to help Iowans interested in getting a CDL study for the written portion of the exam. The app also helps seasoned drivers brush up on skills or study for certification of new skills. The Iowa DOT pursued development of the app in response to the shortage of drivers and after data analysis showed a large percentage of CDL applicants failed their written exam on the first attempt.

The app is an interactive version of the official CDL manual developed by the American Association of Motor Vehicle Administrators and approved by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, with resource guides and quizzes to help users identify subject areas they may need to study further. The app also provides full-length practice tests.

The Iowa CDL Testing App is available on mobile devices through iOS and Android app stores, as well as online at https://iowadot.gov/mvd/driverslicense/manuals-and-practice-tests?utm_medium=email&utm_source=govdelivery. It’s free to anyone with an Iowa driver’s license or ID card.

The Iowa Legislature has formally launched its latest session. Legislative leaders from both chambers gaveled in shortly after 10 a.m. Monday at the state Capitol. The day is expected to be focused mostly on ceremonial speeches. Republicans who hold majorities in the Senate and House will set the agenda for the session, and they’ve indicated that overhauling Iowa’s tax code will be high on their to-do list. A proposal has not been shared publicly.

Any plan to cut taxes must be balanced with Iowa’s roughly $7.2 billion budget, which has been below projections in recent years. That’s led to multiple reductions to government spending. There’s also growing pressure for legislators to address ongoing problems with the state’s privatized Medicaid program. Health care providers and patients have complained about reduced services. State officials have defended the program.

Adair County Sheriff Jeff Vandewater reports six arrests took place last week. 27-year old Noel Ornelas, of Creston, was arrested in Adair County, by the Iowa State Patrol Friday afternoon. Ornelas was wanted on a Clarke County warrant for Failure to Appear in court, on an original charge of Driving While Barred. He was transported to Clarke County and released to their deputies. And, 33-year old Timothy John Schrum, of Carroll, was sentenced to time served for Failure to Appear on an original charge of Driving While License Under Suspension. Schrum was released on his own recognizance later that same day.

Last Thursday, 23-year old Alaina Noel Goddard, of Des Moines, was arrested on an Adair County warrant for Violation of Probation. Goddard was being held without bond in the Adair County Jail, until making an appearance before the magistrate. Last Wednesday, 36-year old Justin Paul Parker, of Adair, was arrested by Adair County Deputies, on a hold from Guthrie County. He remained in the Adair County Jail without bond.

On Jan. 2nd, 28-year old Brian Keith Cunningham, of Greenfield, was arrested at the Clarke County Jail in Osceola, on Adair County warrants for Domestic Abuse Assault/3rd of subsequent offense, and Violation of Probation. His cash bond or surety was set at $6,000. And, 50-year old Todd Richard Eble, of Bridgewater, was arrested Dec. 31st in Bridgewater, on charges of Driving Under Suspension and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. He was released Jan. 1st on a $300 cash bond or surety.

The Audubon County Sheriff’s Office reports 33-year old Adam Morris, of Atlantic, was arrested at around 1:45-a.m, today (Monday). Morris was charged with Violation of Probation on an original charge of OWI. Morris was being held in the Audubon County Jail while awaiting a District Court appearance.

The Cass County Board of Supervisors will hold their regular, weekly meeting, beginning at 8:30-a.m. Wednesday, in their courthouse boardroom, in Atlantic. During their session, the Board will hear a reports and FY2019 request for funding, from the Cass County Committee on Aging. They are also expected to receive quarterly reports from Micah Lee, with Cass County Conservation, and Mitch Holmes, with Cass County Veterans Affairs.

In other business, the Board will act on approving a 28-E (cost sharing) agreement with the Guthrie County Board of Health, for the sharing of environmental health services in Cass County. They are also expected to act on renewing a lease agreement with Marne & Elk Horn Telephone Company, which grants METC the right to install, maintain and operate certain equipment on the Courthouse Tower, and, in lieu of rent, provide a high speed internet connections and internet services, to the courthouse.

The Supervisors will also act on appointments to fill vacancies on the Southern Iowa Regional Housing Authority and Pymosa Township Trustee position. And, they Board of Supervisors are expected to act on setting the dates for hearings on an Ordinance authorizing the operation of all-terrain vehicles (ATV’s) and off-road utility vehicles (UTV’s), on county roadways and trails.

January is known in some legal circles as “divorce month” as couples in Iowa and many other states flock to untie the knot. Attorney Scott Trout, C-E-O of the law firm Cordell & Cordell — with offices in Des Moines and Omaha/Council Bluffs, says it’s easy for some people to get caught up in the Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays and think relationships are going fine.”But once the clock strikes midnight on January 1, the real-life problems start piling up again and reality kicks in and they realize it’s not going to work,” Trout says.

It’s unfortunate, but he says once the new year arrives, some people resolve to make a big change, which often means dissolving a marriage. Trout says, “They give it a go but then we see this huge increase and spike in divorce rates starting in January and carrying all the way and peaking into March.” While January is the most popular month for divorce, it’s also tops for people signing up on dating websites, and it’s no coincidence. Trout says if you’re facing a looming divorce, do yourself a favor and avoid Facebook, Instagram and all other social media.

“Fifty-one or two-percent of the divorce attorneys are utilizing social media in their cases in trials, whether it be posts about bashing your ex or bragging about a job you claim you don’t have or vacations,” Trout says. “There is a treasure trove of information on social media.” Trout says the divorce rate is over 51-percent and marriage rates are falling.

(Radio Iowa)