(Radio Iowa) – Iowa Congresswoman Ashley Hinson, a Republican from Marion is criticizing the Biden Administration’s continued effort to forgive college student loans. She says it shifts the burden to others. “Truck drivers, farmers, bartenders, electricians and plumbers shouldn’t have to pay for someone else’s degree. Those who sacrificed and worked hard to pay off their own student loans shouldn’t then have to take on someone else’s debt,” she says.

The Second District Representative says forgiving student loans does not stop the problem of college students building large amounts of debt. “This would not be a one time occurrence. This will incentivize students to take on more debt, knowing that someone else will ultimately pay it back,” Hinson says. “That’ll drive up tuition rates and perpetuate the accumulation of the cycle of debt instead of breaking it.”

Hinson says students need to be educated on the front end of what they are getting into. She says Iowa colleges are doing a good job of explaining to potential students how much it will cost and how much they can expect to earn in their respective majors. “I think that that’s the conversation that needs to happen in higher education before students are taking on literally thousands and thousands of dollars in debt and all the interest that goes along with that,” Hinson says.

Hinson’s comments come as several states led by Republicans have sued the Biden Administration over the plan to eliminate 73 BILLION dollars in federal student loan debt.

(Radio Iowa) – Several Sioux County school districts were placed in a lockdown today (Thursday) following a threat. According to authorities, a threat was found written on a bathroom wall in the Sioux Center High School referencing a school shooting and mentioning schools in the Rock Valley and Boyden-Hull school districts as well. Authorities ordered Sioux Center schools and schools in the surrounding communities of Hull, Orange City, and Rock Valley to lock down and secure their buildings.

Sioux Center Community School Superintendent Gary McEldowny issued a statement saying school safety is priority. In the statement, he says law enforcement was engaged immediately, and a thorough investigation took place. He says he’s confident the threat has been resolved. No weapons were found.

Superintendent McEldowny says law enforcement will be present to provide assurance to students, staff, and families that our schools are safe.

(Greenfield, Iowa) – The Adair County Auditor’s Office has released the final list of candidates and ballot measures for the Nov. 5th General Election. The candidates for County Offices include:

Partisan Offices

Supervisor (I= Incumbent)

District 1NW: Matt Wedemeyer (R) I
District 3SW: Jerry Walker (R) I
District 5GF: Michael Christoffersen (R)
Sheriff: Jeffrey L. Vandewater (R)  I
Auditor: Mandy Berg (R) I
Recorder (TFV): Kelly Mitchell (R)

Non-Partisan Offices

Washington Township Trustee (Vote for 1): No Candidate Filed
Washington Township Trustee (To Fill Vacancy) (Vote for 1): No Candidate Filed (To Fill Vacancy)

Richland Township Trustee (Vote for 1): Roy Maeder

County Public Hospital Trustees (Vote for 3): Willard W. Olesen; Jimmy Freeland; Deb Tindle

Soil and Water Conservation District (Vote for 3): Daryl Nelson

County Agricultural Extension Council (Vote for 4):Matt Mensing; Jessica Christensen; Trent Raasch; Amy Kading.

Judicial Retention

Supreme Court: David May

Court of Appeals: Tyler J. Buller; Mary Elizabeth Chicchelly; Samuel Langholz; Mary Ellen Tabor

District Court Judges (5B): Patrick W. Greenwood

Constitutional Amendments and Public Measures

Iowa Constitutional Amendments:

• Shall the following amendment to the constitution be adopted?

Summary: Provides for only U.S. citizens aged 18 or older and meeting state and county residency requirements to vote in all elections. Further provides that 17-year-olds who will be 18 years old by the General Election are eligible to vote in the primary election, subject to the same citizenship and residency requirements.

• Shall the following amendment to the constitution be adopted?
  Summary: Provides that the lieutenant governor will act as the governor if there is a temporary disability of the governor. Further provides that the lieutenant governor or lieutenant governor-elect will be the governor or governor-elect in the case of resignation, death, or permanent disability of the governor or governor-elect thus creating a vacancy in the office of lieutenant governor or lieutenant governor-elect, as appropriate.

Benefited District Public Measures

Iowa Western Community College

Public Measure SB:

Shall the Board of Directors of the Iowa Western Community College (Merged Area XIII) in the Counties of Adair, Adams, Audubon, Cass, Crawford, Fremont, Harrison, Mills, Monona, Montgomery, Page, Pottawattamie and Shelby, State of Iowa, be authorized to contract indebtedness and issue General Obligation Bonds in an amount not to exceed $55,000,000 to provide funds to construct, furnish, and equip a new academic building and renovate, remodel, and improve existing buildings within Merged Area XIII?

CAM Community School District

Public Measure B:

Shall the Board of Directors of the CAM Community School District in the Counties of Adair, Adams, Audubon, and Cass, State of Iowa, be authorized to contract indebtedness and issue General Obligation Bonds in an amount not to exceed $22,500,000 to provide funds to construct, furnish and equip a classroom addition to the High School building; to remodel, repair, improve, furnish and equip exterior and interior portions of the existing High School building, including mechanical, electrical, and fire systems improvements, secure entry improvements, and technology and security improvements; and improve the site?

(Radio Iowa) – The State of Iowa has recently distributed 770-million dollars in grants and tax credits for housing developments that will yield an estimated 10-thousand homes and apartment units in the state. Governor Kim Reynolds says there’s never before been that many publicly-funded housing units under development in Iowa.

“Housing is so much more than just four walls and a roof. It’s the foundation of a growing workforce and an unmatched quality of life and a thriving local economy,” Reynolds says. “Housing is the start of stronger communities and a more prosperous future for our entire state.” State officials say the bulk of the investment is 632 million dollars worth of federal tax credits awarded for Iowa housing projects over a ten-year period.

Debi Durham is director of the Iowa Economic Development Authority and the Iowa Finance Authority, which provides low income Iowans assistance on homes and rentals. “We often say, ‘Housing is the start,’ because a safe, stable home is where so many stories begin,” Durham said. “Our work helps to craft these diverse stories whether it’s a family finding stability, a young couple moving into their very first rental or a life-long renter purchasing their first home.”

Governor Kim Reynolds speaks at Housing Iowa Conference on Sept. 4, 2024. (RI photo)

About 80 million in state tax credits have been awarded for new construction or rehabbed housing in communities where there’s a shortage of homes and apartments for people who work in the community. Another 16 million is supporting the creation of new housing options in the downtown areas of Iowa cities with a population under 30-thousand. The National Housing Trust Fund also has awarded 11 million dollars in Iowa to produce or preserve rental units for low income residents.