U.S. Senate candidate Joni Ernst delivered the response to President Obama’s weekly address for her fellow Republicans this past Saturday. “The problem in America today is that Washington is fully liberals who think that government is the solution to every problem,” Ernst said. “They think that nothing can be solved unless Washington is involved.” Ernst opened the nearly six-minute speech by discussing her military experience and she closed by stressing her farm roots.

“Growing up on that southwest Iowa farm, my family didn’t have much. My mother canned our food and made our clothes, teaching us the lessons of not spending what we don’t have.” Ernst said. “…Today, to get America back on track it’s going to teach each of us working together to advance real solutions to our problems, not more tired rhetoric.” Ernst repeated her call for an amendment to the U.S. Constitution which would forbid deficit spending and require congress to pass balanced budgets.

“That is how we run our households and we should expect nothing less from Washington,” Ernst said. Ernst faces Democratic Congressman Bruce Braley this fall in the contest for the U.S. Senate seat Democrat Tom Harkin has held for nearly three decades. Braley has been traveling the state since June, citing Ernst statements that “perhaps” younger workers and those just entering the workforce should be able to shift their Social Security taxes into personal accounts and manage their own retirement savings. During her national speech, Ernst said Republicans believe Social Security should “be strengthened.”

“But we also believe, as do some of our friends in the Democratic Party, that these programs must be reformed,” Ernst said. “so America not only keeps its promise to today’s seniors, but is also able to guarantee a safety net is available for our children and grandchildren.” Ernst is a lieutenant colonel and battalion commander in the Iowa National Guard. She’s currently on a two-week training mission in Wisconsin with her troops and she recorded the speech before going on active duty.

(Radio Iowa)

Sheriff’s officials in Montgomery County report two arrests over the weekend. At around 12:30-a.m, Sunday, 52-year old David Lawrence Howe, of Red Oak, was arrested for Public Intoxication, following an incident at 1st and Hammond Streets, in Red Oak. Howe was being held in the Montgomery County jail on $300 bond.

And, at around 4:30-a.m. Saturday, deputies in Montgomery County, assisted by Red Oak Police, arrested 20-year old Dillon Michael Johnson, of West Des Moines, on a charge of OWI/1st offense. His arrest was the result of an incident in the 1900 block of 207th Street, east of Red Oak. Johnson was being held in the Montgomery County jail on $1,000 bond.

Here is the latest Iowa news from The Associated Press

FORT DODGE, Iowa (AP) — The Iowa State Patrol says a man and woman from Fort Dodge were killed when a tree fell and hit their all-terrain vehicle. The incident happened yesterday afternoon in Webster County. Authorities say 21-year-old Jordan Ulicki and 20-year-old Sadie Rae Foreman were pronounced dead at the scene. An investigation is ongoing.

AKRON, Iowa (AP) — Autopsies have been completed on a northwest Iowa couple found dead in their home last week, but officials aren’t releasing many details. Eighty-three-year-old Don Neunaber and 80-year-old Esther Neunaber were found dead in their home last Wednesday. The couple’s 44-year-old son has been detained in Wisconsin as a material witness, but hasn’t been charged.

EVANSDALE, Iowa (AP) — Family members of two Iowa cousins whose bodies were found months after their disappearance say they’re trying to keep their own lives on track while hoping for an arrest in the case. Drew Collins says he and his wife are working to move forward as a family, but it’s still difficult. Their 8-year-old daughter, Elizabeth, and 10-year-old Lyric Cook disappeared in July 2012. Their bodies were found months later in a rural area.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Lance Armstrong is again planning to join the 418-mile bicycle ride across Iowa later this month. The Des Moines Register reports Armstrong plans to participate in his sixth RAGBRAI and even work as a guest bartender on Saturday in Rock Valley. Up to 10,000 riders are expected to take part in the bike ride that begins next Sunday.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Democratic Party researchers are scrubbing the past and current comments of Republican U.S. Senate candidates in hopes of finding rhetoric that might spook moderate or independent voters.

Democrats hope that controversial remarks by Republican candidates will help counter the upper hand the GOP has gained in many states, including many Midwestern states. Provocative comments about rape and abortion by Republican Senate candidates in Indiana and Missouri undermined their campaigns in 2012.

The best Democrats have come up with this year is in Iowa’s Senate campaign. They have called attention to Republican candidate Joni Ernst’s professed belief in a United Nations’ threat to American property rights. But there is no indication the issue has affected the closely contested race.

Anita and Wiota Fire and Rescue personnel were called to Lake Anita State Park Sunday evening following a report of an accident with two injured. The collision occurred near the Park Ranger’s house, and was reported at 6:47-p.m.

No other details are currently available.