DES MOINES, Iowa (KCRG) – The Iowa Secretary of State’s Office says a felony conviction won’t impact whether Donald Trump’s name appears on Iowa ballots. Trump became the first former American president to be convicted of felony crimes Thursday as a New York jury found him guilty of all 34 charges in a scheme to illegally influence the 2016 election through a hush money payment to a porn actor who said the two had sex. Trump is the presumptive Republican nominee for President and won Iowa’s Republican Caucuses in January.

Iowa law bars felons from holding office or appearing on a ballot. However, the Iowa Secretary of State’s Office said that only applies to state office, not federal offices. A spokesman said the U.S. Constitution sets the requirements to run for federal offices and do not include any ban on convicted felons.

That’s despite a bill Iowa Republicans passed out of the Iowa House this past session, HF 2610, that would have specifically stated that and limited challenges to candidates appearing on the ballot. Iowa Secretary of State spokesperson Ashley Hunt said “The states do not have jurisdiction to identify additional requirements for federal candidates.The bill in question simply clarified that, ensuring Iowa law is in compliance with federal law.”

The Iowa House passed the bill just a day after the U.S., Supreme Court struck down a Colorado ruling that would have removed Trump’s name from the ballot. Iowa’s Secretary of State’s Office echoed that Supreme Court decision, which found states do not have jurisdiction to determine eligibility for federal office.

While the Iowa House passed HF 2610, the Iowa Senate never took up the bill during the last session.

(Creston, Iowa) – The Creston Police Department reports four people were arrested on separate charges over the weekend.

Two people were arrested Sunday, in Creston: 25-year-old Noah Alexander Young, of Creston, was taken into custody Sunday morning, on two Union County Warrants for Failure To Appear (FTA) on an original charge of Providing False Identification Information, and, FTA on a charge of Disorderly Conduct/Loud Raucous Noise. Young was taken to the Union County Jail and held on a $600 cash-only bond; and, 36-year-old Ashleigh Nichole Shinn, of Diagonal, was arrested Sunday afternoon, for Driving while Suspended. Shinn was cited and released on Promise to Appear.

Saturday morning, 26-year-old Juan Angel German Estrada, of Creston, was arrested in Creston for OWI/1st Offense. Estrada was taken to the Union County Jail where he was later released on a $1,000 cash or surety bond. Saturday evening, 64-year-old Eric Eugene Thornton, of Creston, was also arrested for OWI/1St Offense. He was also taken to the Union County Jail and later released on a $1,000 cash or surety bond.

(Radio Iowa) – The Glenn Miller Music Festival returns to Clarinda for the 47th time this week, with concerts, events, and food to celebrate the famed band leader in his birthplace. Shari Greenwood, executive director of the Glenn Miller Museum, says the festival kicks off Thursday evening with a picnic at the Clarinda High School commons and a concert featuring the U-S Air Force band, Shades of Blue. Greenwood says Friday will be jam-packed, starting with morning events. “We have our stage show, which is introducing the winners of the scholarship competition and our Glenn Miller (Birthplace Society) Big Band plays,” Greenwood says. “Then, in the afternoon at 1, we have Adam Swanson, the four-time world champion ragtime piano player, and after lunch we also have a new band down here, the Louie Pettinelli Experience. Then, of course, Friday night at 7:30 is our Glenn Miller Orchestra in the (high school) auditorium.”

Saturday morning begins with a big band breakfast and pancake feed at the fire station featuring the Northwest Missouri State University jazz ensemble. Other Saturday concerts include Shin Shininger and the Shinsings after lunch, the Moonlight Serenade Orchestra at 3:30 p.m., and the Glenn Miller Orchestra at the Clarinda gym at 7:30 p.m., which will also include a swing dance competition. Greenwood says a free outdoor concert Sunday at 1:30 p.m. featuring the Iowa Military Veterans Band will wrap up the festival. “This is a band that has 105 members, so when I said, ‘It’d be great to have this band here,’ my board looked at me like, ‘What are you going to do with 105 members?’ There’s about 65 of them that are coming on Sunday,” she says. “So, we’ve got lots of concerts, other events, free concerts, food. It should be a really good weekend.”

Glen Miller

The festival includes hearing the finalists and awarding the Glenn Miller Music Scholarships on Thursday. Greenwood says $12,000 is given to the top three vocalists and instrumentalists who have applied for the scholarship, which assists high school seniors and first-year college students who plan to make music a central part of their lives. “These kids send in a music selection, a lot of paperwork, information about themselves, and they get graded before the top 10 from each category come to Clarinda to compete,” Greenwood says. “These kids also come on their own dime, so when they get here we try to work on home stays and make sure they have everything they need if they’re not traveling with a parent.”

The Glenn Miller Birthplace Society Museum is also open daily and will be free to visit on Sunday.

On the web at: glennmiller.org/festival

(Red Oak, Iowa) – Police in Red Oak report a man was arrested early this (Monday) morning on a Public Intoxication charge. 38-year-old Brian Paul Anderson, of Red Oak, was arrested in the vicinity of 2nd & Nuckols Streets at around 12:06-a.m.  He was transported to the Montgomery County Jail and held on a $300 bond. Red Oak Police were assisted by Montgomery County Sheriff’s Deputies in handling Anderson’s arrest.

(Area Counties) – There are very few contested* local races heading into Tuesday’s June 4th Primary Election. Candidates must receive 35% of the total votes cast in that race to be nominated in the primary election. Election results will be posted on the KJAN News page, when they become available. Unless otherwise mentioned, there are no Democratic or Libertarian candidate races in the following counties…

In Adair County, Republican candidate Michael Christophersen in unopposed in the District 5 Supervisor’s contest, and fellow Republican Jerry Walker is unchallenged for his District 3 seat. Republicans Jeff Vandewater, Mandy Berg and Kelly Mitchell are unopposed in their respective bids for Sheriff, Auditor and Recorder. Democrat Matt Wedemeyer is also unopposed in the District 1 Supervisor’s race.

In Adams County, there are no challenges on the ballot for Auditor, where Republican Becky Bissell is running, and Republican Sheriff Alan Johannes is unchallenged. Tony Hardisty is the only name on the Republican ballot for Supervisor in District 2 in Adams County, while Christopher Standley, another Republican, is the lone candidate in District 5.

In Audubon County, Republicans Donald Mosinski and Kent Grabill are running two seats on the Board of Supervisors. Nathan Wahlert’s name will appear on the Democratic ballot.

In Cass County*, incumbent Bernard Pettinger faces a challenge from fellow Republican J. Ford Lillard, in the 5th District Board of Supervisor’s race. Voters using the Democratic ballot will find Phyllis Stakey’s name listed for the Board of Supervisors in District 5. Republicans Stephen S. Green (I), Kathy Somers (I), and John Westring, are unopposed in their respective bids for District 1 Supervisor, Auditor and Sheriff.

In Guthrie County, Democrat Sheriff Marty Arganbright (I) is unopposed in his party during the Primary Election. He’s expected to face-off in November against the lone Republican candidate on Tuesday’s ballot, Matt Harmann. Republicans Mike Dickson (I), and Danielle (Dani) Fink (I), are unchallenged in their bids for re-election. Brian E. Johnson (I) is also unopposed for his District 2 Supervisor’s seat.

In Montgomery County*, where Republican’s Jill Cooper and Alex Burton are on the ballot for the Board of Supervisors in District 5, Cooper has withdrawn her name from consideration due to health concerns, and has thrown her support behind Burton. Donna Robinson chose to not run for re-election. Republican Sheriff Jon Spunaugle and Republican Auditor Jill Ozuna are unchallenged in Tuesday’s election, but incumbent Republican District 3 Supervisor Randy Cooper is being challenged by fellow Republican Bryant Amos.

In Pottawattamie County*, five Republicans are squaring-off for two County Board of Supervisor positions, and hope to move on to the November election. The candidates include Tim Wichman (I), Karis Crilly, Adam Houser, Charlie Johnson and Brian Shea (I). And, Republican Incumbent Melvyn J. Houser faces a challenge from fellow Republican Mary Ann Hanusa, in the Auditor’s race.

In Shelby County*, three Republicans are in the running for two seats on the Board of Supervisors: Alexis Carter, Mike Kolbe and Charles Parkhurst. Two Republicans have are running for County Auditor in Shelby County: Melissa Arkfeld and Taryn Knapp.

(I) = Incumbent

(Radio Iowa) – U-S Senator Joni Ernst’s annual “Roast and Ride” fundraiser has given Iowa Republicans a chance to restate their criticism of last week’s conviction of former President Trump. Ernst said the trial has solidified support for Trump. “Stop the political persecution of Donald J. Trump,” Ernst said. Ernst, who intends to seek reelection in 2026, has said she’s open to serving in Trump’s Administration if he wins in November. Iowa G-O-P chairman Jeff Kaufmann kicked off Saturday’s fundraiser with a question.

“How many people in this room, right now, stand with Donald J. Trump?” Kaufmann asked. Every Republican office holder who followed Kaufmann on stage made their stance clear. Governor Kim Reynolds cited the donations the Trump campaign says were made after the verdict. “And $53 million in 24 hours is a pretty good indication of where the people in this country are standing,” Reynolds said. Senator Chuck Grassley called all the cases against Trump a distraction.

“This political lynching of Donald Trump,” Grassley said, “…they think they could prosecute Biden into the next White House, but I think they’re going to prosecute Trump into the White House.” Texas Congressman Wesley Hunt, the event’s keynote speaker, has campaigned for Trump often. Hunt suggested the verdict has awakened a sleeping giant. “For those of you that are fearful of a revenge tour that’s exactly what we need,” Hunt said, “and on day one we need a man to step into office — on day one — to turn this whole thing around.”

U.S. Senator Joni Ernst and Governor Kim Reynolds at Ernst’s 2024 “Roast and Ride” fundraiser.

Two of the four Republicans who represent Iowa in the U-S House also spoke at Ernst’s fundraiser. Second district Congresswoman Ashley Hinson of Marion told the crowd Trump’s conviction will backfire on Democrats. “I think angry voters are motivated voters. Are you angry? Are you motivated? I think so,” Hinson said, to cheers. Third district
Congressman Zach Nunn of Bondurant told the crowd Republicans need to win a majority of seats in the U-S House in November, or Democrats will impeach Trump again.

“Do you want a country where you can be proud not only to salute the flag, but to know that you’ve got a president and a government that have your back, not come after your back?” Nunn asked.

About 700 people attended Saturday’s fundraiser for Ernst’s campaign. Ticket sales from the motorcycle ride beforehand were donated to the Iowa Veterans of Foreign Wars Foundation.