(Radio Iowa) – Republican Iowa Congresswoman Ashley Hinson says she wants to stay on the Appropriations Committee after being elected to a second term. “I think it’s absolutely critical that Iowa continues to have a seat on that committee. I am the only Iowan on the Appropriations Committee,” she says. U-S House Republicans look like they will take back control of the chamber and they will vote today (Tuesday) on leadership in anticipation of that happening. Hinson says her leadership choices have been clear. “Kevin McCarthy for Speaker, Steve Scalise for our majority leader, Elise Stefanik, as our conference chair, and I’m supporting Jim Banks as our whip,” she says.

Republicans took back the only Democrat-held house seat when Zach Nunn defeated incumbent Cindy Axne. Hinson says that will be helpful. “Certainly, we will be able to continue to advocate for the agenda that Iowans sent us to Washington D-C to do. It’s very clear to me the story I was out telling him the district and hearing from Iowans, that they valued our commitment to America and they want to see us execute that,” Hinson says. She detailed what that commitment means.

“The strong economy, the safe nation, the future that’s built on freedom and the government that’s accountable. They want to see us deliver on that. So I think we will be a strong delegation to deliver in that regard,” Hinson says. Randy Feenstra and Marienette Miller-Meeks also won re-election and make up the rest of the Republican House delegation.

(Radio Iowa) – With a few inches of snow forecast for roughly two thirds of the state today (Tuesday), many Iowans are likely to encounter slippery sidewalks, driveways and parking lots for the first time since last winter. Kevin Bultena, a doctor of physical therapy and director of the 21st Century Rehab Clinic in Webster City, says take precautions to protect yourself in case of a fall. “Keeping your hands out of your pocket to try and stabilize yourself, but we also don’t want you to necessarily try and reach out and brace your fall on an extended arm,” Bultena says. “We would rather have a fall where you tuck and roll and hit on a broad base, the leg, the side, the shoulder, kind of diffuse the contact points.”

Bultena says to choose your footwear wisely when the wintery weather arrives to help prevent falls. “It’s the first, obviously, point of contact between your body and the ice,” he says, “and if your footwear is slipping and sliding, the likelihood that you’re going to follow suit and end up on the ground is pretty high.” Iowans who are headed to work will want to wear professional-looking shoes, but they also need to use common sense when selecting the day’s pair of shoes so they don’t end up cracking a tailbone.

“We want shoes that are flat, no heels because that sets you up for falls, but even the type of shoe in terms of the sole matters,” he says, “a rubberized sole or a composite sole is going to hold the ice much better than plastic sole or a leather sole.” More than 800,000 people a year nationwide are treated for falls.

(Red Oak, Iowa) – A man from Hastings was arrested at around 1:51-a.m. today (Tuesday), following a traffic stop in Montgomery County. The Sheriff’s Office reports 59-year-old Roy Thomas Barnes was pulled over in the 1000 block of Highway 34, and upon further investigation, was arrested for Possession of Methamphetamine/1st offense. Barnes was being held in the Montgomery County Jail on a $1,000 bond. The Mills County K9 Unit assisted during the traffic stop.

(Radio Iowa) – State Treasurer Michael Fitzgerald says it’s time to do some personal reflection, and for the Democratic Party to do the same after he lost his re-election bid. Fitzgerald talked with Radio Iowa about the loss almost one week ago. “Well, I guess I was surprised after 40 years…I guess you’re surprised you think you can keep winning. But that’s politics. And sometimes the other team just gets more votes, and that’s what happened. So my career comes to an end the state treasurer,” Fitzgerald says. He says this was the one time he couldn’t overcome a Republican surge.

“There haven’t been any embezzlement’s and all our audits are clean. And the finances were handled well, you know, triple-A rating for the state and I-PERS is solid, and all those kinds of things. But anyway, this was a red wave in Iowa,” he says. The entire Congressional delegation is now Republicans and only one Democrat state officeholder hung on. Fitzgerald says that should lead to some examination by the Democrat party.

“Well, I think they need to do some reflecting and the party needs to know — I think — what are the mechanics they need to do to help develop a message and coordinate campaigns and help candidates all across the state whether it’s the legislature, running for city council, or governor,” he says. Fitzgerald says they also need to examine their party message. “And Democrats themselves need to talk to Iowans, and what do Iowans want to be done that will help make their lives better, and then try to provide it,” he says. Fitzgerald says he believes he served Iowans well in the position.

“I’m very proud of this since 2008, right in the financial crisis, from then on, the State of Iowa has had a triple-A rating. I’ve worked on that. And I’m proud of that,” Fitzgerald says. “But also, I’m proud that I-PERs the big pension plan as well as the others for the judges and peace offices, they’re solid as a rock. They’re not 100 percent — but they’re 90 percent funded, they are solid. Where other states are scrambling, not in Iowa, they’re solid.” He is particularly proud of programs he instituted, including the Great Iowa Treasure Hunt.

“Over 625-thousand Iowans have gotten money back that they thought was lost, we’ve returned it. And College savings Iowa — 280-thousand families have College Savings Iowa accounts. It works, it’s been a great benefit to Iowa families. And so those are the things I’ve developed and presented to the people of Iowa, and I know they’ve been a success. And I’m happy about that,” according to Fitzgerald. Fitzgerald says he will take some time to decide what is next.

“I’ll just do some reflecting myself as to what I can do. I’ve been very fortunate to enjoy good health and maybe there’s some things I can do and I’ll be given that some thought and besides just riding off into the sunset,” he says. But I’d like to stay involved some way and that I got plenty of time to think about it and figure that out.” Fitzgerald says between now and the end of the year he will work with his successor to provide all the information needed to make sure there’s a successful hand-off done in a professional way.