(Radio Iowa) – House Republicans have introduced legislation that would increase state spending on public K-through-12 schools by two-and-a-half percent. That’s slightly more than Republicans in the Senate have proposed. “We’re in line, obviously, with the governor’s number, so I don’t think we’re out on an island.” That’s House Speaker Pat Grassley, a Republican from New Hartford. Governor Reynolds has proposed that public schools, community colleges and the three state universities all get a two-and-a-half percent boost in state support for the coming academic year.

Grassley says House Republicans are introducing a separate bill that would provide an additional 19-million dollars to Iowa’s school districts. “With the expectation of that being used on support staff, with these increased costs that we’re seeing because of inflation,” Grassley says. That bill stipulates that school districts would only be able to use that extra money to cover pay for substitute teachers, bus drivers and other staff brought into schools to cover worker shortages.

Democrats in the legislature have proposed a five percent increase in per pupil state spending on schools.

(Radio Iowa) – Iowa Congresswoman Cindy Axne is co-sponsoring legislation to prohibit companies from ending health care benefits for striking workers. “I think across this country we’ve seen too many places where Americans are under threat of losing their health care because they’re standing up for workers’ rights,” Axne says. Axne, a Democrat, says she learned about the issue this fall as she walked the picket line in Ankeny with striking John Deere workers.

Deere and Company continued paying health care premiums, but under current law, it could have stopped providing health care benefits after October 27th. “How can they do that to families?” Axne asks. “How can they do that to children, who need this? How can they do to pregnant mothers? How can they do that people who have cancer or some other disease?” One-hundred-40 union workers who’ve been on strike at a California baker lost health care coverage January 1st. Axne says corporations sometimes use termination of health care benefits as a tactic to end a strike.

“People across the country understand that it’s not fair for workers who are still employed by those companies while they’re on strike,” because if you’re still employed, you shouldn’t be losing those benefits.” Axne is seeking reelection to a third term in the U.S. House this year. The Des Moines Register reported this week Axne has begun accepting contributions from political action committees connected to corporations. Axne had refused PAC donations in past campaigns.

“I came to understand that those PACs are nothing when compared to the real threat, which is dark money,” Axne says. “The Republicans have been spending millions running false and misleading ads against me. I’ve got to make sure I have the opportunity to push back against those who are trying to smear my record.”Republicans say Axne’s reversal on this campaign finance issue shows she can’t be trusted to keep her word.

Atlantic Public Library to Host Virtual Event Feb. 10 with Author and Psychologist Doreen Dodgen-Magee….

(Atlantic, Iowa) – Feeling ready for a restart? You’re not alone. Join the Atlantic Public Library and Healthy Cass County for
a free virtual presentation with author and psychologist Doreen Dodgen-Magee on designing a healthy post pandemic life on Thursday, February 10 from 7:00-8:00 PM. Register for the link for the online presentation at bit.ly/Feb10restart.

The virtual event will begin with an informative review of where we were when quarantine hit and how the lock down impacted us behaviorally and interpersonally, and then address how to restart and find opportunities for growth and health. The event is based on Dodgen-Magee’s latest book, Restart: designing a healthy post pandemic life. Atlantic Public Library Director Michelle Andersen described reading the book as, “talking to your best friend who just happens to be a psychologist and getting all the best advice.”

As a starred review in the December 2021 summarized, “Psychologist Dodgen-Magee comprehensively details all the things society has lost and reconfigured during the pandemic—neglect of physical activities, over-reliance on screens, and increased substance abuse—and offers steps to counteract these behaviors and build new healthy habits.” The review goes on to note Dodgen-Magee, “aptly describes this late-pandemic period as ‘running a marathon with a constantly moving finish line’ and provides specific ways to support our own and other’s mental health, create new realities, and nurture healthy relationships with technology… Dodgen-Magee’s advice hits home at a vulnerable period in our
lives.”

Dodgen-Magee’s latest book is available at all Cass County libraries, and the free, virtual event is open to anyone with internet connection. For those in the area without internet access, the Atlantic Public Library will be open to watch the online event.

Event: Restart: Designing a Healthy Post Pandemic Life

• Date: Thursday, February 10
• Time: 7:00 – 8:00 PM
• Where:
  
  • Online: Register for the link for the online presentation at bit.ly/Feb10restart, or
    
  • Watch the online presentation at the Atlantic Public Library (507 Poplar St. Atlantic, IA 50022)

This program is made possible by a Mental Health Resources grant from the Network of National Library
of Medicine Region 6.

Milford, Iowa –– Around 8:30 AM on February 3, 2022, the Milford Police Department responded to a shooting in the parking lot located at 2501 Boji Bend in Milford, Iowa. Upon arrival a female was found with multiple gunshot wounds and was transported to the Lakes Regional Hospital in Spirit Lake.  The female was later air lifted to Avera McKennan Hospital in Sioux Falls in critical condition.

Around 9:30 AM Law Enforcement arrested Christian Goyne-Yarns (age 25) of Spirit Lake without incident in Spirit Lake.  Goyne-Yarns was transported to the Dickinson County Sheriff’s Office where he has been charged with Attempted to Commit Murder, a Class B Felony.

This is an ongoing criminal investigation being conducted by the Milford Police Department, Spirit Lake Police Department, Arnolds Park Police Department, the Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco and Firearms (ATF), the Dickinson County Sheriff’s Office, The Iowa State Patrol, The Iowa Division of Narcotics Enforcement and the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation.  No further details are being released at this time.  As the investigation continues further charges may be applied.

Note: A criminal charge is merely an accusation and defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty.