Republican presidential hopefuls focus on abortion at Iowa gathering

September 18th, 2023 by Jim Field

Abortion policy was a key discussion point as a group of G-O-P presidential candidates addressed 12-hundred conservative Iowa Republicans this weekend in Des Moines.

All 10 candidates were interviewed on stage at the Iowa Faith and Freedom Coalition’s fall fundraiser. The group’s national chairman asked Florida Governor Ron DeSantis if he’d support federal legislation that would ban abortions nationwide after the 15th week of a pregnancy. “I think the states have done the better job thus far…Congress has really struggled to make a meaningful impact over the years,” DeSantis said. “As president, I’m going to welcome pro-life policies across the board, at both levels.” Former South Carolina Nikki Haley says passing any federal law requires 60 votes in the U-S Senate and it’s been 100 years since Republicans occupied 60 Senate seats, so she’d focus on things like promoting adoption and a ban on late term abortions. “I’m going to fight on the side of life every chance I get,” Haley said, “but I’m not going to demonize people in the process.” Former President Donald Trump, who did not attend the event, said in an interview that aired on N-B-C’s “Meet the Press” that he’d negotiate something that’s acceptable to both sides on the abortion issue. Former Vice President Mike Pence offered this rebuttal Saturday night. “The right to life has been the core of our movement in the last 50 years…but my former running mate and other candidates in this issue want to relegate that issue to the states only,” Pence said, “but I won’t have it.” Pence backs a national 15 week abortion ban. Iowa Attorney General Brenna Bird interviewed businessman Vivek Ramaswamy and South Carolina Senator Tim Scott, but she did not ask either about a national abortion ban. Scott like several of the candidates, suggested ways to support pregnant women.

Ramaswamy has previously expressed support for state abortion restrictions, including six week abortion bans, but opposes a federal law. Two of the leading candidates were asked about Alabama Senator Tommy Tuberville’s hold on military promotions, to pressure the Pentagon over its coverage of expenses for servicemembers who travel across state lines for an abortion. Haley, who’s husband recently deployed to Afghanistan, says as president she’d never allow tax dollars to be used for anything related to an abortion, but she says blocking more than 300 military promotions is wrong.

DeSantis says the Pentagon’s policy belongs in the trash can and he supports Tuberville’s effort.

DeSantis held a God Above Government Rally at a Des Moines church Saturday afternoon and announced a group of Iowa pastors had endorsed his presidential bid. On Saturday morning, DeSantis campaigned in Red Oak alongside Senator Joni Ernst. DeSantis pledged to more effectively deal with illegal immigration.

DeSantis, who is 45, told the crowd that ages of President Biden and former President Trump are a concern.

DeSantis says the founding fathers established 35 as the minimum age for the presidency and, if they were to witness American politics today, DeSantis predicts they’d travel back in time to the 1787 Constitutional Convention and set a maximum age limit as well.

Posted in News |

Rebate for tractor roll bars can keep farmers safe and save money

Ag/Outdoor, News

September 18th, 2023 by Jim Field

Iowa ranks first in the country for tractor rollover deaths, and a rebate being offered through a University of Iowa program aims to make farmers safer. Brandi Janssen is director of the U-I-based I-CASH, the Iowa Center for Agricultural Safety and Health. A properly-maintained tractor can be a workhorse across several generations of farmers, and Janssen says the older machines are more deadly in rollovers as they lack ROPS, or rollover protection systems.

A ROPS is a metal bar or frame that attaches to the tractor. In a rollover, the ROPS — when used with a seatbelt — prevents the operator from being crushed under the machine. Sadly, many Iowa farmers don’t shell out the money to retrofit their tractors.

Adding ROPS to a tractor may cost between 15- and 25-hundred dollars, but Janssen says a rebate is being offered that erases a large portion of that cost.

There is a waiting list for the ROPS rebates in Iowa, but Janssen encourages every owner of large farm equipment to sign up, as it’s a life-saver.

This is National Farm Safety week. For information about the rebate, visit “ROPSr4u.org” or call (877) 767-7748.

Posted in Ag/Outdoor, News |

Skyscan Forecast for Monday, September 18, 2023

Ag/Outdoor, Weather

September 18th, 2023 by Jim Field

Today: Sunny with a high near 81. Breezy, with a light south southeast wind becoming south 15 to 20 mph in the morning. Winds could gust as high as 25 mph.

Tonight: A slight chance of showers and thunderstorms with a low around 60. South southeast wind 10 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph.

Tuesday: Mostly sunny with a high near 83. South wind 10 to 15 mph.

Wednesday: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms after 1pm. Mostly sunny with a high near 78. South southeast wind around 10 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph.

Thursday: Mostly sunny with a high near 78.

Posted in Ag/Outdoor, Weather |

RITA SUE EPPERSON, 63, of Council Bluffs

September 18th, 2023 by Jim Field

RITA SUE EPPERSON, 63, of Council Bluffs died September 14, 2023 at home. Funeral service for RITA SUE EPPERSON will be held on Monday, September 18, at 11:00 AM at Saint John Lutheran Church in Council Bluffs. Cutler-O’Neill-Meyer-Woodring Funeral Home in Council Bluffs is assisting the family.

————————————————————–

A lunch will immediately follow the service in the Faith and Life Center at Saint John Lutheran Church.

Interment in the Shelby Cemetery.

Memorials are suggested to Saint John Lutheran Church, the Jennie Edmundson Foundation, or the Midland Humane Society.

RITA SUE EPPERSON is survived:

Husband: Kevin

Children: Heath (Kristin) of Bellevue, Neb.; Brett of Hastings, Neb.; Ryan (Colleen Rink) of Council Bluffs and Amy (Makaveli Gresham) of Omaha, Neb.

5 Grandchildren

Sisters: Carol Brigandi of Omaha and Becky (Richard) Udron of The Villages, Florida

Sister-in-law: Joyce Peters of Humboldt

Brother-in-law: Keith (Rhonda) Epperson of Plymouth, MN

Mother-in-law: Joyce Epperson of Council Bluffs

and many nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives, neighbors, and friends.

Posted in Obituaries |

High School Volleyball Scores

September 17th, 2023 by Asa Lucas

Western Iowa Conference:

AHSTW 2-Coon Rapids-Bayard 0 ()
Audubon 2-Spencer 0 (21-17, 21-16)
Audubon 2-Storm Lake 0 (21-19, 21-12)
Carroll 2-IKM-Manning 1 (15-21, 21-11, 15-13)
Fort Dodge 2-Audubon 1 (21-15, 25-27, 15-11)
Fremont-Mills 2-Underwood 0 (21-13, 22-20)
Kingsley-Pierson 2-AHSTW 1 (21-16, 18-21, 15-13)
Lawton-Bronson 2-AHSTW 1 (21-18, 15-21, 15-11)
OABCIG 2-AHSTW 1 (21-16, 19-21, 17-15)
Red Oak 2-Underwood 0 (21-14, 21-13)
Sioux Center 2-Underwood 1 (19-21, 21-19, 15-10)
South Central Calhoun 2-Audubon 0 (22-20, 21-17)
St. Albert 2-Underwood 1 (21-12, 12-21, 15-8)
Tri-Center 2-Ar-We-Va 0 (21-4, 21-11)
Tri-Center 2-Boyer Valley 0 (21-17, 21-16)
Tri-Center 2-Siouxland Christian 0 (21-14, 21-7)
Tri-Center 2-West Harrison 0 (21-9, 21-10)
Tri-Center 2-Woodbine 0 (21-16, 21-10)

Rolling Valley Conference:

AHSTW 2-Coon Rapids-Bayard 0 ()
Glidden-Ralston 2-ACGC 1 (12-21, 21-16, 15-10)
Glidden-Ralston 2-Colfax-Mingo 0 (21-13, 21-17)
Glidden-Ralston 2-Madrid 0 (21-9, 21-7)
Glidden-Ralston 2-Nodaway Valley 0 (21-11, 21-19)
Glidden-Ralston 2-Perry 1 (20-22, 21-9, 15-12)
Kingsley-Pierson 2-Coon Rapids-Bayard 0 ()
Lawton-Bronson 2-Coon Rapids-Bayard 1 ()
OABCIG 2-Coon Rapids-Bayard 1 ()
Tri-Center 2-Ar-We-Va 0 (21-4, 21-11)
Tri-Center 2-Boyer Valley 0 (21-17, 21-16)
Tri-Center 2-West Harrison 0 (21-9, 21-10)
Tri-Center 2-Woodbine 0 (21-16, 21-10)

Corner Conference:

East Mills 2-Clarke 0 (25-20, 25-17)
East Mills 2-Interstate 35 0 (21-14, 21-6)
East Mills 2-Martensdale-St Marys 0 (21-3, 21-7)
East Mills 2-Shenandoah 1 (18-25, 25-17, 15-9)
Fremont-Mills 2-Underwood 0 (21-13, 22-20)
Red Oak 2-Fremont-Mills 0 (21-18, 21-16)
Shenandoah 2-East Mills 1 (21-16, 12-21, 15-10)
Sioux Center 2-Fremont-Mills 0 (21-13, 21-13)
St. Albert 2-Fremont-Mills 1 (21-12, 19-21, 15-10)

Raccoon River Conference:

Bondurant-Farrar 2-Atlantic 0 (21-13, 21-17)
Bondurant-Farrar 2-Atlantic 1 (21-18, 18-21, 15-12)
Bondurant-Farrar 2-Southeast Polk 0 (21-10, 21-16)
Carroll 2-IKM-Manning 1 (15-21, 21-11, 15-13)
Dallas Center-Grimes 2-Bondurant-Farrar 0 (21-18, 21-9)
Fort Dodge 2-Carroll 0 (26-24, 21-18)
Indianola 2-Gilbert 0 (21-14, 21-14)
Knoxville 2-Gilbert 0 (21-12, 21-12)
Newell-Fonda 2-Carroll 0 (21-16, 21-18)
North Polk 2-Johnston 0 (21-17, 21-13)
North Polk 2-Nevada 0 (21-15, 21-16)
North Polk 2-Pella 1 (21-12, 18-21, 15-12)
North Polk 2-Woodward-Granger 0 (21-5, 21-11)
Norwalk 2-Gilbert 0 (25-13, 25-19)
Pella 2-North Polk 0 (21-15, 21-12)
Southeast Polk 2-Bondurant-Farrar 1 (21-19, 15-21, 15-13)
Waukee 2-Gilbert 0 (21-12, 21-12)

Pride of Iowa Conference:

Council Bluffs Lincoln 2-Lenox 0 (21-13, 21-15)
East Mills 2-Martensdale-St Marys 0 (21-3, 21-7)
Glidden-Ralston 2-Nodaway Valley 0 (21-11, 21-19)
Lenox 2-Creston 0 (21-15, 22-20)
Nodaway Valley 2-Perry 0 (21-8, 21-16)

Hawkeye Ten Conference:

Bishop Heelan 2-Kuemper Catholic 0 (21-19, 21-8)
Bondurant-Farrar 2-Atlantic 0 (21-13, 21-17)
Bondurant-Farrar 2-Atlantic 1 (21-18, 18-21, 15-12)
Council Bluffs Lincoln 2-Clarinda 0 (23-21, 21-15)
Council Bluffs Lincoln 2-Creston 0 (21-10, 21-6)
East Mills 2-Shenandoah 1 (18-25, 25-17, 15-9)
Kuemper Catholic 2-Bishop Garrigan 0 (21-6, 21-13)
Lenox 2-Creston 0 (21-15, 22-20)
Mount Vernon 2-Clarinda 1 (21-14, 20-22, 15-6)
Mount Vernon 2-Creston 0 (21-8, 21-11)
Red Oak 2-Fremont-Mills 0 (21-18, 21-16)
Red Oak 2-Sioux Center 1 (21-18, 11-21, 19-17)
Red Oak 2-Underwood 0 (21-14, 21-13)
Shenandoah 2-East Mills 1 (21-16, 12-21, 15-10)
Sioux Center 2-St. Albert 0 (21-18, 21-17)
Southeast Polk 2-Atlantic 0 (21-15, 21-15)
St. Albert 2-Fremont-Mills 1 (21-12, 19-21, 15-10)
St. Albert 2-Red Oak 1 (21-15, 14-21, 15-9)
St. Albert 2-Underwood 1 (21-12, 12-21, 15-8)

Posted in Sports |

Miranda Shoots Even Par; Iowa Tied for 4th in Madison

September 17th, 2023 by Asa Lucas

MADISON, Wis. – Junior Paula Miranda shot an even par 72 to lead the University of Iowa women’s golf team in the opening round of the Badger Invitational on Sunday at the University Ridge Golf Course.

Miranda carded five birdies, including four over her final seven holes en route to her even par round. The Mexico native is tied for seventh place – four shots off the lead. It is her 12th career round at or below par.

The Hawkeyes shot an eight-over par 296 on Sunday, which is just four shots off the lead held by host Wisconsin and Delaware. South Florida is third with a five-over par 293.

Sophomore Madison Dabagia carded a two-over par 74, which included an eagle on the par five sixth hole. Sophomores Shannyn Vogler and Riley Lewis are both tied for 30th with three-over par 75s.

True freshman Ximena Benites, who is competing as an individual, shot a two-over par 74, which puts her in a tie for 20th place.

IOWA LEADERBOARD

T7. Paula Miranda – 72

T20. Madison Dabagia – 74

T30. Shannyn Vogler – 75

T30. Riley Lewis – 75

T43. Kaitlyn Hanna – 76

T4. Iowa – 296

UP NEXT

Round two of the Badger Invitational will take place Monday, beginning at 9 a.m. (CT).

Posted in Sports |

No. 1 Iowa Downs Merrimack

September 17th, 2023 by Asa Lucas

IOWA CITY, Iowa – The top-ranked University of Iowa field hockey team shutout Merrimack College, 8-0, on Sunday afternoon at Grant Field as three Hawkeyes recorded multi-goal games.

Iowa’s defense allowed no shots in its sixth shutout this season. The win moves the Hawkeyes record to 8-0 overall.

“We needed to look a little bit inside ourselves during that first quarter and have some discipline on our individual defense,” said head coach Lisa Cellucci. “Once we did that and continued to move the ball and work off ball for each other, that really set up all the goals going forward.”

Fifth-year Esme Gibson started off the scoring with a goal in the 17th minute off an assist from freshman Miranda Jackson.

Junior Alex Wesneski recorded back-to-back goals in the second quarter. The Forty-Fort, Pennsylvania native found the back of the goal 21:51 into the game assisted by freshman Dionne van Aalsum following with another goal less than four minutes later assisted by freshman Gia Whalen.

Junior Annika Herbine extended the Hawkeye lead 20 seconds into the second half with a goal assisted by fifth-year Sofie Stribos.

Freshman Rachel Herbine scored her first career goals. Herbine’s first career goal came 32:22 into the game off an assist from van Aalsum. She followed her first goal with another 46:16 into play assisted by junior Lieve Shalk and van Aalsum.

Van Aalsum closed out the scoring with back-to-back goals in the fourth quarter to extend her multi—goal streak to eight games scoring at 46:49 and 52:59. The Castricum, Netherlands, native was assisted by Annika Herbine and Gibson.

OF NOTE…

· Three Hawkeyes — Gibson, Wesneski, and Rachel Herbine — recorded their first goals of the season.

· Rachel Herbine recorded her first career goals and first multi-goal game.

· Iowa’s defense has only allowed 43 shots (18 on goal) this season.

· The Hawkeyes entered the weekend leading the country in shutouts per game (.67).

· Sophomore Mia Magnotta has only allowed three goals in 479 minutes of action this season.

o Magnotta has been in net for all six of Iowa’s shutouts.

· van Aalsum has had multiple goals in every game this season and she leads the nation with 21 goals.

UP NEXT

No. 1 Iowa travels to Ann Arbor, Michigan to open Big Ten play against No. 8 Michigan at 5 p.m. on Friday.

Posted in Sports |

Iowa Soccer Ties Illinois, 1-1

September 17th, 2023 by Asa Lucas

IOWA CITY, Iowa – University of Iowa women’s soccer tied Illinois, 1-1, on Sunday to open Big Ten Conference play. Iowa moves to 6-0-2 overall for the season.

Trailing late in the second half, a goal from senior Kelli McGroarty in the 84^th minute lifted the Hawkeyes to their first point in the conference standings.

After trailing for more than 50 minutes of game action, Iowa sent a full-court press that resulted in a proverbial alley-oop; junior Elle Otto delivered a high, arcing cross to McGroarty, who slammed a forceful header through the net to draw the Hawkeyes even.

That would prove to be the final shot of the match, resulting in the stalemate.

Despite being outshot, 6-3, in the first half, the Fighting Illini took an early lead when graduate student Makena Silber jumped a pass between senior captains Maggie Johnston and goalkeeper Macy Enneking. The goal was left undefended, resulting in just the second score allowed by the Iowa defense this season.

The Hawkeyes responded, ultimately outshooting Illinois, 15-8, with 10 shots on goal. Enneking finished with four saves and also fended off a one-on-one look in the second half, forcing a shot wide of the net.

HEAR FROM HEAD COACH DAVE DIIANNI

“We are feeling mixed emotions. I think we had a good week in practice. Today was a great opportunity for us to learn that the Big Ten is very challenging. Especially when you make some critical mental errors, and I am not talking about the giveaway in the back. We missed opportunities in the box, as well.

I loved how we came out in the first 15 minutes, but we were just not clean enough. Illinois is a good team. They are right behind us in the RPI, and we gave them the opportunity to feel good about the game. I thought we missed some details on some corners and some set pieces. I was a bit disappointed on that, and then being a bit more clinical in the box.

We changed systems in the second half and felt our team showed a bit of resolve and fight. Getting points on Sunday is really important. Our team did that. We will learn from it before we get on the road to Wisconsin.”

HAWKEYE NOTABLES

Iowa outshot Illinois 15-8. Iowa holds a sizeable advantage in shots taken (128-47) and shots on goal (60-22) against its opponents this season.
The Hawkeyes have recorded 10 or more shots on goal in four of eight matches this season.
90 Tracker: Defender Samantha Cary (6), Millie Greer (5) and Johnston (3) each logged 90 minutes against the Fighting Illini. Senior Rielee Fetty (2) is the only other Hawkeye who has played the entirety of at least one game this season.

UP NEXT

Iowa faces Wisconsin at 7 p.m. (CT) on Sept. 21 at the McClimon Track and Soccer Complex in Madison, Wisconsin. The Hawkeyes return home on Sept. 24 to host Minnesota for the Go Green for Mental Health Game. Kickoff is set for 1 p.m. (CT).

Posted in Sports |

2023 West Harrison Hawkeye Volleyball Invitational

September 17th, 2023 by Asa Lucas

Final Team Standings:

1) Tri-Center 5-0;

2) Boyer Valley 4-1;

3) Woodbine 3-2;

4) Siouxland Christian 2-3;

5) West Harrison 1-4;

6) Ar-We-Va 0-5.

Match Results:

Tri-Center (5-0): def. Woodbine (21-16, 21-10); def. Boyer Valley (21-17, 21-16); def. Ar-We-Va (21-4, 21-11); def. Siouxland Christian (21-14, 21-7); def. West Harrison (21-9, 21-10).

Boyer Valley (4-1): def. Woodbine (21-16, 15-21, 15-13); def. Siouxland Christian (21-17, 21-13); def. Ar-We-Va (21-13, 21-12); def. West Harrison (21-11, 18-21, 15-7).

Woodbine (3-2): def. West Harrison (21-15, 21-11); def. Siouxland Christian (21-18, 20-22, 15-11); def. Ar-We-Va (21-9, 21-5).

Siouxland Christian (2-3): def. Ar-We-Va (21-11, 21-11); def. West Harrison (2-1).

West Harrison (1-4): def. Ar-We-Va (21-11, 21-14)

Ar-We-Va (0-5): No wins.

2023 All-Tournament Team

Tri-Center: Avilyn Killpack; Meya Wingert; Cassidy Cunningham.

Boyer Valley: Jess O’Day; Gwen Neilsen.

Woodbine: Danyelle Steinkuehler; Addison Murdock.

West Harrison: Maclayn Houston.

Posted in Sports |

University of Iowa volleyball sweeps Cornell

September 17th, 2023 by Asa Lucas

ITHACA, N.Y. — University of Iowa volleyball swept Cornell, 3-0, on Saturday afternoon, inside of Bartels Hall.

Sophomore Nataly Moravec led the way for the Hawkeyes, posting 13 kills, followed by fifth year Caitlan Buettner with nine. Freshman Kaia Mateo tallied 18 assists, and senior Bailey Ortega registered 14 assists. Buettner and junior Michelle Urquhart kept the ball alive for the Hawkeyes, recording 16 and 15 digs, respectively.

HOW IT HAPPENED

SET 1 (Iowa, 25-22): Iowa came out with momentum with a kill by Moravec, assisted by Ortega. Cornell responded and jumped ahead early in the set, but Urquhart registered a kill to get the ball back for the Hawkeyes. Ortega also posted a kill early in the set for the Hawkeyes. Cornell jumped ahead, but Anna Davis put one down to bring the spread to three. The two teams battled back and forth, exchanging kills. Delaney McSweeney came through swinging to record a kill, and then Iowa capitalized on a Cornell error to cut Cornell’s lead to two. Iowa continued to crawl back, as Buettner and Davis paired up for a block. Moravec posted another kill, and Iowa took advantage of a Cornell error to bring the set to a tie at 14. Cornell went on a run, but Iowa was able to climb their way back up and brought the set to a tie five more times. At 22-all, a Cornell error sent them into a timeout. McSweeney put up a kill and joined Moravec for a block to finish the first set on top.

SET 2 (Iowa, 27-25): Iowa took an early lead, capitalizing off a couple errors by Cornell. Moravec registered the first kill of the set and gave the assist to Ortega. The set remained close, tying four times through six. McSweeney added a kill to the books and helped the Hawkeyes. Then, Moravec served an ace and Cornell had an attack error, bringing the set to a tie at 12. The set was neck-and-neck, and the teams tied again at 13 and 14. Big Red took the lead until a kill by Urquhart and a Cornell ball-handling error tied it up at 16. Following a Big Red timeout, Urquhart went back to serve. It stayed close, and the set came to a tie at 18 and 19. Although Cornell held the lead toward the end of the set, scoring continued going back and forth until Iowa closed the set, 27-25, with a McSweeney kill and a Cornell error.

SET 3 (Iowa, 25-11): The Hawkeyes opened the match strong, taking the first seven points of the game and holding Cornell to zero. The Big Red added a couple of points to the board, but a kill by Davis put the ball back in the Hawkeye’s hands. Back-to-back successful attacks by Buettner and Davis brought Iowa ahead by 11, giving assists to junior Sydney Dennis and Urquhart. Iowa went on a 6-0 run, with Moravec recording three more kills and bringing the Hawkeye lead to 21-8. Cornell attempted to lessen the gap, but freshman Rosa Vesty put down a kill to start another offensive run of three for Iowa. Mateo went back to serve an ace, and assisted Urquhart for a kill to bring the set to match point. At match point, Iowa capitalized on a Cornell error to win the set.

UP NEXT

The Hawkeyes return to home to host Minnesota at Xtream Arena Thursday, Sept. 21 in the Big Ten Season Opener. First serve is scheduled for 6 p.m. (CT) on FS1.

Posted in Sports |

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