(Radio Iowa) – The Iowa Supreme Court has ordered a new trial in a Black Hawk County case that involves the “stand your ground” law. Lasondra Johnson of Waterloo was charged with first-degree murder after a fight that led to Johnson shooting and killing Jada Young-Mills.

Johnson was acquitted of first-degree murder after claiming self defense, but was found guilty of a lesser charge of assault causing serious injury. Johnson appealed, saying the jury instructions were confusing.

The Supreme Court agreed, saying the jury instructions did fail to convey the “stand your ground” law in such a way that the jury had a clear understanding of Johnson’s self defense justification, and ordered a new trial.

(Radio Iowa) – Iowa Attorney General Brenna Bird says a 17-month-long review has found serious problems in state services for crime victims.

Bird says she was shocked to learn the system to notify victims when a protective order is being served or is about to expire was terminated in 2019 by her predecessor, Democrat Tom Miller.

Bird has hired a coordinator to revive the notification system.

Bird’s report indicates a separate system that notifies victims when their abuser will be released from custody has been fixed. Bird says it was causing fear and panic in victims because it incorrectly sent notices about transfers from jail to jail or to a state prison.

Iowa Attorney General Brenna Bird spoke to reporters today during a news conference in her Des Moines office. (RI photo)

Bird announced today (Friday) she’ll be using money in her agency’s budget to double the pay for Iowa nurses who conduct sexual assault exams — and she hopes that encourages more nurses to take the training that’s required.

For the first time, the Iowa nurses authorized to conduct sexual assault exams will get mileage reimbursed, too. Bird, who was elected in 2022, stopped state reimbursement for emergency contraception for sex abuse victims soon after she took office in early 2023 and she’s released that hold today (Friday).

Bird says no tax dollars will be used, but instead fees and fines criminals pay into the state’s victim compensation fund will cover the costs. It’s the same policy that was in place before she took office for Plan B. Bird will no longer allow victim funds to cover the costs of an abortion for sexual assault victims.

In response, State Auditor Rob Sand, today (Friday) said in a statement:

“For a year, Iowa’s Attorney General inflicted even more trauma on rape victims just for politics. We know because her report doesn’t provide a single legal or financial reason to have withheld payments for emergency contraception.”

(Radio Iowa) – Motorcycles make up just four-percent of all registered vehicles in Iowa, but the Iowa D-O-T says motorcycle fatalities last year accounted for 16-percent of the state’s total traffic deaths. Kelly Hilsabeck, the trauma injury prevention coordinator at Gundersen Health System, says the warmer weather brings out droves of motorcycles, and she implores motorists to “look twice.”

For drivers who find themselves following a motorcycle in traffic, Hilsabeck urges you to back off and give them plenty of room.

According to D-O-T data from the past five years, 74-percent of the motorcyclists killed in Iowa were not wearing helmets. The national average is 38-percent. Iowa is one of three states in the country with no helmet laws.

Other things motorcyclists can do to protect themselves include: keeping your headlight on all the time to increase visibility, wearing some form of eye protection, and wearing bright-colored clothing.

The D-O-T says 62 motorcyclists were killed on Iowa’s roads last year, with 17 motorcycle deaths reported statewide so far this year.

(Radio Iowa) – Republican Congresswoman Ashley Hinson of Marion says the real verdict for former President Donald Trump will come in November and she’ll join Trump’s fight for redemption on the campaign trail. “I believe the Democrats’ strategy here is going to backfire. Iowans are going to support the former president and reelect him and I will do everything in my power to make sure that happens,” Hinson says. “…It means I’m going to be out there telling the story of the failures of President Biden.” Like many other Republican officials, Hinson says the trial in New York was designed to keep Trump off the campaign trail.

“The only thing I believe President Trump was guilty of here is being named Donald Trump,” Hinson says. “These charges would not have been prosecuted against anyone else and Iowans see right through that.” Hinson, who’s running for a third term in the U-S House, she’ll be on the campaign trail every single day between now and November 5th urging Iowans to kick Biden out and put Trump back in the White House.

Congressman Zach Nunn, a Republican from Bondurant, is joining what’s called the Bidenomics Bus Tour today (Friday) for an event to compare gasoline prices during the Trump and Biden presidencies.

Tomorrow (Saturday), U-S Senator Joni Ernst is hosting a fundraiser at the Iowa State Fairgrounds featuring many of the state’s G-O-P officials, including Governor Kim Reynolds.

(Greenfield, Iowa) – The Adair/Guthrie County Emergency Management Agency (EMA) reports today (Friday):

● A one-stop shop for resources will be open Sunday and Monday at Nodaway Valley Elementary School. The Multi-Agency Resource Center will be open from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday and 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. Monday. Please share!
● City water is safe to drink. The city is monitoring water closely.
However, please be mindful of your water usage as we work to get the water treatment process back to normal and continue to restore the water supply.
Follow these steps for housing demolition:
● Contact your insurance company to get permission to have your home demolished.
● Contact Greenfield Municipal Utilities at 844-580-0810, Option 2.
● Use a city-approved licensed contractor to have your home demolished.
● If your home’s foundation is being removed, call City Hall to have sewers inspected.
● If you need assistance contact City Hall at 844-580-0810, Option 1.

(Atlantic, Iowa) – The Cass County Board of Supervisors this (Friday) morning, passed Resolutions with regard to an amended FY 2023-24 Budget/appropriations, and Declaring Emergency Medical Services (EMS) as an essential service. Their actions followed separate public hearings on both matters. Auditor Kathy Somers explained the reason for the Budget Amendment.

(She was referring to Trent Wolken, Cass County Engineer) On the topic of Declaring EMS an essential service, Atlantic Firefighter Bob Reynolds spoke in favor of the matter, and asked the Board for their support in putting it on the November General Election ballot. Supervisor Steve Green…

Board Chair Steve Baier reiterated the method voters will get to chose in November on paying for the service, if they approve it.

In other business, the Cass County Supervisors acknowledged the following appointments in accordance with the Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) Wage Rate Schedules: Sawyer Ocheltree to a Sheriff’s Deputy/K9 position at $35.10/hour, and Cameron Ward to a Sheriff’s Deputy position at $34.08/hour. They also approved a FY 2025 Employee Group Agreement with the Secondary Roads Department.

Cass County Board of Supervisors mtg, 5-31-24

In his report to the Board, Cass County Engineer Trent Wolken said some of the County’s equipment was sent to Adair County to help with removal of tornado debris in Greenfield.

He said they spent most of last Friday and Saturday lending a hand at the task, which Adair County was most appreciative of. Cass County will be reimbursed by Adair County via FEMA, for the expenses associated with a service agreement for Disaster Recover with Adair County, once the paperwork is filed.
Board Chair Steve Baier said the County didn’t go into the fray, looking to be reimbursed. He said it “was the right thing to do.”

Trent Wolken updated the Board also, on Secondary Roads Department maintenance work and activities. He said that includes normal road blading with the graders. And…

And, the Cass County Supervisors approved the re-appointment of Veteran’s Affair Commission Member Christine Short, to the three-year term (through June 30, 2027).