(Radio Iowa) – The third annual “Build My Future” event was held Wednesday on the grounds of the Iowa State Fair. Chuck Gassman, vice president of Iowa Skilled Trades, says recruiting young people into his line of work hasn’t been easy. “Twenty-seven years ago, if we could get 10 people here to an event like this, it was a major win,” Gasman says. “Today we have over 5100 students here and I get choked up because of that. That is awesome!”

The day is designed to give students a chance to see the opportunities there are for welders, electricians, carpenters and others in the construction and manufacturing industries. More than a dozen high school students participated in a signing ceremony, pledging that they intend to work in the skilled trades after graduating from high school. Governor Kim Reynolds signed each student’s letter of intent.

Build My Future students. (RI photo)

Governor Kim Reynolds signed each student’s letter of intent. “The world is your oyster, I’m telling you. There is such a need. Together you’re really helping and I think that’s what’s so great about this, too. Kids see so many other kids here who are excited and fired up about these careers, that they’re not alone in doing this, so thanks for helping us drive the momentum across the state,” Reynolds said. “…Congratulations! We appreciate you being here. Now we want you to stay in Iowa.”

Seventy-six Iowa high schools are working with local businesses and community colleges to set up apprenticeships for teenagers while they’re still in school, many with the promise of a full-time job after graduation.

(Radio Iowa) – The legislature has voted to add 14 new opioid compounds to the state’s list of illegal drugs that have a high potential for abuse. All 14 drugs include fentanyl, a synthetic opioid that’s 80 to 100 times stronger than morphine. Senator Brad Zaun, of Urbandale, says it’s sadly become a yearly requirement to add new synthetic drugs to the state’s controlled substances list.  “This is necessary for us to make sure these illegal, despicable drug dealers can’t sell this in our communities,” Zaun says.

Representative Michael Bergen of Dorchester says all 14 substances are on the federal government’s list of illegal drugs. “Iowa’s crime lab has seen a 130% increase in different compounds over the past five years,” Bergen says. “The DEA reports seeing a new substance about every three weeks.”

The bill passed the House in February and the Senate gave it final approval this week. The bill’s written to take effect as soon as the governor signed it into law.

(Creston, Iowa) – Officials with the Creston Police Department, today (Thursday), said a woman reported on Tuesday, that her vehicle had been struck in the 300 block of N. Russell Street. The damage was estimated at $8,000. And, a woman residing in the 100 block of N. Division Street, in Creston, reported Wednesday afternoon, that her vehicle keys were stolen from her residence. The loss was estimated at $50.

Police in Red Oak, Wednesday night, arrested 43-year-old David Francis Hughes, Jr., of Red Oak. Hughes was taken into custody at around 10:40-p.m., for Domestic Abuse Assault/1st offense. He was being held without bond in the Montgomery County Jail.

(Radio Iowa) – Lawmakers’ decisions on the state budget and other high profile issues are apparently on hold. Governor Kim Reynolds continues to lobby for state-funded scholarships for 10-thousand kids to enroll in private schools.   “That’s where I’m focusing all of my energy right now,” Reynolds says.

The Republican-led senate has passed the governor’s plan, but Reynolds does not yet have 51 Republican “yes” votes lined up in the Iowa House. The governor told reporters she’s fighting for every vote and isn’t interested in negotiating with legislators on other issues, like the bottle bill.

“I wish they’d focus on the kids. That’s what I’d wish they’d focus on. If I want to be honest, that’s what I’m talking to legislators about. It’s not the bottle bill,” Reynolds said. “I’m talking to legislators about the students and what I’m hearing from parents and what these kids are being subjected to. Let’s get back to the basics. Let’s teach math and reading and science.”

Reynolds says the National Assessment of Educational Progress shows public school students in Iowa are falling behind their peers in other states. Sixty-eight percent of fourth graders are reading at that grade level, which Reynolds says is unacceptable. “We need to do something different and, you know, this is a pilot program to see if it works and if it doesn’t, then we need to readjust, but we should not be afraid of trying something different,” Reynolds says. “It is not about the system. It’s about the kids!”

Members of the Iowa House and Senate get a daily allowance to cover expenses during the first 100 days of the legislative session. Those payments end next Tuesday. That yearly cut-off often triggers decision-making that leads to the conclusion of the legislature. Reynolds says state-funded scholarships for private school expenses will be at the top of her 2023 legislative agenda if they aren’t approved this year.  “I’m never going to give up on that,” Reynolds says.

Republicans who are reluctant to support the governor’s private school initiative say small public schools in rural Iowa have tight budgets now and could see another drop in state funding with a shift to more state support of private schools.