(Radio Iowa) – The federal tax filing deadline is now one week away. I-R-S spokesman, Christopher Miller, says you will get a few extra days to file. “So the deadline this year is Monday, April 18th, instead of the traditional 15th. And that’s because the 15th falls on a holiday in the District of Columbia, which has the same effect as a federal holiday,” Miller says. That moves the deadline to the next business day — which is the 18th. Miller says everything appears to be going well as the deadline approaches.

“We already have well over half of the 160 million expected individual tax returns, with around 96 percent of them being e -filed, which is certainly good news from our standpoint,” Miller says. “For Iowa, we expect to receive nearly two-point-six (2.6) million individual tax returns this year.” He did not have a count on how many federal returns from Iowa have already been filed. If you see you are not going to meet the deadline — then there is an action you should take. “Taxpayers who need more time to complete their returns can request an automatic six-month extension to file. An extension allows for the extra time to gather, prepare, or file that paperwork with the I-R-S,” He says. The extension will you get until October 17th to file.

“In Iowa, we expect nearly 89-thousand taxpayers to ask for an extension of time to file. But this is important, remember that an extension to file a tax return is not an extension of time to pay your taxes. So if you owe, you will need to estimate and pay any old taxes by the regular deadline,” according to Miller. He says failing to pay by the deadline can lead to penalties and interest. He says the I-R-S encourages you to file electronically and use direct deposit for the refunds because your electronically filed returns are much more accurate than a paper return. And paper returns will be delayed in processing and in issuing a refund.

(Pomeroy, Iowa) – Sheriff’s officials in Calhoun County said Sunday, a man is in jail after a deadly shooting Saturday afternoon. Authorities report 66-year-old Michael Hinners shot 59-year-old Anthony Hinners around 4:25 p.m., in Pomeroy. First responders found Anthony Hinners with a gunshot wound to the chest. Despite life-saving measures provided, Anthony Hinners was pronounced deceased at the scene.

Michael Hinners booking photo

Authorities didn’t release a motive. The relationship between the two is unclear. Michael Hinners is now charged with first-degree murder. He has been booked into the Carroll County Jail.

(Radio Iowa) – Governor Kim Reynolds is calling on Christian conservatives to lobby Republicans in the House to pass a bill that provides state scholarships for 10-thousand students to attend a private or parochial school.   “We need to get it done and it’s just common sense and it’s a fairness issue, so help me get it across the finish line,” Reynolds said, to applause.” Reynolds was among a handful of Republican office-holders who spoke to hundreds of the Iowa Faith and Freedom Coalition members on Saturday night.

“We need to give more parents the option to find a school that fits the unique needs, the moral commitments and the religious convictions of their family,” Reynolds said. Thirty-one Republicans in the Iowa Senate have passed a bill to send 55-hundred state payments to low and moderate income Iowa parents who enroll their kids in private schools, but the bill has yet to be debated in the Republican-led Iowa House. In Saturday night’s speech, Reynolds reviewed a list of other school-related measures that have already been enacted.

“We got our kids back in the classroom and we did it before anybody else. We banned mask mandates and we said, ‘No!’ to woke culture,” Reynolds said, to loud cheers. The governor also discussed proposals pending in the legislature that require schools to list library books and require teachers give advance notice online about what books, articles and other materials they plan to use in the classroom.  “I can tell you without hesitation when parents are informed, they make informed choices, but that is only part of the solution and that is why I’ve asked the legislature to expand school choice,” Reynolds said, to cheers.

This is the second year Reynolds has asked the Republican-led legislature to create a program that sends state money to parents who enroll their children in private schools. Critics say once the program is established, it will become an ever-expanding entitlement for private school parents and siphon state resources away from public schools.

(Radio Iowa) – Two people were killed and 10 others injured in a shooting early Sunday morning in a Cedar Rapids nightclub and Cedar Rapids Police Chief Wayne Jerman says investigators believe the two men who fired at least a dozen shots likely escaped with the fleeing crowd. There were up to 150 people inside the Taboo Nightclub at the time of the shooting.

“We need information,” Jerman says. “…If anybody was there, if anybody was told that a friend was there and a friend witnessed (the shooting) — please, come forward and give us that information. Your identification is going to be protected. You may remain anonymous.” Jerman says investigators believe one of the victims who was killed was being targeted. Jerman and other Cedar Rapids officials spoke at a Sunday afternoon news conference that was broadcast by K-C-R-G television. Cedar Rapids Mayor Tiffany O’Donnell expressed sympathy to the victims and their families.

“Shock, anger, grief, disappointment — just a few of the emotions we all feel…This is not who we are. This is not Cedar Rapids,” O’Donnell said. And the mayor urged Cedar Rapids residents to do their part of quell violence. “Will you be the tap on the shoulder when you see someone going down a dangerous path?” O’Donnell asked. “Will you have the courage to report illegal activity when you see if happening, before it turns into something tragic? Will you be the voice of reason when tempers flare.”

The city’s police chief says officers were outside the nightclub, responding to another incident as people started running outside and people inside were calling 9-1-1.  “We believe there is not an elevated level of public safety risk,” Jerman said. “The incident was contained to the nightclub and has not expanded into the greater community.” Investigators have not determined a motive for the shooting.  “This is another mindless and senseless gun-related incident involving a reckless disregard for human life,” Jerman said.

The shooting happened just before 1:30 a.m. Sunday.

Des Moines – The Iowa Department of Corrections reports 28-year-old James Cody Simmons, convicted of Willful Injury – Causing Serious Injury and other charges in Polk County, failed to report back to the Fort Des Moines Community Correctional Facility as required, Friday.

James Cody Simmons

Simmons is a white male, height 5’10”, and weighs 148 pounds. He was admitted to the work release facility on July 23, 2021. Persons with information on Simmons’ whereabouts should contact local police.