The Iowa Department of Human Rights is hosting the annual state Martin Luther King Junior celebration today (Monday). Kim Cheeks of the Department’s Office on the Status of African Americans says the celebration begins at 10:45 at the Des Moines Botantical Center. “It will be our 29th annual celebration commemorating the life and legacy of Doctor Martin Luther King. We will have opening remarks by Governor Kim Reynolds.” Cheeks says the keynote speech will be delivered by Izaah Knox, Executive Director of Urban Dreams. She says the entertainment will feature Julius Brooks, a jazz musician and poet Emmett Phillips.

Cheeks says everyone is invited to attend the event honoring the slain Civil Rights leader. “To remember his values, to remind people of his principles of non-violence and to celebrate the holiday,” Cheeks says. Governor Reynolds will sign a proclamation designating it Martin Luther King Junior Day, and the period of January 14-20th as Martin Luther King Junior Week.

(Radio Iowa)

Police in Council Bluffs, Sunday night, responded to a report of a suspicious vehicle in the 1800 block of 28th Ave. They were dispatched to the scene at around 10:15-p.m. A caller told authorities two males parked the vehicle and walked west. Officers arrived on scene and while they were checking on the vehicle they heard two shots fired close by. A short time later two males were seen running back toward the suspicious vehicle. Officers took both parties into custody and transported them both to the Criminal Investigations Division for questioning.

One male was questioned and released. The second male is juvenile and his name was not  released. Officers located a stolen semi-automatic pistol on the juvenile, who was charged with trafficking in stolen weapons, unauthorized possession of a weapon, obtaining weapon without a permit, and reckless use of a firearm. The juvenile was being held at the Southwest Iowa Juvenile detention center.

Here is the latest Iowa news from The Associated Press at 3:30 a.m. CST

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Gov. Kim Reynolds highlighted multiple policy priorities in her Condition of the State speech, but recent history shows plans can change. Republicans have indicated strong support for several proposals in the Jan. 9 speech, like reducing taxes and expanding workforce opportunities. But issues not discussed such as the death penalty and immigration, or only briefly mentioned like abortion and school choice, could surface to the top of lawmakers’ agenda.

DAVENPORT, Iowa (AP) — Eastern Iowa is seeing the annual return of bald eagles, attracting area residents and tourists alike. The raptors hunt over open water. So, as other rivers ice over, the eagles return to open waters along the Mississippi River in the Davenport area, an annual event that also draws countless bird watchers. The Quad-City Times reports that LeClaire offers a prime spot to view bald eagles.

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — A new facility in the Omaha area will help food businesses get started. The 2,500-square-foot Kitchen Council plans to open in early February. Its commercial kitchen and business development experts will help entrepreneurs launch food-related businesses. The Kitchen Council’s director Holly Benson Muller says the facility is designed to make it easier for food businesses to get started.

CEDAR FALLS, Iowa (AP) — Authorities in northeastern Iowa have released the names of three people from Waterloo killed in a crash that also seriously injured three others. Police say 20-year-old Elijah James Showalter, 21-year-old Daniel James Delagardelle and 16-year-old Brady Hagenstein died in the Friday evening in Cedar Falls. Police say the three were traveling in a speeding westbound car on Viking Road that crossed the center line and hit an eastbound SUV head-on.

Cass County Emergency Management Coordinator Mike Kennon, Sunday, provided KJAN with pictures from one of the many accidents that occurred during the day Sunday, into late Sunday night. The semi in the photo’s below, was involved in an accident that happened at around 10:12-p.m. Sunday, as the winds were picking up and fresh fallen snow began to swirl, making the roads completely covered with snow, ice or slush, and very treacherous. Atlantic Fire, Marne Fire, Cass County Sheriff’s Deputies and the Iowa State Patrol responded to the scene. Earlier in the day, Sunday, a semi hit a pickup on I-80 eastbound near mile marker 64 in Cass County. At least one injury was reported. Soon thereafter, numerous accidents were reported near the Anita exit (70-mile marker), as vehicles began to slip and slide on the road.

Photo’s courtesy Mike Kennon w/Cass Co. EMA

No fewer than four area school district Boards of Education are set to meet Monday evening. The Griswold School Board meeting gets underway at 5:30-p.m. in the Central Office, Middle School/High School Building.

On their agenda under “Old Business,” is an update from KPE/Estes officials with regard to District facilities, along with the second reading of 507- and 508-series Board Policies, a presentation and possible approval of the purchase of a school sign to replace one that was damaged. “New Business” for the Griswold Board includes: action on a possible rejection of building project bids; information with regard to financial projections; action of approving the 2017-18 Individual Career and Academic CTE Plan; An informational presentation pertaining to Building Goals; Approval of a copy machine lease, and Chemical application specifications.

The CAM School Board meeting begins at 6:30-p.m. in the CAM High School Media Center. Discussion and/or action items include, but are not limited to: The purchase of new computers; a revised Early Retirement Incentive Policy; Capital Projects; Bids for Audit services and the consideration of a bid for an old school bus; and, the approval of revisions to board policies.

The Audubon School Board meeting will be held in the Boardroom at the High School in Audubon, beginning at 7-p.m., Monday. Their action items include: Approval of new math textbooks for FY 2019; Action on the transfer of City land for the baseball field along with approval of additional fencing at the baseball field; approval of bargaining groups for FY 2019, and moving the date for their February Board meeting. The Audubon School Board will also discuss the District 2018-19 School Calendar.

And, the Exira-Elk Horn Kimballton School Board meeting takes place 7-p.m. Monday, in the Conference Room at the Elk Horn building. The Board is set to receive an update from KPE architects and hold discussion on the information presented. They will also discuss an update with regard to a plan for realignment, act on setting the date and time for a Public Hearing on the 2018-19 Calendar, as well as discussing and taking action on personnel hires, transfers, resignations, etc.