(Radio Iowa) – Iowa Republican Senator Chuck Grassley says Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson’s rulings indicate she’s a judicial activist and that’s why he voted “no” today (Thursday) on her nominating to the U.S. Supreme Court. “Her record clearly shows she does not believe in or act within the limited and proper role of a judge,” Grassley said. Grassley was among the handful of senators who gave speeches explaining their votes on Jackson’s nomination right before 53 senators voted to confirm her as the next U.S. Supreme Court Justice.

Grassley says the judicial philosophy of a Supreme Court nominee should be the primary consideration for senators. “Judge Jackson explained to us that she does not ‘hold a position’ on whether individuals possess natural rights. Now that ought to be very shocking,” Grassley says. “Natural rights are basic to our constitutional system and principles of limited government.” Grassley also criticized Jackson for a sentence she handed down in a drug-related case.

“Judges should weigh against the charge, the danger to society, and the risk of recidivism,” Grassley said. “At her hearing, Judge Jackson said that she based her extraordinary and compelling finding on the non-retroactive change in the law. This radical misinterpretation is terrible and dangerous.”

Iowa’s other U.S. Senator, Republican Joni Ernst, also opposed to Jackson’s nomination. Three Republicans, an independent and all the Democrats serving in the U.S. Senator voted to confirm Jackson. She’ll be the first black women on the Supreme Court. Iowa Democratic Party Chair Ross Wilburn says it’s a historic day for our nation. Wilburn, the first black man to lead a major Iowa political party, says Jackson was masterful in demonstrating her qualifications during her confirmation hearing and will be an exceptional justice.

(Radio Iowa) – State officials plan to close the state-run facility in Glenwood that provides residential care to Iowans with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Governor Reynolds and the top two Republicans in the legislature issued a joint written statement, announcing the Glenwood Resource Center will close in 2024. Residents may be transferred to the Woodward Resource Center, but it’s likely the majority will be placed in community-based care.

A U.S. Justice Department report released in December concluded that with the right services, nearly all of the residents at Glenwood could live in community-based settings — and the cost of their care would be less. According to a news release from the governor’s office, employees at the Glenwood Resource Center will be offered bonuses to keep working at the facility during the two-year transition period or get assistance in finding new jobs. After the Glenwood facility closes, Reynolds pledges to work with local officials to find a new use for the campus.

This is the fourth state facility to close in the past decade. Governor Branstad cited difficulty in finding qualified staff as he ordered the state Mental Health Institutes in Clarinda and Mount Pleasant to close in 2015. Branstad ordered the closure of the Iowa Juvenile Home for delinquent girls in 2014 after complaints about how residents were being treated. Governor Reynolds fired the superintendent of the Glenwood Resource Center in late 2019.

The U.S. Justice Department concluded residents had been used as human guinea pigs in sexual arousal experiments.

(Radio Iowa) – A committee chairman says he’s not weighing in on recent challenges to nominating forms from three candidates running for state and federal office — but Republican Representative Bobby Kaufmann says the address requirements alongside the signatures on nominating petitions need to be clarified. Last week, a state panel voted to count petition signatures from residents of apartments and college dormitories who did not include their dorm room or unit number — that’s not listed as a requirement on the nominating petition.

“My job is to look at the policy in the Code (of Iowa) and my opinion is the policy in the Code is ambiguous and needs to be fixed,” Kaufmann says. “…It’s not something I’m probably going to dive into with two weeks left in the legislative session, but it is something that I think needs to be addressed before the next primary season, so all candidates of any party have the consistent clarity.”

A central Iowa judge may rule soon on a challenge to three signatures on Democratic U.S. Senate candidate Abby Finkenauer’s petitions, but THAT legal question revolves around the DATE listed or left off the signature line. Finkenauer would not qualify to be listed on the June Primary ballot if the three signatures being challenged are thrown out.

(Glenwood, Iowa) – In an update to our previous report on arrests and the recovery of stolen property in Mills County, the Sheriff’s Office in Glenwood said they have “Conducted addition[al] search warrants and recovered additional property. If anyone has been the victim of a theft or burglary, [we are asking that you] call [into] the Sheriff’s Office,” at 712-527-4337.

When you call, you will either speak with Lt. Pittman, or Sgt. Mather. You may inquire from them if any of the recovered property may be yours.

The Shelby County Community Foundation awarded $133,550 to Shelby County nonprofit organizations and community projects during its Spring 2022 Grant Cycle.

The following organizations are Spring 2022 Grant Recipients:

• Concerned Inc. – $2,000, Safety Light Repair
• Country Care Center Corporation – $2,400, Fire Door Mechanics Installation
• Defiance Fire and Rescue Department – $12,251, Emergency Back Up Generator
• Earling Fire & Rescue Department – $ 20,000.00 , SCBA Refill Station Upgrade
• Elk Horn Public Library – $2,000, Young Adult Library Space
• Friends of Harlan City Parks – $6,000, Water Fountains for Harlan Parks
• Harlan Little League – $2,700, Equipment Replacement Purchase
• Harlan Swim Team – $4,033, Starting Block Tops and Covers
• Irwin Fire and Rescue Association – $15,000, Life Safety Equipment
• Kids in the Village – $14,613, Classroom Furniture and Play Equipment
• Kirkman Fire Department – $8,100, Personal Protection Equipment
• Museum of Danish America – $5,000, Expanding Pedestrian Walking Paths
• Panama Community Club and Betterment Association – $5,000, Welcome Sign
• Panama Volunteer Fire Department – $15,000, 12 Lead EKG Monitoring System
• Petersen Family Wellness Center – $10,000, Resurfacing of Wooden Gym Floor
• Shelby County Community Outreach – $4,500, Building Upkeep – Exterior Painting
• Shelby County Historical Museum – $600 , Visitor Safety Initiative
• Shelby Fire and Rescue – $1,895, Advanced Life Support Portable Automated External Defibrillators (AED)
• Time For Tots – $15,000, Education and Play Revision
• West Central Community Action – $396, Emergency Clothing Room Garment Racks

All grantees met the criteria as Shelby County nonprofit agencies or organizations with charitable missions supporting community needs in the areas of civic engagement, culture, health, education, and social services. Only organizations providing services in Shelby County were eligible to apply.