(Radio Iowa) – Gambling market studies conducted for the Iowa Racing and Gaming Commission show the potential impact on the market for a new casino in Cedar Rapids and casino gambling in Nebraska. Racing and Gaming Administrator, Brian Ohorilko, says the Cedar Rapids information will help them determine if there should be a casino thereafter a license was denied in their last attempt. “What has changed since 2017? In other words, is there a projected impact of other casino licenses in the state? If there is, at what rates? Are those rates higher or lower than projected in 2017? And also, what is the projected new revenue,” Ohorilko says.

One of the two studies shows not much has changed and a Cedar Rapids casino would take revenue from Waterloo, Dubuque, and Riverside. The other study projects that loss to existing casinos of 61 million dollars. The commission will get a full review of the studies at their meeting next week. The studies also look at the impact of casinos opening in Nebraska. “And that was a very important piece of this study. Is looking at the impact of Nebraska and really trying to help everyone prepare for the years to come,” he says. Ohorilkoh says the studies give a little more detail on the Nebraska situation.

“It is not a surprise that the addition of gambling in Nebraska was going to impact the Iowa market — specifically the Council Bluffs market and the Sioux City market,” according to Ohorilko. The Council Bluffs market is currently Iowa’s largest market as a whole in terms of revenue.”  Projections are that the Council Bluffs casinos could lose 45 percent of their market to new Nebraska competition. The report estimates Sioux City’s Hard Rock casino could see a loss of 50 million dollars in adjusted gross revenue. Ohorilko says Iowa casinos need to prepare for that eventuality.

“We’ll get a chance to take a close look at these studies and see what is projected, and that may help some of the Iowa operators decide how they might respond,” Ohorilko says. “And they could respond by infusing additional capital into their facilities. There may be marketing strategies that are employed.” The study also details the impact of a Wisconsin casino on the Iowa markers and the impact of Video Lottery Terminals in Illinois. “Those are devices that are throughout Illinois and the addition of some casinos in Illinois as well. So, their studies not only are helpful for the things that maybe we have a general understanding of how they may impact Iowa — but it also helps understand other factors that are lesser-known,” Ohorilko says.

There are also two socio-economic studies that the I-R-G-C will review at their meeting next week in Altoona.

(Radio Iowa) – Congresswoman Cindy Axne says the attack on the U.S. Capitol a year ago highlights the need to ensure free and fair elections. “Our democracy is fragile,” Axne says. “…We need Americans to understand that to protect it is really important for all us.” Axne, a Democrat from West Des Moines, says U.S. Senate passage of a voting rights bill “is the key priority right now.” In August, Axne voted for the HOUSE bill that would restore federal oversight of states with a history of voting discrimination and make it more difficult for states to close polling places.

“We have a big election coming up, midterm elections,” Axne says, “and unfortunately across this country, we have seen too many states put in voter suppression laws.” Axne says she’s very concerned by a recent Washington Post survey indicating a third of Americans believe violence against the government is sometimes justified. She also cites a National Public Radio poll that found nearly two-thirds of Americans believe our republic is at risk of failing.

“We are the beacon for light and hope for democracy in the world,” Axne says, “and when a large portion of our population says: ‘I don’t think we’re going to see a safe election the next time,’ we’ve some things to work on.” Axne was in Washington, D.C. a year ago, but was not in the Capitol when rioters breached the barriers. Axne says more must be done to secure the building. She also says the work of the House committee examining last year’s riot is critical.

“Understanding how people were so enticed to literally attack our Capitol is important for us to know,” Axne says. “It means there is something in the American culture that said: ‘This is o.k.'” Republican Senator Joni Ernst says her view on the attack hasn’t changed. “January 6th was a very dark day in American history, and of course those who broke the law on that day should be held accountable,” Ernst says. Ernst says they have to forget about politics and do their job.

“Here in Congress, what we need to do is to continue our work on behalf of the American people, and that is what I am going to be focused on,” Ernst says. “So we really do need to work to get over some of the partisan divides that are out there — but also to focus on solutions for America.” Ernst says it’s time to move forward. “We don’t need the far left driving our agenda, we don’t need the far right driving it. We need to build confidence with the American people,” she says.

Republican Congresswoman Ashley Hinson of Marion issued a written statement on the one-year anniversary, calling the violence that day horrific and thanking Capitol Police for their bravery. Hinson says those who broke the law on January 6th should be prosecuted and held accountable to the fullest extent of the law.

(Radio Iowa) – A western Iowa man has pleaded guilty to illegally selling thousands of doses of prescription drugs for greyhound racing dogs. Federal prosecutors say 57-year-old Jon Stidham, of McClelland, has pleaded guilty to selling a drug over the internet that enhanced the performance of racing dogs. A news release from the U.S. Attorney’s Office says he illegally sold 50 other types of drugs. The plea agreement says Stidham is to forfeit than half a million dollars in illegal profits to the government.

Stidham is a former member of the Iowa Greyhound Association. He admitted in court documents that his business, called Kennel Supply, illegally sold the drugs over the internet for nearly four years. Stidham’s attorney told The Des Moines Register his client has agreed to serve 15 months in prison as part of his plea. The greyhound race track in Council Bluffs closed in 2015. Dog racing in Dubuque is scheduled to end this spring.

(Atlantic, Iowa) – Newly elected Atlantic Mayor Grace Garrett began her term in office Wednesday night, by leading a meeting of the City Council.

Atlantic City Council, 1/5/22 (Ric Hanson, photo)

The Council, following the Mayor’s recommendation, voted to appoint Elaine K. Otte to fill the vacant At-Large seat on the Council that Garret held, prior to her becoming Mayor.

Garrett then proceeded to administer the Oath of Office to Otte. (an abbreviated version of the Oath follows...)

Mayor Garrett (Left) administers the Oath of Office to Elaine Otte.

In other business, the Council, after receiving an update from SWIPCO Community Development Director Alexsis Fleener, approved grant applications for two downtown housing projects. Fleener explained one of the applicants, Jennifer Miller, has declined to pursue a grant at this time due to unanticipated costs to rehab the building.

Alexis says an application is being put together by Paul Gude, to rehab the property at 300 Chestnut Street.

Projects with up to 10 housing units are eligible for up to $300,000 in grant funds. And, Peter Hopley is making an application for $100,000 from a Community Catalyst Building Remediation Program Grant, for 207 Chestnut Street, the former Coca-Cola Museum. Fleener said a project for the one-story building has been in the works for a while. Those plans call for it to become part-residential/part commercial, with the residential section in the back of the structure.

In other business, the Council passed a Resolution approving the transfer of funds for the Second Quarter of Fiscal Year 2021-22. By a vote of 6-to-1, with Lee Sisco voting no, the Atlantic City Council passed a Resolution “Establishing the use of the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) Special Fund” for the Bull Creek restoration project. The project would help to eliminate private property erosion along creek, between 17th and 10th Streets. Sisco was in opposition, only because he wants to see a section of Bull Creek south of 7th Street near Walnut Street, included in the project, but City officials say that’s not possible with this particular round of funding. He was assured the area WILL BE taken care, as soon as it is financially feasible.

The cost of the project was budgeted at more than $985,331, but Snyder and Associates Engineer Dave Sturm says he doesn’t think it will come in that high.

The City has $974,157 from ARPA available to finance 98.87% of the project. The Council was also notified Wednesday night, that an additional $1,600 is coming from the State that can be used for the project.

(Radio Iowa) – A former state legislator from western Iowa has launched a campaign for state auditor. Republican Mary Ann Hanusa of Council Bluffs aims to challenge Democrat Rob Sand’s bid for a second term as state auditor. Hanusa served in the Iowa House for 10 years, but did not seek reelection in 2020.

Hanusa had considered a run for the U.S. House in 2022 to challenge Democratic Congresswoman Cindy Axne, but Hanusa’s home in Council Bluffs is not in the new third district where Axne will be seeking reelection. Hanusa has been on the statewide ballot before, as a candidate for secretary of state in 2006.

Hanusa was director of personal correspondence for President George W. Bush and did similar work for his father, George H.W. Bush. Hanusa worked as Senator Chuck Grassley’s southwest Iowa field representative between those White House stints.

(Radio Iowa) – The Iowa Department of Public Health’s website shows the agency has now confirmed more than eight-thousand Iowans have died of Covid. The state’s first Covid death was reported on March 20th of 2020. The Iowa Department of Public Health indicates 161 death certificates reviewed in the past week show Covid as the cause of death. Some deaths occurred weeks ago. That has pushed the death toll in Iowa to eight-thousand-19 (8019).

There’s been an increase in hospitalizations since last week. The website shows 792 patients in Iowa hospitals today have tested positive for Covid. That is 81 more than last Wednesday.