(Radio Iowa) – The top Democrat in the Iowa House expects Republicans will propose new abortion restrictions during the 2022 Iowa Legislature session, even before the U.S. Supreme Court decides a case that could reverse the 1973 ruling that legalized abortion. “If anything, I think Republicans would be emboldened by the potential for this Supreme Court going their way and can’t help themselves and would want to do something to continue to attack women,” says House Minority Leader Jennifer Konfrst of Windsor Heights.

In a recorded message released Monday, Governor Kim Reynolds said she hopes two federal rulings that have blocked abortion restrictions in states like Iowa will be overruled by the new conservative-leaning U.S. Supreme Court. Konfrst says Reynolds does not represent the majority view on abortion, as a recent Des Moines Register Iowa Poll found 57% of Iowans believe abortion should be legal in most or all cases. “And yet the governor has decided to once again to amplify minority opinions, amplify those that are not in line with what Iowans believe and pretend that it represents the entire state,” Konfrst says.

Jennifer Konforst. (file photo)

The U.S. Supreme Court is considering a Mississippi law that forbids abortions after the 15th week of pregnancy. Reynolds has approved attempts to ban abortions in Iowa after the sixth week of pregnancy or to require waiting periods for abortions. This fall, Reynolds asked the Iowa Supreme Court to reverse a 2018 opinion that said women have a fundamental right to an abortion under Iowa’s constitution. “The governor continues to lean into extremist views, extremist beliefs and to pretend that they represent the entire state,” Konfrst says, “and Iowans are fed up.”

Konfrst expects abortion will be a big issue in legislative races in 2022. “We’re going to point it out,” Konfrst says. “We’re going to make sure that Iowans know that when Republicans are voting in the legislature, they’re voting on extreme legislation that doesn’t match what Iowans want and we’re going to hold them accountable.” Konfrst made her comments during the weekly news conference organized by the Iowa Democratic Party.

The Iowa Republican Party’s leading 2022 candidates — Reynolds, Senator Chuck Grassley and the three Iowa Republicans serving in the U.S. House — all oppose abortion, as do nearly all of the Republicans serving in the Iowa legislature.

(Radio Iowa) – The Iowa Department of Revenue has caught fraudulent claims for $200 million in state income tax refunds.

A source in the agency said two claims for a total of $200 million came from what appears to be the same source in late November. The suspect claims for those state income tax refunds were detected and no money was paid out.

A written statement from the Iowa Department of Revenue’s spokesman said the agency has “strong and effective fraud detection procedures in place” and the department is “encouraging Iowa taxpayers and tax professionals” to be vigilant about protecting their personal information by creating strong passwords and spotting phishing attempts in email and text messages. The agency’s spokesman also said Iowans shouldn’t sharing things like Social Security and bank account numbers over the phone.

The $200 million worth of false state income tax refund claims were included in the overall November estimate the Department of Revenue provided to the Legislative Services Agency, but the money was never paid. The department has not released details about where the false claims originated.

The Shelby County Sheriff’s Office today (Thursday), released a report on arrests that took place during the month of November. From the latest to the earliest….

November 22, 2021:  Kayla Jean Levell, age 33, Irwin, IA was arrested following a traffic stop on Chatburn Ave. Levell was transported to the Shelby County Jail where she was charged with Driving while License Denied, Suspended, Cancelled or Revoked.

November 21, 2021: Mark Thomas Holland, age 33, Audubon, IA was arrested following a pursuit on Timber Rd. Holland was transported to the Shelby County Jail where he was charged with Eluding, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, Speeding, Careless Driving, Failure to Provide Proof of Insurance, and Operating a Non-Registered Vehicle.

November 20, 2021: Phillip Bradley Pool, age 45, Harlan, IA was arrested following a traffic stop on Chatburn Ave. Pool was transported to the Shelby County Jail where he was charged with Driving while License Denied, Suspended, Cancelled, or Revoked.

November 17, 2021: Gunnar Michael Blum, age 27, Kimballton, IA was arrested following a traffic stop on Hwy 44 and Hwy 59. Blum was transported to the Shelby County Jail where he was charged with Driving while License Denied or Revoked, Operate without Interlock, Speeding and Failure to Provide Proof of Insurance.

November 15, 2021: Kathryn LeaEtta Larson, age 60, Westphalia, IA was arrested following a Search Warrant. Larson was transported to the Shelby County Jail where she was charged with Possession of Controlled Substance 1st offense, Prohibited Acts Penalties, and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia.

November 13, 2021: Lucas Leroy Peters, age 22, Schleswig, IA was arrested following a traffic stop on Hwy 59. Peters was transported to the Shelby County Jail where he was charged with Possession of a Controlled Substance, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, Open Container, and Permit under 18 to Consume/Possess on Property.

November 12, 2021: Nicole Sunny Brook Rains, age 33, Council Bluffs, IA was arrested following a traffic stop on Hwy 59. Rains was transported to the Shelby County Jail where she was charged with Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, Speeding, and Violations of Conditions of Restricted License.; Andres Cruz Alvarez, age 24, Omaha, Ne was arrested following a traffic stop on Rd M37. Cruz Alvarez was transported to the Shelby County Jail where he was charged with Prohibited Acts Penalties, Possession of Controlled Substance 1st offense, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia.

November 11, 2021: Kera Dlynn Bomer, age 39, Harlan, IA was arrested following a traffic stop on Hwy 44. Bomer was transported to the Shelby County Jail where she was charged with OWI 1st, Fail to Maintain Control, Open Container, and Dark Window or Windshield.; Kayley Jo Cooper, age 27, Harlan, IA was arrested following a traffic stop on Hwy 191. Cooper was transported to the Shelby County Jail where she was charged with Driving while Barred, Failure to Provide Proof of Insurance, and Speeding.

November 4, 2021: Colin Joseph Clark, age 36, Harlan, IA was arrested after an investigation of a suspicious vehicle in the 600 block of RD M47. Clark was transported to the Shelby County Jail where he was charged with Possession of a Controlled Substance 1st offense, and Unlawful Possession of a Prescription.

November 1, 2021: Christopher Joseph Conto, age 46, Ute, IA was arrested following a traffic stop in Kirkman, IA . Conto was transported to the Shelby County Jail where he was charged with Possession of a Controlled Substance 1st offense, Prohibited Acts Penalties, Failure to Provide Proof of Insurance, Stopping, Standing, or Parking where Prohibited.

December 2, 2021 (DES MOINES) – At today’s (Thursday’s) meeting, the Enhance Iowa Board awarded $5,168,458 in Community Attraction and Tourism (CAT) grants to projects in Adair, Creston, Davenport, Decorah, Epworth, Fort Madison, Grimes, Grinnell, Hartley, Keokuk, Marshalltown, Nevada, Sioux Center, Spirit Lake, Waukee and Woodbine.

The details for the some of projects receiving CAT grants follows:

Project Name: Adair Community Center, Adair
Total Project Cost: $749,025
Amount Awarded: $115,000
Project Description: This project includes the construction of a 4,800 square-foot, ADA-compliant, wood-framed building with meeting and kitchen space, bathrooms and a patio. The meeting space is designed to accommodate events up to 170 people.

Project Name: McKinley Park Aquatic Center, Phase 1, Creston
Total Project Cost: $1,613,325
Amount Awarded: $200,000
Project Description: This project includes the installation of an all-inclusive play area, including spray features, a play structure and dump buckets. This project also will convert the toddler pool into a zero-depth entry pool and add a toddler slide. A climbing wall in the deep pool area will be installed along with shade structures. In addition, the project will include updated and new electrical systems, lighting, heaters, filter building and mechanical systems.

Project Name: Willow Lake Nature Center, Woodbine
Total Project Cost: $4,224,283
Amount Awarded: $400,000
Project Description: This project includes the construction of a two-story Nature Center and office space for the Harrison County Conservation Board. This new center will provide a space for guests to discover, learn and explore more about the unique Loess Hills ecosystem and important water quality issues around them through dynamic displays, new trails, up-to-date technology and flexible classroom space.

The Enhance Iowa Program provides financial incentives to communities for the construction of recreational, cultural, educational or entertainment facilities that enhance the quality of life in Iowa. To date, 99 CAT grants have been awarded by the board, totaling $31,508,183. The next Enhance Iowa Board meeting is tentatively scheduled for January 6 (if board review or action is needed.) More info. on today’s announcement is available HERE.