(Radio Iowa) – People convicted of several serious crimes would face a minimum 20-year prison sentence without parole under a bill advancing in the Iowa House. Mahaska County Attorney Andrew Ritland says he’s prosecuted people with more than 10 separate felony convictions, but each sentence was no more than a year or two.

“So I do appreciate the intent of the bill,” Ritland said. “I appreciate holding people who clearly do not care about following the law to a higher account.” Wayne Ford, a former member of the Iowa House, says he and others worked hard to reduce the racial disparity in Iowa prisons after a 2007 report found the ratio of blacks to whites in Iowa prisons was highest in the nation. He’s urging lawmakers to reject the mandatory 20 year sentences for habitual violent offenders.

“I do not out of disagreement with the committee’s intent, but out of concern that expanding mandatory sentencing risks going back to number one,” Ford said. The Iowa State Sheriffs’ and Deputies’ Association supports the bill. A lobbyist for the group says the bill would help address repeat offenders by sending a clear signal they face spending two full decades in prison.

The bill has cleared a House subcommittee.

(Radio Iowa) – University of Iowa researchers have released phase one of their search to identify some of the reasons Iowa has the second highest rate of newly diagnosed cancers in the United States. The group examined demographic factors and behaviors like smoking and binge drinking — and found Iowa has similar demographic factors to Wisconsin, Minnesota, the Dakotas and Nebraska. Dr. Mary Charlton, director of the Iowa Cancer Registry, says Iowa’s cancer rate — however — is slightly higher than the region’s.

“I did want to call out our incidence rates for lung cancer. This is one cancer for which we are not like our neighbors,” she said. “We have a higher rate…and the difference seems to be widening and unfortunately this plays out into lung cancer having a higher mortality rate in Iowa than in our neighboring states.” Breast cancer, skin cancer and prostate cancer have been increasing more steeply in Iowa since 2013.

“Colon cancer is higher in Iowa compared to the U.S., but it has been decreasing at about the same rate as in the U.S.,” she said. “While lung cancer is decreasing in both Iowa and the U.S., it is decreasing at a much slower rate in Iowa and the difference continues to widen over time.” Dr. Jacob Oleson, a professor of biostatistics in the University of Iowa College of Public Health, says they’re still digging through the data, but 87 of Iowa’s 99 counties have cancer rates that are significantly higher than the national trend.

“In year two, we’ll continue the analysis of environmental and genetic data as well as evidence-based prevention programs,” Oleson said. Governor Reynolds says cancer is a complex disease and the research is showing there’s not one single cause driving Iowa’s cancer rate. “When someone you love gets sick it’s natural to put all of your energy and resources into one thing that might stop it from happening again,” Reynolds said, “and I wish the answer was that simple.”

The governor’s husband, who has never been a smoker, was diagnosed with lung cancer in September of 2023. A year later the governor announced Kevin Reynolds’ cancer was not curable, but is in remission.

(Radio Iowa) – Four people were hurt late last (Wednesday) night after a theft that led to a high-speed chase in central Iowa. Des Moines police responded to a convenience store shortly before midnight on a report of a hit-and-run. Officers found an injured store employee who said two men and a woman came in, stole beer and ran out. When the worker chased after them, he was hit by their car.

Two minutes later, the suspect vehicle was spotted and sped away from a police cruiser, starting a pursuit. Another minute later, the suspect’s car hit a tree. All three occupants were injured. Their ages range from 23 to 30.

Police say all four people hurt should survive, while all three suspects will face charges upon release from the hospital.

(Atlantic, IA) – Atlantic Community School District Superintendent, Dr. Beth Johnsen, today (Thursday), issued a statement regarding a matter involving a District staff member. The statement is as follows:

“The Atlantic Community School District is providing the following factual update regarding a recent personnel matter, while maintaining the confidentiality requirements of lowa law. On Sunday, January 18, 2026, the district received a phone call from a parent raising concerns about a staff member. That same day, district administration placed the staff member on administrative leave to allow the district to conduct an investigation consistent with district policy and best practice.

“School administrators gathered information in the days that followed. During this period, the district was advised by its legal counsel, the lowa Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), and the Atlantic Police Department to refrain from public comment or action while their respective investigations were ongoing. The district acted consistent with this advice in order to preserve the integrity of any ongoing investigations.

“The district has since been informed that the Atlantic Police Department continues its investigation. As of this time, the district has not received additional information or findings from law enforcement. The district will continue to cooperate with law enforcement during their investigation.

“With any investigation into the conduct of a staff member, the district works collaboratively with DHHS, the lowa Board of Educational Examiners (BOEE), and the Atlantic Police Department as appropriate. DHHS is responsible for investigating child abuse allegations and has concluded its investigation with a finding of unfounded child abuse. DHHS is responsible for investigating specific concerns involving students. If the alleged conduct does not meet their definition, then they do not pursue an investigation. The BOEE oversees educator licensure matters, and school districts may report concerns to the BOEE to investigate and handle. BOEE licensing matters are separate from any district investigation, DHHS investigation, or law enforcement investigation. The Atlantic Police Department investigates potential criminal acts. Both agencies will continue their work independently.

“Following the conclusion of any district investigation into the conduct of a staff member, the district may issue disciplinary consequences up to and including ending the staff member’s employment, either through resignation or termination. Once a staff member submits their resignation, district officials and the Board must consider whether to accept the resignation, thereby ending the staff member’s employment. The decision about accepting a staff member’s resignation is separate from any procedures occurring with any state entity, such as DHHS or the BOEE, and with law enforcement.

“All personnel decisions made by the district are governed by lowa Code, which strictly limits. what information may be shared publicly during investigations in order to protect student safety and to provide staff required due process. The district is aware of misinformation and speculation circulating on social media and in the media. When the employee was hired, the district followed all required hiring procedures, including background and reference checks. The district takes these procedures seriously, and would not hire an applicant who had a history of concerning conduct directed at students. At the time of hire, no concerns of the nature currently being discussed were reported from previous school districts. Following recent allegations, the district conducted follow-up communication with prior employers, who confirmed no known concerns at the time of prior employment. Any information under review remains allegations, and the district continues to proceed carefully and appropriately.

“Earlier, when unrelated concerns were raised, the district conducted a review that did not identify policy violations but did result in clarified expectations. These actions reflect the district’s commitment to student safety and professional standards. The district must also address reports of harassment, threats, and aggressive behavior toward school employees and Board members. This conduct is unacceptable and will not be tolerated on school property or at school activities. While questions and concerns are understandable, staff safety and respectful engagement are non-negotiable. District officials will remove any individual who engages in such behavior. The district also reminds community members that secured building procedures must be followed at all times outside of public events to ensure student and staff safety.

“The Atlantic Community School District remains committed to doing what is right for our school community, even in difficult circumstances. We take concerns regarding staff conduct very seriously and act consistent with the advice of legal counsel and our requirements under the law. We ask for patience as appropriate processes continue and for our community to remain focused on our students, their education, and their well-being.  The district will continue to communicate responsibly and within the bounds of the law as more information becomes available.

“At this time, the district has not received additional information from law enforcement and acting on the advice of district legal counsel, the Board of Education has taken steps to end employment through resignation or termination, while awaiting information from BOEE and law enforcement. The Atlantic Community School District remains committed to student safety, professional accountability, and transparent communication within the limits of the law. We ask for patience as appropriate processes continue.”

(Clarinda, IA) – Clarinda Police Chief Keith Brothers reports a man was arrested today (Thursday) on a warrant associated with the State’s Sex Offender Registry. 47-year-0ld Adam Wayne Morris, of Clarinda, was arrested by Page County Sheriff’s Deputies on the warrant issued by the Page County Magistrate Court.

The warrant, Brothers said, was based on a complaint filed by the Clarinda Police Department alleging Violation of an Exclusionary Zone, while Morris is listed on the Iowa Sex Offender Registry. His arrest stems from an incident that occurred at the Clarinda City Park on Sunday, Feb. 1st, and a resulting investigation by the Clarinda P-D. Morris was being held in the Page County Jail on a $2,000 bond.

A criminal complaint contains allegations that a defendant has committed a crime. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. 

(Radio Iowa) – Some agreements between public schools and local libraries would be blocked under a bill approved by Education Committee in the Iowa House. Library bookmobiles would be barred from school property and the bill prohibits schools from letting students use school I-Ds to access books and other materials from public libraries. Katherine Bogaards with a group called “Protect My Innocence” says the bill is needed to stop Iowa schools from going around a state law that bans school libraries from having books with sexually explicit content. “It closes the loopholes and ensures schools remain accountable to parents, accountable to the taxpayer, transparent to the public, and compliant with the law,” she said.

Republican Representative Brooke Boden, of Indianola, says the bill reinforces the 2023 law she and other legislators passed after learning kids and teens were able to check out books with graphic sexual content from some school libraries. “Reading is so important,” Boden said, “but we also don’t want our kids reading literature that they’re going to need counseling for for the rest of their lives either.” Representative Elinor Levin, a Democrat from Iowa City is a former public school teacher who opposes this year’s bill, especially the ban on bookmobile visits to public schools. “Watching the bookmobile pull up at my local elementary school, there is no greater delight that I see on children’s faces, other than maybe running around a snow day,” Levin said. “It is incredible and it is powerful and I cannot think of a reason to take that away.”

Other critics say the bill would create barriers for students in schools that don’t have libraries or have limited book collections. Christopher Rants, a lobbyist for Des Moines Public Schools, says five of the district’s schools do not have libraries and about 12-thousand middle and high school students use their school I-D cards at Des Moines Public Libraries. “The Des Moines Public Schools has listened to what we’ve been told by the state: Be more efficient. You know, you’ve got to compete. Do more with less, eliminate duplications, find ways to be efficient,” Rants said, “so that’s what they’ve done.”

Representative Heather Matson, a Democrat from Ankeny, says the Huxley Public Library operates as the library for middle school students in the Ballard School District. “This lessons the burden to property taxpayers, both through school taxes and city taxes,” she said. Representative Helena Hayes of New Sharon says Republican legislators will try to find a way to let SOME of those agreements continue, but the bill is meant to reinforce guardrails. “The public schools and the public libraries operate on different standards and different rules,” Hayes said, “so to bring in a separate organization like that — a public library into the school — would be to have it functioning under other rules.”

The bill as currently written prohibits Iowa schools from entering into any agreement with a public library that would let students use a school I-D to access ANY books, electronic resources or other educational materials at the public library.

• On Sunday, February 1st, Cass County Deputes arrested 45-year-old Erin Renee Jensen, of Griswold, for Possession of Controlled Substances. Jensen was transported to the Cass County Jail and later released on her own recognizance.
• And, on Monday, February 3rd, 2026, the Cass County Sheriff’s Office arrested 55-year-old Georgenia Renay Chamberlin, of Atlantic, along with 41-year-old Derik Wayne Bud Pickrell,  of Fontanelle. Both were charged with the Trafficking of Methamphetamine (5- grams to 100-kilograms). Both were booked into the Cass County Jail. Chamberlin was later released on bond. Pickrell remained in custody as of the latest report.

(Atlantic, IA) – Atlantic Mayor Rob Clausen, Jr., Wednesday night, in his report to the Atlantic City Council, he’s still adjusting to his new role as Mayor, along with various boards and committees.

Clausen was elected to the center seat on the Council, last November, and took over from Grace Garrett, who chose not to run for re-election. He said with a chuckle, he hopes as time goes by, he can begin scaling-back on all the meetings he has to attend. In the Council Committee reports, Councilman Jim Behrens mentioned the Atlantic Fire Department is looking into the possibility of obtaining a new ladder truck with the expanded capability to place firefighters in areas where they otherwise wouldn’t be able to reach by a standard ladder truck.

Atlantic CC mtg. 2-4-26

He said they had a house donated to the department for fire training. And, Councilman Dana Halder reported on a recent meeting of the Cass County Landfill Commission, and a presentation from officials with Metro Waste Authority and their proposal.

And, Councilperson Elaine Otte reported on a grant opportunity she learned about during a meeting of the Volunteerism Task Force.

Volunteer Iowa, she said, will give the provide a $4,000 grant to carry out whatever the City/County does to promote volunteerism on a day of service.

Otte said some examples of would engage volunteers in the city-wide clean-up, and maybe something associated with the Parks and Rec Department. The whole idea is to build-up the volunteer force in the City and County. More information is expected within the next few weeks.