(Radio Iowa) – State Auditor Rob Sand is calling on his fellow Democrats to think carefully about how they talk about politics and be focused on having reasonable conversations. “When was the last time you got convinced that you were wrong because somebody yelled at you about it?” Sand asks. Sand was among the speakers at this week’s Progress Iowa virtual fundraiser that was, in part, a training session for activists in how to create social media content that gets positive online reactions.

Sand says needling and yelling aren’t ways to get people to consider a different point of view. “I like the TV show Ted Lasso and I’m going just to be totally honest I didn’t know that Walt Whitman said to be curious, not judgmental until I heard about it from Ted Lasso,” Sand said, “but I really like that quote.”

Rob Sand

Sand says most of the people scrolling through Facebook, Twitter and other social media sites aren’t posting comments, they’re reading what others have typed.  “I’m not saying that we can’t be mad. I’m not saying that we don’t get angry at times,” Sand says. “I’m not saying any of that, but we have to be careful if we really care about this world and about making people’s lives better as opposed to just ourselves and expressing ourselves.”

Sand has not yet announced whether he will seek a second term as state auditor in 2022 or run for governor.

(Atlantic, Iowa) – The Cass County Sheriff’s Office reports two arrests and two, non-injury accidents took place over the past couple of weeks. On Thursday (10/28), Cass County Deputies arrested 34-year-old Adam Allen Roth, of Council Bluffs, for OWI 1st offense.  Roth was transported to Cass County Jail and was later released after posting bond. And, on Oct. 23rd, Deputies arrested 35-year-old Christopher Anthony J Castillo, of Atlantic, for driving while barred.  Castillo was transported to Cass County Jail and later released after posting bond.

On Wednesday (10/27), Deputies responded to an accident near 502 Walnut St., in Anita.  Authorities say Lisa Joanne Squibbs of Anita, was driving a 2011 Cadillac STS and traveling southbound on Walnut St. When she attempted to turn east onto Fifth St., her car struck a 2011 Chevy Malibu, driven by Cavan Ray Murphy, of Wiota.

On October 16th, Cass County Sheriff’s Deputies responded to an accident on Highway 148 and White Pole Road/Main St., in Anita.  An investigation determined Linda Sue Johannes, of Corning, was traveling southbound on Highway 148 when she ran a stop sign at White Pole Rd/Main St..  Her vehicle entered private property and struck a building owned by Kenneth Ray Harrison, of Anita.

Johannes’s vehicle entered through the building’s garage door and struck a 2017 Ford Explorer that was parked inside, pushing it through the south side of the structure.  Johannes then left the scene.  Her vehicle was later found about one-half mile east, in the ditch near 75304 White Pole Rd.  Johannes was arrested for OWI 1st offense, and issued a citation for failure to maintain control.

CRESTON, Iowa – Oct. 29, 2021 – A project to mill and resurface portions of the ramps and U.S. 169 at the U.S. 169/Interstate 80 interchange (exit 110) in De Soto requires closure of the off-ramps from 6 p.m. Friday, Oct. 29, until 9 a.m. Sunday, Oct. 31, weather permitting, according to the Iowa Department of Transportation’s Creston construction office.

Detour Route:

• Eastbound I-80 to U.S. 169 traffic will travel east on I-80 to Dallas County Road R-16/Veteran’s Memorial Drive (exit 113), then turn west onto I-80 before exiting onto northbound U.S. 169 (exit 110).

• Westbound I-80 to U.S. 169 traffic will travel west on I-80 to Dallas County Road F-90 (exit 100), then turn east on I-80 before exiting onto U.S. 169 (exit 110).

The Iowa DOT reminds motorists to drive with caution, obey the posted speed limit and other signs in the work area, and be aware that traffic fines for moving violations are at least double in work zones. As in all work zones, drivers should stay alert, allow ample space between vehicles, and wear seat belts.

(Creston, Iowa) – In an update to our report on Thursday, Creston Police today (Friday), said 36-year-old John Lyle Vanscoy, of Lorimor, faces additional charges following his arrest Wednesday afternoon. In addition to the previously announced Controlled Substance Violation and other drug charges, Vanscoy is now charged with Unauthorized Possession of Offensive Weapons, Assault Causing Bodily Injury or Mental Illness, Interference with Official Acts, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, Possession of Controlled Substance – 3rd Offense, and Driving While Barred. Vanscoy was being held in the Union County Jail without bond, on two outside agency warrant, and because of a parole violation.

Thursday afternoon, 56-year-old Gary Lee McDougal, of Afton, was arrested at the Greater Regional Medical Center, in Creston. McDougal was charged with Domestic Abuse Assault – 1st Offense. He was cited and released from the scene on a Promise to Appear (in court). Thursday night, 30-year-old Quinton Lee Kimball, of Creston, was arrested at his residence. Kimball was charged with Probation Violation. He being held without bond in the Union County Jail, until seen by judge.

Creston Police said also, a woman reported to Police Thursday morning, that she had left her purse in the Creston HyVee restroom sometime last week. When she returned to look for it, it was gone. The loss was estimated at $50.

The broadcast News from Ric Hanson, at 7:06-a.m.

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(Chelsea, Iowa) — The Iowa Department of Public Safety reports an investigation is underway with regard to an officer-involved shooting that took place Thursday night, in Tama County. Authorities say at around 7:27-p.m., the Tama County Sheriff’s Office received calls of shots being fired near 1001 Station Street, in Chelsea.  Several law enforcement agencies from the surrounding area responded and upon arrival, observed 28-year-old Dewey Dale Wilfong, III, walking around with a handgun.  A Tama County Deputy fired one round striking Wilfong in the upper torso. The man was transported to UnityPoint Health-St. Luke’s Hospital in Cedar Rapids, where he was pronounced dead.

The Iowa Department of Public Safety’s Division of Criminal Investigation was called in to conduct an independent investigation into the shooting. The Tama County Deputy has been placed on paid administrative leave pending the outcome of the investigation. The name of the deputy isl not being released at this time. An autopsy will be conducted at The Office of the State Medical Examiner in Ankeny, Iowa.

Officials say no additional information will be released at this time.

(Des Moines, Iowa/KCCI) — Officials with the Des Moines Police Department have released the name of a man who died after being stabbed Thursday morning. They also said three men were arrested early this (Friday) morning, in connection with the incident.  As reported earlier, early Thursday morning, officers were called to a home in the 1400 block of Searle Street, just east of Interstate 235. First responders found 19-year-old Cory Elifritz suffering from serious stab wounds. He was transported to a local hospital where he later died.

Authorities say three men are charged with first-degree murder and first-degree burglary in the case: 20-year-old Tyrone Glen Davis and 20-year old Taylor Scott Austin, both of Des Moines, along with 18-year-old Daniel Fletcher Jackson, of DeSoto. All three were being held in the Polk County Jail. In a news release, police said “Through the course of the investigation, detectives discovered evidence that indicates Davis, Austin, and Jackson had planned to commit a burglary of the home where the murder occurred,” Des Moines police said through a news release. “Detectives also learned that Jackson had recently threatened the residents of the home, blaming them for the recent arrest of his brother. After Davis, Austin, and Jackson entered the home, Elifritz was stabbed multiple times, resulting in his death. Additional evidence indicates that prior to fleeing, Davis, Austin, and Jackson stole two gaming systems from the home.”

Authorities say the investigation continues. Thursday’s incident resulted in the 10th homicide for Des Moines, in 2021. There were 21 homicides in Des Moines in 2020.

(Radio Iowa) – Iowa Congresswoman, Ashley Hinson, a Republican from Marion, says the Biden Administration and Democrats keep pushing forward with their plans, while the president isn’t taking any questions on the issues.

Hinson, a former reporter, says the American people are questioning the way the administration operates. “What are they hiding? I think really what they are hiding is intent. They want to grow government, they want these big socialist government spending programs to go through — and they don’t want to have to answer for it,” she says.

Rep. Ashley Hinson. (RI photo)

Hinson says the situation at the southern border and immigration overall is a good example.”It’s why I called for Secretary Mayorkas’ resignation. Because we’ve been deliberately stonewalled at every turn from the Department of Homeland Security,” Hinson says. “We need new leadership there because we are out of time. these border crossings increase compound without a single answer from the Biden administration,” Hinson says.

Hinson says the administration has doubled down on its “out of sight, out of mind” approach to the border.

(Radio Iowa) – The three Republicans representing Iowa in the U.S. House of Representatives are seeking re-election, but one may be moving into another district after the new redistricting plan is signed into law. Republican Randy Feenstra of Hull lives in the new fourth district and announced last week he’s seeking reelection. Congresswoman Ashley Hinson of Marion announced in August that she intends to seek a second term in the House and last night she announced she’ll run in the new second district, where she lives.

Congresswoman Mariannette Miller-Meeks lives in the new third district, but that’s also where Democratic Congresswoman Cindy Axne of West Des Moines lives. Miller-Meeks, who announced her bid for reelection in August, last night announced she’s evaluating her options — which means she might move into the new first congressional district and seek to represent it instead. There’s no incumbent living in the district now.

Congresswoman Axne has not announced whether she’s seeking reelection to the House — or running for governor in 2022.

(Radio Iowa) – Governor Kim Reynolds will sign a bill that outlines how workers may claim a religious or medical exemption from a private employer’s Covid vaccination mandate, without a doctor or cleric signing off on the document. The bill that passed the House and Senate yesterday with bipartisan support also says workers are eligible for unemployment if they’re fired for failing to get vaccinated, including those whose exemption claims are denied. Senator Jason Schultz, a Republican from Schleswig, said it’s “a partial answer” to looming federal vaccination mandates.

“I don’t want to have to do this. Nobody does,” he said. “We’re reacting to authoritarianism.” Representative Henry Stone, a Republican from Forest City, said there are fast-approaching deadlines for Iowans faced with taking a vaccination “they don’t agree with” or getting fired. “We needed to take this action now,” Stone said. “January will be too late for Iowans. That’s why we have to act today.”

Democrats who voted for the bill said they did so to ensure Iowans who lose their jobs get unemployment. But Senator Tony Bisignano, a Democrat from Des Moines, voted for the bill, but he accused Republicans of trying to “buy off” Iowans who don’t want to get a Covid shot. “All this bill says if you lose your job — which you’re going to, because you’re not dealing with the mandate,” Bisignano said, “you’re going to give them their measly weekly unemployment check.”

Business groups say the bill puts Iowa employers “in the terrible position” of trying to figure out if they must follow state or federal regulations when it comes to Covid vaccinations among employees. Representative Steve Hanson, a Democrat from Sioux City, said Republicans had months to craft a bill, but would up with one that leaves too many questions unanswered. “Rather sloppy legislation,” he said. “…It’s very loosey goosey.”

Opponents of vaccine mandates who rallied at the Capitol today called the bill unacceptable. Representative Jeff Shipley, a Republican from Fairfield, said while there is “more work to do on” the issue, the bill is a good first step. “There are people in Illinois, in New York and in every other Democratic cesspool in the United States that would love to have these legal protections,” Shipley said.

Governor Reynolds said in a statement that she’s “committed to doing more” on the topic. Last week the governor said she may join a lawsuit challenging federal Covid vaccine mandates.