(Radio Iowa) – Iowa Congresswoman Ashley Hinson, a Republican from Marion, says the Senate should have followed through with an impeachment trial for U-S Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas. Hinson says Senate Democrats are “cowards” for not taking up the impeachment trial.

Hinson says the House Articles of Impeachment came after the Secretary failed to do his job and were intended to hold Secretary Mayorkas accountable.

She says the Senate Democrats signaled to the American people that they do not care about border security and accountability for this administration. Hinson made her comments during her weekly conference call with reporters.

(Radio Iowa) – A man from Fort Dodge is hoping today’s the day the Iowa House passes a bill to ensure he gets the entire payment he’s due from a legal settlement. Joe Gargano is one of dozens of Iowa men who’ve alleged they were abused as children by Boy Scout leaders. There’s a national fund to pay thousands of victims, but Iowa has a time limit on suing perpetrators of childhood sexual abuse. An attorney familiar with the payment process says if the Iowa House doesn’t pass a bill today (Friday) to waive that deadline, Gargano and up to 350 other Iowans will get a fraction of what they’re owed.

” I know what it did to me. It devastated my life into a world of self medication for years and years,” Gargano says. “It’s over 20 years now and by the grace of God…that’s why I’m here. That’s why I’m fighting right now.” The Iowa Senate passed a bill to ensure Gargano and other former Boy Scouts in Iowa owed settlements get the entire payment. The bill had stalled in the House, but it is scheduled for review in a House committee at 8:30 this (Friday) morning. The bill has to pass the committee before it can be brought up for a vote in the full House.

“There’s a lot of people out there this is going to affect,” Gargano said, “and it’s the right thing to do.” The senator who sponsored the bill says it’s narrowly written and only applied to former Scouts due these payments. Iowa law says victims of child sex abuse must file lawsuits seeking civil damages by the age of 19 — or within four years realizing they were victims of sex abuse as a child.

(Radio Iowa) – The Iowa legislature may conclude its 2024 session late today (Friday) or on Saturday. A plan to cut Iowa income taxes by a billion dollars next year is on the debate agenda, along with bills that outline a state spending plan for the budget year that begins July 1st. Republican Representative Gary Mohr is chairman of the House Appropriations Committee. “Inch by inch,” Mohr says. “We’re very close.”

Total state spending in the next fiscal year will top eight-point-nine billion dollars. “We feel very good about the agreed upon numbers, what we’re going to do with those dollars to provide government, but also give some of it back to the people of Iowa,” Mohr says.

Republican lawmakers intend to spend 92 percent of expected tax revenue. The remaining eight percent is being funneled to the plan to have a flat state income tax of three-point-eight percent next year. Senator Dan Dawson, a Republican from Council Bluffs, is chairman of the Ways and Means Committee in the Iowa Senate. “Our first mission here is always give money back to the taxpayers,” Dawson says.

Representative Dave Jacoby, a Democrat from Coralville, says a flat tax benefits the richest Iowans and a better approach would be targeted cuts for low and middle income Iowans. “We’re not giving them more money back as we should,” Jacoby said.

Lawmakers debated late last (Thurday) night, approving several parts of the state budget. Community colleges will get a three percent increase in general state funding, The state’s three universities in Ames, Cedar Falls and Iowa City are each getting a two-and-a-half percent increase in state funding. Senator Jeff Taylor, a Republican from Sioux Center, says the Iowa Tuition Grant program — for students at private colleges and universities — is getting a two-and-a-half percent funding increase as well.

“It’s not a perfect bill, but it’s a good bill,” Taylor says. “With these budget bills, especially on something as complex and important as education, you would expect that the final result is going to be something of a compromise between the House and the Senate. That’s the nature of how things work around here.”

Senator Cindy Winckler, a Democrat from Davenport, says state funding for Iowa’s community colleges and three public universities hasn’t kept up with inflation for more than a decade.  “It shifts the financial burden to our students and our families,” Winckler says.

The board that governs the University of Iowa, Iowa State University and the University of Northern Iowa has not yet set tuition rates for the fall semester.

DES MOINES, Iowa – World Migratory Bird Day will be celebrated May 11, 2024, and again on October 12, 2024, aligning generally with migration patterns.

The state of Iowa is located within the Mississippi Flyway, the longest overland flyway in North America. The Mississippi Flyway is a critically important route for migratory birds as they migrate north in spring and south in the fall, with the wetlands and forests along the Mississippi River being important for many species of migratory songbirds in particular. Waterfowl and other wetland birds also heavily use the wetlands in the central and northern Prairie Pothole Region of Iowa, which are essential for both migratory stopover habitat as well as breeding habitat for hundreds of species of birds.

As Peter Rea, supervisory park ranger with DeSoto National Wildlife Refuge explains, “Refuges and wildlife areas throughout Iowa, such as DeSoto National Wildlife Refuge, provide critical habitat for migratory birds to rest, feed and recuperate on their long migration journeys. For many, these places act more like a rest stop as they continue their migration northward, while for some it’s their ultimate destination for the spring and summer nesting season.” “During this time of year, it’s important to minimize disturbance so other visitors can appreciate the tremendous diversity of birds that we can see throughout the state,” continued Rea.

Federal law protects migratory birds. The Migratory Bird Treaty Act (MBTA) prohibits the taking (including killing, wounding, capturing, selling, trading, transporting, importing, and exporting) of protected migratory bird species without prior authorization of the Department of Interior U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. 16 U.S.C. §§ 703, 707(a). The list of federally protected migratory birds is comprehensive and includes many of the birds residing in or migrating through Iowa, including Canada geese. Refer to the Federal Code of Regulations for more information. The penalties for violation of the Migratory Bird Treaty Act are a term of imprisonment of up to 6 months, a fine of up to $15,000, or both.

Additional federal statutes that protect migratory birds include:

• The Lacey Act prohibits the importation, exportation, transportation, sale, receipt, acquisition, purchase, or inhumane transport of certain wildlife including birds. 16 U.S.C. § 42;
• The Endangered Species Act prohibits the taking, killing, wounding, importing, exporting, shipping, or sale of endangered species. 16 U.S.C. §§ 1538, 1540.  Iowa’s birds on the endangered species list include the following: piping plover, rufa red knot, whooping crane, Indiana bat, and Northern long-eared bat. Learn more about protected species.
• The Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act prohibits the taking, killing, wounding, bald or golden eagles, their feathers, nests, and eggs. 16 U.S.C. § 668.

“Birders and other wildlife enthusiasts can be helpful advocates in reducing wildlife crime. Knowing the laws that protect birds and other wildlife, and speaking up can make a big difference,” said Christopher Aldrich, Special Agent in Charge, Midwest Region, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

“Preservation and protection of wildlife and endangered species go hand in hand with the high quality of life here in the State of Iowa. Knowing these laws and reducing wildlife crime helps everyone continue to enjoy what makes Iowa a great place to live,” said Richard Westphal, United States Attorney.

If you believe you have information related to a wildlife crime that violates federal law, please reach out to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. You can also contact the United States Attorney’s Office, Southern District of Iowa by telephone at 515-473-9300 or email at usaias.fedbirds@usdoj.gov.

If you spot an injured bird, state licensed wildlife rehabilitators can aid the bird. The Iowa Department of Natural Resources maintains a list of licensed wildlife rehabilitators at the following links:

• Iowa DNR licensed wildlife rehabilitators
• County-specific wildlife rehabilitation look-up for Iowa

Thank you for caring about the wildlife in your community. Remember to observe wildlife from a safe distance. If a young animal isn’t visibly injured, its parents are likely nearby and still caring for it. Be sure to give young animals plenty of space to avoid spooking the parents.

Learn more about what to do if you find a baby bird, injured or orphaned wildlife.

(Atlantic, Iowa) – The Atlantic RAGBRAI  ® Committee is excited to announce, “Music & Margs” Town Hall Meeting Sunday, May 5th from 4PM-6PM at the Telegraph Building at 14 E 4th Street in Atlantic.

“We invite anyone interested in learning more about Atlantipalooza to come to this come and go, family friendly event, to learn how to be involved in the fun,” Kelsey Beschorner, Atlantic RAGBRAI Publicity Chair stated.

Along with housing, volunteer, vendor, and sponsorship information, attendees will receive an exclusive look at event apparel, merchandise, and receive information about day-of festivities.

“The Atlantic RAGBRAI Hospitality Committee have super fun ideas to make RAGBRAI riders feel welcome as they ride in and out of town. One of the ideas includes repurposing used bikes, which community members are encouraged to donate during the Town Hall Meeting”, Beschorner stated.

The Atlantic RAGBRAI Committee will continue to meet regularly to plan for Atlantipalooza on July 22nd. As information is available, it will be shared with the community and on the website www.atlanticragbrai.com. Community members and riders alike are encouraged to follow Atlantic RAGBRAI on Facebook and Instagram for all things Atlantic RAGBRAI.

COUNCIL BLUFFS, Iowa – A Kansas City man was sentenced on April 11, 2024, to 260 months in federal prison after being found guilty by jury trial on Counts One and Two of the Indictment. His co-defendant was sentenced on December 12, 2023, to 120 months in federal prison after pleading guilty to Counts One and Two of the Indictment.

According to public court documents, George Madison Kitchen, IV, 46, and Cardel Jordan Harris, 26, were transporting methamphetamine from Kansas City, Missouri with a destination of Sioux Falls, South Dakota. In July 2022 law enforcement stopped Kitchen for a traffic violation with Harris as a passenger. Kitchen and Harris were asked to step out of the vehicle due to the odor of marijuana, instead of stepping out, they fled the scene. Kitchen led officers, from different agencies, on a high-speed pursuit northbound on Interstate 29. The vehicle was stopped north of Council Bluffs. Kitchen and Harris threw bags out the passenger side window while speeding along the interstate. Officers found the bags along the interstate which resulted in the discovery of distribution quantities of methamphetamine and cocaine.

Kitchen must serve a ten-year term of supervised release after the prison term. Harris must serve a five-year term of supervised release after the prison term. There is no parole in the federal system.

United States Attorney Richard D. Westphal of the Southern District of Iowa made the announcement. The Council Bluffs Police Department, the Harrison County Sheriff’s Department, and the Missouri Valley Police Department were involved in the apprehension and the Pottawattamie County Sheriff’s Department, and the Southwest Iowa Narcotics Enforcement Task Force were involved in the apprehension and investigation of the case.

COUNCIL BLUFFS, Iowa – A Council Bluffs man was sentenced on April 11, 2024, to 180 months in federal prison after pleading guilty to count one of a three-count indictment. His co-defendant was sentenced on December 11, 2023, to 120 months in federal prison after pleading guilty to two counts of a three-count indictment.

According to public court documents Diana Morales, 30, was a drug supplier to co-defendant Donavan Edward Belt, 25, who distributed methamphetamine in the Council Bluffs metropolitan area. In February 2023 law enforcement completed a controlled buy at the residence of Morales and Belt resulting in the seizure of 112.97 grams of actual methamphetamine. A subsequent search warrant resulted in the seizure of additional methamphetamine.

Belt must serve a five-year term of supervised release after the prison term. Morales must serve a three-year term of supervised release after the prison term. There is no parole in the federal system.

United States Attorney Richard D. Westphal of the Southern District of Iowa made the announcement. The Southwest Iowa Narcotics Enforcement Task Force and the Council Bluffs Police Department investigated the case.

COUNCIL BLUFFS, Iowa – A Commerce City, Colorado man was sentenced on April 11, 2024, to 18 months in federal prison for possession with intent to distribute a controlled substance.

According to public court documents and evidence presented at sentencing, Hong Dinh Nguyen, 42, was arrested in in Council Bluffs on April 22, 2023, following a traffic stop on Interstate 80. Nguyen’s vehicle had a strong odor of marijuana coming from the inside. Located in the trunk of his vehicle, in heat sealed bags, were 34,424 grams of marijuana. Nguyen stated that he agreed to transport and deliver the marijuana to another person in Minnesota and in return would be paid $6,300.

After completing his term of imprisonment, Nguyen will be required to serve 3 years of supervised release. There is no parole in the federal system.

United States Attorney Richard D. Westphal of the Southern District of Iowa made the announcement. This case was investigated by the Division of Narcotics Enforcement of the Iowa Department of Public Safety and the Iowa State Patrol.

(Radio Iowa) – Ground is being broken on an expansion of one of Clear Lake’s most historic sites, on what will be called The Surf Ballroom Music Enrichment & Immersive Center. It will include a visitors center, a gift shop, lesson studios, a conference space, and an exhibit area to showcase the ballroom’s significant contributions to music history. Jeff Nicholas, with the North Iowa Cultural Center & Museum — which oversees the Surf, says the new facility will offer a great learning experience.

“It will inspire our youth not only to learn about the culture of our community, the culture of the Surf Ballroom, about the music, about all the friendships and all the relationships,” Nicholas says. “This place is bricks and mortar, but it’s so much more than that.” City Administrator Scott Flory says the improvements with the center, as well as other improvements to the Surf area, will ensure the legacy of the ballroom remains relevant for many generations to come.

Flory says, “We all know the Surf Ballroom has a very unique story to tell, and the new Music Enrichment & Immersive Center, the streetscape improvements that we are making here, are all things that are critical and pivotal for us to help continue to tell the story of the Surf Ballroom, a National Historic Landmark.” Iowa Economic Development Authority director Debi Durham says the Surf’s mission is evolving, from one that celebrates the legacies of the musicians who have played there, but it also celebrates public art, the lake, and a hands-on learning experience that will inspire generations to come.

“It is game-changing for Clear Lake, and an incredibly successful story for Iowa,” Durham says. “What I love about this project is not just its potential, but its story of reinvention, creative thinking and partnership. You have this collective leadership with the community and the companies that came together around the Surf District.” Rock-and-roll stars Ritchie Valens, Buddy Holly and “The Big Bopper” J. P. Richardson all died in a plane crash near Clear Lake in February of 1959 after playing a concert at the Surf. Connie Valens, Ritchie’s sister, says the center will give an opportunity to continue to teach and enrich future generations about what the Surf represents.

Photo by Bob Fisher, KRIB

“The Enrichment Center, through the dedication of the teachers and students, will be at the heart of continuing the legacies of the three young men who changed rock-and-roll history and continue to inspire new generations of musicians.” The rest of the Surf District project, which received a $4.37 million Destination Iowa grant, will include gateway and streetscape enhancements around and on Buddy Holly Place, and waterfront connections from the ballroom to the lakeshore. The Music Enrichment & Immersive Center recently was awarded an additional $400,000 Community Attraction and Tourism grant.