TAMA, Iowa (AP) – Authorities have recovered the body of a man from the Iowa River, just south of Tama. First responders were called to the site around 4:35 p.m. Sunday. They soon found a body that later was identified as that of Rodney Keraghan.
An autopsy has been ordered . Authorities suspect he drowned.

Iowa Senator Joni Ernst is co-sponsoring legislation with fellow Republican Senator Marco Rubio or Florida, which she says will help states make better use of federal programs for those trying to get out of poverty. Ernst, who is from Red Oak, says her travels around the state raised several questions about poverty issues. “How can we help Iowans overcome financial hardships and obstacles? Is the federal government hurting or helping? How can we as a nation do better?,” Ernst says.

She says she came to the conclusion that something needs to be done to improve the system. “The reality is — despite over 80 programs and BILLIONS of taxpayer dollars spent annually — the federal governor often fails to address the barriers to self-sufficiency to those living in poverty,” according to Ernst.

Ernst says she learned when she was still a state senator that the federal programs designed to help those in poverty can often end up being part of the problem. She cited a woman she met in Lenox who was getting assistance and had to make a tough decision about getting a promotion at her job at a care center. “This young women went home and calculated what her pay increase would be along with all the government assistance she would lose. What she figured out, is that taking the promotion would actually cost her 200 dollars a month,” Ernst says.

Ernst says the woman decided to go ahead and take the promotion and deal with the lost of funds to support her family. Ernst says her legislation gives state the flexibility to review and revise the programs to ensure those trying to improve themselves don’t fall off a cliff when their federal support levels go down. “The Empowers Act would allow states to apply for four-year temporary waivers to integrate and reform two or more federal programs that assist folks in need,” Ernst explains.

Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds joined Ernst for the announcement of the legislation. Reynolds says too often the federal money comes with a one-size-fits-all approach that makes it tough to mesh with state programs. “It’s nearly impossible for the two efforts to align despite having the same goal — and that goal is to empower Iowans and reduce poverty,” Reynolds says.

Reynolds says the system ends up with state organizations working in their own “silos.” If the bill becomes law — she would ask all her department heads to find opportunities to use it to help Iowans. “Have them look at the opportunities that we have in front of us and see if collectively the can figure out a way to really break down those silos and take the flexibility that we have and to coordinate that in a better manner,” Reynolds says. “To really work smarter, to find ways to work smarter and serve more Iowans.”

Ernst says the states that get waivers would get the same amount of money that other states get for the same programs and would be required to put any savings back into programs to help people in poverty.

(Radio Iowa)

Two teenage lifeguards at the La Porte City municipal swimming pool saved the life of a 4-year-old boy Friday. Jace Keegan, son of Ryan and Audra Keegan of rural La Porte City slipped underwater and lost consciousness in the children’s pool. Audra Keegan and Julie Grote, ambulance captain for the La Porte City Fire Rescue, said lifeguards Megan Hudson and Richie Artega administered cardiopulmonary resuscitation on Jace, who was not breathing and had no pulse when removed from the water.

Keegan began coughing and regained consciousness after one round of CPR, according to Grote. Jace Keegan was transported to UnityPoint Health-Allen Hospital in Waterloo, then taken to University Hospitals to be monitored. He is expected to fully recover.

(Radio Iowa)

A traffic stop at around 11-p.m. Sunday resulted in the arrest of a Red Oak man for Driving While Suspended. Red Oak Police say 25-year old Anthony Michael Harris was taken into custody at around 11:40-p.m., and was being held in the Montgomery County Jail on a $300 cash bond.

Here is the latest Iowa news from The Associated Press at 3:40 a.m. CDT

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — Nebraska fireworks retailers are scrambling into Iowa after the state’s ban ended last month, brushing aside concerns that the new policy could hurt sales for their existing shops along the border. Retailers said they’re excited to expand into the new market after former Iowa Gov. Terry Branstad signed a law last month to legalize bottle rockets, roman candles and other consumer fireworks.

WATERLOO, Iowa (AP) — A new shelter and trail in Waterloo are among the final pieces of a transformation of a flood-raved neighborhood into a riverfront recreation area. The Courier reports that a $200,000 grant from Iowa’s Resource Enhancement and Protection program will fund the new shelter, parking lot and trail in Waterloo’s Sherwood Park Recreation Area. Construction is expected to be completed by late summer or early fall.

NORTH PLATTE, Neb. (AP) — Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg paid a visit to Nebraska and Iowa and toured Union Pacific’s railyard in central Nebraska. Zuckerberg also attended part of the Heartland Pride Festival in Omaha on Saturday and stopped in several Iowa towns as part of a tour of the area.

SIOUX CITY, Iowa (AP) — A California-based developer of a 12-story historic art deco building in downtown Sioux City has filed for bankruptcy protection, indefinitely delaying an effort by an eastern Iowa bank to foreclose on it. The Sioux City Journal reports that Mako One Corp., of Carlsbad, California, has notified the court that it’s filing a Chapter 11 petition in U.S. Bankruptcy Court in the Southern District of California. Cedar Rapids Bank and Trust filed for foreclosure on the Badgerow Building in April.

No injuries were reported following a rollover accident north of Atlantic, Sunday evening. According to dispatch reports, a young, local woman was trapped inside the vehicle, which was upside down in a ditch near Highway 173 and Boston Road, but she was otherwise uninjured. The accident was reported at around 5:30-p.m.

Marne Fire and Rescue was on the scene. No other details were immediately available.

NORTH PLATTE, Neb. (AP) — Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg paid a visit to Nebraska and Iowa and toured Union Pacific’s railyard in central Nebraska. Zuckerberg also attended part of the Heartland Pride Festival in Omaha on Saturday and stopped in several Iowa towns as part of a tour of the area.

After touring the railyard, Zuckerberg posted pictures on Facebook and commented about how important railroads are to the economy because of everything they haul. Zuckerberg spent about an hour at the Omaha event Saturday meeting with community leaders.

Previously, Zuckerberg had said he planned to tour the country this year as part of an effort to meet people in every state.

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — Nebraska fireworks retailers are scrambling into Iowa after that state’s ban ended last month and brushing aside concerns that the new policy could hurt sales for their existing shops along the border.

Retailers say they’re excited to expand into the new market after former Iowa Gov. Terry Branstad signed a law last month to legalize bottle rockets, roman candles and other consumer fireworks.

Iowans have traditionally bought fireworks in neighboring states that allow them. Many of the sales take place in Missouri, which offers year-round sales, but also in the Omaha area and South Sioux City, Nebraska.

Many of the Nebraska-based retailers are regional chains that already do business in multiple states.

Red Oak Police report one person was arrested early this (Sunday) morning on an assault charge. 24-year old David Richard Nash, of Red Oak, was taken into custody at around 3:40-a.m. on a charge of Domestic Abuse Assault/3rd or subsequent offense. Nash was being held without bond in the Montgomery County Jail.

And, at around 8:30-p.m. Saturday, Red Oak Police arrested 35-year old Jesse Donald Trost, of Red Oak, for Possession of a Controlled Substance/Marijuana. Trost was being held in the Montgomery County Jail on a $1,000 cash bond.

Here is the latest Iowa news from The Associated Press at 5:04 a.m. CDT

SIOUX CITY, Iowa (AP) — A California-based developer of a 12-story historic art deco building in downtown Sioux City has filed for bankruptcy protection, indefinitely delaying an effort by an eastern Iowa bank to foreclose on it. The Sioux City Journal reports that Mako One Corp., of Carlsbad, California, has notified the court that it’s filing a Chapter 11 petition in U.S. Bankruptcy Court in the Southern District of California. Cedar Rapids Bank and Trust filed for foreclosure on the Badgerow Building in April.

IOWA CITY, Iowa (AP) — University of Iowa leaders have announced a plan to set aside nearly $5 million next year for faculty pay raises. The Iowa City Press-Citizen reports the announcement comes as university officials figure out how to absorb a second year of cuts in state funding and are preparing for tuition increases. UI President Bruce Harreld has called for programs that would help raise the average of full-time, tenure-track faculty to 95 percent of the median of the university’s peer group.

SIOUX CITY, Iowa (AP) — A motorcyclist has died after a collision with a car in Sioux City. Police say the crash happened Friday afternoon at a city intersection when a car turned left in front of the motorcycle. Investigators say the 41-year-old motorcycle rider laid the bike down in an effort to avoid a crash, but hit the side of the car. The man was taken to a Sioux City hospital, where he was pronounced dead.

CHARLES CITY, Iowa (AP) — A Charles City man granted on a new sex abuse trial over concerns about his representing himself at trial plans to again serve as his own attorney. The Courier reports that 61-year-old Doug Lindaman revealed his plan in a court filing. But this time, he’s asked for a court-appointed attorney to assist him at his retrial, set for Aug. 1. The Iowa Supreme Court vacated his conviction in May because Lindaman was allowed to represent himself without knowingly waiving his right to an attorney.