(Radio Iowa) – A new report shows the State of Iowa issued nearly 44 million dollars worth of tax REFUNDS last year to corporations claiming a tax credit for research activities. Senate Majority Leader Jack Whitver says that’s part of the discussion as Senate Republicans press to cut the corporate income tax RATE, while at the same time reduce tax CREDITS commonly used by businesses.

“If you’re going to dish out all these tax credits and exemptions, you can’t get your rate low enough,” Whitver says. “We really want to balance that, so that we’re more competitive.” Corporations claim the research activities credit to reduce what they owe in state taxes and the credit is so lucrative, many corporations erase all of what they owe and then some — so they get a refund check from the State.

Whitver says the credit has supported companies with high-paying jobs in research. “But do we need the most generous credit in the entire company?” Whitver asks. “And do we need to be cutting out $44 million worth of checks to companies here in Iowa?” House Republicans approved their tax plan this week and it does not include a corporate tax reduction. House Speaker Pat Grassley isn’t closing the door on a corporate tax cut, however.

“Our focus was on the individual income tax. That is why we moved that bill as quickly as we did,” Grassley says. “…That doesn’t mean there won’t be continued conversations between the House, the Senate and the governor.” Senator Whitver says there’s already agreement on about 75 percent of what should be in the final tax plan, with the exception of the taxes corporations pay.

“In mid-February I’m not going to draw any lines on anything,” Whitver says, “but I think it’s pretty obvious around the building that there’s a lot of interest in starting the conversation on corporate reforms. I mean, we have the second or third highest rate in the country.”

Governor Reynolds has proposed lowering the corporate income tax rate to five-and-a-half percent. The Senate G-O-P plan doesn’t go as far, but would cut that rate to just under eight percent AND get rid of about 140 million dollars worth of business tax breaks — including a tax credit for the purchase of computers.

(Marne, Iowa) – The smell of chili and pies will permeate the air in Marne this weekend. This Saturday, February 19th, is the date of the Annual Chili Contest sponsored by the Marne Community Club.

At the same time, the Annual Men’s Pie Baking Contest will be held. Judging for both contests will be “people’s choice.”

Anyone interested in entering the Chili Contest should bring a gallon crock pot of chili to the Marne Community Center by 6:00 p.m. on the day of the contest. The same goes for entering the Men’s Pie Contest. There are no fees for entering. Trophies for both chili and pie winners are on display at the Marne Community Center, and the  1st place winners’ names will be added to their respective trophy.

Everyone is welcome to join the fun, either as a participant or a judge! Come to Marne and share a meal. The main course will be, of course, chili. Please bring a potluck salad to share. Pie for dessert! Beverages will be provided.

(Atlantic, Iowa) – The Primary Election in Iowa is a little more than three months away (June 7th), but the time for opening of the window for filing nomination papers is much closer. The Cass County Auditor’s Office reminds interested persons that the first day for Democratic and Republican candidates for county offices to file nomination papers in the office of the county auditor is Monday, March 7, 2022. Last day to file is Wednesday, March 25, 2022.

Nomination papers may be circulated prior to first date for filing as well as during the filing period. Nomination papers and candidate information are available at the office of the county auditor and from the secretary of state: www.sos.iowa.gov

The county positions to appear on the Cass County ballot for the 2022 PRIMARY ELECTION are:

• Attorney (incumbent: Vanessa Strazdas, Republican)
• Recorder (incumbent: Mary Ward, Republican)
• Treasurer (incumbent: Tracey Marshall, Republican)
• District 2 Supervisor (incumbent: Mark O’Brien, Republican)
• District 3 Supervisor (incumbent: John Hartkopf, Republican)

FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION CONTACT: The Cass County Auditor, Courthouse 5 W 7th St, Atlantic, IA 50022
Phone: 712-243-4570 and Fax: 712-243-4572. Email: auditor@casscoia.us

For the 2022 Primary Election, the following number of signatures are required for a person’s name to appear on the ballot:

GENERAL ELECTION (Tuesday, November 8, 2022) INFORMATION:

The filing periods for the November 8, 2022, General Election are:

• U.S. Senate, U.S. Representative and State Office: February 28 – March 18, 2022 (5:00 p.m.)
• County Office: March 7 – March 25, 2022 (5:00 p.m.)
• Ag Extension, Soil & Water Conservation District, Hospital Trustee: Anytime up until August 31, 2022

List of current position holders for non-partisan offices that will appear on General Election Ballot:

Agricultural Extension Council: David York; Bradley J Pellett; Kristi Plagman; Chad Becker and Todd Weppler.

Soil & Water Conservation District: John J Hansen (Grove Township) and Greg Zellmer (Pymosa Township)

Hospital Board of Trustees: Jody Lorence; Julie Pollock; and Michael Klocke; Roger Herring.

Edna Township; Kevin Stender-Trustee; Patrick Erickson-Trustee; Travis Erickson-Clerk:

Union Township: Richard Hoffman-Trustee; Daryl Schrier-Trustee; Cheryl Christensen-Clerk.

Monday, March 7, 2022 is the first day for candidates nominated by petition to file nomination papers for county-wide or township offices with the County Auditor’s office. Last day to file is Friday, March 25, 2022. Nomination papers may be circulated now. Nomination petitions and other election forms (including a Candidate’s Guide to the General Election) are available at the office of the County Auditor, and also from the Iowa Secretary of State (sos.iowa.gov) via the internet.

(Radio Iowa) – The Iowa Senate Education Committee is advancing its own version of a bill that would forbid transgender athletes from participating in girls’ sports. The Senate proposal includes sports at community colleges and the three state universities as well as public and non-public K-through-12 schools. Roshna Mishra is a junior at Lincoln High in Des Moines who testified against the bill at a subcommittee hearing.

“There’s no place for politics regarding children’s physical and mental health,” she said. “Trans children are still just children who want to feel protected and feel seen and feel included.” Holly Branian, a senior at Carlisle High School, told lawmakers the bill would create a level playing field. “No girl should ever have to be sidelined because of a biologically male individual,” she said. “No girl should ever be made out to feel like her hard work doesn’t matter.”

Last spring, Governor Kim Reynolds called on legislators to pass a law limiting girls’ and women’s sports to those who are identified as female on their birth certificate. At least nine states have passed similar laws. Critics say the laws discriminate against a small group of students who are at greater risk of depression and suicide.

(Reporting by Iowa Public Radio’s Grant Gerlock)

DES MOINES, Iowa – On Thursday (Today), Governor Reynolds signed into law the first bill of the 2022 legislative session. House File 2316 increases the state’s public education budget for fiscal year 2023 by 2.5% per pupil, resulting in $159 million in new money for Iowa’s public schools.  Her office says 56-percent of the state’s entire budget funds public education alone.

In fiscal year 2023, which begins July 1 of this year, that amount will total more than $3.6 billion. Eighty percent of the education budget goes to preK-12 schools including more than $3.5 billion for state foundation school aid and nearly $29.5 million for transportation equity. Additionally, the state’s investments in STEM education, work-based learning and registered apprenticeship programs enhance the educational experience for Iowa students.

More than $700 million in federal Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief (ESSER) funds remain unused by Iowa’s public school districts for pandemic relief. Information and guidance on the relief packages are available on the Iowa Department of Education website here. Reynolds also issued information today about how teachers, law enforcement officers and child care workers can claim their pandemic-related $1,000 retention bonuses, which she announced last month.

$1,000 premium pay lump-sum payments will be disbursed through different funding sources and therefore have different processes and tracking requirements.

• Teachers: The Department of Education will work to issue payments to qualifying teachers at public schools, accredited nonpublic schools, independently accredited nonpublic schools, and state-operated schools through their respective employer.
• Certified Peace Officers: Local law enforcement agencies will request payment on behalf of their qualifying employees through Iowa Grants Online. Submissions will be reviewed by the Iowa Law Enforcement Academy prior to payment via mailed individual check by the Department of Administrative Services. Certified peace officers employed by the State of Iowa will receive payment through their regular state paycheck.
• Corrections Personnel: Qualifying Department of Corrections corrections officers and medical personnel will receive payment through their regular state paycheck.
• Child Care Workers: Qualifying child care workers will be able to apply through the Department of Human Services’ web page starting later this month.

All qualified individuals receiving a $1,000 payment through the Iowa Worker Premium Pay Program should receive it this spring. Final counts and totals will be made available by the Governor’s Office upon conclusion of the program this spring.

(Harlan, Iowa) – The Shelby County Sheriff’s Office reports seven arrests took place between Feb. 3rd and 10th. Authorities say 60-year-old Dorothy Linn Yorgensen, of Denison, was arrested following a traffic stop on Feb. 10th. She was charged with Failure to provide insurance, and driving while license is denied or revoked.

On Feb. 9th, 36-year-old Zachary Thomas Scheffler, of Harlan, was arrested following a traffic stop. He was charged with Driving while license is suspended, Failure to Carry Registration Card, Failure to Provide Proof of Insurance, and Speeding.

Two separate arrests happened Feb. 8th in Shelby County: 24-year-old Jhonatan Rueben Vasquez, of Omaha, NE. was arrested following a traffic stop. He was charged with Prohibited Acts, Possession of a Controlled Substance, No Valid Drivers License, and Speeding; and, 28-year-old Robert Paul Joens, of Exira, was arrested on an active Shelby County Warrant for charged with Driving While Barred.

There were two arrests also, on Feb. 4th: 38-year-old Jessica Erin Cowlthorp, and 28-year-old Jacob Patrick Sweeney, both of Harlan, were arrested on an active Shelby County Warrants, and charged with Child Endangerment.

And, on Feb. 3rd, 59-year-old Kimberly Ann Thomas, of Harlan, was arrested following the execution of a search warrant.  Thomas was charged with Controlled Substance Violation, Possession of Controlled Substance 2nd Offense, Failure to Affix Drug Stamp, Prohibited Acts, and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia

(Radio Iowa) – It’s the season for stuffy noses, coughs and sneezes, but common colds may not seem so common in this pandemic era, and Iowans are reminded to take care with the meds they swallow. Dr. Wendy Mobley-Bukstein, a pharmacy professor at Drake University, says if you’re taking over-the-counter cold or flu drugs, take heed if you’re also popping acetaminophen.

“If you’re taking both of those things, then you’re increasing your risk of liver damage which is the penultimate of things that can happen,” Mobley-Bukstein says. “The biggest thing that we want to avoid is making sure the people are not exceeding that 4,000 milligram daily dose of acetaminophen.” Mobley-Bukstein is a spokeswoman for the Acetaminophen Awareness Coalition. More than 600 pain relievers and multi-symptom cold and flu medicines contain acetaminophen. She says it’s safe and effective when used as directed, but there’s a limit to how much you can take in one day, so reading labels is important.

“It’s a very safe drug,” she says. “The biggest thing is making sure with the flu, with COVID still running around, people are really reaching for things, just making sure when you’re reaching for acetaminophen that they’re also looking to make sure that they’re not overdoing it.” Some studies show children get seven to ten colds per year, and meds that bring relief for a parent may not be appropriate for a third grader. Mobley-Bukstein says it’s a safe move to take only one medicine at a time that contains acetaminophen.

“When you buy an over-the-counter product, on the back of the package now it’s going to say ‘active ingredients’ and then looking to see what is the active ingredient,” Mobley-Bukstein says. “It’s going to tell you how many milligrams are contained in there. Also, knowing what dose you should take, infants versus kiddos versus adults.”

Research shows the odds of taking more than the FDA-recommended maximum dose of acetaminophen in one day increases 24-percent during cold and flu season. The coalition’s website is KnowYourDose-dot-org, a clearinghouse of information designed to educate consumers about the safe use of acetaminophen.

(Radio Iowa) – A coalition of environmentalists and land owners is seeking a meeting with Governor Kim Reynolds, hoping she’ll intervene and block the Iowa Utilities Board from granting eminent domain so carbon pipeline developers can acquire land from reluctant property owners. Judy Sebern Beachy and her sister inherited a farm in Floyd County that’s been owned by her family for four generations. One of the three pipelines would either run through the farm or be next to it.

“I’m all for doing things to help the climate, but I don’t feel that a pipeline is the answer for Iowa at this time.” Emma Schmit, an Iowa based organizer for Food and Water Watch, says the pipelines are a carbon con job, being proposed to ensure the oil and gas industry lasts longer.

“They’re also demanding to use our land against our consent…all to increase their own private net worth,” Schmit says. Schmit was among a small group that rallied at the statehouse this (Thursday) afternoon after a bill that would have prohibited the use of eminent domain for pipelines was tabled in a senate committee.

Bruce Rastetter owns Summit Carbon Solutions, one of the companies seeking landowner easements for a carbon pipeline. He says the project will be transformational for the ethanol industry and, by extension, the agriculture industry and hundreds of farmers have already signed voluntary easements to have the pipeline run through their property.

Ottumwa, Iowa – The Iowa Department of Corrections reports 24-year-old Marquis Bedford, who was convicted of Willful Injury- Causing Serious Injury and Prohibited  Acts-Mfg, Del, Consp, or Poss w/Int-Meth LT 5 gm in Wapello and Jefferson Counties, failed to report back to the Ottumwa Residential Facility as required yesterday (Wednesday).

Bedford is a Black male, height 5′ 11″, and weighs 198 pounds. He was admitted to the work release facility on 10/15/2021.  Persons with information on Bedford’s whereabouts should contact local police.

Marquis Bedford

COUNCIL BLUFFS, IA – A man from Carter Lake was sentenced in Council Bluffs U-S District Court, Monday (Feb. 14th), in connection with a child pornography charge. Authorities say 29-year-old Zachery McCuen was sentenced to 96 months (8-years) in prison for Accessing Child Pornography. McCuen’s term of imprisonment will be followed by five years of supervised release. According to court documents, McCuen pleaded guilty to the charge on October 1, 2021.

On January 18, 2019, Homeland Security received information that child pornography was being traded in a chat group on Kik messenger. One of the Kik users was identified as McCuen and in October 2018, he was communicating with, exchanging, and receiving images and videos of child pornography with another Kik user from California.

Homeland Security Investigations investigated and the case was prosecuted by the United States Attorney’s Offices for the Southern District of Iowa.