(Radio Iowa) – A key member of the Iowa House backs a bill to prohibit lawsuits accusing pesticide companies of failing to warn the product could cause cancer, as long as the product’s label meets federal guidelines. The bill does not name glyphosate, the main ingredient in Roundup — but House Majority Leader Bobby Kaufmann, a Republican who farms near Wilton, suggests Bayer’s factory in Muscatine that makes Roundup could close if Iowa lawmakers don’t take action.

“I can tell you what will happen if we don’t get this bill done. What will happen is we’ll be buying glyphosate from China. We just got done seeing what China can do if they choose to squeeze us — whether it’s soybeans, whether it’s (computer) chips — China can put its grip around our throat and particularly around our farmers’ throats,” Kaufmann said during an interview with Radio Iowa. About 70 percent of the glyphosate sold in the North America is made at the Bayer plant in Muscatine.

“Do you want an Iowa company with all of the Iowa guardrails, with all of the Iowa accountability…making a product our farmers have to have,” Kaufmann asks, “or do you trust China?” Kaufmann says while Bayer’s Muscatine plant is just outside of his House district, he represents many of the 400 people who work there. “It’s 15 miles from me,” Kaufmann said. “It’s five miles from my district.”

The Iowa Senate narrowly approved this bill this past May, but it did not come up for a vote in the House. Kaufmann isn’t guaranteeing a vote in the House next year. Kaufmann says he’ll talk with House Republicans to see if there are the 51 votes necessary to pass the bill in 2026 — and he knows there are some House Republicans who are strongly against it. “Some of my closest friends are not for that bill in my (House Republican) caucus and their views are based on real stories and heart-tug stories,” Kaufmann said, “and their views are very, very valid.”

Opponents of the bill say it prioritizes profits over the health and lives of Iowans who’ve been affected by RoundUp and some accuse the company of covering up information about the product’s harmful effects. Tens of thousands of lawsuits have been filed in the U.S. with claims that the weedkiller causes cancer. Bayer has spent over 10 BILLION dollars on litigation and jury awards to plaintiffs. New laws in North Dakota and Georgia give Bayer new liability protection from lawsuits over product labeling and Iowa’s governor has signaled she would support of a similar law here.

DAVENPORT, Iowa – A Rock Island man was sentenced to 48 months in federal prison for illegally possessing a machine gun.

According to public court documents and evidence presented at sentencing, in February 2025, Juwan Attron Johnson, 28, also known as “Chubbs,” possessed a machine gun conversion device. Machine gun conversion devices, commonly referred to as “switches,” convert a semi-automatic firearm into a fully automatic firearm that fires multiple shots with a single pull of the trigger. Machine gun conversion devices are classified as machine guns under federal law and are illegal to possess. Johnson is also prohibited from possessing firearms and ammunition because he is a felon, including a 2017 conviction for voluntary manslaughter.

After completing his term of imprisonment, Johnson will be required to serve a two-year term of supervised release. There is no parole in the federal system.

United States Attorney David C. Waterman of the Southern District of Iowa made the announcement. This case was investigated by the Davenport Police Department.

This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results. For more information about Project Safe Neighborhoods, please visit Justice.gov/PSN.

DES MOINES, Iowa – A federal grand jury in Des Moines returned a nine-count indictment on December 9, 2025, charging multiple individuals with charges related to a racketeering conspiracy, conspiracy to commit the offense of interstate transportation of stolen property, and money laundering.

As alleged in the Indictment, the charged Defendants committed thefts of used cooking oil, which can be refined into biodiesel fuel and re-sold. Defendants drove trucks to restaurants and stole and attempted to steal cooking oil from oil collection tanks located at restaurants throughout Iowa, and in Tennessee, Minnesota, Indiana, Ohio, Alabama, Illinois, Nebraska, Missouri, and Kentucky. Defendants then transported the stolen cooking oil to warehouses in Nevada and Ankeny, Iowa; Lewisburg, Tennessee; Dora, Alabama; and Tipp City, Ohio. Defendants subsequently sold the stolen cooking oil and laundered the proceeds.

The following individuals are charged in the Indictment:

• Tianzhu Chen, 33, of Flushing, New York, is charged with racketeering conspiracy, conspiracy to transport stolen property interstate, two counts of interstate transportation of stolen property, and two counts of money laundering.
• Jingliu Chen, 55, of Flushing, New York, is charged with conspiracy to transport stolen property interstate.
• Yong Chen, 32, of Brooklyn, New York, is charged with racketeering conspiracy, conspiracy to transport stolen property interstate, and two counts of interstate transportation of stolen property.
• Xian Quan Guo, 48, of Des Moines, Iowa, is charged with racketeering conspiracy and conspiracy to transport stolen property interstate.
• Jianfa Huang, of Des Moines, Iowa, is charged with racketeering conspiracy, conspiracy to transport stolen property interstate, and interstate transportation of stolen property.
• Fukang Wang, 37, of Staten Island, New York, is charged with racketeering conspiracy and conspiracy to transport stolen property interstate.
• Futao Wang, 36, of Des Moines, Iowa, is charged with racketeering conspiracy, conspiracy to transport stolen property interstate, and interstate transportation of stolen property.
• Jie Wang, 30, of Dayton, Ohio, is charged with racketeering conspiracy and conspiracy to transport stolen property interstate.
• Xiangjing Wang, 34, of Des Moines, Iowa, is charged with racketeering conspiracy, conspiracy to transport stolen property interstate, and two counts of interstate transportation of stolen property.
• Danrong Zhang, 38, of Flushing, New York, is charged with conspiracy to transport stolen property interstate and money laundering.
• Changxu Zou, 41, of Tulia, Texas, is charged with conspiracy to transport stolen property interstate.
• Changyu Zou, 38, of Edmond, Oklahoma, is charged with racketeering conspiracy and conspiracy to transport stolen property interstate.
• Wenrong Zou, 32, of Edmond, Oklahoma, is charged with conspiracy to transport stolen property interstate

In connection with the case, federal search warrants and arrest warrants were executed today in Iowa, Ohio, New York, Kentucky, Oklahoma, and Texas.

Xian Quan Guo, Jianfa Huang, Futao Wang, and Xiangjing Wang made their initial court appearances today before a United States Magistrate Judge of the United States District Court for the Southern District of Iowa. Trial was set for February 2, 2026. The remaining defendants will make their initial court appearances in the Southern District of Iowa on later dates.

United States Attorney David C. Waterman of the Southern District of Iowa made the announcement. The Central Iowa Gang Task Force of the FBI Des Moines Resident Agency of the Omaha Field Office is investigating this case, with assistance from the Polk County Sheriff’s Office; Story County Sheriff’s Office; Des Moines Police Department; West Des Moines Police Department; Iowa Department of Public Safety; Iowa Department of Transportation; Gahanna, Ohio Police Department; Cullman, Alabama Police Department; Springfield, Illinois, Police Department; 18th Judicial District Drug Task Force in Tennessee; FBI Dayton Resident Agency of the Cincinnati Field Office; FBI Lexington Resident Agency of the Springfield Field Office; FBI Oklahoma City Field Office; FBI New York City Field Office; FBI Birmingham Field Office; FBI Amarillo Resident Agency of the Dallas Field Office; FBI Language Services; and the Environmental Protection Agency.

An indictment is merely an allegation, and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

(Red Oak, IA) – Officials with Montgomery County Memorial Hospital + Clinics (MCMH + Clinics) say they are pleased to announce that their rehabilitation services will transition from being operated by Rehab Visions of Omaha to being operated locally by MCMH. The Board of Trustees unanimously approved the change at its October 29 meeting.

Officials say the transition strengthens MCMH+Clincis’ commitment to keeping high-quality care local, aligned, and responsive to the needs of their patients and community. Importantly, patients will continue receiving exceptional care from the same trusted therapists they know, as all current Rehab Visions staff will become MCMH employees on January 1, 2026. MCMH will continue offering Physical Therapy, Occupational Therapy, and Speech-Language Pathology to both inpatients and outpatients.

Rehab Visions will transition to MCMH Rehab Services, with all services continuing in the same location inside MCMH. This seamless shift preserves continuity for patients while allowing MCMH to grow and enhance therapy services in the years ahead. MCMH CEO Ron Kloewer says “We are excited to welcome our talented rehabilitation team as MCMH employees,” said. This transition isn’t about fixing something broken—it’s about building on an already strong foundation to better serve our community.

“They have been part of MCMH for decades, but being an MCMH employee is something special and I am thrilled with their eagerness to make this transition. The staff will keep their seniority and be eligible for all the MCMH benefits. To all the MCMH Rehab Services staff… WELCOME!”

Kim Roberts, Rehab Services Manager and Physical Therapist adds, “It feels like we have been a part of the MCMH family for a long time, and we are excited to now make that connection official. We remain committed to delivering high-quality, respectful care to our patients, and we look forward to growing and strengthening the department as part of
MCMH.”

The transition will take place over the next two months, with continued communication and opportunities for staff and community input.

(Atlantic, IA) – The Cass County Sheriff’s Office reports three arrests took place between Dec. 4th and Dec. 8th, 2025:

On December 4th, deputies arrested 21-year-old John Mark Topham, of Griswold, on a Cass County Sheriff’s Office warrant for two counts of Nuisance – Obstructing Land Passage. Topham was transported to the Cass County Jail where he was booked and later released on bond.

On December 5th, 20-year-old Logan James McNeil, of Harlan, was arrested on the charge of Disorderly Conduct-Fight/Violent. McNeil was transported to the Cass County Jail where he was book and later released on bond.

And, on December 8th, Cass County Sheriff’s deputies arrested 21-year-old Elias Isaac Beasley, of Harlan, for OWI-1st Offense. Beasley was transported to the Cass County Jail where he was booked and later released on his own recognizance.

(Radio Iowa) – Terry Branstad — the nation’s longest serving governor — is the 26th recipient of the state’s highest citizen honor. Governor Kim Reynolds presented Branstad with the “Iowa Award” medal today (Thursday) during a ceremony in the Iowa Capitol’s rotunda. “His imprint on our state is simply unmatched,” Reynolds said.

Branstad, who is 79, was a member of the Iowa House and served one term as lieutenant governor before he was elected governor in 1982. He served more than 22 years as governor — and left office in 2017 after President Trump appointed him U-S Ambassador to China. “I want to thank you, the people of Iowa. You are a wonderful, caring, thoughtful, friendly group of people and it’s an honor to serve,” Brantad said. “Thank you very much.”

Branstad paid tribute to his family and influential teachers in his hometown as well as legislators and state employees who served during his five-and-a-half terms as governor. “Looking back after all these years I’m proud that we accomplished so much working the Iowa legislature, which most of the time that I was governor was controlled by the other party,” Branstad said, “but we were able to get a lot done and I’m really proud of the fact we were able to find workable solutions that Iowans appreciated.”

Governor Reynolds, who Branstad chose as his lieutenant governor when he returned to office in 2011, has arranged for a 36 mile section of Highway 9 to be named in Branstad’s honor. “This stretch of highway passes through Winnebago and Worth Counties, including Forest City, Hanlontown and Thompson,” Reynolds said, “and its midpoint is Leland, where you were born and raised.” Getting rid of the curbs and gutters on Highway 9 — which was only 18 feet wide — was an issue in Branstad’s first campaign for office in 1972.

“Finally he said: ‘If I’m elected, I’ll raise hell every chance I get to see what can be done,'” Reynolds said. “…In 1985 on one of the coldest days of the year (Governor Branstad attended the dedication of the newly completed Highway 9 project. He remarked: ‘Well, they said, “It’d be a cold day in hell if this road ever got fixed,” and I guess they were right. It’s a cold day in hell and it got fixed.'” The crowd laughed and applauded.

The D-O-T will be installing signs that say the 36 mile portion of Highway 9 is “Dedicated to Governor Terry Branstad” and Reynolds says the signs should be posted by Christmas.

(Radio Iowa) – The panel that meets quarterly to estimate state tax revenue predicts consumer spending will drive state tax collections a bit higher this year — but total revenue will still fall by over a BILLION dollars due to income tax cuts that took effect January 1st. Jennifer Acton — head of the Fiscal Division of the Legislative Services Agency — is a member of the State Revenue Estimating Conference. “The current economic picture for Iowa remains mixed with state and national economic indicators presenting conflicting signals and limited federal data since October’s meeting, some caution is due,” Acton said. “However, it is also noted that total gross receipts growth has marginally increased over the last eight weeks.”

Acton says persistent inflation continues to challenge consumers and businesses, while some tariff impacts have been delayed as large and small businesses boosted inventory at this time last year to try to avoid tariffs. “While Iowa continues to face unique challenges in its agricultural and manufacturing sectors, there has been some good news recently,” Acton said. “China has begun purchasing American soybeans again after a pause, although exports are still not at levels of prior years. In addition, the price of soybeans has risen by over a dollar a bushel since mid-October and corn prices have also increased since mid-October as well.” Iowa Department of Management Director Kraig Paulsen — the governor’s top budget advisor — says uncertainty at the federal level makes predicting state tax revenue gains and losses difficult.

“The federal government shutdown did cause a delay in publishing of some economic data and the international trade policy continues to be unsettled,” Paulsen said. “That said, the announcement of the $12 billion in relief payments to farmers will substantially help the agriculture sector and, in turn, Iowa’s economy.” Paulsen says the state has more than enough cash in reserve accounts to cover the drop in state income tax collections. Income taxes from individuals and corporations account for the largest share of state tax revenue, but Paulsen says there’s growth in the state sales taxes despite surveys indicating consumers intend to spend less this holiday season. “There’s conflicting information, but the receipts continue to be strong into the state,” Paulsen said.

Senator Janet Petersen, the top Democrat on the Iowa Senate’s budget committee, says no matter how Governor Reynolds and her fellow Republicans try to spin it, the State of Iowa faces a historic, billion-dollar state budget deficit due to tax cuts.

(From an FFA reporter) – On Wednesday December 10th members of the Atlantic FFA participated in the Iowa Cattlemen’s Foundation Beef Extravaganza. Team members Lauren Comes, Hayden Kleen and Frank Freund placed 5th overall. The three members of the Beef Extravaganza team thank Chad Comes, Kevin Freund for helping with the team’s preparation, and Cass County Cattlemen for paying the entry fee for the team’s contest. Atlantic FFA member Lauren Comes commented, “Overall this is a very difficult contest and I feel like I learned a lot. I know this will help me in the future as I continue to work in the cattle industry.”

The Beef Scholarship Extravaganza is a unique contest open to high school juniors and seniors that focuses on the student’s knowledge and skills in ten different areas of the beef industry. Teams worked through ten 30-minute stations with 10-minute breaks between each station. In station one, Health and Handling, Team members were tested on effective stockmanship for handling of cattle and proper health related practices included, but not limited to, proper vaccination procedures and protocols, dose administration and equipment selection, parasite control, castration procedures and other health related practices essential for the beef industry and animal welfare.

Pictured from left to right: Frank Freund, Hayden Kleen, Lauren Comes. (Photo courtesy Eric Miller)

During station two, Nutrition, team members evaluated the body condition score of four cows and then assisted the station judge in balancing a feed ration for a real-life scenario. To prepare, students learned about body condition scoring, cattle nutrient requirements, the nutrient values of feedstuffs, and how to use that information to determine what diet will be the best for the exercise.  Station three focused on Marketing. The station required contestants to calculate yield and quality grades for carcasses, determine the value of a carcass, and determine values for lots of cattle. Team members should know the degrees of marbling necessary to achieve a final quality grade, assuming that all marbling calls are derived from A maturity carcasses. Students must also be able to use adjusted fat thicknesses, ribeye areas (sq. in.), hot carcass weights, and KPH% to calculate final yield grades. Team member Frank Freund said, “I really enjoy the marketing section. It’s a complex math problem that has real world applications. I will be able to use this information in the future when I work for the family business.”

Station four was the Seedstock Merchandising station. Team members demonstrated how to incorporate performance information, pedigrees, and phenotypes into a private treaty sales situation. Judges acted as buyers and team members had to identify the buyer’s needs, concerns, and goals in order to “sell” the bull or bulls. Atlantic FFA member Lauren Comes commented, “My favorite part of the contest is the Seedstock Station. I like talking about the genetics of cattle and how to use that information to predict the future of a cattle herd.“ Station five was the Keep-Cull Replacement Heifer station. During the first part of this station team members evaluated expected progeny differences (EPDs) and visually appraised live cattle in order to choose four out of eight heifers to keep that would best fit the production scenario given to contestants. The scenario addressed the objectives and marketing scheme of the operation along with other management information. In the second component teams answered questions about the set of heifers and their EPDs as well as their phenotypical features.

At station six, Job Interview, each student prepared a cover letter and resume and participated in a mock interview with an industry professional. By participating in this station, young people had the opportunity to explore career choices in the cattle industry. Station seven, Beef Industry Issues and Advocacy, gave team members the opportunity to give a presentation shedding a positive light on an area of the beef industry. Subjects may have included Modern Beef Production, Animal Care, Beef Safety, Beef Nutrition, Environmental Stewardship, and The Beef Checkoff. The Reproduction station is often considered the most difficult station of the contest. Students were tested on their knowledge of calving management practices such as pre-calving preparation, process of parturition, dystocia, equipment involved in reproductive practices, synchronization techniques, artificial insemination, embryo transfer and other technologies in this field.

In the Credit and Finance station team members were provided with the experience of organizing, preparing, and participating in a mock loan request. Teams met with financial officers and presented a description of a project along with completed financial data in support of the loan request. The project consisted of selecting one of three scenarios: purchasing 150 head of yearling steers to feed out, purchasing 15 bred cows to start a cow/calf business, or purchasing 75 head of heifer or steer calves. Atlantic FFA member Hayden Kleen commented, “My favorite station is the Credit and Finance scenario. This station will give me confidence when its time for me to get a loan to continue into the agriculture world after graduation“

The final station was the Beef Management Challenge. This station allowed students to tie information gained from the other stations of this competition together. This station was an informal discussion between team members and a judge, who assumed the role of a manager who needed advice about his or her cattle operation. The team members assumed a role of a hired consultant to provide advice for the fictitious beef enterprise.

Atlantic FFA Advisor Eric Miller said, “Overall I was extremely happy with how the team performed. This contest is basically taking ten college sophomore level tests in a row. This contest is very demanding and takes a lot of practice. Thank you to all the parents that helped and a special shout out to the Cass County Cattlemen for funding our team for the past 13 years”

(Glenwood, IA) – The Glenwood Police Department reports two recent arrests.  On Wednesday (12/10), 21-year-old Ashton Andrew Lander, of Treynor, was arrested for Driving Under Suspension. His bond was set at $300. And, on Tuesday (12/9), 41-year-old Amber Anette Osler, of Malvern, was arrested for Driving While Barred. Her bond was set at $2,000.

(Radio Iowa) – The project to replace the Sioux City runway that’s being used by the Iowa Air National Guard’s 185th Refueling Wing is included in the defense spending bill the U-S House approved Wednesday. Congressman Randy Feenstra, a Republican from Hull, says it will protect over a thousand jobs at the Sioux Gateway Airport. “This is probably my number one issue for Sioux City over the last several years,” Feenstra says. The Iowa Air National Guard’s runway in Sioux City was built for lightweight F-16 fighter jets. Twenty years ago the 185th became a Refueling Wing and flies massive KC-135 Stratotankers that weigh 41-and-a-half tons when fully loaded. The Federal Aviation Administration has said it will soon be unsafe for those planes to use that runway.

“I was in one of the KC135s. They took me up in the air and when you come down, it’s sort of like a sponge,” Feenstra said, “so we knew we had to get it done and the time was running out.” The Federal Aviation Administration has set aside 20-million dollars for the project, but that funding would be lost if the Pentagon doesn’t start the project by mid-2027. The estimated cost of replacing the runway and other improvements is nearly 150-million dollars. “It allows the construction of a new runway, aircraft parking apron, and warm up and holding pads for…Stratotankers,” Feenstra said.

The language authorizing the project’s start is included in the massive National Defense Authorization Act. The Senate is expected to soon approve the bill and send to President Trump for his signature.