(Radio Iowa) – U.S. Senate candidate Abby Finkenauer — a Democrat who hopes to challenge Republican Chuck Grassley in 2022 — says the Senate is broken and West Virginia Senator Joe Manchin’s “no” on President Biden’s Build Back Better initiative is a symptom of the problem.

“After watching Manchin, after watching some of these senators — both Democrats and Republicans — who have been in D.C. for way too long, who have clearly lost sight and lost touch with what is happening with the American people and what is happening in their pocketbooks, I am more fired up than ever,” Finkenauer says. Finkenauer says Iowans are feeling the pinch from inflation and disruptions in the supply chain.

Finkenauer suggests federal properties should be used to temporarily store cargo containers that are stacked up at U.S. ports — so more containers can be transferred from ships to the docks. “That could be very tangible, very quickly,” Finkenauer says. Finkenauer says President Biden should invoke the Defense Production Act to fill orders for some of the small components that are needed to keep American manufacturing lines running, but which are primarily made in other countries and shipped here.

“We do have the ability and some of the greatest workforce in the entire world, obviously, to be able to deal with some of this,” Finkenauer says. “We just need to do it.” Finkenauer also says congress should pass a law requiring ships that cargo at U.S. ports to — in most instances — load back up with American goods and commodities before leaving.  “Cutting down on the anti-competitive shipping industry practices,” Finkenauer says, “making sure that when these ships come in, they’re not leaving empty handed, without American goods.”

A recent analysis indicated the majority of containers unloaded in the nine largest U.S. ports were empty when placed back on ships that sailed out for foreign destinations. Ag groups and manufacturers say it’s having a big impact on U.S. exports. Finkenauer is among four Democrats say they intend to compete in next June’s primary for the party’s U.S. Senate nomination.

(Radio Iowa) – Three Democrats in the Iowa Senate are proposing a constitutional amendment to legalize marijuana possession in Iowa for anyone who’s 21 or older. Senator Joe Bolkcom, a Democrat from Iowa City, says it’s time to regulate marijuana like alcohol. “Marijuana prohibition has been a costly failure,” Bolkcom says. “It’s ending across America because it’s caused far more harm than good,” Bolkcom says. “…Basically begin to treat marijuana like we treat a six-pack of beer.”

Bolkcom cites statistics indicating more than 43-hundred Iowans were convicted of marijuana possession in 2020 — and he says taxpayers paid millions to cover the costs of their prison time. “A lot of Iowans will see some benefit from essentially eradicating those expenses from our tax bills,” Bolkcom says. Senator Janet Petersen, a Democrat from Des Moines, says polls show a majority of Iowans support legalizing marijuana rather than continuing to pursue criminal charges against those who smoke or possess it.

“Iowans are tired of filling our prisons with nonviolent offenders, traumatizing families with separation and taking away opportunities for too many young adults for something that is legal is nearly half the states in our country.” Senator Sarah Trone Garriott, a Democrat from West Des Moines, says 19 states now let residents use marijuana for a wide range of medical conditions or for recreational use.

“The world is changing around us and Iowa is getting left behind,” Trone-Garriott says. The three Democrats say Governor Kim Reynolds and Republicans who control a majority of seats in the legislature have resisted expansion of Iowa’s very limited medical marijuana program. Bolkcom says under current law, the cannabis products available today in Iowa have T-H-C levels that make them ineffective as medicine.

“It’s time for Governor Reynolds and legislative Republicans to allow voters the freedom to decide,” Bolkcom says. “It’s time to hear their voices and bring marijuana reform to Iowa.” It takes years to amend the Iowa Constitution and this proposal faces a tough road ahead in a Republican-led legislature. The Republican chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee says he has no intentions of bringing the proposal up for a vote.

Senator Brad Zaun of Urbandale says proposing recreational marijuana in Iowa is a gimmick and it shows Senate Democrats lack ideas to solve the problems Iowans face.

(Harlan, Iowa) – Officials with the Harlan Police Department, Tuesday, said two arrests took place over the past week, and they issued a reminder to citizens of the community, about dog tags.

Authorities say 2022 Dog Tags are available for purchase. Cost of the tag is still $10 per animal, and proof of rabies is required. Reminder that the tags are good for the calendar year that they were issued (January through December) not one year from the date they were issued. All animals are due to be renewed by January, regardless of the date you licensed your pet.

With regard to arrests: On Saturday (12/18), 40-year-old Christy Lynn Horschar, of Omaha, NE, was arrested following a traffic stop. Horschar was transported to the Shelby County Jail where she was charged with prohibited acts penalties, possession of a controlled substance, possession of drug paraphernalia, and failure to have a valid DL.

And, on Dec. 14th, 35-year-old Phillip Michael Houston, of Walnut, was arrested in Harlan on an active Pottawattamie County warrant.

(Radio Iowa) – The top Democrat in the Iowa House says it would be an extreme step to eliminate the state income tax — a move Governor Kim Reynolds and other Republican legislators have said is their long term goal. House Democratic Leader Jennifer Konfrst of Windsor Heights says she and her Democratic colleagues are developing their own proposal for tax cutting.

“We’re not here to just say, ‘No,’ to things,” Konfrst says. “We’re here to find solutions…so if there’s going to be a tax cut, let’s do is responsibly and let’s make sure that it affects the people who need it the most.” Konfrst says tax cuts should be targeted to provide relief for middle class Iowans and House Democrats met this weekend to review ideas.

“When comes to any sort of an income tax or any sort of tax cut, we’d hope that we’re all focused on addressing the middle class,” Konfrst says. Konfrst made her comments during an interview with Radio Iowa. The 2022 legislative session begins January 10th.

The Mills County Sheriff’s Department reports two arrests. On Tuesday (today), 24-year-old David Patrick Robertson, of Lincoln, NE., was arrested at the Douglas County, Nebraska Jail, on a Mills County warrant for Failure to Appear on a Contempt charge. His bond was set at $5,000. And, Monday, 51-year-old Bryan Allen Dennis, of  Council Bluffs, was arrested at the Harrison County Jail on a Mills County warrant for FTA on a Driving While Revoked charge. His bond was set at $1,000.

(Radio Iowa) – A now former employee of the Webster County Jail has been charged with helping a prisoner escape on the night of December 11th. Following the escape of 43 year old Jordan Mefferd of Fort Dodge from the jail and his eventual return, the Webster County Sheriff’s and Attorney’s office began an investigation into his escape. Former correctional officer — 30 year old Michelle Valenti of Fort Dodge — has been charged with permitting a prisoner to escape, introducing contraband, introducing electric contraband, furnishing a controlled substance and sexual misconduct with offenders.

Valenti is being held on a $22,000 cash bond after making her appearance Tuesday morning in Webster County Magistrate Court. In a press release, Webster County Sheriff Luke Fleener said the investigation is continuing and any other employees that may have violated policies or protocols will be addressed accordingly along with criminal charges.

(Shelby Co.) The Shelby County Sheriff’s Office is reporting nine arrests occurred from December 2nd through December 12th. On the 12th, 32-year-old Michael James Armour, of Vancouver, WA was arrested following a traffic stop on Road M-56. Armour was charged with Controlled Substance Violation, Prohibited Acts Violation, Possession of Controlled Substance, and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. Possession of Drug Paraphernalia.

There were three arrests on Dec. 10th:

• 33-year-old Mark Thomas Holland, of Audubon, was arrested following a traffic stop on Highway 44. Holland was charged with OWI 1st, Operating a Non-Registered Vehicle, Failure to Provide Proof of Financial Liability, and Speeding.
• 51-year-old Chad Michael Hess, of Harlan, was arrested following a search warrant at a residence in Harlan. Hess was transported to the Shelby County Jail and charged with Possession of Controlled Substance 3rd or subsequent offense, Possession of Controlled Substance Marijuana 3rd or subsequent offense, and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia.
• And, 47-year-old Julie Ann McManigal, Harlan, was arrested Dec. 10th following a search warrant at a residence in Harlan. McManigal was transported to the Shelby County Jail and charged with Possession of Controlled Substance 3rd or subsequent offense, and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia.

Three people were arrested as well on Dec. 6th, in Shelby County: 25-year-old Isaac Burt Huber, of Carter Lake, 23-year-old Andrew Robert Dilley, of Council Bluffs, and 20-year old Rayven Taylor Michelle Frieze, of Council Bluffs, were arrested following a call for service in Shelby. All three were charged with Burglary in the 1st Degree.

On Dec. 4th, 41-year-old Nicholas Gene Paulsen, of Atlantic, was arrested following a traffic stop on Highway 173. Paulsen was transported to the Shelby County Jail and charged with Driving while Barred, Speeding, and Failure to provide Insurance. And, on Dec. 2nd. 28-year-old Christian Edgar Carrasco, of Denison, was arrested following a traffic stop on Highway 59. Carrasco was transported to the Shelby County Jail and charged with Driving while Barred, and Speeding.

(Radio Iowa) – The top Republican in the Iowa House says G-O-P lawmakers will wait to see whether legal challenges successfully derail President Biden’s Covid vaccine mandates before deciding whether to advance a bill to ban vaccine mandates in Iowa. House Speaker Pat Grassley says the legislature has already given unvaccinated workers facing dismissal, the right to claim a religious or medical exemption and receive unemployment benefits. “I remind everyone with this topic, we did take some significant action to make sure we could provide that level of support for Iowans who maybe wanted to make an alternative choice,” Grassley says.

That law was passed in late October. Some Republican legislators want to ban Covid-19 vaccine requirements in the workplace altogether, but Grassley says courts have already blocked two of the federal vaccine mandates and Governor Reynolds is calling on the Supreme Court to rule on a third lawsuit.  “So as far as a bill that would completely ban it,” Grassley says, “…see how that plays out.”

On Monday, the U.S. Supreme Court confirmed it had received several appeals of the federal requirement that large employers ensure workers are vaccinated against Covid-19 or tested weekly. Last Friday, a federal APPEALS court revived the mandate, which applies to businesses with at least 100 employees.

(Audubon, Iowa) – The Audubon School Board met in a regular session Monday evening. Superintendent Eric Trager told KJAN News the Board approved Early Retirement applications from six teachers, effective the end of the current school year. He said those vacant jobs will be posted online so they can be filled before the 2022-23 school year begins. The Board also approved an increase in teacher substitute pay.

In other action, the Audubon School Board approved the hiring of a Full-time Elementary Counselor.

He said they experienced an increase in unacceptable behavior, which is most likely attributable to the stress created by the pandemic.

In other business, the Board hired an associate Art Teacher in Maryssa Soder. She will also be involved in Boy’s Tennis. As we mentioned last week on KJAN News, a $1-million dollar Career Academy Grant was awarded to DMACC in Carroll, which allows for the establishment of a career academy that will serve several area districts.

Superintendent Trager said the Board Monday night discussed last week’s lifting of a stay for the Federal Vaccine Mandate by the 6^th Circuit Court. The mandate requires employers with more than 100 workers to get vaccinated, or mask-up and test weekly for COVID.

The 8:05-a.m. broadcast from Ric Hanson.

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