(Radio Iowa) – Iowa Attorney General Brenna Bird says colleges and universities should not use the murder of Charlie Kirk to suppress the free speech rights of students. Bird says colleges should not create what she called an “assassin’s veto” by imposing security costs or facility fees that prevent conservatives, liberals or non-political speakers from appearing on campus.

Bird spoke earlier today (Friday) during taping of the Iowa Press program the airs on Iowa P-B-S and did not directly comment on the investigation of some social media posts made by staff at the three state-supported universities. However, Bird said free speech rights in the public square are very different than free speech rights in the workplace that are subject to employment policies.

(Radio Iowa) – The Board of Regents has approved the 26-member advisory council the proposed Center for Intellectual Freedom at the University of Iowa. Regent Nancy Dunkel asked the meeting Thursday that the vote be delayed as she had concerns about the makeup of council.

Dunkel also says she is concerned that a number of the people on the advisory board would be from out of state. Regent Christine Hensley has led the process to put the board together and says there will be oversight of the decisions.

Hensley says they shouldn’t delay and she is confident they have a good group for the advisory council.

Regent David Barker also said it is important to keep the process moving.

Other Regents pointed out they can indicate the involvement of the council members in the bylaws. The list of council members includes three Iowa regents, the Fareway C-E-O Reynolds Cramer, and former governor Terry Branstad. It also includes former Republican Congressman Greg Ganske. The list also includes professors from Northwestern, Princeton and Stanford. The list was approved on a vote of 7-2 with Dunkel and student Regent Lucy Gipple both voting against it.

(Radio Iowa) – Activists in Council Bluffs are taking to the streets to help people who are homeless through a new program called “A Path Forward.” Chasity Kephart is a first responder community health coach with the Council Bluffs Police Department. She spent last week hiking along the Missouri River, reaching out to people who need help.

Kephart says they helped more than 40 people last week and plan to connect with many more when they return to the riverfront next week. She says a majority of the homeless people are struggling with addiction, mental health and economic issues.

Kephart says hands-on support seems to be a better option in connecting people with resources. Sixteen different agencies are participating in the project.

SCHOOL BOARDS THAT WILL BE ON VARIOUS BALLOTS IN MONTGOMERY COUNTY

Red Oak School Board:

Director At Large – Vote for Three: Kelly Osheim; Bret Blackman; Bryce Johnson.

Director At Large TFV- Vote for One: Ricky A. Rohrig.

Stanton School Board:

Director At Large – Vote for Three: Alex Cabbage; Ryan Hart; Jaclyn Hoyt; Cameron Lewellen.

Villisca School Board:

Director At Large – Vote for Two: Thomas Gourley; Leland Shipley.

Southwestern Community College:

Director District #1 – Vote for One: Jane Ernst.

Director District #3 – Vote for One: Susan Stearns.

Director District #5 – Vote for One: Kevin Britten.

Director District #6 – Vote for One: Zach Gunsolley.

(Atlantic, Iowa)  – The Cass County Auditor’s Office, Friday (today), released the names of candidates who will appear on the November 4th ballot for school elections in Cass County.

Atlantic School Board – Member at Large

• Justin Williams, of Atlantic
• Jordan Zarbano, of Atlantic
• Chet Meneely, of Atlantic, and
• Josh McLaren (incumbernt), of Atlantic.

CAM School Board Member – South

• Mallory Armstrong, of Massena

CAM School Board Member – North

• Adam Akers, of Anita

CAM School Board Member – At Large

• Cara Murphy (Incumbent), of Anita

Griswold School Board – At Large

• Robert Peterson, of Griswold
• Aaron Houser, of Henderson

Griswold School Board – Director 3

• Christian Vanscyoc, of Elliott

Griswold School Board – Director 4

• Keyla Wyman, of Griswold

(Atlantic, Iowa) – The Atlantic Police Department reports four arrests occurred recently. On Tuesday, Sept 16th, 23-year-old Jlast Ewar, of Atlantic, was arrested on a warrant for Failure To Appear on an original charge of Theft in the 5th Degree.

On Sept. 14th, 35-year-old Jordan Foster, of Atlantic, was arrested for OWI/1st offense, and possession of carrying of dangerous weapons while under the influence.

Atlantic Police arrested 27-year-old Charles Adams, of Atlantic, on Sept. 12th, for Disorderly Conduct/fighting or violent behavior. And, 22-year-old KR Mwarecheong, of Atlantic, was arrested on the 12th, for Public Intoxication and Criminal Mischief in the 5th Degree.

(DES MOINES, IA) – The Iowa Economic Development Authority (IEDA) Board today, (Friday), approved awards for six companies, which will assist in the creation and retention of 305 jobs and result in $267 million in new capital investment for the state. These projects are located in Altoona, Ankeny, Eldridge, Fairfield, Iowa City and Knoxville. The board also approved assistance for startups in Coralville, Iowa City and Waukee. In addition, projects in Bondurant, Shenandoah and West Des Moines received a Destination Iowa grant and projects in Lenox, Newton and Louisa County received a Community Attraction and Tourism (CAT) grant. IEDA recently approved assistance from Iowa’s State Small Business Credit Initiative (SSBCI) Innovation Fund for a startup in Iowa City.

In southwest Iowa, a Destination grant of $600,000 was awarded to the Southwest Iowa Nature Trails Project, Inc. and City of Shenandoah, which plans to build the Wabash Trace Rapp Park Connector Trail, linking the 63-mile-long Wabash Trace Nature Trail to the outdoor recreation opportunities in southwest Iowa. The project is valued at $2.5-million. The different components aim to upgrade and create safer off-road connections to different sporting activities, local shops and the 200-acre Rapp Park. It is estimated that the trail will draw 75,000 annual visitors. The Destination Iowa program invests in transformational attractions that will bolster the quality of life and attract visitors and new residents. It helps Iowa communities make strategic investments to create and support infrastructure projects for lasting tourism opportunities. Award recommendations for these funds are made by an internal and external review committee and presented to the IEDA Board for approval.

And, a CAT (Community Attraction  and Tourism) Grant of $162,000, was awarded to the City of Lenox, to renovate the public swimming pool complex, including the shallow pool area, spray features, climbing wall and basketball hoops. The total project cost is $541,000. The CAT program provides financial assistance to communities for the construction of recreational, cultural, educational or entertainment facilities that enhance the quality of life in Iowa. Award recommendations for these funds are made by the CAT Review Committee to the IEDA Board for approval.

For more information on the other grant awards, go to https://opportunityiowa.gov/press-release/2025-09-19/ieda-board-approves-assistance-six-established-companies-three-startups-and-six-community-quality.

OTOE COUNTY, Neb. — A southwest Iowa man who hit and killed a child in Nebraska City will serve time behind bars. KETV in Omaha reports 59-year-old Vernon Christiansen, of Percival, was sentenced to one year in jail for misdemeanor motor vehicle homicide for a July crash that killed a 6-year-old. Christiansen received credit for six days served and was fined $625, according to court documents.

The child died at the scene and officers said they found an open alcohol container in Christiansen’s truck. But they did not have evidence to charge him with a DUI.

Earlier this year, he pleaded no contest to several charges, including motor vehicle homicide and possession of an open alcohol container.

(Glenwood, Iowa) – Officials with the Glenwood Police Department report two recent arrests:

37-year-old William Ross Cavalieri, Jr., of Glenwood, was arrested late Thursday morning for Driving While Barred. His bond was set at $2,000. And, 20-year-old D’Angelo Daniel Miguel, of Council Bluffs, was arrested today (Friday) in Glenwood, for Possession of Marijuana/1st offense, and OWI/1st offense. His bond was also set at $2,000.

(Atlantic, Iowa) – Cass County Auditor Kathy Somers is notifying residents of Cass County, that forms to request an absentee ballot by mail for the November 4, 2025 City School Election may be submitted until October 20, 2025, at 5:00 PM. Voters may request a form by calling the auditor’s office at 712-243-4570, submitting a written request by mail to the auditor’s office at 5 W 7th St, Atlantic, IA 50022, or appearing in-person. The auditor’s office will mail ballots to voters with request forms on file beginning October 15, 2025. Voted ballots must be returned to the auditor’s office by mail, or in-person, by 8:00 PM on Election Day.
In-person absentee voting will be available in the auditor’s office between 8:00 AM and 4:30 PM beginning October 15, 2025, until November 3, 2025.

For more information, contact the auditor’s office at 712-243-4570, or at the Cass County Courthouse.