KJAN News

KJAN News can be heard at five minutes after every hour right after Fox News 24 hours a day!
Keep up-to-date with Fox News Radio, Radio Iowa,  Brownfield & the Iowa Agribusiness Networks!

 

Over 100 at third congressional district candidate Trone Garriott’s town hall

News

September 8th, 2025 by Ric Hanson

(Radio Iowa) – Sarah Trone Garriott, a Democrat who’s running for Iowa’s third district seat in the U-S House, says if elected she’ll work to turn around some of the federal budget cuts outlined in the “Big Beautiful Bill” Republican Congressman Zach Nunn voted for this summer. Trone Garriott held a forum in Des Moines Sunday afternoon and fielded questions on a variety of topics, including cuts to Medicaid and the end of an enhanced tax credit for some of the Iowans who use the Affordable Care Act Marketplace to buy health insurance.

“The public has an incredibly powerful voice and I know by being present in the process, it does change things,” Trone Garriott said. A woman in the crowd raised concerns about cuts in federal food assistance and, near the end of the hour-long forum, a man was applauded as he called for removing nitrates from the rivers that provide drinking water in central Iowa. Trone Garriott says a new Farm Bill could really address the crisis by supporting proven farming practices that reduce soil loss and farm chemical runoff.

“I think that’s really what farmers need is support to make changes. They have a really difficult market that they’re dealing with right now in large part because of those tariffs,” Trone Garriott says. “…We need to be thinking about how do we support our farmers in doing what they know is important changes to make.” Trone Garriott began Sunday’s event by criticizing Congressman Nunn for saying town hall forums are turning into taxpayer-funded protest events. Trone Garriott says if people are angry, it’s even more important to learn why.

“Our Congressman Zach Nunn has not been showing up for people,” Trone Garriott says. “Since he started four years ago, he has not held a single open town hall.” Nunn’s campaign manager says the congressman is holding real listening sessions with Iowans that deliver real results. Nunn is seeking a third term in the U-S House.

Trone Garriott, a pastor who’s been a member of the Iowa Senate since 2023, and Jennifer Konfrst, the former Democratic Leader in the Iowa House, are the two leading Democrats in the third district race.

Trump endorses Hinson’s bid for Iowa’s US Senate seat

News

September 8th, 2025 by Ric Hanson

(Radio Iowa) – Iowa Congresswoman Ashley Hinson has the backing of President Trump as she enters week two of her campaign for the U-S Senate. Trump posted a message on social media Friday night, calling Hinson a wonderful person who has always delivered for Iowa and will continue doing so in the United States Senate. Hinson, a Republican from Marion, has been a member of the U-S House since 2021.

“I’ve worked very hard to stand up for President Trump, working alongside him in my service in congress,” Hinson said, “and I would say that job’s not done.” Hinson kicked off a tour of Iowa’s 99 counties this week. She announced her Senate bid last Tuesday a few hours after Republican Senator Joni Ernst released a video saying she would not seek reelection.

The top Republican in the U-S Senate, Majority Leader John Thune, endorsed Hinson on Friday. Jim Carlin of Sergeant Bluff, a former state legislator, has been campaigning for the G-O-P’s senate nomination for a few months. Carlin says Iowa doesn’t need another candidate picked by the Republican establishment who pretends to support President Trump, but isn’t a true conservative fighter.

After Hinson announced she was running for the U-S Senate, three of the 100 Republicans who are currently members of the state legislature endorsed Carlin.

Villisca man cited following an accident investigation

News

September 7th, 2025 by Ric Hanson

(Red Oak, Iowa) – The Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office, in a news release today (Sunday), said the driver of a pickup truck was cited following an investigation into a property-damage accident that occurred September 1st. Authorities say the Sheriff’s Office received a call Thursday (Sept. 4) about damaged roadway signs at the intersection of Union Avenue and 240th Street in Montgomery County. An investigation revealed a 1996 Ford F-150 pickup belonging to 58-year-old Charles Samuel Williams, of Villisca, had struck the signs.

When deputies spoke with Williams, it was determined that at around 9:30-a.m. on Sept. 1st, Williams’ pickup was traveling south on Union Avenue. The man told deputies that he saw a coyote in the ditch, and stopped on the roadway. When he put his pickup in reverse, he lost control of the vehicle, which entered the east ditch and struck two roadway signs, causing an estimated $1,000 damage to the Montgomery County Secondary Roads Dept. signs.  The report did not list any damage to the pickup.

Williams was cited for Failure to Maintain Control.

Gov. Reynolds and Iowa delegates return to India on trade and investment mission

Ag/Outdoor, News

September 7th, 2025 by Ric Hanson

DES MOINES— On Saturday, September 6, 2025, Governor Kim Reynolds and a delegation from Iowa traveled to India for an eight-day trade and investment mission with visits to Delhi, Pune, and Mumbai. The delegates include Iowa Economic Development Authority Director Debi Durham, Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig, and agricultural and business leaders from the state. The purpose of the Governor’s return to India is to build on relationships established during an initial visit a year ago and to further explore growth opportunities with one of the world’s largest emerging economies.

“Our visit to India last year kicked off a number of relationships between Iowa and Indian businesses and trade associations and furthered conversations on investing in Iowa and market access for certain Iowa agricultural products,” Gov. Reynolds said. “I look forward to further solidifying those relationships and establishing new connections on which to build.”

While in Delhi, Governor Reynolds and Secretary Naig will speak at DialogueNEXT, a symposium presented by the World Food Prize Foundation that organizes food system stakeholders to discuss pathways toward food security. Governor Reynolds and the delegation will also attend a business panel discussion hosted by the Sehgal Foundation, recognized for its work in economic and educational growth in rural India.

The governor will also sign a partner state agreement with the Indian state of Maharashtra, lead roundtable discussions with the U.S.-India Business Council, the U.S. Soybean Export Council and the U.S. Grains Council, and meet with Indian industry leaders. She will also meet with officials from the U.S. Embassy and U.S. Consulate in Mumbai in addition to senior-level Indian government officials.

The trade mission was organized by IEDA with support from the U.S. Embassy in Delhi and U.S. Consulate in Mumbai.

Red Oak man arrested on a warrant

News

September 7th, 2025 by Ric Hanson

(Red Oak, Iowa) – The Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office reports a man from Red Oak was arrested Friday on a warrant. Authorities say 27-year-old Dixon William Harley Briggs was arrested on the warrant for Violation of Probation. Briggs was being held in the Montgomery County Jail on a $2,000 bond.

Produce In the Park this week honors Emergency Responders

Ag/Outdoor, News

September 7th, 2025 by Ric Hanson

(Atlantic, Iowa) – This week’s Produce In the Park Farmer’s Market in downtown Atlantic, marks the anniversary of 9/11, and is appropriately enough themed “Emergency Responders Night, ” and there’s a great lineup of local emergency responders, and much more. Event coordinator Ciara Hoegh says “This is a time to recognize the important role emergency responders play in our community.”

You can expect to find first responders including: Cass County Sheriff’s Department and their K9 dog, Chase, Atlantic Fire Department with a fire truck, Atlantic Police Department, Iowa United 1st Aid. There will also be a free bounce house, live music, lots of visiting organizations. This week’s food truck is Pim’s Thai. Vendors selling lots of fresh produce, local meats, eggs, honey, breads and baked goods, arts and crafts, and more.

Also note that the Suicide Awareness Community Walk is being held in City Park following the farmer’s market, beginning at 7:00 PM.

Produce in the Park takes place Thursday, September 11, 2025 from 4:30-until 6:30 PM, in the Atlantic City Park, at 10 W 7th Street. There is no admission fee!

Thanks to September Sponsors: Rush CPA, Gregg Young Chevrolet of Atlantic, City of Atlantic, 1st Whitney Bank, Cass Health, Cass County Tourism, Atlantic Area Chamber of Commerce, and Nishna Valley Family YMCA
Event Facebook link: https://www.facebook.com/share/17BAYJ3RRY/

1 injured in a central IA car-vs-motorcyle collision Thursday afternoon

News

September 6th, 2025 by Ric Hanson

(Mt. Pleasant, Iowa) – A collision between a car and a motorcycle Thursday afternoon in southeastern Iowa’s Henry County resulted in injuries to the operator of the motorcycle. The Iowa State Patrol says the accident happened at around 3-p.m. at the intersection of U-S Highways 218 and 34, when the motorcycle stopped at the Highway 218 northbound off-ramp, but then proceeded into the intersection, while attempting a left turn.

The 2025 Harley Davidson, operated by 67-year-old Jackie Lewis Bilotta, of Bellefontaine, MS, was struck by a 2003 Oldsmobile Alero, driven by 30-year-old Tanner Waterhouse, of Brighton.

Bilotta was transported by ambulance to the hospital in Mt. Pleasant. The Patrol noted Waterhouse did not have a valid driver’s license. Mt. Pleasant Police assisted at the scene.

(Update 9/7 10:30-a.m.) Fatal UTV accident in Wright County

News

September 6th, 2025 by Ric Hanson

(Goldfield, Iowa) – An accident involving a UTV near Goldfield, in Iowa’s Wright County, has claimed one person’s life and resulted in injuries to another person. The Iowa State Patrol says a John Deere Gator was traveling near the Boone River in the area of Highway 3 at around 3:10-a.m. today (Saturday). when the operator misjudged how close the machine was to the river.

The Gator entered the river after a significant drop from the river bank. Both occupants were ejected from the vehicle. The passenger, 20-year-old McKenna Mae Woodbeck, of Huxley, died at the scene after being trapped beneath the UTV. The driver, 21-year-old Levi Edward Rasmussen, of Goldfield, was injured and transported by Eagle Grove Ambulance to Iowa Specialty Hospitals & Clinics. Neither was wearing a seat belt.

The Patrol was assisted at the scene by the Wright County Sheriff’s Office, Eagle Grove Police and Ambulance, as well as the Goldfield Fire Department.

2025 HousingIowa Awards Celebrate Iowa’s Housing Innovation and Leadership

News

September 6th, 2025 by Ric Hanson

CEDAR RAPIDS – The Iowa Finance Authority (IFA) recently honored exceptional housing initiatives and leaders through the annual HousingIowa Awards, presented at the 2025 HousingIowa Conference in Cedar Rapids. These awards recognize programs, projects and professionals who are setting the standard for innovation and leadership in advancing housing opportunities for Iowans. Award categories include Single-Family Development, Multifamily Development, Innovation, Special Needs Development, the Mark Sertterh Friend of Housing Award and the Kay Anderson Friend of Iowa Award. Each year, nominations are accepted statewide and judged by an independent panel.

2025 HousingIowa Award Winners 

Single-Family Development: Homes for Iowa, Newton – Homes for Iowa, Inc. is a nonprofit tackling Iowa’s housing shortage through a scalable model that combines home construction, workforce development and community revitalization. Stick-built homes are constructed at the Newton Correctional Facility and distributed across Iowa, with a focus on rural and underserved communities.

Multifamily Development: EHDG New Horizons, Newbury Living, Davenport – This scattered-site rehabilitation project revived 21 deteriorated properties, including 12 duplexes, five single-family homes, two row houses and two small apartment buildings. Ecumenical Housing Development Group and Newbury Living transformed them into safe, modern homes, offering a replicable alternative to large-scale, centralized affordable housing.

Innovation Award: Junction Lofts, Cutler Development, West Des Moines – Iowa’s first mass timber housing project, this 11-unit mixed-use development by Scott and Molly Cutler reduces the building’s carbon footprint while providing both residential and commercial space.

Special Needs Development: The Beacon Village, Des Moines – The Beacon Village, a former motel, now offers 32 efficiency apartments, a community room, and support services for women in crisis. Women sign 12-month leases to practice independent living while receiving staff and peer support. Graduates leave with stable housing, income, health coverage, financial skills, savings and three years of ongoing support.

Mark Sertterh Friend of Housing Award: Dr. Emily Morse, University of Iowa Healthcare, Iowa City – The Mark Sertterh Friend of Housing Award is a special honor recognizing those on the front lines of assisting Iowans with housing. This year’s recipient, Dr. Emily Morse, has pioneered psychiatric care embedded within Permanent Supportive Housing. Since 2019, she has operated a weekly psychiatric clinic at Shelter House’s Cross Park Place in Iowa City, ensuring critical care reaches individuals experiencing homelessness.

Kay Anderson Friend of Iowa Award: Debbie Fisher, Newbury Living, Des Moines – The Kay Anderson Friend of Iowa Award, one of the HousingIowa Conference’s most prestigious honors, recognizes individuals whose lifetime of service has profoundly advanced housing opportunities. This year’s recipient, Debbie Fisher, devoted 48 years to Levy, Malone & Company and later Newbury Living, contributing to more than 80 affordable housing projects that reshaped communities across Iowa. For 22 years, she led Newbury’s property management division, mentoring staff and ensuring that Iowa’s most vulnerable residents were treated with dignity and care.

Photos of award-winning projects and individuals are available on the Iowa Finance Authority’s Facebook page.

2 Red Oak women arrested late Friday

News

September 6th, 2025 by Ric Hanson

(Red Oak, Iowa) – Two women were arrested on separate charges late Friday, Sept. 5th, in Red Oak. According to Red Oak Police, officers arrested 25-year-old Courtney Ann Redd, of Red Oak, at around 7:45-p.m. in the 200 block of E. Oak Street. Redd was charged with Domestic Abuse-Serious Assault. She was being held without bond in the Montgomery County Jail, pending an appearance before a magistrate.

And, at around 9:15-p.m., Red Oak Police arrested 26-year-old Samantha Duffield-Cunningham, of Red Oak, for Theft in the 5th degree and Public Intoxication. She was being held in the Montgomery County Jail on a $300 bond.