NEW YORK (AP) — New York Attorney General Letitia James says a bipartisan coalition of state attorneys general is investigating Facebook for alleged antitrust issues.
The Democrat said Friday the probe will look into whether Facebook’s actions endangered consumer data, reduced the quality of consumers’ choices or increased the price of advertising.
Facebook had no immediate comment.

The Wall Street Journal, citing sources it did not identify, reported that a coalition of attorneys general will announce a separate investigation of Google next week. James said the coalition she is leading includes the attorneys general of Colorado, Florida, Iowa, Nebraska, North Carolina, Ohio, Tennessee and the District of Columbia.

The U.S. Justice Department announced in July that it was opening a sweeping antitrust investigation of Big Tech, though it did not name any specific companies. It said it was investigating whether online platforms have hurt competition, suppressed innovation or otherwise harmed consumers.

The House Judiciary Committee is also conducting an antitrust probe into Facebook, Amazon and Apple.

No injuries were reported, but a Creston woman was cited, following a collision at around 2:40-p.m. Thursday, at the intersection of W. Montgomery and N. Elm Streets, in Creston. Authorities say a Ford F-150 pickup driven by 35-year old Susan Lin Heslop, of Creston, stopped at the intersection headed south on N. Elm, but then proceeded to move ahead. In doing so, she failed to yield to a westbound 2016 Toyota Corolla, driven by 77-year old Judith Ann Weese, of Creston. Weese had also stopped at the intersection, and had the right-of-way.

Heslop’s pickup struck the Toyota on the passenger side, causing substantial damage. Heslop admitted the accident was her fault, saying she didn’t see Weese’ vehicle. Heslop was cited for Failure to Obey a Stop Sign and Failure to yield to the right. Damage from the collision amounted to $3,500.

More State and area news from KJAN News Director Ric Hanson.

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The Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office reports a teen was cited for Failure to Obey a Stop Sign, following a collision Thursday between a pickup and a semi tractor-trailer, in Stanton. The accident in Stanton happened around 4:30-p.m., at the intersection of Highway 34 and Q Avenue. Authorities say an unidentified 15-year old male was driving a 2005 Ford F-250 pickup when he failed to stop at the intersection. The 2007 Freightliner semi, driven by 53-year old David E. Lorenzen, of Fremont, NE., struck the pickup on passenger side, causing the pickup to enter the north ditch. No injuries were mentioned by either driver at the time of the Sheriff’s report.

Damage to the pickup was estimated at $5,000. The semi sustained about $25,000 damage. And, the stop sign owned by the State of Iowa, sustained $200 damage.

The Montgomery County Auditor’s Office reports as of yesterday (Thursday), the following candidates have filed nomination papers and will appear on the November 5^th ballot for City/School Elections:

• In the City of Elliott, those filing their papers thus far include incumbent City Council members Travis Johnson and Jessica Rasmussen.
• In Stanton, incumbent mayor Kirk Requist has filed papers for re-election.
• In Grant four incumbent Council members have filed for re-election: Jeff Brown, Zelda Swartz, Steve Williams, and Nancy Taylor.

School board candidates and community college trustees must file nomination papers with the school board or community college board secretary respectively. City candidates must file nomination papers with their respective County Auditor’s Office. The deadline to file nomination papers is Thursday, Sept. 19^th.

ATLANTIC, Iowa – Sept. 5, 2019 – Motorists can expect delays on Iowa Highway 2 between Interstate 29 and Nebraska City, NE this Sunday, Sept. 8 beginning at 9:30 a.m., as equipment is scheduled to be moved. The Iowa Department of Transportation’s District 4 Office in Atlantic says traffic should be restored to a normal head-to-head traffic pattern by 10 a.m. Sunday morning.

The Iowa DOT reminds motorists to drive with caution, obey the posted speed limit and other signs in the work area, and be aware that traffic fines for moving violations are at least double in work zones. As in all work zones, drivers should stay alert, allow ample space between vehicles, and wear seat belts.

The latest traveler information is available anytime through the DOT’s 511 system. Visit 511ia.org; call 511 (within Iowa) or 800-288-1047 (nationwide); stay connected with 511 on Facebook or Twitter; or download the free app to your mobile device.

The Creston Police Department reports three people were arrested on separate charges, Thursday. At around 9:45-a.m., 54-year old Craig Hauser, of Creston, was arrested for Public Intoxication. Hauser was being held in the Union County Jail on $300 bond. At around 6:40-p.m., 30-year old Cory James Bonzer, of Iowa Falls, was arrested at the Greater Regional Medical Center, in Creston. Bonzer was arrested on a Hardin County Warrant for Violation of Probation, and later released to Hardin County deputies.

And, at around 8:50-p.m., Thursday, Creston Police arrested 50-year old Mary Ann Giles, of Creston. She was arrested at the Law Enforcement Center on a warrant for Probation Violation. Giles was being held without bond in the Adams County Jail, until seen by the judge.

The area’s latest and/or top news stories at 7:06-a.m. From KJAN News Director Ric Hanson.

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FORT MADISON, Iowa (AP) — Officials say the Sheaffer Pen Museum has reopened in Fort Madison. The museum closed in May last year amid financial concerns and worries about the fate of company archives. The Fort Madison Daily Democrat reports that the archives had been on loan from A.T. Cross, Sheaffer’s owner.

The museum board president, Tim Gobble, says Cross has agreed to donate virtually all of the company archives to the museum. Grants and other financial pledges of support since have allowed the museum to reopen.

Plans are being made for new and refreshed exhibits, as well as video from the company archives. The museum’s regular hours are 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday, Wednesday and Friday or by appointment for larger groups.

This weekend, September 7th & 8th, smoke, steam, straw and family fun will fill the air at the Carstens 1880 Farmstead, during the 37th Annual Carstens Farm Days show.  Farm Days is an event that aims to preserve and celebrate Iowa’s Farm History through live demonstrations of antique farm equipment and a blend of unique exhibits and crafts.  It’s a tractor and threshing show and so much more.  The two-day show is held on the historic Carstens 1880 Farmstead just south of I-80 Exit 34, Shelby, Iowa.  The hours are 6:30 am – 7:00 pm both days. A parade of classic cars, implements, tractors and trucks will take place both days at 2 pm.

Farm Days Weekend is fun for all ages.  Over 250 vintage tractors and implements will be on display for visitors to enjoy.  A variety of steam engines, gas “hit and miss” engines and one-of-a-kind implements will be in operations across the farm grounds.  Joining the power equipment will be many antique/classic cars and trucks. Minneapolis-Moline tractors, engines and implements will be featured at this year’s show.  Over 100 carefully restored Minneapolis-Moline tractors will be on display.  Anyone who would like to add his or her Minneapolis Moline to the exhibit is welcome.  Register at the registration building near the front gate when you arrive.

1919 Russell

Carstens 1880 Farmstead, Inc. President Mel Hursey says “People are invited to come here and re-live old memories and make some new memories with their family. Farm Days will not only showcase the progress of agriculture, it will also showcase the progress our community has made here on this farm.” Traditional demonstrations will be on-going throughout the weekend.  Visitors can expect to see threshing machines in action, antique tractor plowing, corn picking, straw baling, blacksmithing, corn binding, and a working sawmill.  Admission to Farm Days also allows visitors to wander through the four-acre corn maze which contains nearly two miles of pathways.  There will be a number of musical acts under the shade trees.  On the main stage near the Carstens’s family home, colorful and talented cloggers will kick up their heels to entertain the crowd.

Nearly 100 vendors are expected to be selling a wide range of crafts, tools, toys and novelty items.  A colorful display of quilts, wall hangings, wearable art and other types of quilting projects will be featured in the special event building at the farm.  Many talented quilters from around the area will allow their works of art to be displayed for all to enjoy.  Raffle tickets for the beautiful hand-stitched quilt, which will be raffled during Farm Days will be available during the quilt show.

This (Friday) evening, a pulled pork sandwich dinner will be hosted by the Friends of the Shelby Stone Arch Trail Committee.  Proceeds of the Friday evening dinner will go to the trail committee.  The dinner will be served from 5:30 – 7:30 pm.  All good days begin with a good breakfast and to start Farm Days off right, a pancake breakfast is planned at 6:30 a.m. both Saturday and Sunday.  Snacks and lunch options will also be available.  Various non-profit local groups will be offering refreshments and delicious desserts all weekend.  On Saturday beginning at 5:30 p.m. enjoy Staley’s Chicken for a delicious dinner at the farm.  Proceeds from the dinner will go toward on-going maintenance at Carstens 1880 Farmstead. Admission to Farm Days remains one of the best values for any show of its kind.  Admission is $5 per day for everyone nine years and older.

Carstens 1880 Farmstead, Inc., a non-profit group of local volunteers, oversees an 80-acre working farm museum exhibit located between Minden and Shelby, Iowa in Pottawattamie County.  The farmstead is the home of Carstens Farm Days, which is held the first weekend after Labor Day each September.  It is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.  For more information visit the web site: www.carstensfarm.com