(Radio Iowa) – The Minnesota state senator and his wife who were shot early this morning in their home have connections to Iowa. Senator John Hoffman worked for Polk County and the State of Iowa from 1991 to 2001 according to the Minnesota Legislative Reference Library. Kate Garner was an intern at a Des Moines radio station where Hoffman’s wife, Yvette, was a co-hosting a morning show in the 1990s. “They actually met at a political fundraiser with shared friends,” Garner said this afternoon, “and they hit it off immediately.”

Garner describes Yvette as her first mentor when she started out in radio and they became lifelong friends. “She is the ultimate political wife, but in the good, really supportive, bake-cupcakes-make-signs, whatever kind of way,” Garner said during an interview with Radio Iowa. “And he is the just serious but fun, dedicated guy and they made this amazing marriage with this amazing daughter Hope, who has spina bifida and they took that and helped her become an activist and they’re this little powerhouse family.”

Garner indicated Yvette’s friends have been keeping in touch via social media in hopes to learning more about the couple’s condition. “Her brother gave an update that John’s heart was barely missed and Yvette, even though she was shot three times, did not have an organ hit, which is miraculous,” Garner said. “The thing that really got me and is 100% Yvett is that when the gunman opened fire, she threw herself on Hope. That’s how Hope didn’t get shot…She’s always been a ‘mama bear’ and she ‘mama beared’ to save her daughter’s life.”

Garner said it’s hard to wrap her head around what happened. “Finding out more detail is both helpful and disheartening,” Garner said. “The fact that someone would put together a list of people to hurt because overwhelmingly they care about other people — as an Iowan and an American, it’s hard for me to fathom.”

Iowa political leaders have issued written statements after news of the shooting at the Hoffman’s home and the apparent assassination of Minnesota Representative Melissa Hortman and her husband. Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds, in a post on X at 1:30 p.m. said: “Horrific news coming out of Minnesota. Political violence is unacceptable, and anyone responsible for this attack must be brought to justice. We are keeping the victims and all the people of Minnesota in our prayers.”

Writing on the X platform, U.S. Senator Chuck Grassley said: “Horrible news in our neighbor to the north/MN w the targeting of public servants Violence is never the answer I hope suspect is caught & swiftly brought to justice” The top Democrats in the Iowa legislature issued statements late this morning.

“Our thoughts are with the families of the two Minnesota lawmakers and their spouses who were shot in their homes last night. I am horrified about the apparent assassination of former Minnesota House Speaker Melissa Hortman. As state legislators, it’s deeply troubling to see public servants become the subject of this kind of targeted violence,” House Minority Leader Brian Meyer said.

Iowa Senate Democratic Leader Senator Janice Weiner said: “As a fellow lawmaker, a human being, and an American, this is horrendous. There is never a place for this kind of violence, period. My deepest condolences to the family, friends, and colleagues of Minnesota Speaker Melissa Hortman and her husband. My prayers for healing for Senator John Hoffman and his wife. As a country, we must stand side by side with each other, regardless of our differences.”

Minnesota Senator John Hoffman worked for Polk County and the Iowa Dept of Human Services from 1991-2001. (Official MN legislature photo)

Iowa Senate Majority Leader Jack Whitver issued a statement early this evening. “I am deeply saddened to hear about the tragic shootings in Minnesota. Unfortunately, today it is once again necessary to condemn political violence in all forms. Our thoughts and prayers are with Minnesota lawmakers and citizens during this unimaginable time. Our hope is the perpetrator is brought to justice and peace is brought to the victims and their families.”

Iowa Congresswoman Ashley Hinson (R-Marion) said in a statement on social media that she was “heartbroken by the shooting of two state legislators in Minnesota. Political violence is never acceptable and I am praying for the Hortman & Hoffman families & their loved ones amid this horrible tragedy. The perpetrator must be held accountable to the fullest extent of the law.”

Iowa Congresswoman Mariannette Miller-Meeks (R-Davenport) said in a statement on X that she was “devastated by the horrific shootings targeting two Minnesota lawmakers and their families. While the motive remains unclear, there is absolutely no place for political violence in America. My prayers are with the Hortman and Hoffman families and all members of the Minnesota delegation during this heartbreaking time.”

(Lewis, Iowa) – The Cass County Conservation Board held a youth fishing derby at Cold Springs Park on Saturday, June 14, 2025.

Prizes were awarded for the most overall weight: 1st Breken Amos; 2nd Cillia Shinkle; 3rd Waylon Carrigan. Awards also given for heaviest single fish and longest single fish: Breken Amos;, and shortest single fish Braxton Miller.

The CCCB thank the businesses that donated items for the event: Weirich Welding for the trophies; Cappel’s Ace Hardware, and Scheels for prizes.

(From left to right): Cillia Shinkle; Breken Amos; Waylon Carrigan; Braxton Miller. (Photo courtesy Cass County Naturalist Lora Kanning).

(Atlantic, Iowa) – The Cass County Board of Supervisors have a busy meeting scheduled for Tuesday, June 17th. During their session that begins at 9-a.m., the Board is expected to receive a monthly report from Cass/Guthrie County Executive Director of Environmental Health, Jotham Arber, and a presentation from officials with Anita Economic Development.

The Supervisors will discuss Landus’ plan for improvements to their newly constructed anhydrous ammonia storage site south of their facility just west of Highway 71 (formerly Wickman Chemical). The plan includes a proposed 90,000 gallon NH3 (anhydrous ammonia) tank that will be relocated from a facility in southern Minnesota and place it just west of the existing 72,000 gallon tank, bringing the total capacity at the site northeast of Atlantic, to 162,000 gallons. The site plan conforms to IDALS requirements. Officials with the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship have inspected the site, and according to the agenda comments, have no issues with adding the additional tank.

The Board will consider a counsel proposal from Ahlers-Cooney Attorneys, and act on approving resolutions adjusting the Medical Examiner fees and a Rural Transit System Joint Participation Agreement with SWIPCO/SWITA. Among the action items to come before the Supervisors, is:

• Renewing the contract of County Engineer Trent Wolken for three-years (June 20, 2025-June 30, 2028).
• Approving wages and salaries for FY 2025-26.
• Certifying the annual base salary of deputies appointed by elected officials (Treasurer, Recorder and Auditor).
• Setting the annual base salary of deputy sheriffs classified as “Exempt” & “Non-Exempt.”
• Setting the compensation for extra help and clerks appointed by principal county officers.
• Setting the annual salary and wages of non-exempt sheriff’s deputies and additional help and clerks.
• Setting the annual salary for the Jail Administrator position.
• and, setting the single- and family- non-participation rates for county health insurance premiums for Jan.-Dec, 2026.

DES MOINES, IA – On Friday, Iowa candidate for governor Rob Sand announced every stop of his annual 100-stop tour across Iowa – including Lee County’s two county seats –  with the first stops beginning on Wednesday, June 25 in Waukee and Ankeny.

His campaign said in Sand’s news release, the tour will be an opportunity for Rob to hear directly from Iowans about their top concerns, and for Iowans to hear directly from Rob about his vision to lower costs, make government more accountable, and help Iowans live better, healthier lives.

Democratic candidate for governor and State Auditor Rob Sand speaks with residents of Exira about water shortages on June 3, 2025. (Photo by Cami Koons/ Iowa Capital Dispatch)

“As elected officials, it’s our job to show up and listen everywhere and to every Iowan. That’s what I’ve done every year since taking office as State Auditor, and it’s exactly what I plan on doing throughout this tour,” said Rob Sand. “Too many of our elected officials have left Iowa families behind to instead serve powerful insiders or their donors. I will go anywhere and talk to anyone because I believe we have to bring all Iowans together to solve some of our toughest challenges. I look forward to sharing my vision with Iowans and hearing from them directly throughout this tour. See you on the road!”

You can view the full tour schedule below, including dates, times, and locations, or visit RobSand.com/events.In southwest Iowa, Sand’s schedule includes:

Monday, August 4:

• Page County, IA, 9:15am
• Fremont County, IA, 11:15am
• Mills County, IA, 1:15pm
• Montgomery County, IA, 3:30pm
• Cass County, IA, 5:45pm
• Adair County, IA, 8pm

Tuesday, August 5:

• Adams County, IA, 9am
• Taylor County, IA, 11am
• Ringgold County, IA, 1:15pm
• Union County, IA, 3:30pm

Tuesday, August 19:

• Harrison County, IA, 9am
• Shelby County, IA, 11am
• Audubon County, IA, 1pm
• Guthrie County, IA, 3pm
• Calhoun County, IA, 5:30pm
• Greene County, IA, 7:45pm

CEDAR RAPIDS—Paul Pate today (Saturday) announced his plans to run for reelection as Iowa’s Secretary of State. Pate pointed to his numerous accomplishments over the years, including implementing voter ID and post-election audits, paper ballots, award-winning cybersecurity measures, and more. Pate also pointed to his efforts to bring new cutting edge technology to the office’s business services with the launch of the online Fast Track Filing tool and 24/7 call center staffed by Iowans.

(Iowa Capital Dispatch) – The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Friday, released its renewable fuel standards draft rule which, if finalized, would set record high levels of biofuels to be blended into U.S. transportation fuels. Iowa Renewable Fuels Association Executive Director Monte Shaw said the draft rule, which proposes a total 24.02 billion gallon blending level in 2026, is a “very strong starting point for further discussions.” Shaw said the association will need time to evaluate the proposal, specifically as it relates to changes in credits for imported fuels and feedstocks.

According to the proposal, EPA is considering “several regulatory changes” to the RFS program that would reduce the number of Renewable Identification Numbers, or RINs which is the measuring unit for renewable fuel, for imported renewable fuels and renewable fuels produced from imported feedstocks.

U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins at the Elite Ethanol production facility in Atlantic. (Photo by Cecilia Lynch/USDA)

The U.S. Department of Agriculture reports imported biodiesel feedstocks, like used cooking oil, tallow and canola oil have all increased over the past several years due to the high cost of domestic feedstocks. According to the same report, in the 2023 and 2024 marketing year, the U.S. consumed nearly 30% of biofuel feedstocks exported globally.

The news to prioritize domestic feedstocks was welcomed by Iowa Soybean Association President Brent Swart, who said biomass-based diesel supports “roughly 10% of the price per bushel of soybeans.” U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins said USDA and EPA have “never been more aligned” on the demand for domestically grown biofuels.

EPA will host a public hearing on the rules July 8.

Shaw said IRFA plans to work with EPA through the commenting period and to secure a final rule from the agency.