DES MOINES – Iowa Gov. Reynolds has signed a new Public Health Disaster proclamation that modifies existing public health measures designed to reduce the spread of COVID-19. The proclamation signed Thursday continues to require that when people are in an indoor public space, and unable to social distance for 15 minutes or longer, masks are required to be worn.

Spectator limits for sporting and recreational gatherings, including for high school-sponsored events, will be lifted Friday, January 8th, 2021.  Other public health measures have been extended until Saturday, February 6th, 2021.

The proclamation can found online here.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds has condemned the violent protest at the U.S. Capitol but remains sympathetic to unfounded assertions questioning the integrity of the presidential election. On Thursday, Reynolds told reporters the attack was unacceptable and that those responsible should be prosecuted. But she says it’s a concern that half of the electorate doesn’t believe the election results and that something should be done to address that.

FILE – In this May 6, 2020 file photo, President Donald Trump speaks during a meeting with Gov. Kim Reynolds, R-Iowa, in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington. Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds has condemned the violent protest at the U.S. Capitol but remains sympathetic to unfounded assertions questioning the integrity of the presidential election. On Thursday, Jan. 7, 20201, Reynolds told reporters the attack was unacceptable and that those responsible should be prosecuted. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci File)

Reynolds has been a staunch advocate of President Donald Trump. She hasn’t criticized him for encouraging supporters before the attack, and she only acknowledged President-elect Joe Biden’s victory after Congress certified the electoral results.

(Radio Iowa) – The pandemic is straining Iowa non-profits and their donors with significant drops in fundraising and volunteers. While some groups found new ways to get resources to those in need, other shelters and food banks can’t meet demand. Kari McCann Boutell, president of the Iowa Council of Foundations, says COVID-19 has forced many Iowans to turn to the organizations they once helped support.

She encourages those Iowans who can no longer afford to make a monetary donation to a community foundation or charity to consider volunteering for those agencies instead.

She says foundations are finding new ways to meet Iowans’ needs, but are still eager for volunteers to help support their work — and to do so safely.

(By Kate Payne, Iowa Public Radio)

(Radio Iowa) – Governor Kim Reynolds says due to the pandemic, she will not ask legislators to pass the tax reform plan she unveiled last February.

The plan called for cutting individual income taxes by 10 percent while raising the sales tax one percent. The new sales tax revenue would have been used on water quality and the mental health system. Reynolds says her goal with the plan was to set the stage for a decade of growth and transformation in Iowa.

Reynolds says Iowa’s economy has been resilient during the pandemic and, unlike other states, Iowa policymakers aren’t contemplating tax increases to deal with state budget deficits.

Audubon Police Chief Matt Starmer reports three arrests took place over the past couple of weeks. On Dec. 25th, 24- year-old Zeth Lee Petersen, of Audubon, was arrested for Burglary – 2^nd degree and Theft – 3^rd degree.  Petersen was transported to the Audubon County Jail and held on a $12,000 cash bond.

On Dec. 31st, 30-year-old Scott Nathaniel Belew, of Audubon, was charged with Driving Under Suspension.  Belew was released on scene on promise to appear.

And, on Tuesday, Jan. 6th, 35-year-old Payton Thomas Watzke, of Audubon, was arrested and charged with Possession of Stolen Property.  Watzke was transported to the Audubon County Jail to appear before a magistrate.

CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa (AP) — A former U.S. congressman for Iowa has announced he’s leaving the Republican Party following Wednesday’s violent assault on the Capitol by supporters of President Donald Trump. Former Rep. Jim Nussle announced on Twitter that he “will no longer claim I am a Republican,” expressing outrage over the rioting in which mobs stormed the U.S. Capitol and forced lawmakers to be rushed from the building.

Nussle also wrote that he was devastated by the actions of “too many elected Republicans (some I know and served with) and supporters.” Nussle represented Iowa congressional districts from 1991-2007. He lost Iowa’s 2006 gubernatorial race against Democrat Chet Culver.

DES MOINES, Iowa – Marc Krickbaum, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of Iowa, announced he is resigning today. “Serving as United States Attorney has been the privilege of my professional life,” Mr. Krickbaum said. “I am grateful to the law enforcement and agencies we serve with, and to the people of the U.S. Attorney’s Office. They have done great things,
and they have many more to come.”

Mr. Krickbaum has served as United States Attorney, the district’s chief federal prosecutor, since 2017, and before that worked for almost a decade as a career prosecutor in two United States
Attorney’s Offices. During his tenure, the U.S. Attorney’s Office brought significant prosecutions against violent street gangs and others responsible for gun crime, targeted those who sexually exploit children, and obtained significant civil settlements against those who commit health care fraud and other fraud against the government.