IOWA CITY, Iowa (AP) — Democrat Rita Hart is asking the U.S. House to investigate and overturn the race that Iowa says she lost by six votes, arguing that 22 ballots were wrongly excluded and others weren’t examined during the recount. The campaign provided the notice of contest to The Associated Press and announced its filing Tuesday morning. In the document, Hart argues that she would have netted 15 votes and defeated Republican Mariannette Miller-Meeks had the 22 ballots been counted in Iowa’s 2nd Congressional District.

Hart is asking the Democratic-led House to count those votes and conduct a uniform recount throughout the district’s 24 counties. She says she is confident she will be ahead after that process and declared the winner.

COUNCIL BLUFFS, Iowa. (AP) — A jury trial is scheduled for February for a man accused of killing his step-sister in Iowa nearly 22 years ago. The Council Bluffs Nonpareil reports that an attorney for Matt W. Kennedy entered a not guilty plea on his behalf on Friday. Court records show the trial will begin Feb. 2. Kennedy remains jailed on $1 million bond. Kimberly Ratliff’s body was found inside her car on Jan. 12, 1999, in Council Bluffs. Police say Ratliff’s throat had been slashed.

Kennedy, who is now 52, was arrested in October. An arrest affidavit says advancements in DNA technology enabled police to link him to the killing.

The Griswold School Board met Monday evening. Superintendent Dave Henrichs said the Board accepted the resignation of Chase Wallace as Middle School Boys Track Coach, and approved the hiring of Matt Spunaugle to fill the position. The Board also received an update on the status of COVID-19 in the District. Henrichs said they discussed the current positivity rate in Cass County, which, as of Monday was 14.9%.

Henrichs said the Board over the past few months been discussing having their remote learners return to school, unless they have a medical exemption.

In other business, Business Manager Dan Rold presented information with regard to the closing of the FY 2020 Financial Books. The report showed the District’s Spending Authority increased from $1.1-million to $1.4-million, and the Solvency Ratio went from 12.48% to 20.87%. Henrichs said for schools their size, the range should be between 15 and 20-percent, so they feel good about that. They also had what Henrichs described as an “Outstanding” Audit Report.

The Griswold School Board approved the District’s Developed Special Education Plan. Henrichs said also, there will be Special Joint Board meeting with Lenox on January 6^th, to look at continuing the shared Superintendent’s position. And a Work Session will be held 4:30-p.m. January 6^th, for the purpose of a facilities assessment.