SIOUX CITY, Iowa (AP) — Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand introduced herself to Iowa Democrats as a common-sense fighter for family, and especially children’s, issues, in her first visit to the early-voting state as a 2020 Democratic presidential prospect. Unlike some of her potential rivals, the New York senator was starting from scratch in a state where few Democratic activists have a strong impression of her and where some say she’s known more for criticisms of her.

“We have to take on these systems of power that destroy our hopes” for better lives for families, Gillibrand told a dozen Sioux City Democrats at a coffee shop in the western Iowa city Friday. “That’s why I’m running, and that’s what I think we have to fight for.” Gillibrand, who announced her intentions to run on “The Late Show with Stephen Colbert” on Tuesday, wasted little time getting to the state where the 2020 caucuses launch the Democratic presidential selection process.

Gillibrand initially positioned herself more in line with the conservative House district she represented before 2009, when she replaced Hillary Clinton as New York’s junior senator. She was asked to explain the change during a gathering of party activists in Sioux City at the private home of a prominent Democrat. Gillibrand told the roughly two dozen guests that after she had become a senator, she met with the family and friends of a teenage girl who had been shot and killed in Brooklyn. “I had just felt convicted that I had done the wrong thing” by opposing gun control, she said. “And if I’m unwilling to fight for her family, I’m not doing my job.”

On immigration, she has now called for retooling the Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency.
Likewise, she was asked why she was the first public advocate for former Minnesota Sen. Al Franken to resign. Gillibrand has faced withering criticism from Democrats who said Franken, who resigned his seat in December 2017 after allegations by women that he had groped them, had done far less than what other men have been accused of doing, chiefly President Donald Trump, though the president has denied all allegations of sexual impropriety.

On Friday, Gillibrand headlined the house gathering after chatting for 45 minutes with Iowans and the entourage of media in the coffee shop. She was one of the few prominent 2020 Democrats who attended a Women’s March event this year amid anti-Semitism charges that have plagued the event’s national leadership team. But the senator said the controversy wouldn’t disrupt her commitment to the march’s broader mission. Gillibrand also praised Iowa voters for sending two women represent the state in Congress.

Gillibrand’s Iowa trip is the beginning of her journey to introduce herself to more Americans outside New York, which she has represented in Washington since 2006, first as a congresswoman and then as a senator. She has distinguished herself in the nation’s capital with her outspoken opposition to President Donald Trump and her forceful advocacy for victims of sexual assault and harassment.
Unlike several of the more than a dozen Democrats who have signaled an interest in running,

The Iowa State Patrol reports a Missouri Valley man was injured following an accident on Interstate 29 on Saturday morning. At 1:28am Troopers responded to the accident at mile-marker 59 on I-29 Southbound. After investigation it was determined that 28-year-old Daniel Rose of Missouri Valley was driving a 2014 Jeep Cherokee southbound on I-29 when he lost control. The Jeep entered the west ditch and struck a tree. Rose told troopers he fell asleep at the wheel. Rose suffered unknown injuries and was taken to UNMC in Omaha by Crescent Rescue.

An investigation into the accident is ongoing.

w/ Chris Parks

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Here is the latest Iowa news from The Associated Press at 3:40 a.m. CST

SIOUX CITY, Iowa (AP) — Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand is highlighting family and children’s issues as she introduces herself to Iowa Democrats. It’s her first visit to the early-voting state as a 2020 Democratic presidential prospect. Unlike some of her potential rivals, the New York senator was starting from scratch in a state where few Democratic activists have a strong impression of her. One Sioux City Democrat said she was impressed by what she saw in Gillibrand, noting her “soft-spoken passion.”

ADEL, Iowa (AP) — An Iowa couple convicted in the starvation death of their 16-year-old adopted daughter will likely spend the rest of their lives in prison. A judge Friday sentenced 41-year-old Misty Jo Bousman Ray to a life sentence with no possibility of parole and her husband, 43-year-old Marc Ray, to 80 years in prison. They were arrested following the May 2017 death of Sabrina Ray, who weighed only 56 pounds when she died.

MUSCATINE, Iowa (AP) — An eastern Iowa man who tried to organize the killings of witnesses from behind bars so they couldn’t testify against him has been sentenced to at least 50 years in prison. The Muscatine Journal reports that 38-year-old old Justin Lee DeWitt was sentenced Friday in Muscatine County District Court for three counts of attempted murder.

Authorities at Omaha’s Eppley Airfield say a plane has slid off an ice-slicked runway. Airport officials said on Twitter that no one was injured when the Southwest Airlines plane went off the end of the runway after landing just after 2 p.m. Friday. The incident led authorities to close the airport Friday afternoon and suspend all flights.

Officials said airport fire crews were working with Southwest to get passengers off the plane and take them to the terminal.

ADEL, Iowa (AP) — An Iowa couple convicted in the starvation death of their 16-year-old adopted daughter will likely spend the rest of their lives in prison. A judge Friday sentenced 41-year-old Misty Jo Bousman Ray to a life sentence without the possibility of parole and her husband, 43-year-old Marc Ray, to 80 years in prison. They were arrested following the May 2017 death of Sabrina Ray, who weighed only 56 pounds when she died.

Misty Jo Bousman Ray pleaded guilty Jan. 9 to one count of first-degree kidnapping and two counts of third-degree kidnapping involving two other adopted children who lived at her Perry home. Marc Ray, pleaded guilty last month to child endangerment causing death and three counts of third-degree kidnapping. Misty Jo Bousman Ray apologized, saying “all of this is my fault.”

C.L.E.A.N. of Cass County is spearheading a project to collect winter clothing (Gloves, coats, caps and lap/small size blankets) to provide for Cass County homeless persons and those less fortunate. You may drop off your new or gently used donations at Akin Building Center, where a drop-box is located.

On Wednesday, January 30th, C.L.E.A.N volunteers will collect those items and drive around the county delivering backpacks full of toiletries, winter gear, blankets, food, and more to the areas there is a need.

If you have questions or would like to help on January 30th, please contact Sam Schwartz at 712-250-8867, Damon Clark at 712-249-9611, or Megan Bierbaum at 712-243-7829.

Authorities in Shelby County said Friday (Today), that on Thursday, January 17th, an investigation occurred based on an allegation at the Harlan High School, stating a student made a general threat against the school and school officials. School officials identified in the allegation were notified of the threat.

Administration investigated the allegation and it was determined that while there was not an immediate threat to the school, the matter was turned over to law enforcement. Law enforcement has been notified and is investigating the allegation.

The student who allegedly made these threats will not be at school in the coming days.

MASON CITY, Iowa (AP) — The Iowa Department of Transportation says road conditions are deteriorating in northern Iowa as a winter storm sweeps the Midwest for a second straight weekend. The department says visibility is below a half mile in many locations, with snow and winds of up to 20 mph hitting areas like Mason City and Clear Lake. Motorists are being warned to use extra caution on roads.

The National Weather Service has issued a winter storm warning for Friday afternoon into Saturday for all of eastern Iowa, with high winds and snow up to 8 inches in northeastern Iowa. Some cities have already declared snow emergencies in anticipation of the storm, and some school events have been postponed or canceled.