(Radio Iowa) – With 33 days left until Election Day, Vice President Mike Pence is campaigning in Iowa.

During a speech early this (Thursday) afternoon in western Iowa, Pence began by praising Trump’s performance in Tuesday night’s debate.

Early this (Thursday) afternoon, Pence spoke to about 275 people in a Carter Lake plant that makes galvanized metal parts for bridges and other structures. The visit gave Pence an audience in Iowa, where polls suggest there’s a tight race for Iowa’s six Electoral College votes, and in Nebraska, where one of its Electoral College votes in the Omaha area is up for grabs.

Pence touted President Trump’s appointments to federal courts drawing huge cheers from the crowd. Pence promised a Covid vaccine would be available before the end of this year and the country’s economy would continue its comeback.

This is Pence’s sixth visit to Iowa this year and he hinted at his own aspirations to run for president in 2024. After the crowd chanted: “four more years” for Trump, Pence gave the audience a check list for speaking with their neighbors.

Later this (Thursday) afternoon Pence will speak at a fundraiser in Des Moines for The Family Leader, a Christian conservative group. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo — a potential Pence rival for the Republican Party’s 2024 nomination — spoke to the group this summer.

(Radio Iowa) – Fifteen inmates and one staff member at the state prison in Clarinda have tested positive for the coronavirus according to a spokesman for the state prison system. Jessica Erdman, the Page County Public Health Administrator, says the source of the outbreak hasn’t been pinpointed. “They’re pretty inundated right now so they haven’t really been able to sit down and go over everything with us as of yet,” she says. “We’re hoping to get that done just sometime today or tomorrow.”

A total of 30 cases of Covid in Page County were confirmed yesterday (Wednesday) — the highest one-day total for the county since the pandemic began. “Keep wearing your mask and keep social distancing and you know we are seeing a good amount of spread here in the county and we would really like to get that number back down,” Erdman says. “The month of September has been our highest month, to date, so we are hoping October is a better month for us.”

Erdman says the Clarinda Lutheran School will shift all students online Monday because at least seven confirmed Covid cases are associated with the school.

CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa (AP) — A man who shot and killed two people and injured two others in a Cedar Rapids parking lot has been sentenced to 75 years in prison. KCRG-TV reports that 27-year-old Andre Richardson was sentenced Wednesday. He pleaded guilty in June to two counts of second-degree murder, attempted murder and other charges. The shooting happened in May 2019 outside a smoke shop near Kirkwood Community College. Matrell Johnson and Royal Abram, both 18, died in the shootings. Two others also were hit by bullets but survived.

Audubon Police Chief Matt Starmer has issued a report on arrests. The dates, location and other pertinent information in each case, was not released.  Chief Starmer says:

• 23-year oldTristan Lee Stevens, of Audubon, was charged with Theft 5th degree and Criminal Mischief 5th degree.
• 28-year old Cornelius Unger Peters, of Audubon, was cited for Dog at Large – 3rd or more offenses.
• 36-year old Adam Lee Morris, of Audubon, was arrested for Driving While Revoked.
• 27-year old Joseph Andrew Riesberg, of Audubon, was arrested on a warrant for another agency.
• 37-year old Robert Lenard Wenninger, Jr., of Audubon, was arrested for Assault Causing Injury.
• 29-year old Joel Matthew Musfeldt, of Audubon, was arrested for Assault Causing Injury.
• 36-year old Lindsey Marie Henriksen, of Audubon, was arrested for Assault Causing Injury.
• 28-year old Daniel Knight Jones of Audubon, was arrested for Domestic Abuse Causing Injury, Child Endangerment Causing Injury.
• A 17-year old male from Audubon, was arrested on two counts Attempted Burglary, three counts Burglary, three counts of Theft 5th degree, and Unlawful Possession of Prescription Pills.
• and, 28-year old Jesse Lee Brubaker, of Audubon, was arrested on a warrant for another agency.

ATLANTIC, Iowa – Oct. 1, 2020 – The Iowa Department of Transportation reports pavement patching and repairs on Iowa Highway 83 at East Second and Poplar streets, in Atlantic, will require temporary daytime lane closures beginning on Monday, Oct. 5th, until Monday, Oct. 12th, weather permitting. Traffic will be maintained with flaggers during the project.

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.