(Radio Iowa) – Most members of the Iowa legislature have started the long process of a proposing a constitutional fix that would again let some child witnesses testify against an alleged abuser remotely. Iowa Attorney General Brenna Bird proposed the amendment after the Iowa Supreme Court ruled it is unconstitutional for children to testify against their accused abusers without facing them in person in court. Representative Steven Holt of Denison says the opinion offered no guidance on what options the courts could take so child abuse victims aren’t traumatized again.

Representative Charley Thomson of Charles City is among the six lawmakers who voted against advancing the proposed constitutional amendment.

Others, like Representative Ken Croken (CROH-ken) of Davenport, argue the legislature should pass a state law now to allow video testimony from children who are witnesses in abuse cases.

Representative Mark Thompson of Clarion supports the proposed amendment. He says justice is not served when a victim is too intimidated to testify.

The proposed amendment to Iowa’s Constitution says the right of an accused to confront a child under the age of 18 as well as witnesses with a mental illness or intellectual disability may be limited by law. That language has been approved by legislators this year — and must again in 2027 or 2028 before voters could decide whether to add it to Iowa’s Constitution.

(Radio Iowa) – An Easter weekend tradition in Iowa since the 1960s returns this year with the Pony Express Ride to benefit Camp Sunnyside, for children and adults with and without disabilities. Horseback riders from across the state will converge to help deliver donations to the Easter Seals camp in Des Moines. Lynn Bumsted, of Unionville, is president of the Pony Express Riders of Iowa. Bumsted says the riders will arrive at mid-afternoon Saturday for the ride to the camp.

Through the years, participants have ridden their horses despite the heat, the rain, or the snow. The annual Pony Express Dance will be held at the Lake Robbins Ballroom near Woodward on Saturday night with a breakfast to follow for the dancers. Bumstead says the riders always bring in generous donations for Camp Sunnyside.

Donations can be made to the Easter Seals of Iowa or the Pony Express Riders of Iowa.

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More information on the web at:

https://www.easterseals.com/ia/
https://ponyexpressridersofiowa.org/

(Atlantic, Iowa) – The Cass County Relay for Life committee is branching out in 2025. Organizers say after over 25 years of a traditional Relay event, it was time for a change. In lieu of that traditional event Relay for Life will host or have a presence at a number of Cass County events this year. That starts on Saturday, April 26, 2025, with the Spring into Relay social event from 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. at Heritage House in Atlantic. This public event will feature a time for gathering, cake and punch, bake sale, gospel music, and the debut of an honorary slideshow featuring local cancer survivors or loved ones lost.

Cass County Relay for Life Chair Carole Schuler said, “We continue to strive to support those battling cancer in our region and we felt it was time for a change from the traditional event. We hope to reach more segments of the community to boost our outreach and fundraising.”

A $10 suggested donation is requested for entry into the event and is open to all area residents. The program will include some timely information and statistics, time for comradery and companionship, and celebration of survivors and remembrance of those lost during the slideshow.

Kris and Dave Ferry will be providing musical entertainment at the event.

Kris and Dave Ferry will share their musical talents with some gospel music interspersed in the program. Kris and Dave Ferry have been married for nearly 50 years and Dave has been active singing, writing, and playing music for many years. Dave said he loves to share music with others any chance he gets, and this event has a meaningful connection as Kris battles cancer.

If you would like someone featured in the slideshow please send a photo and description to chparks@gmail.com or ddmarnin@yahoo.com A $10 suggested donation is requested to be included in the slideshow and will allow the submitter attendance to the event. Donate to the team Walking to Cure at www.relayforlife.org/casscountyia

The Relay team hopes to see many cancer survivors, caregivers, and community supporters on April 26th for an afternoon of celebration, remembrance, and comradery. Join the Relay for Life of Cass County Facebook group or visit relayforlife.org/casscountyia to keep up with events in 2025. They will be hosting or attending multiple events to reach more Cass County residents, share more of their mission, and raise money to help the American Cancer Society save lives and lead the fight for a world without cancer.

COUNCIL BLUFFS, Iowa – The U-S Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Iowa, Friday (today), said a Council Bluffs man was sentenced on April 15, 2025 to 46 months (3.8-years) in federal prison, for possessing a firearm as a felon. Court documents say 47-year-old Rafael Partida attempted to elude law enforcement while armed with a loaded pistol. On May 19, 2024, an Iowa State Patrol Trooper attempted to stop Partida on his motorcycle. Partida eventually crashed the motorcycle, fled on foot, tossed his backpack, and was apprehended. In Partida’s backpack was a loaded handgun and 23 additional rounds of ammunition.

After completing his term of imprisonment, Partida will be required to serve a three-year term of supervised release. There is no parole in the federal system. The case was investigated by the Iowa Department of Public Safety—Division of Narcotics Enforcement and the Iowa State Patrol.

The case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results. For more information about Project Safe Neighborhoods, please visit Justice.gov/PSN.

(Radio Iowa) – Damage is being assessed in southwest Iowa’s Page and Fremont counties after a tornado touched down Thursday night. Page County emergency management coordinator Jill Harvey says the storm veered north of the town of Essex. “Thankfully, it did not hit directly in Essex,” Harvey says. “They had some minor power outages here in town, but there are several structures damaged around the area.” Harvey says officials were concerned for a time that the tornado would strike Shenandoah, but fortunately, it steered away. She’s asking Essex residents to avoid leaving their homes, for now, and for gawkers to keep out.

“We do have quite a few trees covering roads,” Harvey says. “You may come across roads that are blocked. Due to the damage and debris across roads and downed power lines, we are requesting that people stay out of the area. If you happen to be around Essex, please use extreme caution. There are power lines down.” Despite the damage, Harvey says no injuries were reported in the county. National Weather Service survey teams are expected to fan out across the region to inspect the damage. Iowa Agriculture Secretary Mike Naig says he expects the farming community to take a heavy hit from the storms. “While some towns may have been sparred, like Essex,” Naig says, “everybody was really watching last night, and hoping for the best there. We know that there have been farms that have been damaged.”

Aside from the tornado damage, Naig says reports of large hail in parts of the state are also concerning. “Just incredible hail size and hail damage,” Naig says. “Not just in southwest Iowa, but we did see some reports even up in northeast (Iowa), where there were some systems that got built up, and you’re hearing about one inch and two inch hail sizes — and that can do a heck of a lot of damage, as we all well know.” Thursday’s storms struck in the wake of last year’s horrific tornado outbreaks, including the May 21st twister that hit Greenfield. Though rebuilding efforts continue in Greenfield, Naig says some producers are still coping with storm damage.”There’s been an incredible amount of work that’s been done,” Naig says. “A lot of homes rebuilt, some farm places that are on their way, but a lot of people that are not yet in their homes. It’s a year ago that it happened. It’s a good reminder that, hey, there’s been a ton of progress made, with the community rallying together — the communities, not just Greenfield. But, boy, we’re a long ways from being totally recovered.”

Naig says it’s “just the reality, unfortunately, of spring, particularly in Iowa.”

(Atlantic, Iowa)  – The Cass County Sheriff’s Office, today (Friday), said four people were arrested on drug charges over the past week.

• 33-year-old Kenneth Milton McMillan, and 34-year-old Elliott Lavon Green, both of Atlantic, were arrested April 13th, for possession of schedule 4 and 5 controlled substances. Both men were booked into the Cass County Jail and later released on their Own Recognizance.
• On Monday, April 14th, 41-year-old Brenda Nichole Leah Kinzie, of Council Bluffs, was arrested for possession of controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia; And, 40-year-old Thomas Lee Curtis,of Griswold, was arrested for possession of marijuana, and on two-counts possession of a controlled substance. Both subjects were booked into the Cass County Jail and later released on their Own Recognizance.

And, the Cass County Sheriff’s Office says 30-year-old Kyle Lynn Wilson, of Hancock, was arrested Monday for violation of probation. Wilson was transported to the Cass County Jail where he was booked-in and held.

(Radio Iowa) – While parts of southwest Iowa were dotted with tornadoes Thursday night, perhaps the worst damage in Iowa from the severe weather in the past day happened early this (Friday) morning in the northwest Iowa town of Storm Lake. Aimee Barritt, the Buena Vista County emergency management coordinator, says thousands of MidAmerican Energy customers in Storm Lake are without power after a severe thunderstorm hit about 1 A-M.  “They have several power poles that are down at this point in time,” Barritt says. “This could change, but they’re telling us it’s going to be about 8 PM before power is restored. That’s their best estimate right now. They have a lot of work to do to do that.”

The Storm Lake Police Department is releasing a series of photos showing toppled concrete walls, flipped semis, and heavy damage to apartment buildings and stores. “In the city of Storm Lake, there’s lots of power lines down,” Barritt says. (Photos: Storm Lake PD Facebook page)

“We’ve seen businesses with their roofs ripped off, there have been some gas leaks and there’s been a lot of debris and downed power lines on the road.” She recommends residents who can stay home from work or school to do exactly that as the roads are covered with debris and power lines. National Weather Service meteorologist Craig Cogil says severe weather also hit southwest Iowa last night. “There were a few tornadoes that were produced there. Haven’t heard a lot about damage with that as of yet, but certainly they did do some impacts in that part of the state,” Cogil says. “Otherwise, we have seen other storms across northern Iowa that have produced up to golf ball-sized hail.”

The tornadoes were reported near towns including: Oakland, Essex, Randolph and Tabor. In south-central Iowa, Taylor County reported wind gusts of 76 miles an hour. That golf ball-sized hail was reported near towns including Hampton and Waverly. Cogil says the forecast calls for cooler, calmer weather today, but storms are likely to return on Easter Sunday. “Right now, looks like Saturday will be relatively pleasant, maybe a little bit cool, but overall pleasant,” he says. “We are seeing a storm system move up this way on Sunday with rain over spreading the area by Sunday afternoon and continuing Sunday night. Should be some generous rainfall for much of the state, anywhere from three-quarters of an inch to an inch and a half.”

Keep up with the changing forecast at weather.gov.

(Radio Iowa) – The Iowa House has changed a Senate-passed bill that would require showing videos about pregnancy and fetal development to students in high school and earlier grades. One change would forbid schools from using educational materials that come from any entity that promotes or performs abortions or makes referrals for abortions. Representative Helena Hayes of New Sharon and other House Republicans approved that restriction, which would target Planned Parenthood. “What we choose to reveal to our children will echo in the decisions we make tomorrow,” Hayes said. “…I want to remind us all that to teach a child to see life is to value it.” Representative Austin Baeth, a Democrat from Des Moines, says that restriction means Iowa schools would not be able to use material from places like the Mayo Clinic.

“When you ban facts, as this bill does, what fills the void are falsehoods and unproven beliefs,” Baeth said. “This bill opens the door to indoctrination.” Last year, the Iowa House approved similar legislation that called for showing the “Baby Olivia” video developed by an anti-abortion group. This year’s bill does not directly mention the video, but calls for showing a high-quality, computer-generated animation to students in grades four through eight. Representative Beth Wessel-Kroeschell, a Democrat of Ames, says that’s clearly a reference to the Baby Olivia video. “This cartoon is not based on medicine or science,” she said. “The narrator describes the cartoon character’s actions with words such as playing, exploring…Those words assigns traits and properties to a fetus that just aren’t there yet.”

Hayes responded, “You want truth. I’m here to tell you that truth has a heartbeat. This bill isn’t teaching about abortion,” Hayes said. “…It allows students to witness human development.”

The bill now goes back to the Senate for consideration of the House changes.

(Creston, Iowa) – Police in Creston report a man from Des Moines was arrested early Thursday morning. 54-year-old Aristus Van Jung, Sr., was taken into custody at around 1:10-a.m., on a charge of Driving While Barred. Van Jung, Sr., was being held in the Union County Jail on a $2,000 bond.

AMES, Iowa [KCCI] —Iowa State University police have arrested a man they say stalked a woman and threatened to commit a mass shooting at the school’s upcoming spring commencement ceremony. ISU PD sent an email out to the campus on Thursday, saying the arrest started with a stalking investigation after an ISU employee reported that the suspect threatened to kill her and others. 28-year-old Tanner Bandy, of Nevada (Iowa), has been charged with five counts of harassment and stalking-possession of a dangerous weapon. The man is not an Iowa State University student.

Court documents say Bandy has been stalking and threatening the woman since October, leaving many threatening and violent voicemails. Beginning in April, the charging documents say, Bandy began getting specific with times and locations for where he planned to kill the victim, including shooting her and “as many people as he can” during Iowa State’s upcoming commencement ceremony. At one point, the documents say, Bandy told the victim he planned to buy an AR-15 and “figure out how many people I can cut down at this [expletive] commencement ceremony.” On Wednesday, the victim reported the threats and harassment to ISU PD. Bandy was arrested on Thursday at the Story County Sheriff’s Office, trying to update a weapons permit.

The ISU say evidence indicates that Bandy actually intended to act on his threats and that firearms and ammunition were seized during search warrants. The ISU PD said that though they don’t believe there is an ongoing concern, increased security measures will be in place on campus and during university commencement ceremonies in May.