(Radio Iowa) – Senator Joni Ernst says she’s waiting for information from the National Security Council before commenting on Trump Administration officials discussing military strikes in Yemen accidentally inviting a journalist to their group chat — on the app called Signal. “While I know everybody’s talking about the ‘Signal’ leak, we also should be talking about the fact that we have a president that’s standing up to these terrorist organization,” Ernst said, “so there’s a little bit of concerning news, but then a lot of really good news surrounding this.”

U.S. Senator Joni Ernst (R-Red Oak) (official photo)

U-S airstrikes are targeting Houthi rebels. The group has threatened to resume attacks on Israeli vessels in the Red Sea and other Mideast waters.  “We’re actually going after terrorist groups that have targeted Americans the past four and five years,” Ernst says. Since the October 7th attacks in Israel, the Houthis have sunk two vessels in the Mideast and used drones to hit over 100 others. Ernst says she is not worried about the competency of the U-S defense secretary or the president’s national security advisor who admits he accidentally included The Atlantic’s editor-in-chief in a text chain with others, including the vice president. However, Ernst does emphasize the importance of secure facilities called SCIFs.

“I just want to make sure that anytime there’s sensitive information discussed that we do it in a SCIF or on those classified lines,” Ernst said, “so I do know here in the senate anytime I’m receiving sensitive information, I have to go down to the Senate SCIF and receive that information.” Ernst, the first female combat veteran elected to the U-S Senate, serves on the Armed Services Committee. Ernst, the first female combat veteran elected to the U-S Senate, serves on the Armed Services Committee.

The panel’s Republican chairman and top Democrat have asked the military’s inspector general to investigate the Signal group chat incident. While the text messages disclosed military strikes in Yemen would start in about an hour, President Trump has said classified information was not shared.

(Radio Iowa) – Iowa Congresswoman Ashley Hinson is being critical of judges who she says are pushing their own political agendas from the bench and she believes the judicial process needs reform. While she didn’t immediately agree with U-S House Speaker Mike Johnson, who suggested this week that Congress has the power to eliminate entire district courts, Hinson says it’s clear, action is needed to squelch judges who go too far and throw out executive orders.

“We have activist judges in our court system,” Hinson says. “I think the most important thing is that we’re taking a look at how to reform the judicial branch so that they don’t have that universal power to override an order like that and stop the executive branch from being able to do its job.” The top Republican in the House, Johnson says multiple injunctions issued in recent weeks are part of a “dangerous trend.” Hinson, a Republican from Marion, says the judicial system needs to be impartial.

IA (R) Congresswoman Ashley Hinson

“I believe in due process and making sure that we have accountability in that process. What I want to do is make sure we’re looking at that,” Hinson says. “I actually plan to have a meeting with our judges in Iowa to try to figure out some reforms that might make sense, that still protects the Constitution and due process, and give that judicial lane so that people can challenge things that they don’t agree with.” Hinson says it’s important that dissenting opinions are heard.

“I strongly believe people should still be able to do that,” she says. “There’s a reason why we have equal branches of government, including the legislative, the executive and the judicial branch.” The House Judiciary Committee is to hold a hearing next week to focus on what Johnson says are abuses in the courts, while pending House legislation would halt judges from blocking federal policies with injunctions. Such bills would face an uncertain future in the Senate, where the backing of some Democrats would be needed for passage.

(Radio Iowa) – A district court judge’s ruling finds certain information can be unsealed about the case of Mason City T-V anchor Jodi Huisentruit), who vanished in 1995, but the ruling protects other details that could be important to the ongoing investigation.

Attorneys representing private investigator Steve Ridge filed a motion in February arguing that the warrant regarding GPS data for two vehicles connected to John Vansice should be opened since Vansice died in December and any ongoing investigation into his involvement in the matter has now ceased. County Attorney Carlyle Dalen resisted the motion, saying opening up the warrant would give the public facts and circumstances in the case that could possibly hurting the investigation. District Senior Judge James Drew in his ruling says some federal and state courts have specifically recognized a court’s authority to seal, but in those cases, only affidavits were sealed, not the entire file.

He ordered the unsealing of the application, endorsement, search warrant, and return notice since they do not contain information that would compromise the investigation, but an affidavit filed by the Mason City Police Department in support of the application for the search warrant will remain sealed since it contains information regarding times, items found at the scene, the specific location of those items and other observations of the scene made by officers, which would only be known to the perpetrator and law enforcement.

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Representative Zach Nunn (IA-03) has introduced bipartisan legislation to help address truck driver shortages, reduce supply chain disruptions, and lower costs for American families. The Strengthening Supply Chains Through Truck Driver Incentives Act, which is co-led by U.S. Representative Pat Ryan (NY-18), would create targeted tax credits for truck drivers, including a refundable credit for current drivers and an enhanced credit for new drivers and individuals enrolled in registered trucking apprenticeship programs. “Right now, we’re facing a serious shortage of truck drivers, and it’s putting pressure on Iowa families and our nation’s supply chains,” said Rep. Nunn. “We are experiencing both a recruitment and a retention problem in the trucking industry. This is a simple fix to help get more drivers behind the wheel –  improving our supply chain and bringing down costs for every Iowan.”

Iowa has approximately 36,000–38,000 heavy and tractor-trailer truck drivers employed according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. This large workforce plays a key role in supporting Iowa’s agriculture, manufacturing, and logistics sectors — all critical to the state’s economy. According to a report by the American Trucking Association, the trucking industry faces issues with recruiting, hiring, training, and retaining its workforce. In 2022, the shortage of qualified drivers reached 78,800 drivers. The number is expected to continue to rise in coming years without action.

The bipartisan Strengthening Supply Chains Through Truck Driver Incentives Act would create a refundable tax credit of up to $7,500 for current truck drivers who drive at least 1,900 hours a year. It also establishes an enhanced tax credit of $10,000 for new truck drivers and individuals in trucking apprenticeship programs. The legislation is endorsed by the American Trucking Association, the Iowa Motor Truck Association, the Trucking Association of New York, International Foodservice Distributors Association, and the Teamsters.

Text of the bill can be found here.

(Atlantic, Iowa) – The Cass County Sheriff’s Office reports three recent arrests:

On March 24th: 20-year-old Iasiah Ka’lis Turrentine, of Harrisonville, MO., was arrested for Domestic assault with bodily injury. Turrentine was transported to the Cass County Jail and later released on her own recognizance; and, 25-year-old Teea Tanea Freeman, of Commerce City, CO., was arrested on the 24th for Possession of a controlled substance, drug tax stamp violation, unlawful possession of prescription drugs, and possession of marijuana. Freeman was transported to the Cass County Jail where she was booked and later released on bond.

On March 26th, sheriff’s deputies in Cass County arrested 55-year-old Robert Alan Leslie, of Atlantic, on two charges of possession of controlled substance. Leslie was transported to the Cass County Jail where he was booked and held on bond.

(Radio Iowa) – Despite another quarter of falling net revenues, the leader of Winnebago Industries remains optimistic about the future. The outdoor lifestyle products manufacturer — which has factories in Forest City and Lake Mills — reports net revenue for the second quarter at more than 620-million dollars, a drop of more than five-million from the first quarter and down nearly 12-percent from the second quarter last year. Winnebago C-E-O Michael Happe says despite economic challenges in the market, the company’s business is healthy.

“We are bringing exciting new products to market across our entire RV and marine portfolio and building a foundation for organic growth as the outdoor recreation industry rebounds,” Happe says. “Each of our five organic brands have significant potential during a market recovery into a mid-cycle climate in the future.” Happe says the fiscally responsible manner in which Winnebago has been managed has been a cornerstone of the company’s success.

“Over the years, (Chief Financial Officer) Bryan (Hughes) and I have been proud to lead our entire team in maintaining a strong balance sheet, ensuring financial stability and flexibility,” Happe says. “This strategic approach has allowed us to navigate economic fluctuations effectively while investing in innovation, and positioning ourselves for long-term growth.” Happe says the focus of the company for the remainder of the fiscal year and beyond is to capitalize on opportunities.

“Seize opportunities that fit our strengths, expand our offerings to improve customer value where we should, and strengthen our overall market presence with stronger products, dealer relationships, and brand presence,” Happe says. “Those are the most effective ways to ensure we enhance the value of Winnebago Industries for all of our stakeholders.”

Gross profit for the company for the quarter was just over 83-million dollars, a decrease of 21% compared to the second quarter last year.

(Radio Iowa) – The Iowa House has passed a bill that could lead to new restrictions on what Iowans may buy with federal food assistance. If the U-S-D-A grants a waiver from the current list of eligible foods and beverages, Iowans would be limited to using SNAP benefits to buy healthy foods including like whole grains, proteins, and fruits and vegetables. Representative Carter Nordman, a Republican from Adel, says the bill sets reasonable guardrails to incentivize better eating habits. “SNAP already limits recipients from purchasing items like hot foods intended for immediate consumption, alcohol and tobacco,” Nordman said. “The bill ensures that taxpayer funds are not going to luxury foods like pop and candy that do nothing to alleviate hunger.”

The bill passed on with the support of 56 House Republicans. Eight other Republicans joined 32 House Democrats in opposing it. Representative Heather Matson, a Democrat from Ankeny, says the bill may not just affect people who go to the grocery store and could impact elderly Iowans who go to congregate meal sites or who get Meals on Wheels.  “In my opinion, this is a mean-spirited bill and it won’t do a darned thing to actually make people healthier,” she said. “It will just make it harder for folks who are already struggling to get buy, to live their lives and make the best decisions for themselves and their families.” Representative Beth Wessel-Kroeschell, a Democrat from Ames, says the bill appears to leave it up to un-elected bureaucrats to decide exactly what SNAP recipients can buy at the grocery store.

“It is ridiculous to tell people what they should and should not eat. People eat based on special diets, family traditions, religious traditions, allergies, food sensitivities,” she said. “We have no business micromanaging the diets of Iowans.” At the end of House debate, Representative Nordman responded to the criticism. “House Republicans do not believe tax dollars should be used to purchase things like Skittles and Monster energy drinks…These items have zero nutritional value and are a waste of taxpayer dollars,” Nordman said. “It is my belief that anyone who votes against this legislation today is endorsing the purchase of those items.”

The bill could also put another one million dollars in the state’s “Double-Up-Food-Bucks” program for SNAP recipients that subsidizes the cost of fresh fruits and vegetables. However, that extra million dollars would only be available if the state gets federal approval for the new limits on what SNAP benefits can buy.

(Radio Iowa) – A utility worker in north-central was badly injured while trying to make electrical repairs during last week’s blizzard. Webster City lineman Bryan Dayton came in contact with a live wire while working to restore the power. Webster City city manager John Harrenstein says Dayton is still recovering at an Iowa City hospital. “Our hearts and prayers are with the family of our lineman who experienced a tragic injury,” Herrenstein says. “We’re just continuing to support him through that recovery.”

A GoFundMe page has been set up to help pay Dayton’s medical expenses. As of this (Thursday) morning, nearly $30,000 has been raised.