712 Digital Group - top

Biden says Ernst ‘spilled the beans’ about GOP targeting him

News

January 30th, 2020 by Ric Hanson

(Radio Iowa) – Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden has been swinging back at Iowa Senator Joni Ernst on the campaign trail this week. On Monday, Ernst suggested to reporters in Washington, D.C. that Iowa Democrats might be influenced by the arguments President Trump’s lawyers are making about the Bidens. Biden has been asking Iowa audiences if they heard those remarks. “She spilled the beans, didn’t she?” Biden said last night in Sioux City. Biden says Ernst and other Republicans are smearing him because he’s a threat to President Trump’s reelection.

“So now all caucus-goers can have a two-fer,” Biden said in Sioux City. “One, you cannot only ruin Donald Trump’s night if I win the caucus. You can ruin Joni Ernst’s night as well.” Biden has campaign stops scheduled in Waukee, Newton and Ottumwa today (Thursday). President Trump is scheduled to fly to Des Moines for a rally at Drake University this evening.

(Reporting by Iowa Public Radio’s Katie Peikes)

Polaris will close Spearfish plant, moving work to Iowa

News

January 30th, 2020 by Ric Hanson

SPEARFISH, S.D. (AP)- Polaris Industries plans to close its plant in western South Dakota and move the work to Iowa. The plant in Spearfish, S.D., specializes in painting parts for Indian Motorcycle. The Minneapolis-based Polaris will consolidate the paint operations in Spirit Lake, home of Indian Motorcycle. Polaris spokeswoman Jessica Rogers says it will cut down on logistics costs and lead times to better serve customers. The company says the 33 Spearfish employees will have the opportunity to transfer to available positions at other Polaris facilities.

Closing argument for Iowa Caucus-goers: Minnesota Senator Amy Klobuchar

News

January 30th, 2020 by Ric Hanson

(Radio Iowa) — With four days remaining in the Iowa Caucus campaign, Radio Iowa’s O. Kay Henderson presents another Democratic presidential candidate’s closing argument for voters:

Earlier this week, Radio Iowa listeners heard the closing arguments of Joe Biden and Elizabeth Warren. Tomorrow’s focus will be on Pete Buttigieg’s message.

(Podcast) KJAN Morning Sports report, 1/30/2020

Podcasts, Sports

January 30th, 2020 by Ric Hanson

The 7:20-a.m. Sportscast with Jim Field.

Play

Former teacher accused of stealing more than $54K from union

News

January 30th, 2020 by Ric Hanson

WATERLOO, Iowa (AP) – A former Waterloo teacher has been accused of stealing money from the teachers union. U.S. District Court records say Anthony Dehl is charged with wire fraud. The Waterloo-Cedar Falls Courier reports that Dehl is accused of taking more than $54,000 from the union’s accounts over about five years, when he was the union’s treasurer. Authorities say he used some of the money for gambling.

Stuart woman arrested on a Union County warrant

News

January 30th, 2020 by Ric Hanson

The Creston Police Department reports an Adair County woman was arrested Wednesday afternoon on a Union County warrant. 21-year old Brianna Lawson, of Stuart, was arrested on the warrant for  Violation of Probation, on an original – Possession of a Controlled Substance, charge. Lawson was being held in the Adams County Jail while awaiting bond hearing.

(Podcast) KJAN Morning News & Funeral report, 1/30/2020

News, Podcasts

January 30th, 2020 by Ric Hanson

The area’s latest and/or top news stories at 7:06-a.m. From KJAN News Director Ric Hanson.

Play

USDA Report 1-30-2020

Ag/Outdoor, Podcasts

January 30th, 2020 by Jim Field

w/Max Dirks.

Play

Fake bills passed in Shenandoah

News

January 30th, 2020 by Ric Hanson

Officials with the Shenandoah Police Department, Wednesday, issued a warning to local merchants and citizens, with regard to the recent use of counterfeit money at local businesses.  Authorities advise merchants to “Please attempt to verify the validity of any money taken for merchandise. Please note that the back side of the five dollar bill will show an obvious cut line across the top. Also, if you hold the bill to the light, you can see through it more than you should, the watermark is lighter in color and there is no band running from top to bottom.”

Businesses are urged to contact the Shenandoah Police Department immediately, if someone attempts to pass any money that appears suspicious.

Iowa ranks 49th in the USA for its lax animal cruelty laws

Ag/Outdoor, News

January 30th, 2020 by Ric Hanson

(Radio Iowa) — For the third straight year, Iowa ranks among the very worst states in the nation for its animal welfare laws. The Animal Legal Defense Fund places Iowa 49th in its latest report, ahead of only Mississippi. Colin Grace, director of legal initiatives for the Animal Rescue League of Iowa, says a bill pending before Iowa lawmakers would bring about significant and much-needed changes, especially when dealing with animal hoarding cases. “It does a lot of excellent things to improve the definitions of animal cruelty crimes towards companion animals,” Grace says. “It enhances penalties and it requires mental health evaluation and treatment. That’s important because there is a proven link between cruelty and violence towards animals and cruelty and violence towards humans.”

That’s why, he says, the F-B-I now tracks all such animal-related crimes. Iowa’s existing rules on animal neglect are too vague, Grace argues, while the proposed legislation — known as House File 737 — would lay out specifics. “What HF-737 does is require that the living space be sanitary and free of excessive waste,” Grace says. “It requires that the animals are getting a nutritionally-appropriate quality and quantity of food, as well as potable water.” The bill passed in the Iowa House last year by a 96-to-zero vote but stalled in the Senate. Grace says his organization is working to educate legislators about the bill’s contents.

“We’ve heard that there are some senators who are worried that this bill might unduly affect agricultural interests,” Grace says. “This is a misplaced fear because our bill does not concern livestock animals and only affects the companion animals — dogs and cats — that share our homes.” Iowa had a record number of animal rescues cases in 2019, which A-R-L officials say proves Iowa’s animals cannot wait another year for better protections.