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Governor clears backlog, 400 paroled felons get voting rights back in time for Caucuses

News

January 31st, 2020 by Ric Hanson

(Radio Iowa) — A spokesman for Governor Kim Reynolds says the backlog of applications from felons seeking restoration of their voting rights has been cleared. Reynolds announced earlier this month that she was working with her staff as well as staff in two state agencies to review dozens of applications. This past Tuesday, Reynolds had reviewed 300 and had another 100 to go.

“We are going to make it. We are going to get it done.” And this (Friday) afternoon, the governor’s spokesman announced all the pending applications had been reviewed. It means about 400 more Iowans now have the ability to participate in Monday night’s Caucuses. Iowa is now the only state that requires paroled felons to apply to the governor for restoration of their voting rights.

A year ago, Reynolds asked legislators to set the wheels in motion so Iowa’s constitution can be changed so voting rights are automatically restored. It’s part of what she calls her “second chance” agenda. Reynolds sometimes calls the people who’ve applied to have their voting rights restored and she’s talked publicly about those conversations.

“The stories continue to just be really inspiring,” Reynolds says. This past Tuesday, Reynolds told reporters she a young woman whose voting rights were restored this month sent her a thank you note after the two spoke by phone.  “It’s always kind of the same theme,” Reynolds said of the notes she gets from paroled felons who tell the governor they’re working hard to turn their lives around.

Clarinda man arrested on warrants for Stalking, Assault, Theft & more

News

January 31st, 2020 by Ric Hanson

Sheriff’s deputies in Page County today (Friday), arrested 26-year old Tyler Jacob Broadway, of Clarinda, on numerous Page County warrants. The warrants were for: Stalking; Domestic Abuse Assault by impeding the flow of air / blood; Theft 4th Degree; False Imprisonment, and three counts of Violation of No contact / protective orders.

Tyler Broadway

Broadway was being held in the Page County Jail without bond, pending future court proceedings.

Council Bluffs man arrested on Page County warrants

News

January 31st, 2020 by Ric Hanson

Sheriff’s deputies in Page County, Thursday, arrested a Council Bluffs man on three Page County warrants. 31-year old Nathan Andrew Wilcoxson was taken into custody at the Pottawattamie County Sheriff’s Office, on warrants of Violation of Probation.

Wilcoxson was transported to the Page County Jail where he was being held on $45,000 bond, pending further court proceedings.

Top Iowa public safety official resigns after lengthy leave

News

January 31st, 2020 by Ric Hanson

IOWA CITY, Iowa (AP) – A top Iowa law enforcement official has resigned after an unexplained 3 1/2-month paid leave that coincided with a state human resources investigation. A state lawyer says assistant Division of Criminal Investigation director Terry Cowman resigned and left the state’s employment on Monday after a 25-year career in public safety. Cowman and a subordinate were removed from duty in October, shortly after an annual training conference for police officers that they helped host. State officials have refused to explain why.

Department of Public Safety lawyer Catherine Lucas says Cowman resigned voluntarily and not because he otherwise would have been fired.

NE man arrested on drug & alcohol charges in Mills County

News

January 31st, 2020 by Ric Hanson

A traffic stop on Interstate 29 north of the Glenwood exit, in Mills County early this (Friday) morning, resulted in the arrest of a man from Nebraska. 32-year old Brandon Edward Olson, of Columbus, NE., faces charges that include: OWI/2nd offense; Possession of Controlled Substance; Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, and Open Container. His bond in the Mills County Jail was set at $3,000.

Supreme Court rules states largest private lake (Panorama) isn’t private

News

January 31st, 2020 by Ric Hanson

(Radio Iowa) — The Iowa Supreme Court has ruled the water body billed as the state’s “largest private lake” isn’t really private. Jeffrey Meyers was stopped in July of 2018 by conservation officers patrolling Lake Panorama after they notice he was illegally displaying blue lights on his pontoon boat. The officers determined Meyers was drunk and charged him with boating while intoxicated.

Meyers claimed the officers did not have jurisdiction because Lake Panorama near Panora is the state’s largest private lake. Signs around the lake make that claim The Iowa Supreme Court ruled the northwest side of the lake is accessible via the Middle Raccoon River — and that means the lake is not private. They upheld the charge against him.

(Read the full IASUPCO Opinion here: (https://www.iowacourts.gov/courtcases/7953/embed/SupremeCourtOpinion)

No. 19 Illinois faces No. 18 Iowa in Big Ten comeback story

Sports

January 31st, 2020 by Ric Hanson

COLUMBUS, OH (AP) – No. 19 Illinois and No. 18 Iowa meet on Sunday in a key Big Ten men’s game. Illinois (15-5, 7-2) is tied for first place with No. 14 Michigan State in a league that has shown some parity in the first month of conference play. Still the Illini are the surprise team so far, reeling off seven straight wins. They won at Michigan last Saturday and at home against Minnesota on Thursday night. It will be the first meeting of the season for Iowa and Illinois. They’ll meet again in the regular-season finale on March 8. Listen for the game beginning at 11-a.m. Sunday, on KJAN.

The Hawkeye women (18-3, 9-1) lead the Big Ten, average 80 points and extended their winning streak to nine on Thursday. They’ll travel to Michigan on Sunday. Tip-off for that game is set for 11-a.m.

 

Andy Reid won’t silence critics until he wins a Super Bowl

Sports

January 31st, 2020 by Ric Hanson

MIAMI (AP) – Andy Reid has won more games than any coach without a Super Bowl title. So people question whether he can win the big one. The knock against Reid throughout his 21-year coaching career has been his inability to win a championship. He was 1-4 in conference title games during 14 seasons in Philadelphia and the Eagles lost to the Patriots in the Super Bowl after the 2004 season. Reid lost another conference title game at home last year with Kansas City. But the Chiefs returned to the AFC championship this season and advanced to face the 49ers on Sunday.

$13M fine proposed for podcaster behind racist robocalls

News

January 31st, 2020 by Ric Hanson

BROOKLYN, Iowa (AP) – Regulators are proposing a nearly $13 million fine against a podcaster accused of hiding the origin of automated phone calls that used the slaying of an Iowa college student to promote white nationalist messages. The Federal Communications Commission says Scott Rhodes violated the Truth in Caller ID Act, which bars the manipulation of caller ID information.

Officials say Rhodes used an autodialer to make hundreds of recorded calls to Brooklyn, Iowa, numbers, citing the killing of Mollie Tibbetts. The Mexican man charged in her death is suspected of living in the U.S. illegally.

Des Moines police say man shot in struggle with officers

News

January 31st, 2020 by Ric Hanson

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – Des Moines police say a suspect was shot early Friday morning while struggling with officers trying to take him into custody. Officers were sent around 6:20 a.m. to check a report about a domestic dispute involving a threat. Police say that when the two officers tried to arrest a man at the scene, he attacked them and wouldn’t give up. One of the officers shot the man in an arm, but he wouldn’t let medics fully assess his injuries. A wound in his torso was discovered at a hospital. He’s been listed in serious condition. The names of those involved haven’t been released.