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KJAN News can be heard at five minutes after every hour right after Fox News 24 hours a day!
Keep up-to-date with Fox News Radio, Radio Iowa, Brownfield & the Iowa Agribusiness Networks!
DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Iowa GOP legislative leaders say they plan to go into the 2019 session challenging the way things are done in state government several issues including property taxes and picking judges. Senate Republican leader Jack Whitver said Thursday at a legislative forum hosted by The Associated Press that Iowans expressed confidence in his party by returning it to power again and that means keeping campaign promises.
One of those promises is a thorough review of property taxes during the session which starts Monday. Gov. Kim Reynolds said at the forum she’s interested in looking at what lawmakers come up with. As a former county treasurer she said she heard for years complaints from business owners and individuals about rising property taxes.
Senate Democatic Leader Janet Petersen says her concern is that local governments including counties, cities and schools aren’t harmed in the process by taking away funding they need.
IOWA CITY, Iowa (AP) — Two Iowa workplace safety inspectors were fired Tuesday in what they are calling retaliation for blowing the whistle on a hostile environment inside their agency. The firings of Jason Garmoe and Travis Stein are the latest turmoil at the Division of Labor, which has been rocked by recent personnel turnover and accusations of cronyism and harassment. The agency accused both men of misconduct that included leaving a state vehicle running for two hours while conducting an inspection — an allegation they call false.
Garmoe and Stein said in interviews with The Associated Press that they were singled out for harsh treatment after providing critical information about agency leaders to state investigators. Both said they feared they would lose their jobs for doing so but were assured that they would be protected. Labor Commissioner Michael Mauro declined comment.
COUNCIL BLUFFS, Iowa (AP) — Sentencing has been delayed for a man who operated a western Iowa dog business where carcasses and dozens of malnourished dogs were found. The Daily Nonpareil reports that a judge delayed the sentencing scheduled Wednesday for Dustin Young so authorities could complete a pre-sentence report. The new date: Feb. 13th. Pottawattamie County court records say Young pleaded guilty to 12 counts of animal neglect after prosecutors dismissed 28 more. The dogs and carcasses were discovered in May at Young Gunz Kennel , about 2 miles southeast of Hancock.
Officials said the inside of the business was covered in animal urine and feces, and there was no food or water for the dogs.
(Radio Iowa) — The partial federal government shutdown has cut services at wildlife preserves, but it’s not stopping bird watchers and other wildlife enthusiasts from exploring. At Desoto National Wildlife Refuge in western Iowa, the visitors center and most of the trails are closed, but John Calhoun from Papillion, Nebraska, says he still had a productive day taking pictures of birds. “I’ve seen some eagles, some hawks,” Calhoun says, “and that’s pretty much about it — and a lot of cars.”
Staff numbers at DeSoto have been reduced by the shutdown, but Chuck Traxler, with the U-S Fish and Wildlife Service, says the limited trail access is not related to what’s going on in Washington. Traxler says, “There are areas that may be closed at certain times of the year, not as a result of federal funding, but in order to protect wildlife or unique ecological habitats.” Fish and Wildlife is not charging entrance fees at refuges during the partial shutdown, which is in its third week. Iowa has seven National Wildlife Refuges. Traxler encourages people to get out and visit them, even while the government is shut down.
DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — The Iowa Appeals Court has overturned the second murder conviction of a man who’s spent more than 10 years in prison. Juries have twice found Kenneth Heard guilty of murder for fatally shooting of 26-year-old Joshua Hutchinson in December 2007. The Des Moines Register reports that the court ruled Wednesday that Heard’s constitutional right to compel witnesses to testify was violated. The appellate court says the trial court failed to determine the “extent and validity” of one witness’s assertion of his Fifth Amendment privilege against incriminating himself.
The witness testified for the prosecution at Heard’s first trial but asserted his Fifth Amendment right at the time of his deposition before the second trial. Heard has accused that witness of fatally shooting Hutchinson. Heard’s first first-degree murder conviction in the case was overturned after he claimed his lawyers were ineffective. It’s unclear whether prosecutors will seek a third trial.
OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — An Omaha real estate company has proposed a plan to turn a vacant former college dormitory into apartments for homeless veterans. The Omaha World-Herald reports that Burlington Capital Real Estate is seeking $347,000 in tax-increment financing to help fund the $8.2 million Victory Apartments II project. The City Planning Board on Wednesday unanimously voted to recommend that the City Council approve the request.
The project would occupy a building formerly used by Grace University, which closed in May. The new apartment complex would be located next to Victory Apartments 1, which has 90 apartments for veterans. Veterans also receive services such as addiction counselling and job-readiness training. Burlington Capital Vice President George Achola says more apartments are needed because the first building is full with a waiting list of 140 people.
The Adair County Board of Supervisors will hold a special session beginning 9-a.m. Friday, in their Boardroom at the Courthouse, in Greenfield. During their meeting, the Supervisors will hear additional FY 2020 budget year funding requests from the following: Veterans Affairs; County Conservation; Southern Iowa Trolley; Home Care/Community Services grant; DHS; Adair County Tourism; Custodian; Environmental Health, and the County Auditor.
The Board earlier this week heard FY 2020 budget requests from other county department heads.
Sheriff’s officials in Pottawattamie County report a Nebraska man was arrested Wednesday night following a pursuit. Authorities say at around 9:50-p.m., Pottawattamie County Dispatch advised via radio traffic that Washington County, Nebraska deputies were in pursuit of a Black 1998 Acura 3.5, and that they terminated their pursuit at the Nebraska/Iowa state line. Washington County advised that the vehicle continued eastbound on Interstate 680 into Iowa. The vehicle was later located by Pott. County Deputy Adam Fields, and a traffic stop was conducted. The driver of the Acura, 29-year old Bradley Sutton, of Omaha, was taken into custody on charges of Eluding and OWI/2nd offense.
Officials with the Cass County Health System (CCHS) in Atlantic, have announced the next “Healthy U” session will take place beginning at Noon on Thursday, Jan. 17th, in Conference Room 2 at the Cass County Memorial Hospital. During the free session, Dr. Todd Bean, Chief Medical Officer, and Carrie Schmitt, Director of Diagnostic Imaging, will make a presentation on lung health and a new lung cancer screening.
Healthy U is a monthly, free educational series. The public is invited and welcome to attend, but reservations are required as a meal is provided for all attendees. Please call 712-243-7479, to reserve your seat.
Carrie Schmitt, Director of Diagnostic Imaging
Dr. Todd Bean, Chief Medical Officer
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