(Radio Iowa) — Iowa business owners need to add one more thing to their list of New Year’s resolutions. An expert suggests businesses of all sizes plan ahead for a digital data disaster should hackers ever break into your computer and access your customers’ files. Consumer advocate Lara Sutherlin says if you store any client data electronically, it’s vital that you are prepared to respond quickly and efficiently. Sutherlin says, “Have a plan in place if you do get exposed to a data breach, to notify your consumers, to notify regulators, to notify law enforcement.”

In perhaps the largest case in Iowa in the past year, the Hy-Vee grocery chain was hit by a data breach that was discovered this summer. Malware was blamed for exposing the payment information of an untold number of customers. It’s unpleasant to ponder, but it’s reality, Sutherlin says, adding, the responsibly for handling a data breach requires two main parts.  “Make sure you’re doing everything you can to shut down further information from being released from your business,” she says, “and that the people that may have been exposed are quickly notified and can act on that information.”

Trying to hide a data breach will only work for a short time before someone notices, and then not only will there be a public relations fiasco, you could face penalties for concealing a loss of information.

(Radio Iowa) — The final days of 2019 are winding down and so are your chances to make a donation that you can claim on your federal income taxes. I-R-S spokesman, Chris Miller, says you have until Today (Tuesday). “Those who plan to itemized deductions should know that charitable contributions are deductible in the year that they are made. So take care of any last minute donations by December 31st,” Miller says.

He says the day you make the donation is the day that it counts. “Keep in mind that donations charged to a credit card before the end of 2019 count for a 2019 tax year deduction — even if the bill isn’t paid until 2020,” Miller says.  Miller says the same thing goes…”If you’re mailing a check — checks to a charity count for 2019 if they are mailed by the last day of the year,” according to Miller. “So, they don’t have to be processed by the bank or the charity — just mailed by the end of the year.”

Miller says if you make cash or other donation, be sure to get a dated receipt so you can claim them as deductions for this year.

(Radio Iowa) — Iowa Democrats are urging caucus-goers to update their party registration today (Tuesday). Those who register by the close of business on December 31st are guaranteed to be on the list of eligible registered voters on Caucus Night. “That’s going to speed things up quite a bit at the sign-in line.” John Deeth is a volunteer with the Johnson County Democrats. He says making sure your registration is up to date will streamline the check-in process, especially at large precincts with lots of new voters. “By up to date, I mean both your address and your party affiliation,” Deeth says. “Both parties, you have to be registered with that party in order to participate in the caucus.”

Iowans may update their voter registration through the secretary of state’s website or in person at county offices. Caucus-goers will still be able to register to vote or switch their party affiliation at their precincts on February 3rd. “You can update your voter registration on Caucus Night and we welcome people who do that, but it will be faster for you if you get your registration up to date before January 1st,” Deeth says.

You must be a registered Democrat to participate in the Democratic Party’s Caucuses — and you must be a registered Republican voter to participate in the Iowa G-O-P’s Caucuses. Republican Party officials released a list of G-O-P precinct meeting locations last week.

(Reporting by Iowa Public Radio’s Kate Payne)

(Radio Iowa) — Some Woodbury County citizens have filed petitions challenging the residency status of County Supervisor Jeremy Taylor. Petitioners accuse Taylor of moving into a Sioux City home that’s outside the district he was elected to represent, while listing another Sioux City home he owns that *IS* in the district as his official address. Taylor says he’s done nothing wrong.
“Nearly six months ago I made the situation known when asked by our county attorney and auditor and know that what I’ve done is legal and will stand,” Taylor says, “…I will look forward to a ruling on that.”

A woman who has often run unsuccessfully for public office in Sioux City has filed a separate legal challenge of Taylor’s voter registration status, arguing he wasn’t a legal resident of the address he used to vote. Taylor is one of the Republicans running in the primary against Iowa Congressman Steve King. The county attorney has said he has a conflict of interest and the county has hired an outside attorney to provide legal advice during a hearing about Taylor’s voter registration. County officials will hold a separate hearing about the allegation Taylor does not live in the district he was elected to represent.

A traffic stop at around 9-p.m. Monday in Red Oak, resulted in the arrest of 24-year old Paige Marie Clark, of Red Oak. She was taken into custody for Driving While Suspended and transported to the Montgomery County Jail, where Clark’s bond was set at slightly more than $566.

Sheriff’s deputies in Adams County responded to a residence in Corning at around 7:42-p.m., Monday, with regard to a fight in progress. Upon their arrival and investigation, it was discovered that 26-year old Andrew Hoenisch, of Corning, had allegedly assaulted his pregnant girlfriend and her ex-husband, following a verbal argument. Andrew Hoenisch was arrested for Domestic Abuse Assault/1st offense, and Domestic Assault with bodily injury/1st offense.