DAVENPORT, Iowa (AP) — Authorities say a man wounded in a shooting died at a Davenport hospital. Officers were sent around 11 p.m. Wednesday to check a report of a shooting. They were at the scene when they learned that a man believed to have been wounded there was taken by private vehicle to the hospital. Police have identified him as 43-year-old Frederick Ewing.
The shooting is being investigated. No arrests have been reported.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — A top aide to Democratic presidential candidate Tom Steyer, in Iowa, has privately offered campaign contributions to local politicians in exchange for endorsing his White House bid, according to multiple people with direct knowledge of the conversations. The overtures from Pat Murphy, a former state House speaker who is serving as a top adviser on Steyer’s Iowa campaign, aren’t illegal — though payments for endorsements would violate campaign finance laws if not disclosed. There’s no evidence that any Iowans accepted the offer or received contributions from Steyer’s campaign as compensation for their backing. But the proposals could revive criticism that the billionaire Steyer is trying to buy his way into the White House.

Several state lawmakers and political candidates said they were surprised Steyer’s campaign would think he could buy their support. Tom Courtney, a former Democratic state senator from southeastern Iowa who’s running for reelection to his old seat, told The Associated Press the financial offer “left a bad taste in my mouth.” Alberto Lammers, Steyer’s campaign press secretary, said Murphy was not authorized to make the offers and that the campaign leadership outside of Iowa was unaware that he was doing so until the issue was raised by The Associated Press.

Courtney declined to name Murphy as the Steyer aide who made the offer, but several other local politicians said they received similar propositions, and all confirmed the proposal came from Murphy himself. Another, Iowa state Rep. Karin Derry, said Murphy didn’t explicitly offer a specific dollar amount, but made it clear Derry would receive financial support if she backed Steyer. Lammers, Steyer’s campaign press secretary, said the candidate hasn’t made any individual contributions to local officials in Iowa and won’t be making any this year. In an email, Lammers said Steyer’s endorsements “are earned because of Tom’s campaign message,” and distanced the candidate from Murphy.

The overtures do not appear to have made much of a difference for Steyer. Aside from Murphy’s support, Steyer has received the endorsement of just one Iowan since entering the race in July — former state Rep. Roger Thomas. Experts say a campaign could violate campaign finance laws if they don’t disclose payments for endorsements.

The billionaire businessman built his fortune in banking and investment management before turning to politics, and though he’s never held public office he invested tens of millions of dollars in political activism and electoral politics before launching his presidential bid this year. Prior to his presidential run, Steyer’s most recent focus was a multi-million-dollar, pro-impeachment campaign, and as the U.S. House takes up the issue, he’s argued he’s put it on the national agenda. Steyer has largely self-funded his presidential campaign, spending $47.6 million of his own money in the first three months since launching his bid, much of that on online fundraising and advertising. Steyer qualified for the November debate, but he remains at the back of the pack in early-state and national polls.

WASHINGTON, DC – The U.S. Department of Labor, Wednesday, awarded 427 employers from around the nation for recruiting, employing and retaining America’s veterans. The 2019 Hire Vets Medallion Award recipients attest to hiring more than 52,000 veterans since 2017. Included among the recipients, in the small business category, was Camblin Mechanical, in Atlantic. The awards were presented at a ceremony hosted by Secretary of Labor Eugene Scalia at the Department’s headquarters in Washington, D.C.

U.S. Secretary of Labor Eugene Scalia said “The recipients of the 2019 HIRE Vets Medallion Awards demonstrated a commitment to hiring veterans and helping them develop meaningful, long-term careers. From small-town businesses to Fortune 500 companies, these employers understand that veterans are uniquely qualified and dedicated employees who make significant contributions in the workplace.”

Other Iowa businesses awarded for hiring Veterans include: Shinn-Kellogg, LLC., in Albia (Platinum Award); Brad Deery Motors, in Maquoketa (Gold Award); Iowa Lakes Regional Water, in Spencer (Platinum Award); and Marion Process Solutions, in Marion (Platinum Award).

In 2017, President Donald J. Trump signed the Honoring Investments in Recruiting and Employing American Military Veterans Act (HIRE Vets Act) of 2017. In 2018, the Department conducted a Program Demonstration and recognized 239 employers in anticipation of the official program’s launch in 2019. Recipients of the 2019 HIRE Vets Medallion Awards attested to meeting the rigorous employment and veteran integration assistance criteria, including veteran hiring and retention percentages; availability of veteran-specific resources; leadership programming for veterans; dedicated human resource efforts; and/or compensation and tuition assistance programs for veterans.

The City Council in Walnut is set to meet this evening, beginning at 5 o’clock. On their agenda is continued discussion and possible action, with regard to a MidAmerican Energy Franchise Renewal. During their meeting on Oct. 3rd, the Council heard from MidAmerican’s Mark Reinders, who was asked also, about rumored, proposed rate increases, the last of which took place in 2013. Reinders said the energy company is not proposing a rate increase through 2029.

Mayor Gene Larsen asked Reinders if a franchise fee could be imposed at any time, during an Ordinance approving the Franchise Renewal. Reinders said MidAmerican tries not to do more than two cities per month, so as to not overwhelm their billing and I-T Departments. Other than that, a franchise fee can be put into place at any time. The process would take up to 90 days to get it up and running. Councilperson Linda Booth said that with the recent increase in the water bill, citizens she’s spoken with are opposed to a franchise fee. Mayor Larsen didn’t see any big issues with the budget and the Community Center.

Booth mentioned during last month’s meeting that she was still opposed to a 25-year franchise agreement, and hopes it will be reduced to 15, like the last agreement, and with no franchise fee. Mark Reinders told her the lowest MidAmerican will generally go, is 20-years. Afterward, the first reading of an Ordinance granting the energy company franchise rights for 20-years with zero franchise fees for an electric system, and communications facilities, was held. The motion failed, but was brought up again and approved, with the caveat that the second reading be held tonight, along with further discussion. Reinders then informed the Council that if they move forward with the franchise fees at a later date, the City would need to pass a Revenue Purpose Statement.

Officials with the Shelby County Emergency Management Agency report Shelby County 911 lines are being transferred to Harrison County to insure appropriate location, and call back information are accessible. Local Public Safety resources will be dispatched following normal protocols. Authorities say local 911 Service has been affected by a Server Failure that is currently being repaired. Contingency plans are in place with adjacent counties for these types of events.

Shelby County EMA/911 wanted to inform local residents, when they access 911 the call will be answered by Harrison County. Harrison County will immediately contacts Shelby County, and we dispatch the appropriate help.

Red Oak Police say no injuries were reported after a woman traveling on E. Corning Street Wednesday afternoon, took her eyes off the road and ended-up crashing into a tree. 69-year old Linda Ann Olsen, of Red Oak, told police that she looked down and reached into her glove box for just a second, and when she looked back up, her 2007 Nissaan Murano had crossed the center line of the road. The SUV drove over a curb and struck a tree in the 11-hundred block of E. Corning Street. Damage from the accident amounted to $5,000. No citations were issued.