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Latest report predicts Iowa tax revenue to fall 6.9% next year

News

March 14th, 2025 by Ric Hanson

(Radio Iowa) – Governor Reynolds and other Republicans say the latest state revenue projections show tax cuts are working as intended. Democrats say the data shows a looming crisis as the governor’s budget plan calls for spending more than the state will collect in taxes and requires using 900 million dollars in state reserves. Kraig Paulsen, the governor’s top budget advisor, says there are no surprises in the numbers.

“Between the tax cuts enacted and the economic headwinds that have existed for well over a year now, revenues have tightened,” Paulsen says. “However, the spending discipline by a our elected leaders — that is the governor and the General Assembly — continue to put the state in a position where the needs of Iowans can be met and we can weather through this tighter time.”

Paulsen and other members of the state Revenue Estimating Conference predict tax collections will fall well over six percent during the current year and drop nearly seven percent the following year. “The tax cuts are having the intended effect,” Paulsen says. “They’re leaving more money in the pockets of Iowans and Iowa employers.”

Democrats say using one-time withdrawals for on-going state operations is bad budgeting. They point to long-term forecasts from the governor’s budget office showing billions of dollars will be pulled from the state’s reserves over the next five years to balance state budgets.

Paulsen says the state is not draining reserve accounts, Iowa’s economy is strong and the tax base is expected to grow in a couple of years. “While inflation is slowing from its peak, it remains elevated. Mortgage rates have seen a slight decline in recent weeks, but interest rates are still at a level that is prohibitive for investors,” Paulsen said. “Obviously it will be helpful when these drop and there is certainty coming out of Washington, D.C.”

The other members of the State Revenue Estimating Conference cited concerns about tariffs that will raise the price of goods and services for Iowans and impact Iowa farmers and manufacturers.

Posted in News |

Carroll County Attorney dies unexpectedly

News

March 13th, 2025 by Ric Hanson

(Carroll, Iowa) – Officials in Carroll County said Thursday longtime Carroll County Attorney John Werden died unexpectedly overnight Wednesday in Des Moines. Werden was 69-years old. Werden was preparing to deliver an address Thursday morning to the Iowa State Association of Counties (ISAC) annual conference. He sworn-in as the organization’s 2025 President in January (2025).

Born in Maquoketa, Iowa, Werden graduated from Albia High School, received a Bachelor of Arts degree from Grinnell College and was awarded the Doctor of Jurisprudence degree from Drake University. Werden was first elected as Carroll County Attorney in 1998 and held the position ever since. He was most recently re-elected in 2022.

On Thursday, Iowa State Auditor Rob Sand issued a statement following Werden’s passing, saying “I worked with John on many Carroll County cases when I was a prosecutor,” Sand said. “He had a strong sense of right and wrong and always a clear opinion. He will be missed.”

Carroll County Attorney John Werden

12th District Republican Representative Steven Holt, from Crawford County, said Werden’s death was “tragic and shocking.” He said had just recently spoken with Werden Wednesday night, at the association of counties reception.

Holt said “John fought tirelessly for victims, as the Carroll County Attorney. He was incredibly effective at putting the bad guys behind bars. This is a tremendous loss. Prayers for his family and may he rest in peace.”

The Carroll County Board of Supervisors is expected to appoint an interim county attorney until someone is selected to fill the remainder of Werden’s term, which expires Dec. 31, 2026. The supervisors could choose to appoint an individual, or they can host a special election to fill the vacancy.

Posted in News |

Iowa House passes bill on misrepresentation of service animals

News

March 13th, 2025 by Ric Hanson

(Des Moines, Iowa/Iowa Capital Dispatch) – Iowa House lawmakers unanimously passed legislation Thursday changing how the crime of misrepresenting an animal as a service animal is charged.

Intentional misrepresentation of an animal as a service animal or service animal in training is already a crime in Iowa, charged with a simple misdemeanor. However, there are some requirements in state law that an officer must meet before charging a person for this offense. The person must be given a written or verbal warning that misrepresenting an animal as a service animal is illegal, and the person must know that the animal in question is not actually a service animal or service animal in training.

House File 615 would strike these two provisions, allowing law enforcement to charge someone for misrepresenting an animal without having to give a prior warning and in cases where a person erroneously believed the animal in their possession was a service animal.

Terry Reams, a Mason City veteran, and his service dog, Lola, were introduced at the Iowa House of Representatives March 13, 2025 as lawmakers passed legislation on the misrepresentation of animals as service animals. (Photo by Robin Opsahl/Iowa Capital Dispatch)

Service animals are animals that perform specific tasks to help people with disabilities, like guide dogs, or dogs that can retrieve medication or provide seizure alerts. Emotional support animals, which do not require specific training, are not considered service animals. Rep. Ross Wilburn, D-Ames, said the legislation will “add clarity” to better support people with legitimate service animals.

The legislation heads to the Senate, where the bill’s companion, Senate File 234, has already received approval by the Senate State Government Committee.

Posted in News |

7 area fire departments battle a Pottawattamie County blaze Thu. afternoon

News

March 13th, 2025 by Ric Hanson

(Pottawattamie County, Iowa) – Firefighters from Red Oak and six other area departments, as well as a local farmer with a disc implement, responded at around 2-p.m. Thursday to Pottawattamie County for multiple structures on fire as well as a field fire. The blaze occurred in the area of Pioneer Trail x 470th Street. Red Oak fire officials say the tractor and disc helped mitigate further spread of the field fire. (Photos below are from the Red Oak FD Facebook page)
An off-duty Red Oak firefighter was close by at the time of the call and assisted with stopping the spread of fire to an area home as well as a steel outbuilding at an adjoining property, ultimately preventing what could have been a significant loss of property.
Crews arrived on scene and found an active field fire (<10 acres) with fire impinging on multiple structures, several debris piles on fire as well as a piece of farm machinery. Crews quickly contained the spread of fire and worked to control the field fire and other areas that were burning.
Two subjects were also evaluated by medical personnel for minor injuries.
The Red Oak Fire Department reminds area residents that “Fire weather concerns continue throughout the entire area until adequate moisture is received. Any previously lit piles should be checked often to ensure they are out and free of any smoldering debris.”
Red Oak FD assisted the following agencies on scene:
Macedonia Fire

Posted in News |

Southwest Valley CSD Board selects 3 finalists for Superintendent interviews

News

March 13th, 2025 by Ric Hanson

(Corning, Iowa) – Officials with the Southwest Valley School School District, this (Thursday) afternoon, posted on social media the the SW Valley Board of Education has narrowed-down the list of candidates for district Superintendent to three candidates. The finalists will be interviewed on Monday, March 17, 2025. “The School Board’s desire,” officials say, “is to make [the] choice for [the] next superintendent Monday, evening.”
In January, current Southwest Valley Schools Superintendent Chris Fenster submitted his resignation to the Southwest Valley School Board, effective June 30, 2025. Fenster is leaving the district after accepting the superintendent position at South Hardin.
According to the press release from EDWise Consulting Firm, the finalists are: Joe Erickson, Troy Lentell, and Bruce Snodgrass.
Joe Erickson currently serves as superintendent at North Iowa Community School District, in Buffalo Center. He has been a superintendent for seven-years and has spent nearly 20 years in teaching and leadership positions in K-12 education. In his current position, he developed and implemented a strategic plan to provide curriculum materials, technology, a transportation fleet, and facilities for the district. Before his current position, he served as an elementary principal in Eagle Grove.
Troy Lentell is the current principal of Clear Creek Elementary School in the Clear Lake Iowa School District. He has 19- years of experience as a school administrator, including 11 with the Sioux Center CSD, and eight in the Central CSD. Early in his career, Lentell served as a classroom teacher and coach. He has supported PBIS and MTSS frameworks and the development of a curriculum that leads to a system of autonomy throughout his staff.
Bruce Snodgrass has served as the 6th-12th grade principal of West Burlington Junior/Senior High School for the past 17 years. He developed the implementation plan for the Iowa Core Leadership program, served as co-chair of a Special Education Delivery Plan Committee, and created the Falcons SOAR PBIS program. He also was the lead administrator for curriculum realignment and vertical articulation and managed the building’s budget.

Posted in News |

Treasurer’s Office Reminding Iowans Not to Fall for Scams

News

March 13th, 2025 by Ric Hanson

DES MOINES – Treasurer Roby Smith is reminding Iowans his office will never call and ask for bank account numbers. Today his office was made aware of a ‘spoofing’ scam where a group of individuals described as ‘Treasury Officers’ wanting bank account numbers and other personal information from a citizen.

“I want Iowans to remain on high alert for scammers trying to take their hard-earned money,” said Treasurer Smith. “If something seems off or too good to be true know, it probably is. I applaud this Iowan for stepping up and reporting the issue straight to my office, so other individuals don’t fall victim to this scam.”

It’s important to know that the State Treasurer’s Office would never call and ask for your bank account information or to meet you in a location other than Treasurer’s office.

If you encounter a possible scam, it’s important to remember:

  • Do not give out personal information.
  • Resist the urge to act quickly or secretly.
  • Don’t send money and don’t meet someone you don’t know or give out your address to scammers.

Connect with the Treasurer on Facebook,  Instagram and X, to stay informed of updates and news.

Posted in News |

Cass County (IA) Sheriff’s report, 3/13/25

News

March 13th, 2025 by Ric Hanson

(Atlantic, Iowa) – The Cass County Sheriff’s Office reports the following arrests took place over the past week:

  • On March 8th, 34-year-old Michelle Lynn Kasha, of Henderson, was arrested for two counts of Possession of Controlled Substance. She was later released on her Own Recognizance.
  • There were five arrests March 11th in Cass County:
    • 42-year-old Joseph Lee Reynolds, and 64-year-old James Richard Cisar, Jr., both of Atlantic, were arrested for being a Felon in Control of Firearm, and on two counts of Possession of Controlled Substance. Reynolds was was later released on bond. Cisar, Jr. was later released his Own Recognizance.
    • 61-year-old Catherine Beth Christensen, of Atlantic, was arrested March 11th for being a Felon in Control of Firearm, OWI/1st Offense, Possession of Controlled Substance, and Possession of Marijuana 1st. Christensen was later released after posting bond.
    • 31-year-old Justine Danielle Jones, of Harlan, was arrested March 11th in Cass County for Possession of Controlled Substance. She was later released on her own recognizance.
    • And, 25-year-old Melissa Jean Wiechman, of Villisca, was arrested on two counts of Possession of Controlled Substance. Wiechman was booked into the Cass County Jail and held.

Posted in News |

Senate bill creates task force to study distribution of Iowa court fines

News

March 13th, 2025 by Ric Hanson

(Radio Iowa) – The Iowa Senate has unanimously voted to create a task force to study the distribution of state court fines and recommend changes to the system. The move comes after computer programming errors in the Iowa Judicial Branch misdirected $27.5 million over a five year period. The directors of six state agencies as well as city and county officials and groups that were shorted funds would serve on the review panel.

Senator Janet Petersen, a Democrat from Des Moines, wished them luck. “It’s an important group that we’re bringing together to really try and simplify and streamline a very complex system that many groups depend on for accuracy,” she said.

The bill names the governor and three other Republican elected officials as panel members. The Supreme Court’s chief justice and the state auditor are not on the list. Republican Senator Mike Bousselot of Ankeny made it clear that’s intended as a rebuke to State Auditor Rob Sand, a Democrat. Bousselot has accused Sand of failing to immediately act when first notified about the funding errors.

“What is the mission of our auditor’s office? To ensure that government officials use taxpayer money for the intended purpose?” Bousselot asked during Senate debate. “Well, I hate to tell you, but he failed at that mission in every single way on court debt.”

Sand has said his office became aware of the issue in October 2022, but it could not be made public until an audit of the Judicial Branch was completed and released. Other state officials disclosed the computer errors last October and the funding distribution has been corrected.

Posted in News |

Iowa Tourism Organizations, Individuals Receive Awards at 2025 Conference: City of Manning included

News

March 13th, 2025 by Ric Hanson

March 13, 2025 (Altoona, Iowa) — The Iowa Tourism Office presented 11 awards recognizing excellence in the tourism industry during the 2025 Iowa Tourism Conference at Prairie Meadows in Altoona today (Thursday).

In addition, conference attendees voted for the People’s Choice Award. Nominees were selected by Iowa Tourism Office staff to recognize partners going above and beyond with projects that can serve as inspiration to others that didn’t fit neatly into any of the award categories.

The complete list of 2025 Iowa Tourism Award recipients:

Outstanding Marketing Collaboration: Jefferson Matters and the Greene County Historical Society, Jefferson

Recognizes exceptional collaborations between destination marketing organizations, local businesses and/or other industry partners that result in a strategic and impactful marketing campaign or project.

Innovation in Marketing: My County Parks

Recognizes a destination marketing organization or tourism business that has demonstrated innovation and creativity in marketing.

Outstanding Niche Marketing Campaign: American State Bank Sports Complex, Sioux Center

Recognizes outstanding tourism campaigns by a destination marketing organization or tourism business that effectively targets a specific, well-defined audience.

**Outstanding Marketing Campaign (marketing budget less than $50,000)

  • City of Manning

 Outstanding Marketing Campaign (marketing budget greater than $50,000)

Iowa State Fair

Champion of Iowa Tourism (two winners): ChildServe, Johnston, and Siouxland Sports Academy, Sioux City

Recognizes an individual or organization not traditionally part of the tourism industry that nevertheless made an extraordinary contribution to the Iowa tourism industry in the last year.

Iowa Tourism Legacy Award (three winners): Rod Marlatt, Fayette County Conservation Board; Greg Edwards, Catch Des Moines; and Wes Ehrecke, Iowa Gaming Association

Presented to an individual or individuals who have worked in the tourism industry for a minimum of 10 years and whose contributions significantly and measurably impacted tourism in Iowa.

People’s Choice Award: Visit Quad Cities – Tourism Accessibility Efforts

The Iowa Tourism Office, part of the Iowa Economic Development Authority, works closely with community partners, attractions and events, to promote the state’s beautifully vast scenery and unique history. Tourism in Iowa generated $7.3 billion in expenditures in 2023, with more than $1.1 billion supporting state and local governments, while employing a total of 70,954 people statewide. For more information on everything Iowa has to offer tourists, visit traveliowa.com.

Posted in News |

Federal funds are lost for Iowa agency that works with homeless youth

News

March 13th, 2025 by Ric Hanson

(Radio Iowa) – Federal grant money to help Iowa’s homeless youth is in limbo due to a clerical error by the U-S Department of Housing and Urban Development. The Iowa agency which helps fund and coordinate homeless services was supposed to get an initial 200-thousand dollar payment from a nearly seven-million dollar grant, but there was a slip-up. Courtney Guntly, director of the Iowa Balance of State Continuum of Care, says the group hasn’t received any of the money yet.

Guntly says, “It is very, very stressful being at this point that we don’t know, and I’m not even sure when we will know, what things look like for the long term.” The agency was notified in mid-January of the clerical error by a HUD liaison, but she says the remaining funds are also in doubt due to federal funding freezes and contract cuts. Guntly says the group already hired extra staff and they’re working with the expectation the money will eventually come through.

“We have to continue to do the work,” she says, “but we don’t know what’s going on or what the future of this funding looks like.” A HUD employee confirmed Iowa was the only grant recipient affected by the error. Guntly says HUD also hasn’t signed the contract for the annual grant funding which starts April first. Last year, HUD signed the contract on February 1st.

Posted in News |