A new group called Iowans for Public Education has formed and organizers say they intend to “fight back” against an “assault” on Iowa’s public schools. Karen Nichols of Iowa City founded the group on Facebook on December 30th and she says more than five-thousand people have now joined. “Our public education system used to be the envy of the country,” Nichols says. “…We must recommit to funding our education system and giving students and teachers the tools they need to succeed.”

Nichols, who is married to a teacher, says she’s concerned about efforts to curb collective bargaining rights for teachers who belong to a union. “Teachers are under a lot of pressure now with increasing class sizes,” Nichols says. “…Adding one more stress of insecurity to their benefit package is just one more reason to go looking for something else.”

Reyma McCoy McDeid, another member of this new group, lives in an unincorporated area north of Des Moines that’s in the Saydel School District. “We’re defending public schools on many levels this year, but perhaps the biggest threat is yet to come,” McCoy McDeid says. “There are special interest groups that would like to siphon money out of our school funding budget and funnel is directly into private religious schools and completely unregulated home schools.”

Another group called Iowa Advocates for Choice in Education is asking legislators to create new state accounts for parents, to be filled with state tax dollars that could be used on tuition at a public or private school. McCoy McDeid says that kind of a “voucher” system would leave some kids out. “Kids with disabilities, for instance; kids in rural areas, kids who can’t afford the high transportation costs to get to another school,” she says.

Perla Alarcon Flory has been a member of the Sioux City School Board for the past four years and she’s joined Iowans for Public Education.  “We want to attract capable teachers,” Alarcon Flory said. “We want to offer the brightest possible future to our kids in Iowa — to all of the kids in Iowa.”

The group held a news conference at the statehouse Monday and is urging its members to attend the forums most legislators hold on the weekends back in their districts.

(Radio Iowa)

Legislators hoping to change state law so Iowa no longer participates in Daylight Saving Time have run into a roadblock. Governor Terry Branstad is against the idea. (Click on the left side of the audio player below to listen to his comment)

Because of daylight saving time, clocks had to “fall back” an hour this past November 3rd — and clocks will “spring ahead” Sunday, March 12th. Daylight saving time was created during World War ONE, to conserve the fuel used to provide light and heat to homes and businesses at the end of the day. Critics say daylight saving time isn’t saving much energy in modern day America and they point to studies which show productivity dips in the fall and spring as workers adjust to different sleeping patterns.

(Radio Iowa)

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — The Iowa Legislature is pushing ahead with its plans to vote on a K-12 education spending bill that school officials say will result in larger classroom sizes and other district-level shortfalls.

A group that included school board members, parents and students gathered at the Capitol Monday in opposition to the legislation, which adds about $40 million to a roughly $3 billion education budget. The Republican-led House was scheduled to vote on the bill late Monday, and party leaders support it. The GOP-majority Senate voted for the legislation Thursday.

Gov. Terry Branstad proposed spending about $78 million more on K-12 education, a point that Democrats have highlighted amid their opposition to the GOP plan.

Administrators for the Atlantic Community School District, Tuesday, are expected to present their proposal to the Teachers’ Certified Collective Bargaining Unit (CBU), in response to the Teachers’ proposal to the District late last month. During the previous meeting, the Teacher’s Association essentially asked for a 5.9 percent total package increase. They also asked for a $1,900 increase in base pay. The Administration will make its proposal during an open meeting that takes place 4-p.m. Tuesday, in the Atlantic Middle School Library.

And, this Thursday afternoon, the Non-Certified Staff’s Bargaining Unit will also receive the District’s proposal during a meeting that takes place at the same time and location.

SIOUX CITY, Iowa (AP) — Entertainment venues in Sioux City are planning to add walk-through metal detectors to enhance security, saying such measures are becoming standard across the country. The Sioux City Journal reports that the city’s proposed fiscal 2018 capital improvements budget includes $100,000 for walk-through metal detectors at the Tyson Events Center as part of the venue’s maintenance improvements. The expense is expected to cover 10 to 12 detectors to place at the venue’s entrance.

Events facilities director Erika Newton says staff currently use wands to check for security. The department may need to hire more security staff since the metal detectors would likely slow the rate of entry.

The Orpheum Theatre board of directors is also considering walk-through detectors for events and plans to purchase them at the same time in order to save money on a bulk purchase.

The Mills County Sheriff’s Office reports two arrested took place recently. Last Friday, 24-year old Fred Akuma Oburu, of York, NE, was arrested at the Sheriff’s Office on a warrant for Probation Violation. His bond was set at $5,000. And, on Feb. 2nd, 27-year old Christopher Lee McDaniel, of Pacific Junction, was arrested at the Sheriff’s Office, for Violation of a No Contact Order. His bond was set at $20,000.

Authorities said also no serious injuries were reported following a collision Saturday night on Highway 34 in Mills County, near Hilman Road. Officials say a 2009 Ford driven by 72-year old Josie Taylor, of Columbus, NE, was traveling east on Highway 34 at around 7:10-p.m., when her vehicle abruptly left the traveled portion of the road and entered onto Hilman Road, where it collided with a 2013 Chevy. The driver of the Chevy was identified as 36-year old Mark Eieseman, of Glenwood. His vehicle was struck was he was waiting at the stop sign, facing south on Hilman.

Taylor told authorities she doesn’t know how the accident happened. Both drivers were checked out by Glenwood Rescue crews, but refused medical treatment.

Police in Council Bluffs Monday afternoon, identified the two juveniles allegedly involved in an armed robbery and assault over the weekend. Authorities say 17-year old Knicolas Lewis, of Council Bluffs, and 16-year old Jacob Strimple, of Omaha, were being held on charges of 1st Degree Robbery, a forcible felony.

Authorities say at around 12:03-a.m. Sunday, Officers responded to the Police Station for a report of a robbery. Upon arrival officers located the victim, Tony Shively, of Council Bluffs.

Shively told officers that while using the ATM near 1st Street and Pearl, he was approached by two black males, who asked him for a cigarette. When Shively told the subjects that he did not smoke, one of the subjects pulled what appeared to be a handgun and pointed it at Shively instructing him hand over everything that he had. When Shively refused, the suspect struck Shively in the head with the handgun resulting in a serious injury. Shively was transported to Mercy Hospital for treatment of his injuries and later released.

Officers located the suspects near South 8th Street and West Broadway. While checking the area officers also located a pellet pistol under a vehicle.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Gov. Terry Branstad says he has completed paperwork necessary to be considered as the next U.S. ambassador to China. Branstad told reporters Monday he submitted documents recently that are required under a confirmation process in the U.S. Senate. His office says there is no timeline available on when a hearing or set of hearings would happen.

The paperwork included questions about Branstad’s investments over the years. His office said in early January the governor had been contacted by the U.S. Senate Committee on Foreign Relations, the State Department and the presidential transition team.

President Donald Trump announced in early December that Branstad was his pick for ambassador to China. If Branstad is confirmed, Lt. Gov. Kim Reynolds is expected to become Iowa’s next governor.

An alliance of educators, government officials and the Iowa National Guard is setting out to inform the public about computer security and increasingly sophisticated cyberattacks. The newly-formed Iowa Cyber Alliance aims to build a workforce capable of fending off such attacks. Doug Jacobson, a professor of electrical and computer engineering at Iowa State University, says the state needs more people trained in cybersecurity.

“We’re just continually seeing an increase in the amount of cyber-attacks,” Jacobson says. “We’re at a point where, basically, more and more companies need to be able to protect themselves.” The initiative is the nation’s first statewide program dedicated to cybersecurity. Jacobson says one of the group’s goals is to prepare young people for careers in what he calls “the very hot field” of cybersecurity. He says they also want the public to be aware of the threats posed by cyberattacks.

“We’re now at point where people need to take on a more active role in protecting themselves because the attackers are getting much better,” Jacobson says. The state adopted a cybersecurity strategy in July of 2016. It calls for the sorts of cybersecurity awareness training the Iowa Cyber Alliance proposes.

(Radio Iowa, w/Thanks to Rob Dillard, Iowa Public Radio)

The Pottawattamie County Sheriff’s Office reports a man and woman from Oakland were arrested early Saturday morning following an incident of assault. Authorities say Raymond James Finiff, Jr., of Oakland, was allegedly assaulted by his ex-girlfriend, 21-year old Selena Naomi Herrera, of Oakland, and her brother, 18-year oldTristan Michael Herrera, also of Oakland. The pair allegedly struck Finiff, Jr. over the head with a metal golf club. Selena and Tristan Herrera were charged with Aggravated Assault/Willful Injury. And, because he was in possession of a controlled substance (a prescription pill) at the time of his arrest, Tristan Herrera was subsequently charged with Unlawful Possession of a Prescription.

The Pott. County Sheriff’s Office reports also, 41-year old Jeffrey Ryan Brandt, of Walnut, was arrested following a traffic stop in Walnut Sunday morning, for Driving While Revoked. 23-year old Justin Troy Heumphreus, of Council Bluffs, was arrested Sunday afternoon on Highway 92 near Treynor following a traffic stop for speeding. He was charged with Driving While Barred, and arrested on a warrant out of Council Bluffs for OWI/1st Offense. He was also charged with Possession of a Controlled Substance, after being found in possession of a baggies containing a little more than 1/2 gram each of Meth and Cocaine.

And, two people were arrested on separate OWI/1st Offense charges in Pottawattamie County. 50-year old David Thomas Ryan, of Underwood, was arrested Sunday morning, following a traffic stop for speeding. 20-year old Trevor Ryan McMahon, of Minden, was arrested Saturday morning, after the pickup he was driving allegedly struck a Mid-American Energy power pole in the vicinity of Mahogany Road and 290th Street. The pickup, which sustained heavy damage, was observed by a deputy about 1/2 mile north of the scene, in a ditch.