(Radio Iowa) – A motion is being filed in Cerro Gordo County District Court to open a sealed search warrant in the Jodi Huisentruit case dealing with cars owned by a potential suspect in her disappearance who recently died. According to the website Findjodi.com, Mason City attorneys Nellie O’Mara and Jesse Marzen filed a motion late last month arguing that the warrant regarding GPS data from two vehicles connected to John Vansice should be opened since Vansice died in December and any ongoing investigation into his involvement in the matter has now ceased.

Jodi Huisentruit (file photo)

County Attorney Carlyle Dalen told the website that he’s not seen a death certificate for Vansice, and whether or not Vansice has died, the investigation is ongoing and the motion to unseal the search warrant makes no sense and it could seriously hinder the investigation. The search warrant was originally filed in 2017 and has been re-sealed every year since that time. Mason City police chief Jeff Brinkley has previously said the search warrant did not result in any information that was useful.

Huisentruit, a former Mason City TV anchor, vanished in 1996.

(Radio Iowa) – Iowa Republican Congressman Zach Nunn says he’s supportive of President Donald Trump’s new tariffs on imports from Canada, Mexico and China. Nunn says he thinks the tariffs will help stop the flow of illegal fentanyl into the country.  “I think that tariffs are the best way to go after them, in a non-violent manner, but a very specific way to hold these bad actors accountable,” Nunn says. But Nunn says he agrees with Republican Senator Chuck Grassley’s concern that farmers should be exempt from some of the tariffs. Iowa farmers import much of their fertilizer from Canada.

“The U-S has done a phenomenal job of helping to both feed and fuel the world, and when it comes to countries tariffing food, that’s something that we should be looking at where America has been a source for good,” he says. Critics of Trump’s tariffs say they will hurt American jobs and the economy. The tariffs on Mexico have already been put on hold after the country agreed to send additional troops to the U.S.-Mexico border.

(Radio Iowa) – State education officials are proposing a new definition of grooming in the rules for the board that oversees teacher licensing, but the state senator in charge of the legislation says the definition needs work. Eric Sinclair of the Iowa Department of Education testified this (Tuesday) morning during a senate subcommittee hearing on the bill.  “We are looking to start addressing the gray area between inappropriate behavior and a sexual relationship,” he said. Nathaniel Arnold of the Professional Educators of Iowa says the agency agreed to a compromise definition last year and the new definition would define everyday actions as abuse. “I just want to read the definition that’s being proposed here and just want you to let it sink in: ‘The process of building trust and emotional connections with a student,” Arnold said. “Now perhaps naively I used to this think that was a good thing.”

Arnold, an attorney, says those who groom students for sex need to be expelled from the teaching ranks, but the bill goes too far. “I’m noticing a discouraging trend where the definition of abuse is getting broader and broader and broader to the point where, if you get accused of it, it’s pretty much impossible to defend yourself because everything meets that definition,” Arnold said. Dave Daughton is a lobbyist for Rural School Advocates of Iowa and the School Administrators of Iowa.  “Teachers and coaches always develop relationships with kids to help them learn. Any team that you’re ever on, you develop relationships with each other to help your team be more successful,” Dawson said, “so while we’re not opposed to the intent of it, we just have some questions and concerns about the language.”

Lisa Davis Cook is a lobbyist the Iowa Association for Justice, which represents lawyers. She says the proposed definition for the agency that oversees teacher licensing is very different from the criminal definition of grooming. “This definition is very broad, broad to the point where we’re worried about the vagueness and have concerns that if a teacher is tagged as violating this definition of grooming behavior, is it going to be referred to the criminal justice system,” Davis Cook said, “and, if so, with those definitions being so different, what happens?”

The bill cleared a subcommittee this (Tuesday) morning. However, the legislator guiding the bill through the senate said it won’t be considered in the Senate Education Committee until changes in the definition are developed.

(Radio Iowa) – Iowa Senator Chuck Grassley says he has no issue with the Trump administration firing F-B-I agents and Department of Justice personnel who were key in prosecuting those who were involved in the January 6th U-S Capitol riots. “The purpose of law enforcement isn’t political weaponization, it is law enforcement,” Grassley says, “but the people that did what the higher level people said, I would have to review their involvement and whether or not there’s any decision making before I’d say they should be fired.” Those in leadership positions at the F-B-I and D-O-J can be transferred or fired, Grassley says, but those who were just following orders from their supervisors perhaps should be spared.

“But let’s say some people were fired that shouldn’t be fired, they ought to be reinstated,” Grassley says, “and I would make that same point about whistleblowers that have been fired illegitimately.” Shortly after taking office last month, President Trump pardoned more than 15-hundred people who were charged in the Capitol attack, including ten Iowans. Also, the U-S Agency for International Development is seeing widespread firings, and Monday, U-S Senator Joni Ernst said it was the right move to shut down U-S-A-I-D, so every dollar can be scrutinized. Ernst chairs the U-S Senate’s DOGE Caucus, working with billionaire Elon Musk, who heads the Department of Government Efficiency. Grassley was asked if Musk, who was appointed to spearhead DOGE by Trump, has the power to close down U-S A-I-D.

“I don’t know about the authority to shut down an agency,” Grassley says, “but I do know that President Trump has a responsibility, and he has a mandate from the last election to drain the swamp.” During a live broadcast Monday on X, Ernst says Musk closed U-S A-I-D with Trump’s blessing, and Musk says he had multiple conversations with the president before taking action. Grassley says the agency clearly had problems. “When you see how some of this money is spent, if the president of the United States, particularly a president that had such a mandate to drain the swamp,” Grassley says, “if he wasn’t looking out for how that money was spent, whether it’s millions or a few tens of thousands, he wouldn’t be doing his job.”

Grassley echoes Ernst, who says her staff found U-S A-I-D was spending millions — up to 60-percent of its budget — on overhead and other expenditures not related to humanitarian aid.

(Harlan, Iowa) – The Shelby County Sheriff’s office today (Feb. 4th) released a report on arrests that occurred between January 1st and 31st, 2025. Those arrested include:

1/01/2025
William Neil Damon, Age 30, of Manilla. Damon was arrested after a call for service. Damon was transported to the Shelby County Jail and charged with Interference with Official Acts and Public Intoxication.
1/02/2025
Lukas James Dragon, Age 32, of Harlan, IA. Dragon was arrested after a call for service. Dragon was transported to the Shelby County Jail and charged with Possession of a Controlled Substance, Prohibited Acts and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia.
1/03/2025
Malcolm Shane McDonald, Age 41, of Harlan, IA. McDonald was arrested after a call for service. McDonald was transported to the Shelby County Jail and charged with Possession of a Controlled Substance 3rd Offense, Possession of a Controlled Substance 3rd offense, Prohibited Acts, Unlawful Possession of a Prescription Drug, and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia.
1/07/2025
Jacob Anthony Green JR, Age 20, of Denison, IA. Green was arrested following a Traffic stop on Hwy 59. Green was transported to the Shelby County Jail and charged with Driving while License Suspended.
1/08/2025
Tiandre Celeste Welsh, Age 23, of Harlan, IA. Welsh was arrested following a traffic stop on Hwy 59. Welsh was transported to the Shelby County Jail and charged with OWI -1st offense, Open Container, Speed, and Driving on Wrong Side of Two-way Highway.
1/09/2025
Peter Nazario Alvira, Age 34, of Harlan, IA. Alvira was arrested following a call for service. Alvira was transported to the Shelby County Jail and charged with Driving While Barred.
1/11/2025
Levi Garret Honeywell, Age 25, of Irwin, IA. Honeywell was arrested following a traffic stop on HWY 44. Honeywell was transported to the Shelby County Jail and charged with OWI-2nd Offense and Speeding.
1/11/2025
Johnna Renee Pasquale, Age 36, of Harlan, IA. Pasquale was arrested following a traffic stop on 12th St. Pasquale was transported to the Shelby County Jail and charged with Possession of a Controlled Substance, Prohibited Acts, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia.
1/12/2025
Darla Sue Frisbie, Age 57, of Harlan, IA. Frisbie was arrested following a call for service. Frisbie was transported to the Shelby County Jail and charged with Domestic Abuse Assault, and Possession Of a Controlled Substance.
1/12/2025
Sandra Lynn Gilmorekern, Age 61, of Harlan, IA. Gilmorekern was arrested following a call for service. Gilmorekern was transported to the Shelby County Jail and charged with Domestic Abuse Assault.
01/18/2025
Abimail Perez-Gomez, Age 27, of Afton, IA. Perez-Gomez was arrested following a call for service. Abimail was charged with Driving while license denied/revoked, Operating without Interlock-device, and Failure to Provide proof of Liability.
1/19/2025
Daniel Harvey Pash, Age 44, of Harlan, IA. Pash was arrested and transported to the Shelby County Jail on an active Shelby County Warrant.
1/19/2025
Alison Marlen Reyes, Age 28, of Cypress, TX. Reyes was arrested following a traffic stop on Hwy 59. Reyes was transported to the Shelby County Jail and charged with OWI 1st Offense, Reckless Driving, Speeding, Failure to Provide Proof of Financial Liability, and Open Container.
1/22/2025
Timothy Duane Snyder, Age 47, of Elk Horn, IA. Snyder was arrested following a call for service. Snyder was transported to the Shelby County Jail and charged with Intimidation with a Dangerous Weapon , Assault while Displaying a Dangerous weapon, Domestic Abuse Assault while Displaying a dangerous weapon, Reckless Driving, Criminal Mischief, and Intimidation with a Dangerous Weapon.
1/23/2025
Jason David Bengford, Age 40, of Harlan, IA. Bengford was arrested and transported to the Shelby County Jail on an active Shelby County Warrant.
1/24/2025
Craig Alan Larsen, Age 53, of Harlan, IA. Larsen was arrested and transported to the Shelby County Jail on an active Shelby County Warrant.
1/26/2025
Aaron Michael Pritchard, Age 43, of Harlan, IA. Pritchard was arrested following a call for service. Pritchard was transported to the Shelby County Jail and charged with Prohibited Acts, Possession of a Controlled Substance, and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia.
1/26/2025
Elizabeth Ann Woodward, Age 41, of Harlan, IA. Woodward was arrested following a call for service. Woodward was transported to the Shelby County Jail and charged with Prohibited Acts, Possession of a Controlled Substance, and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia.
1/27/2025
Mikenda Ifraim, Age 29, of Harlan, IA. Ifraim was arrested following a traffic stop. Ifraim was transported to the Shelby County Jail and charged with Driving while Suspended, Operating a Non- Registered Vehicle, Failure to Provide Proof of Financial Liability, Passing Contrary to Highway Sign or Marking,
1/30/2025
Steven Glenn Herrington, Age 61, of Carter Lake, IA. Herrington was arrested and transported to the Shelby County Jail on an active Shelby County Warrant.
1/31/2025
Joseph Ryan Passow, Age 32, of Harlan, IA. Passow was arrested following a traffic stop. Passow was transported to the Shelby County Jail and charged with Possession of a Controlled Substance and Keeping premises or Vehicle for Controlled Substance.

Disclaimer:
All arrests reported on the Shelby County Sheriff’s Office Facebook page are arrests made by the Shelby County Sheriff’s Office with charges originating from the Shelby County. Criminal charges are merely accusations and defendants are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty in a court of law.

(Creston, Iowa) A man from Creston reported to Creston Police, Monday, the theft of cryptocurrency. The victim said the stolen electronic currency and NFT’s (Non-Fungible Tokens, which is a unique digital identifier that is recorded on a blockchain and is used to certify ownership and authenticity) were valued at $3,000. Additional information was not provided.

AMES, Iowa — Thieves stole thousands of dollars worth of tools from Habitat for Humanity’s construction site in Ames Sunday night, halting their work on affordable homes. KCCI reports Habitat for Humanity construction manager Curt Samson, said someone cut the lock on his equipment trailer and stole thousands of dollars worth of tools, including a Sawzall, and a full two-drawer tool box.

Dan Nutini, executive director of Habitat for Humanity of Central Iowa, said crews are building affordable homes and need the tools to finish the project. Work came to a halt Monday. When word got out on social media and offers for replacement tools came pouring in. Nutini said they recorded the serial numbers of most of the those prior to them being stolen, so if someone tries to sell them, the buyer will know the tools are stolen property. Nutini says his message to the thief or thieves, is that the just want their tools back so Habitat For Humanity can continue its mission to build affordable housing.

If have information about the theft, call the Ames Police Department at 515-239-5135.

(Des Moines, Iowa) – Iowa community college leaders told lawmakers Monday they’re hoping to build on progress made last year in providing colleges equitable funding and ensure continued support of statewide programs that help both colleges and students. The Iowa Capital Dispatch reports Community Colleges for Iowa is asking the Legislature for a $12 million, or 5%, increase in funding for the upcoming year, Community Colleges for Iowa Executive Director Emily Shields told members of the Iowa House Higher Education Subcommittee during its Monday meeting.

The organization’s request for state allocations is higher this session than in the past, Shields said, as there are still inequities between colleges that need to be addressed. Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds signed a bill last year giving community college presidents and chancellors control over the formula that calculates how many dollars will go to each college. Community colleges advocated for this legislation, saying it would help address problems of certain institutions being over-funded while others are under-funded.

This year, half of state funds will be disbursed through the old formula and the remaining half will go to five colleges that have been on the lower end of the funding spectrum and need more support. Even if the community college network does not receive an additional $12 million in state funding, Shields confirmed the 50/50 split in dollars would still occur.

The organization is hoping for continued funding for the Future Ready Iowa Last-Dollar Scholarship program, she said, and would like lawmakers to consider changing its income limit, as the program has been underspent by as much as $7 million. Changes to the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, or FAFSA are impacting the program in ways that aren’t entirely clear yet, and Shields said it would be something important for the Legislature to consider in the future.

While the education appropriations committee doesn’t oversee this program, Shields said Community Colleges for Iowa is also seeking an increase in funding for the Workforce Training and Economic Development Fund, as it is an important source of funding for workforce training, especially career and technical education.

Shields said career and technical education is the most expensive aspect of community college operations, and money from this fund helps keep popular programs open while also offering region- and student-specific support in some cases. The fund helped revitalize Indian Hills Community College’s Centerville campus with a new, 66,000 square-foot facility for career and technical education.

(Des Moines, Iowa) – Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig presented reports for the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship to an appropriations subcommittee Monday, highlighting the ongoing struggles with the highly pathogenic avian influenza, as well as successes with the Choose Iowa program and conservation efforts.  Naig appeared in front of the Iowa House Agriculture and Natural Resources Appropriations Subcommittee to share information on IDALS’ budget requests for the upcoming fiscal year.

According to the Iowa Capital Dispatch, he began with an update for the subcommittee on the ongoing threat of the highly pathogenic avian influenza which jumped from birds to dairy cattle in 2024 and since 2022 has impacted nearly 30 million commercial and backyard birds in Iowa. “It’s just a reminder that, unfortunately, foreign animal disease is a constant threat, a year-round threat,” Naig said. “We need to be staffed and prepared to respond to it.”

The governor’s recommendations for FY 2026 include a $500,000 appropriation to the department for foreign animal disease vaccine development.  Naig highlighted the conservation work of the department in 2024, sharing that Iowa had nearly 4 million acres planted with cover crops and set another “record year” for conservation cost-share programs. “We always say a state dollar doesn’t act alone,” Naig said, noting that “$27.1 million worth of state investment was matched with $41.2 million in private sector dollars.”

Representatives on the subcommittee, and Naig, expressed enthusiasm about the Choose Iowa program, which helps to market and support locally made foods and products. The program has more than 170 members in 72 Iowa Counties and Naig said he hopes to expand to 300 members this year. The Choose Iowa program issued grants for value-added farm products, to dairy innovation and recently the department announced an allocation for butchery innovation. The initiative also had a pilot program aiding local food banks, and beginning this spring, from local schools.

Rep. Sami Scheetz, D-Cedar Rapids, noted recent moves from the Trump administration to put tariffs on products from Mexico and Canada, both of which have been postponed by a month, and asked Naig how this would affect Iowa farmers. Naig said he is “not a fan” of tariffs in general, but said the president is using the tariffs as a “tool” to support his border and immigration policies.

(Radio Iowa) – Iowa lawmakers, including the governor, will be in Fort Madison later this (Tuesday) morning for the funeral of State Representative Martin Graber. Graber died unexpectedly Friday at the age of 72. House Speaker Pat Grassley honored Graber during remarks in the House yesterday (Monday).  “As we all know we lost a great friend,” Grassley says. “…There’s not a lot of people, if anyone, who’s ever had a bad thing to say about Martin Graber.” Graber is survived by his wife, Coni, two adult daughters and two granddaughters. Representative Jon Dunwell of Newton, who is a pastor, prayed for the Graber family.

“There is a pain that’s found in separation. There is a pain that’s found in death and so, Lord, we pray right now for Coni,” Dunwell said. “….Lord, may we be your hands and feet of love and expression to her and to her children and grandchildren.” Today’s schedule in the Iowa House has been scrapped so members may attend Graber’s funeral. Graber was a southeast Iowa native who served 32 years in the Iowa National Guard. He retired at the rank of brigadier general and was first elected to the Iowa House in 2020.

It’s been 32 years since a lawmaker has died while the Iowa legislature was in session. State Representative Clay Spear of Burlington died on January 27, 1993.