DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Former Iowa Gov. Terry Branstad testified Friday in a civil trial that he didn’t try to pressure a state official to quit in 2010 because he is gay but because he wanted someone who shared his political views about the state’s needs.

Branstad, a Republican who is now the U.S. ambassador to China, returned to Des Moines to testify for one day in the trial in which he’s accused of discriminating against former Iowa Worker’s Compensation Commissioner Chris Godfrey, who is a Democrat and is openly gay.

After being elected governor in 2010, Branstad sought Godfrey’s resignation and cut his pay by $39,000 when he refused. Godfrey, who was appointed to a six-year term by Democratic Gov. Chet Culver, sued in 2012, saying he was a victim of discrimination and retaliation.

Branstad testified he didn’t know Godfrey was gay until after cutting his salary and being threatened with a lawsuit, according to The Des Moines Register. “I have always treated everyone, gay or straight, with respect and dignity. That’s the way I have always operated,” Branstad said.

As worker’s compensation commissioner, Godfrey decided disputes between businesses and injured workers. Branstad said he’d heard from business groups that Godfrey wasn’t fair. Paige Fiedler, a lawyer for Godfrey, repeatedly asked Branstad if she evaluated Godfrey’s performance or sought the opinions of anyone other than those in the business community who had complained.

Branstad responded, “Well, a number of people did and I don’t know if they were business owners or not.” Although Branstad was opposed to a 2009 Iowa Supreme Court ruling that legalized gay marriage in the state, Branstad said he now support rights for lesbians, gay, bisexual and transgender people. “People have accepted it and I support it,” he said.

The trial began June 5 and will continue in Polk County District Court next week.

(Update 6/15: The missing 11 year old female in Council Bluffs, child has been located)

The Council Bluffs Police Department is asking for the public’s assistance in locating an 11-year old female runaway from Children’s Square USA (500 North 7th Street).

Jenna Bentrott

The child, Jenna Bentrott, was last seen at 6:03 pm in the area of North 16th Street and Avenue A in Council Bluffs. Bentrott is a white female with short Brown hair, wearing black and pink leggings and pink crocs shoes.

If you see her please contact the Council Bluffs Police Department 712-328-4728 or call 911.

Atlantic, IA — Officials with the Cass County Health System/CCMH report Holly Christensen, BSN, MSN, ARNP has joined the Cass County Health System Emergency Department.
“Emergency medicine has always been my true love,” said Holly. “I love being able to practice a full scope of healthcare, and I love the variety that comes with working in an emergency department.”

Holly Christensen, BSN, ARNP

Holly graduated from Graceland University in 2007, earning her Master of Science in Nursing, Family Nurse Practitioner. Since that time she has served in Iowa as a Family Nurse Practitioner in the emergency departments at Manning Regional Health Center, Audubon County Hospital, and Myrtue Medical Center. She has also served as a Medical Examiner for Shelby County.

Holly, her husband Craig, and daughter Carly live on a farm outside of Harlan. They enjoy traveling, camping, tractor pulling, spending time around the farm and are very involved with the Shelby County Fair.

The Atlantic Police Department reports three separate arrests. On Thursday, 26-year old Daniel Jones, of Exira, was arrested for Public Intoxication and Disorderly Conduct. Last Saturday, 39-year old Kantauo Mark, of Atlantic, who was already in custody, was charged with Criminal Mischief in the 5th Degree. The charge is in connection with a previous incident. And, on June 7th, 33-year old Justin Kubicki, of Tonganoxie, KS, was arrested on a Cass County warrant for Failure to Appear. Jones and Kubicki were booked into the Cass County Jail.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Two psychiatric experts testifying in a lawsuit against the Iowa Human Services Department say the use of isolation and restraints at the state school for delinquent boys can psychologically damage them. Psychologist Andrea Weisman testified in U.S. District Court in Des Moines that a Velco and leather contraption called “the wrap” used to restrain boys at the State Training School for Boys in Eldora is “akin to a torture device.”

The class-action lawsuit filed in November 2017 by two advocacy groups says the school is failing to provide adequate mental health care to the boys. The Des Moines Register reports that state administrators say the facility tries to minimize the use of restraints and isolation. The school’s superintendent, Mark Day, told the judge Thursday that he and his staff try to make the school feel more like a campus than a prison.