Iowa Senator Joni Ernst says efforts to cut sexual assault in the military have been successful and similar efforts are needed for civilians. Ernst, a Republican from Red Oak, is a retired Iowa National Guard soldier who has focused on efforts to end sexual harassment in the military since taking office. She says there have been more reports by soldiers while overall cases are down. “What that is saying is that more and more men and women serving in the military have greater confidence in the reporting process. They have greater confidence in their commanders that they will be protected when they come forward with allegations of any sexual assault and sexual harassment,” Ernst says. She says reporting assaults is key to addressing the issue. “That is really important because then it gives that command structure the opportunity to investigate that as well as prosecute if that is what the victim or survivor wants to do. So, I do believe it is working,” according to Ernst.

She still isn’t satisfied enough has been done. “I can’t say that it is ever enough,” Ernst says, “I think we have to keep moving forward. I think greater education of our young people when they are coming into the military is extremely important. So,even before they are sworn in they need to understand that this is not acceptable behavior.” The issue has taken center stage outside the military in recent weeks. “When we look on the outside of the military in our civilian population — there are problems there as well — as we have witnessed not just here in the United States Congress, in the political arena….but we see it in all the talk that has been in Hollywood and elsewhere.”

Ernst says the efforts to prevent sexual assault should be the same whether in or our of the military. “We have to keep working on this. Is this something that will be solved overnight, probably not,” Ernst says. “But I do think that it is important that our public is aware that again, it’s never okay to sexually harass someone. It is never okay to assault someone in any circumstance. We’ve got to start teaching this from a very young age, just the respect and dignity of all people.” Ernst says everyone has to take a role in making changes. “We all have a lot of work to do, not just Congress in making laws, or the administration in writing rules. We all have a responsibility in our communities to make sure we are raising people to understand that every life has dignity and we need to respect that,” Ernst says.

Ernst made her comments during a conference call with reporters.

(Radio Iowa)

Des Moines, IOWA — Iowa State Patrol Troopers and local law enforcement officers responded Thursday to a 911 call of  “shots fired” along Interstate I-80, about 20-miles east of Iowa City, and just east of the 265 mile marker at the rest area.

Officials say the suspect then drove west bound and exited at the 265 exit where he fired more rounds at motorists at the BP gas station. Troopers encountered the suspect on County RD X46 where they engaged him and exchanged gunfire. After a brief stand-off Troopers/Officers were able to take the suspect into custody. No injuries were sustained by the suspect or law enforcement.

The Division of Criminal Investigation (DCI) is investigating as a result of officers involved in shooting. The Officers involved and the suspect’s name will not be released at this time.

Here is the latest Iowa news from The Associated Press….

TOLEDO, Iowa (AP) — A Marion kindergarten teacher has been acquitted of not reporting that a 15-year-old classroom volunteer sexually abused her students. Cedar Rapids television station KCRG reports that a Tama County jury on Thursday found 59-year-old Diane Graham not guilty of failing to report sexual abuse. Prosecutors said Graham was teaching at Starry Elementary when two students told her in August 2016 that they were being abused by the volunteer. Prosecutors said she didn’t report the abuse, as required.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — A judge recently appointed by Gov. Kim Reynolds has recused herself from a high-profile civil lawsuit. Judge Samantha Gronewald has disqualified herself from overseeing the wrongful termination case brought by former Division of Criminal Investigation agent Larry Hedlund. Gronewald didn’t elaborate on the reason. But records show she and her husband have contributed to former Gov. Terry Branstad and other Republican candidates for years.

DUBUQUE, Iowa (AP) — Some eastern Iowa hospitals have announced restrictions on visitation in the wake of a vicious flu season that has strained hospitals across the country. Mercy Medical Center in Dubuque and Dyersville and UnityPoint Health Finley Hospital in Dubuque have announced patient visitation restrictions starting Friday because of the respiratory virus.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — A Cincinnati-based company says it’s closing a Des Moines stockroom over the next four months, affecting the jobs of about 35 workers. The Des Moines Register reports that Cintas acquired the facility when it merged with G&K Services. Cintas said Thursday that the employees are encouraged to apply for open positions at other facilities in the Des Moines market. Cintas offers uniforms, floor care products and other goods and services to its customers.

The next session of Healthy U is scheduled for noon on Thursday, January 18th, at the Cass County Health System. Wendy Hunter – Williams, RN, BSN, will present the program on how to utilize MyChart, the new patient portal available for CCHS patients. Wendy is a clinical health coach at Atlantic Medical Center.

She says “It is important that patients partner with medical providers in the healthcare process. MyChart is a valuable online tool that provides tremendous information and access for patients so they can be an active partner in improving their own health.”

Wendy Hunter-Williams

Wendy will demonstrate how patients can maximize the benefits of MyChart, including tracking health markers such as blood pressure or iron levels, reviewing visit notes and instructions after an appointment, and checking upcoming appointment schedules.

Wendy has been with Atlantic Medical Center for five years. As a clinical health coach, she assists patients with the day-to-day management of chronic illnesses, providing support between visits with their medical providers.

Healthy U is a free educational lunch series at Cass County Health System held monthly in Conference Room 2. The public is invited and welcome to attend, but reservations are required as lunch is provided for all attendees. Call 712-243-7479 to reserve your seat.

IOWA CITY, Iowa (AP) — An Iowa City auto repair business owner has been charged with a misdemeanor after police say he repeatedly asked a customer if he was a Muslim and a terrorist. The Johnson County Attorney’s office said Thursday that 47-year-old Chad Cermak has been charged with third-degree harassment. He was arrested Tuesday after police say a person complained that he went Monday afternoon to Cermak Automotive, where Cermak repeatedly asked him if he is a Muslim, a terrorist, a suicide bomber and other questions.

Police say the customer tried several time to end the questioning. The prosecutor’s office say Cermak has pleaded not guilty, and his trial is set for Feb. 16.

DES MOINES – Senator Jason Schultz, R-Schleswig, has Harlan resident Brody Larson as his legislative clerk for the 2018 session. Larson is 20 years old and is attending Des Moines Area Community College (DMACC) studying political science. “My family has a lot of political involvement and a significant history of law and politics in the family,” said Larson. “During my time as a clerk in the Senate, I hope to learn more about the legislative process.”

“I am so pleased to have someone from my district with me for the legislative session,” said Senator Schultz. “I look forward to introducing Brody to the legislative process in the Senate, to my colleagues, and to many of the constituents who visit me at the Iowa Capitol this year.”

As we reported earlier this morning, an accident between Shelby and Minden had traffic at a standstill. It’s moving now, but expect delays. The right lane of Interstate 80 westbound is still closed, due to the crash (DOT Update 11:12-a.m.).  The affected lane is between Exit 34 (County road M16) and Exit 29 (County road L66), near Minden.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Plans for an $88 million high-rise apartment tower in downtown Des Moines are uncertain after the developer announced a property swap with an insurance company. The Des Moines Register reports that Blackbird Investments announced on Wednesday plans to sell the property of its highly anticipated high-rise project to EMC Insurance Companies. In exchange, the developer would acquire the eastern half of an aging food court and mall owned by the insurance company, known as the Kaleidoscope at the Hub.

Blackbird and EMC announced the deal in a joint press release, but did not provide further comment on property plans. Assistant City Manager Matt Anderson says the exchange caught city officials off guard. Anderson says they’ll be meeting with Blackbird to discuss next steps in their development agreement with the city.

The blowing and drifting of snow makes retrieving stuck vehicles in ditches and medians extremely dangerous, especially with the reduced visibility. Tow bans are currently in effect for Cass, Adair, Shelby, Pottawattamie, Mills, Fremont and Dallas Counties in the KJAN listening area. That means tow services will not be able to help your vehicle until Friday, at the earliest, unless otherwise mentioned. Travel is not advised in Shelby and other area counties today unless absolutely necessary.

AVOCA, Iowa (AP) — A man convicted twice for killing a woman at his western Iowa home has been given 50 years in prison. The Daily Nonpareil reports that 67-year-old Robert Reynolds was sentenced Wednesday, in Avoca. Reynolds was first convicted in November 2014 of first-degree murder for the April 2014 of killing 64-year-old Patricia Kinkade-Dorsey after a night of drinking at his and his wife’s Oakland home. Kinkade-Dorsey was a friend of his wife.

The Iowa Appeals Court later ordered a new trial, ruling that the trial judge erroneously changed the first trial’s location. Reynolds has said he hallucinated while intoxicated and thought Kinkaid-Dorsey was a demon when he shot her.