(Radio Iowa) — A southwest Iowa boy who’s being treated for brain cancer got a video message of encouragement this week from one of his Hollywood heroes, actor Robert Downey Junior. Amy Tijerina of Council Bluffs, says her seven-year-old, Jackson, was diagnosed in 2016 and was told he needed immediate chemotherapy.   “When they do that, they put a port in their chest and his port is right in the middle of his chest,” Tijerina says. “When his doctor put it in, he told Jackson, ‘Oh, you look just like Iron Man,’ and that he’ll get special strength from his port just like Iron Man gets strength from his button.”

She says that’s where the boy’s obsession with the Marvel superhero began — and Downey has played Iron Man in several blockbuster films. “His biggest wish was that he got to meet Iron Man and he didn’t just want to meet Iron Man in a costume, he wanted to meet the Robert Downey Junior,” Tijerina says. “I put it out there on Facebook, if anybody knew somebody that I could contact, and I had a couple of friends get back to me and say, ‘I have connections in Hollywood, let me see what see what I can do’.”

One of those friends came through and got Downey to record a 27-second video message of hope especially for the ailing second-grader. “Jackson, is that you? Hi, it’s Robert Downey Junior, but you can call me Tony,” Downey says. “I’m thinking about you. Stay strong and know that my prayers are with you and also, life is challenging and you’re just the man for the job, so, lots of love.”

Tijerina says it’s a dream come true for her son to have gotten the video from the actor who plays Tony Stark, the man inside the Iron Man armor. She says her son has other items on his bucket list, but this checks off a big one. “He does want to go to an Iowa Hawkeye game, he’s toured the stadium but he’s never gone to an actual game,” Tijerina says. “He wants to go to an Atlanta Falcons game. He wants to meet Peyton Manning because he’s another huge hero of Jackson’s and he’s the hero that really got him through his first major brain surgeries.”

She says her son is taking an experimental oral chemotherapy drug which the family gets through St. Jude Children’s Hospital in Memphis, Tennessee. Tijerina says they aren’t sure how well the treatment will work, but they keep making sure Jackson is the happy seven-year-old he deserves to be.

Video link: https://www.facebook.com/amy.holbentijerina/videos/10217912913162303/

(KCCI via Radio Iowa) — Republican Governor Kim Reynolds and Democratic challenger Fred Hubbell met in their first televised debate last (Wednesday) night to make their case to Iowa voters. The hour-long forum was broadcast by K-C-C-I T-V in Des Moines. “We can’t afford to go backwards and that’s the direction that Fred wants to take the state,” Reynolds said in her closing statement. In his closing, Hubbell said: “She promises more of the same and I promise to bring change.”

Private management of the state’s Medicaid program was the major flash point of the evening. Hubbell has pledged to start unraveling the managed care contracts Reynolds has signed if he’s elected governor. “The costs are out of control,” Hubbell said. “We now find out that the per-member cost of Medicaid is rising faster now than it did before privatized Medicaid.”

Reynolds says the old system was not sustainable. “You’re telling everybody what they want to hear and not talking about how you’re going to fund the system,” Reynolds said. “…We have two years of experience. We now know what it costs to take care of our most vulnerable Iowans.”

The candidates were given a chance to ask one another questions. Hubbell questioned a campaign check Reynolds took and Reynolds questioned Hubbell’s personal finances. “I’m transparent with the contributions that I’m taking,” Reynolds said. “Why don’t you release your tax statements so Iowans can see maybe what you’re hiding or what you’re embarrassed of?” Hubbell responded: “I think the governor is questioning my motivation to run for governor. It’s never been about the money. I’ve even offered to not be paid as governor. The only special interest I have is Iowans and I’m going to work every day to help their lives be better.”

Reynolds has released 10 years of the personal income tax returns she and her husband filed. Hubbell released the front pages of the tax return he and his wife filed last year, showing their income and how much they donated to charity. During last night’s debate, both of the candidates said they oppose reinstating the death penalty. Both oppose legalizing marijuana for recreational use. Both said local governments should decide when fireworks may be sold and set off. And Hubbell said “yes” to term limits, while Reynolds said “no.” The two candidates are scheduled to participate in two other televised debates this month. Libertarian Party candidate Jake Porter sat in the audience for last (Wednesday) night’s debate. His supporters protested outside before the event, chanting: “Let Jake debate.”

Here is the latest Iowa news from The Associated Press at 3:40 a.m. CDT

ANKENY, Iowa (AP) — Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds and Democratic challenger Fred Hubbell traded sharp exchanges Wednesday over the state budget and privatization of the Medicaid program as they met together on a debate state for the first time. Reynolds aggressively challenged Hubbell, interrupting him and moderators several times to get her points across. Hubbell with a more subdued demeanor scored points that the economy she boasts of isn’t working for everyone and the Medicaid program is hurting vulnerable Iowans.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — The National Weather Service says nearly a dozen tornadoes touched down in rural areas across Iowa as strong storms swept the state Tuesday. Service meteorologist Mike Fowle in Des Moines says 10 tornadoes were confirmed in the central third of the state, with the strongest hitting near Creston in south-central Iowa. Fowle says that EF-2 twister brought winds of up to 120 mph, destroying a garage and pulling off part of a mobile home roof. No injuries were reported with any of the tornadoes.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — The chief justice of the Iowa Supreme Court says a disputed appointment of a district court judge by Gov. Kim Reynolds in June will stand unless the courts determine otherwise. Justice Mark Cady says in a statement Wednesday he has no constitutional authority to confirm or ratify the governor’s appointment of Judge Jason Besler. Reynolds says she appointed Besler in June within the 30-day deadline by verbally telling her chief of staff her choice but there’s no proof she met the deadline.

COUNCIL BLUFFS, Iowa (AP) — A Division of Criminal Investigation agent in western Iowa is confirming that she’s on paid administrative leave amid a disciplinary investigation. Special Agent Ashley Goodsell says that she has done nothing wrong but cannot comment further since the investigation is ongoing. She says she’s being represented by the State Police Officers Council, a union representing sworn officers.

The Harlan Police Department, Wednesday, issued a statement concerning the number of narcotics-related arrests. They said “You’ve probably noticed an up-swing in recent narcotic related arrests (in both the media and social media). As you may know, this is a broad sweeping problem across all communities in the Midwest and across the country. The Harlan Police Department has been taking steps to curb this problem within our community.”

Officials went on to detail some statistics from the last couple months of summer. The statement said “With information from concerned citizens and cooperating individuals, the Harlan Police Department made multiple arrests, served several search warrants and filed for a couple arrest warrants. The charges ranged from possession of drug paraphernalia, possession of controlled substances and up to multiple delivery charges and even manufacturing charges. These narcotic related charges included multiple drugs, including but not limited to, marijuana, methamphetamine, and cocaine.”

The H-PD says during the month of August, there was a total of 27 different narcotic related charges filed with the Shelby County courthouse, with the month of September netting 43 different narcotic related charges. The ended by saying “With the continued support and information from the citizens of Harlan, the Harlan Police Department will strive to continue the fight on illegal drugs within our fine community.”

The Atlantic School District’s Board of Education, Wednesday evening, approved the construction of a High School Gym-to Multipurpose Room-Walkway, with a stipulation that two questions be answered within two days before any work is authorized. One was with regard to how the project is paid for.

Superintendent Steve Barber said the Little Trojan Wrestlers would commit $15,000 toward the project. Iron Specialties..experts in those types of structures, would contribute additional volunteer time to reduce the costs associated with labor. Barber said “there’s other potential partners in finalizing this project.” It would cost the district anywhere from $20,000 to $35,000 for the walkway to be built.

Board member Dr. Keith Swanson wanted to make sure the district’s lawyer signed-off on that method of payment before work begins. Using volunteer time Barber said, would save the district costs. Furthermore, all volunteers would have to undergo a background check and Iron Specialties would oversee the work. Board President Josh McLaren asked also, what would happen if the project scope exceeded the expected cost, or $55,000.

Barber said he would do more research on the numbers and consult with the appropriate entities to make sure the project costs are in-line, and that work can begin soon. He will contact McLaren and the other board members later this week with the answers to their questions. He said also, the project is considered “Public Improvements,” not goods and services, therefore going out for bids is not required according to the code and policies.

In other business, Superintendent Barber said “After multiple attempts to resolve the Catwalk issue (At the Middle School),” he has turned over the claim to the district’s insurance company, to get it to a point where the catwalk will be functional for the winter months. The structure was hit earlier this summer by a truck, and sustained severe damage to an I-beam.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — The National Weather Service says nearly a dozen tornadoes touched down in rural areas across Iowa as strong storms swept the state Tuesday. Service meteorologist Mike Fowle in Des Moines says 10 tornadoes were confirmed in the central third of the state, with the strongest hitting near Creston. Fowle says that EF-2 twister brought winds of up to 120 mph, destroying a garage and pulling off part of a mobile home roof. No injuries were reported with any of the tornadoes.

Fowle says an EF-1 tornado with 90 mph winds hit near Stuart, damaging trees. The others were rated EF-0 with winds of 70-85 mph. One damaged an airplane hangar at the Centerville Municipal Airport.

In eastern Iowa, the service says one tornado was reported near Blairstown. No damage was reported.