w/Mark Saylor

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Congressman-elect David Young says President Obama’s plans for immigration reform do not address what he says is the most important issue. The Republican who is preparing to represent the third district, was asked his definition of securing the border. Some Republicans say they may have to shut down the government to stop the president’s actions on immigration, Young is not ready to do that and says he has talked with the Latino community in his district about the issue. On other issues, Young says he wants to see spending and tax bills come forward, and he wants to see the Keystone pipeline approved. He also expects with the House and Senate both now controlled by Republicans, that they will try to repeal Obamacare. Young says there are some things he would like to keep in the federal health care law, such as making sure that people with pre-existing conditions can stay on insurance, and allowing kids to stay on their parent’s health care plan up to the age of 26.

Radio Iowa

Supporters of renewable fuels in Iowa say they are pleased with the announcement by the U-S Environmental Protection Agency that they delaying their decision on a proposal that would have dramatically cut the amount of renewable fuels required to be used in the country. Iowa Renewable Fuels Association executive director, Monte Shaw, has been fighting the decision on the federal Renewable Fuel Standard or R-F-S since it was announced and says he was at a rally with the governor and members of the congressional delegation to defend the R-F-S in Nevada at this time last year. The E-P-A proposal would cut the amount of ethanol required in the R-F-S by three BILLION gallons. Shaw says there is some good news in the decision to take more time and ethanol has continued to show its importance. Shaw isn’t ready to say the R-F-S fight is over, but he is happy with the E-P-A’s latest move. Governor Terry Branstad, Iowa’s ag secretary, Senators Tom Harkin and Chuck Grassley, all issued statements praising the decision to delay the action on the E-P-A renewable fuels proposal.

Radio Iowa

Here is the latest Iowa news from The Associated Press

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — The director of the Iowa Department of Corrections says he still doesn’t know when a long-delayed new Iowa State Penitentiary will open. Director John Baldwin said Friday that the Fort Madison prison — which has been held up by construction problems — is waiting for a certification that will help determine if fixes are needed to the smoke detection system.

BURLINGTON, Iowa (AP) — An Iowa family has begun a program that provides food for students on Fridays to ensure they have something to eat over the weekend. The Hawk Eye reports Josh and J.J. Caston started Homeplate Iowa, a nonprofit, to feed elementary students at several schools. They are Corse, North Hill, Sunnyside, Grimes and West Burlington elementary schools.

COUNCIL BLUFFS, Iowa (AP) — Council Bluffs officials are planning a nearly $1 million restoration of the historic Fairmount Park with the help of $100,000 from a Rotary club. Mayor Matt Walsh announced the project on Thursday. The Daily Nonpareil the 90-acre park features a greenhouse, ice skating, sledding, a petting zoo and an old bell tower.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — A former Ankeny High School teacher has been sentenced after pleading guilty to having sex with a 17-year-old student. KCCI-TV reports Mandy Davenport was sentenced Friday to two years of probation. She also will be listed on the state’s sex offender registry.

A rural Red Oak man was arrested Friday evening in Mongtomery County, on a court order pertaining to an original charge of OWI. The sheriff’s office reports 47-year old Danny Leroy Lewis was taken into custody at around 5-p.m. on the 2200 block of 160th Street. He was transported to the Montgomery County Jail and was scheduled to be held there for two-days, in order to satisfy the order.

Police in Red Oak arrested a woman late Friday morning on a warrant issued Nov. 10th, that charged her with Child Endangerment causing bodily injury. The offense allegedly took place on Oct. 27th. Officials say 25-year old Katie Rose Carnes, of Red Oak, was taken into custody at around 11-a.m. at a residence on east Reed Street. Carnes was being held in the Montgomery County Jail on $2,000 bond. Her preliminary hearing was set for Dec. 1st.

The Council Bluffs Police Department reported Friday, four Council Bluffs residents had been arrested and charged with first-degree robbery in connection with a Nov. 4th robbery at a convenience store. Three suspects – including the man the Council Bluffs Police Department believes entered Casey’s General Store at 701 32nd Ave., with a gun – were arrested Friday in Council Bluffs. Another alleged accomplice was arrested in Omaha.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Iowa’s unemployment rate dropped slightly to 4.5 percent in October, down from 4.6 percent in September. Iowa Workforce Development announced the rate Friday, noting that Iowa’s labor force is at an all-time high of 1.7 million.

The rate in October compared to a 4.4 percent jobless rate in October 2013. Nationally, the unemployment rate for October was 5.8 percent.

Officials with the Atlantic Area Chamber of Commerce report their challenge of having small business owners invite 50 Atlantic shoppers to pledge to shop small businesses in town, has been accepted and exceeded. Participating businesses along with the Chamber had received 135 pledges as of Friday, Nov. 21st. The goal was to have at least 50.

Chamber Executive Director Quida Wymer said “We challenged Atlantic businesses to reach a goal of 50 pledges by Nov. 29th, and in just a few short days they had met their goal and shortly after doubled their goal.” She said also, it’s fun watching the participating businesses rally community members to shop Atlantic on Small Business Saturday.”

Understanding the important contributions small businesses make to their communities. The following businesses are participating: Aunt B’s;  Bonnesen’s Five & Ten Store; Brink Flower & Gift; Brown’s Shoe Fit; Brymon Interiors; Cappel’s Ace Hardware; Dvorak Tire & Service; Geis Perry Jewelry; Howard’ s Clothing; Hy-Vee; Lindeman Tractor Inc.; Lou Lous; Renew Ag Supply; Robinson True Value Hardware; Tinder Box; The Nest Egg; The TV Store; Something for You; Steffens Cycle, and Unique Salon & Spa.

“Shop Atlantic, Small Business Saturday is a day to celebrate the small businesses that help support our community,” said Wymer. “Support local businesses and receive Shop Small giveaways like canvas tote bags.” On November 29th from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., the Atlantic community is encouraged to Shop Atlantic small business. It’s suggested you kick off the day by fueling up before you shop at
Downtowner Cafe & Catering, Family Table and Sweet Joy Shoppe.

Farmers and landowners are invited to learn more about new programs authorized by the Agricultural Act of 2014, commonly known as the Farm Bill, at an informational meeting on December 4th. The session, hosted by Iowa State University Extension and the USDA Farm Service Agency, is scheduled from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. at the Cass County Community Center, 805 West 10th Street in Atlantic.

Tim Eggers, Iowa State University Extension and Outreach Field Agricultural Economist, and Max Dirks, Cass County Executive Director for the Farm Service Agency, will lead the discussion. Because of the new Farm Bill, landowners are deciding whether to reallocate base acres and update yields. It is the first opportunity to make those changes since the 2002 Farm Bill.

According to Eggers, “Now is a good time for landowners and tenants to talk about the benefits of updating yields.” The Farm Bill meeting will introduce these new programs: Price Loss Coverage, County Agricultural Risk Coverage, and Individual Agricultural Risk Coverage. Eggers will also discuss how the new crop insurance product, Supplemental Coverage Option, interacts with the Price Loss Coverage program.

Eggers said, “The farm safety net has changed with the new Farm Bill. The common anchor across the new programs is the marketing year average price.” He continued, “I want farmers and landowners to understand their risk management options under the new Farm Bill and consider what they can protect against.”

There is no cost to attend the meeting. To make sure there are enough handouts and seats, please pre-register by calling Cass County Extension at 712-243-1132 or emailing xcass@iastate.edu