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Keep up-to-date with Fox News Radio, Radio Iowa, Brownfield & the Iowa Agribusiness Networks!
The Iowa Senator who’s known far and wide for his Tweets via smartphone now says he’s introducing legislation that would free cell phone users from a long-time albatross. Senator Chuck Grassley says consumers need more freedom from restrictive cell phone contracts and this bill would provide it. “If you change your cell phone before your contract runs out, you’re guilty of violating federal law,” Grassley says. “It simply repeals that provision that has the penalty in it so that you can change your cell phone, where you want to get your service, at will.”
The legislation would “empower” people to use their cell phone carrier of choice after they’ve complied with the original contract. The bill aims to address whether cell phone buyers, who often receive new devices at a reduced cost in exchange for committing to a long-term contract, should be able to switch devices to new carriers once the primary contract is up. Grassley says portability of devices would allow for more price competition and consumer choice.
(Radio Iowa)
Some educators may be so concerned about helping under-achieving students to succeed that they may neglect gifted students. Iowa Senator Chuck Grassley is co-sponsoring a bill which he says insures the needs of students in advanced placement, or A-P, classes are included in federal education policy. Grassley says, “As it stands, there’s a shortage of attention given to high-ability students, especially those students in under-served settings, and that could include most of rural America.” The legislation would make sure A-P students are included in the planning process at the district and state levels. If they’re not continually challenged, some advanced students may get bored with school, quit applying themselves or even drop out. Grassley says the bill would modify federal education policy to develop and encourage more achievement from high-ability students.
“America cannot afford to ignore the needs of its brightest students,” Grassley says, “and by doing so, squander the potential that they bring to our country, as well as their own potential.” The bill stipulates existing teacher quality grants would be used to help improve the achievements of all students, including those in gifted and talented programs. Grassley says gifted students “don’t get the attention they deserve,” adding, the advancement of those students “will help to enhance the future prosperity of our nation.”
(Radio Iowa)
A snowplow driver for the Shelby County Road Department was cited for Failure to Maintain Control, Monday, after the 2003 International dump truck he was driving went out of control and entered the east ditch off of Shelby County Road F-58, about nine-miles east of Corley. The Sheriff’s Department says 45-year old Tracy Klein, of Harlan, was plowing snow with the county truck when the accident happened Monday morning. No injuries were reported. The truck sustained an estimated $80,000 damage.
(9-a.m.News)
PACIFIC JUNCTION, Iowa (AP) – A 22-year-old southwest Iowa man has pleaded not guilty to killing his girlfriend’s 13-month-old daughter. Online court records say Colby Puckett, of Pacific Junction, has been charged with first-degree murder. He’s accused of fatally injuring Aliyanna May in February while he was baby-sitting the little girl and two of her siblings.
The Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation says the girl suffered extensive injuries to her head and eyes. She was found unresponsive Feb. 1 and died at a hospital in Omaha, Neb., the next day. Puckett is being held at the Mills County Jail. His trial is scheduled to begin on April 23.
GLENWOOD, Iowa (AP) – The high school principal for the Glenwood Community School District has made a deal with administrators and resigned her post. Television station KETV says Kerry Newman’s resignation was accepted by the Glenwood school board, Monday night.
Newman had been on leave since Jan. 18th from her job at Glenwood Community High School. The board had cited four reasons for seeking her ouster: an inappropriate relationship with a district employee, poor judgment, inappropriate use of resources and being an ineffective role model. Newman had said the allegations are false.
As part of the deal, the district will pay Newman $40,000 and give her access to some of her work while she was principal. Newman and the district agree not to disparage each other.
OMAHA, Neb. (AP) – Officials are planning to temporarily boost how much water flows into the lower Missouri River to test the concrete spillway below the Gavins Point dam on the South Dakota-Nebraska border. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is planning the test on today (Tuesday). Residents downstream of the dam will likely notice a surge in water levels for a couple days afterward.
The amount of water flowing into the river will increase from the current 14,000 cubic feet per second to as much as 40,000 cubic feet per second for short periods of time. That will send river levels more than 4 feet higher in Yankton, S.D., on Tuesday. Smaller increases are expected later as the water moves downstream. For example, the river will likely rise 2.6 feet at Omaha on Friday.
DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — The Iowa House has approved legislation that would require children enrolled in the state’s voluntary preschool program to attend regularly. Lawmakers approved the bill Monday, which would make 4-year-olds in the program subject to compulsory attendance rules. The bill would not lower the mandatory attendance age, and parents could choose to withdraw their children from the classes. Supporters say the bill ensures children enrolled in the preschool classes are taking advantage of the opportunity.
Iowa’s preschool program was established in 2007 under former Gov. Chet Culver. More than 20,000 kids were enrolled in the program in the 2011-2012 school year, and 320 districts received program funding. The bill now moves to the state Senate for review.
The Atlantic School District’s Board of Education Monday night approved by a vote of four-to-one, a proposed realignment of district administrative personnel beginning with the 2014 school year, in light of the announced resignation of Middle School Principal Cam Smith, which is effective at the end of the current school year. The change moves Atlantic High School Assistant Principal/Athletic Director Josh Rasmussen to Smith’s position. Matt Alexander, who is currently the Principal at the Schuler Elementary School, will become the Atlantic High School Assistant Principal and Athletic Director. The search will begin to find someone to fill Alexander’s position.
Board member Rod Hartwig was the only “No” vote on the matter. Prior to the vote, he questioned if anyone could effectively deal with the workload and discipline the AD position requires, on top of the Assistant Principal’s job. High School Principal Heather McKay said Rasmussen’s Assistant Principal’s job currently requires him to spend “very little” time on academic and disciplinary activities as compared to those which are related to athletics, which are very demanding.
In other business, the school board approved, by a vote of four-to-one a recommendation by Athletic Director Josh Rasmussen, to change the girls’ varsity and junior varsity sports team name from “Trojann’s” to “Trojans.” Board member Josh McLaren was the lone “No” vote. And, the Board approved the adding of one more day to the end of the school year, to make up for lost time due to snow days. The last day of school for students other than graduating Seniors, will be Wednesday, May 29th, barring any further lost days due to the weather.