(Radio Iowa) – House Republicans are proposing longer sentences for violent offenders with previous convictions and new restrictions in the bail system. Representative Steve Holt of Denison says the mandatory sentences would be for serious crimes that endanger public safety.

“I think if you talk to any law enforcement officer, they will pretty much tell you a small number of people commit the majority of crime in our communities,” Holt said. “There are a number of people that simply aren’t willing to be rehabilitated.” A member of the Iowa Board of Parole has raised concerns about tougher sentencing laws, suggesting prison overcrowding may force early releases for some inmates.

Holt say that’s unlikely. A The bill about bail would remove much of the discretion judges and magistrates have in setting bail for people charged with a crime. It also says only those charged with simple misdemeanors or crimes that are non-violent, non-drug crimes would be eligible for release without posting bail. Representative Mike Vondran of Davenport says the bail system desperately needs change.

“We have too many victims that are taking a second seat to the individual that’s committed the act,” Vondran said. “Too often we’re seeing these sometimes violent offenders being able to walk very quickly.” A third bill would create a state-run website with information about how judges have ruled on criminal cases, the sentences they impose and how often their decisions are reversed by a higher court.

Representative Charley Thomson of Charles City says it would be a state-run website, but Republicans in the House haven’t decide which branch of state government would be responsible for creating and maintaining it. “But make it available to the public so the public knows is this judge acting appropriately or inappropriately,” Thomson said. Thomson says the information could be accessible to voters making decisions about judicial retention elections.

Iowa governors appoint judges, but judges must periodically get a majority of votes in Iowa General Elections to keep their jobs.

(Radio Iowa) – The Iowa Court of Appeals has denied the second appeal of a man serving life in prison for the deaths of two Iowa State Fair vendors. Rodney Borushaski was convicted of first-degree murder in the shooting deaths of his mother and father-in law Bobby and Marilyn Blewer at the State Fair campgrounds in August of 1996.

Prosecutors said he was part of the plot by his wife Jamie Blewer to hire hitman Jeremy Sneed to kill her parents to steal money from their Fair funnel cake business. Borushaski argued there was new evidence to show he was not involved, but the Iowa Court of Appeals ruled all the evidence had previously been considered and dismissed his appeal.

Jamie Blewer and Sneed are also serving life sentences for the murders.

(Atlantic, IA) – Officials with Cass Health, in Atlantic, today (Wednesday), announced that “After a decade of transformative leadership that elevated Cass Health into a nationally recognized regional healthcare hub, Chief Executive Officer Brett Altman has announced his retirement.” Altman will remain a part of the leadership team through January 1, 2027—his official 10-year anniversary—to ensure a seamless transition for the organization.

The Cass Health Board of Trustees will initiate a search for a successor, evaluating qualified candidates to lead the organization through its next phase of strategic expansion. “The next several months will focus on identifying the right leader to build upon the incredible gains we have made together,” said Altman. “It has been the honor of my career to serve this community, and I am confident that the momentum we have built together will propel Cass Health to even greater heights.”

Cass Health CEO Brett Altman (Official photo)

A Legacy of Excellence and Expansion:

Since joining Cass Health in 2017, Altman has overseen an era of unprecedented growth. Under his tenure, the organization doubled its market share and patient base, now serving more than 36,000 residents across southwest and west-central Iowa. Mike Klocke, Chairperson of the Board of Trustees, noted that Altman’s “well-organized framework for growth” redefined the hospital’s future. Notable achievements include:

• Workplace Culture and Employee Recognition: Earned annual “Top Workplace” awards and implemented the DAISY and ROSE recognition programs. Altman also initiated “Mission Moments” to celebrate staff achievements in the employee weekly newsletter and nine “Hospital Heroes” have been recognized statewide during his tenure.
• Provider Recruitment: Successfully recruited over 100 new providers, drastically expanding local access to top-shelf specialty care.
• National Recognition: Secured five consecutive Top 20 Critical Access Hospital, 2026 Forbes 5-Star Hospital honors, and a 2024 finalist spot for the American Hospital Association’s “Rural Hospital of the Year.”
• Infrastructure & Innovation: Led the rebranding to Cass Health, championed the new Tyler Family Cancer Center, launched Rapid Care, and initiated the adoption of robotic surgery.
• State Leadership: Obtained the Governor’s designation as a “Rural Hospital Center of Excellence” and multiple Nurse Apprenticeship grants. Altman has also served as Treasurer and Vice-Chair of the Iowa Hospital Association Board.

Future-Focused Transition

Altman’s departure comes as Cass Health executes a robust five-year strategic plan, including facility expansions and remodels scheduled through 2028. “Because of our nationwide reputation as one of the best rural hospitals in the country, I have no doubt we will attract stellar candidates,” Klocke said. “Cass Health is positioned as a premier employer and provider, and the framework is in place for the next leader to hit the ground running.”

Reflections on a 36-Year Career
Altman’s retirement marks the conclusion of a 36-year career in healthcare leadership. Prior to Cass Health, he served as President & CEO of Skiff Medical Center in Newton, IA. Throughout his career, Altman has been a vocal advocate for streamlining healthcare complexity. “Ideally, more time should be spent delivering timely care rather than navigating the complexities of healthcare, jumping through insurance hoops, and obtaining pharmaceutical & medical authorizations,” Altman reflected.

In his announcement, Altman expressed deep gratitude: “I have been fortunate to collaborate with a team that genuinely cares about our patients and each other. Our staff is the best in the business. It is a privilege to conclude my career as CEO of Cass Health.”

(Clarinda, IA) – The Page County Attorney’s Office has released a report on case outcomes in Page County District Court for the week of January 12, 2026.

Among the cases, was that of 25-year-old Alan Myron Jones, of Des Moines, who pled guilty to Possession of a Controlled Substance, Marijuana- 1st Offense. He was fined and ordered to pay court costs and related fees.

23-year-old Jackson David Mellencamp, of Grimes, pled guilty to Operating While Under the Influence-1st Offense. He was granted a deferred judgment and placed on probation for 12 months. Mellencamp must obtain a drug/alcohol evaluation and follow through with any recommendations. He was ordered to pay a civil penalty, courts costs, and related fees.

49-year-old Christopher Charles Rodrigues, of Blockton, pled guilty in Page County District Court, to Theft in the Second Degree. He was sentenced to 5 years of incarceration, and fined $1,025. The term of incarceration was suspended, and Rodrigues was placed on probation for 2 years. As a condition of probation, he is required to reside at the Residential Correction Facility until maximum benefits are achieved. He was also ordered to pay court costs and related fees.

22-year-old Eustacio Joseph Sanchez, of Thurman, pled guilty to Operating While Under the Influence-2nd Offense. He was sentenced to 90 days in jail, with all but 7 days suspended. Sanchez was placed on probation for 1 year and as a condition of probation will obtain a Substance Abuse Evaluation and complete the 12-hour Drinking Driver’s Course. He was also ordered to pay court costs and related fees.

And, 34-year-old Jason Jay Smith, of Clarinda, pled guilty in Page County to Operating While Under the Influence-1st Offense. He was granted a deferred judgment and placed on probation for 1 year. As a condition of probation, the defendant must obtain a drug/alcohol evaluation and follow through with any recommendations plus complete the Drinking Driver’s School. Smith was ordered to pay a civil penalty,  courts costs and surcharges.

All persons are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

(Radio Iowa) – Republican Iowa Congresswoman Ashley Hinson says she doesn’t support Democrat calls that ICE agents be required to carry out arrests only with warrants, clearly display identification, and operate under strict use of force standards. “Because ICE needs to be able to operate and do their jobs. The bigger problem here is that we have sanctuary cities who are not complying with ICE detainers and cooperating with the federal government,” she says. “In places where you see that cooperation happening, things are running very, very smoothly.” Hinson says Democrats are wrong to call for defunnding and shutting down ICE.

“That’s a non-starter for us, and I would argue for the majority of Congress, but the package the House voted on would not only fund ICE, I remind everybody, but the T-S-A, the Coast Guard, and FEMA, and those are all very important agencies that we need to be serious about funding,” Hinson says. Hinson says the latest shooting of a man by ICE agents in Minneapolis is tragic and she supports a full investigation, but she says people are interfering and not complying with law enforcement.

” I asked three people yesterday, you know, have you ever had an unfavorable interaction with law enforcement? And all of them said ‘no.’ And I think that is at the root here,” Hinson says. “You’ve got a Minneapolis mayor who is saying that you shouldn’t comply, you should resist, a governor in Minnesota that’s saying you shouldn’t comply, you should resist. And so I think that’s the issue here is they have inflamed things so much that now people don’t know who they can trust.” Hinson is from Marion and currently represents Iowa’s Second Congressional District, but is running for the open U-S Senate seat.

(Radio Iowa) – Four of the Republican candidates for governor say life begins at conception and they would work to make Iowa abortion law reflect that. Adam Steen — a former member of Governor Reynolds’ cabinet — says abortion will be the number one issue in the race against the Democratic Party’s likely nominee. “And Rod Sand will say the heartbeat went too far. The heartbeat bill did not go too far. We need to push that further We need to put a conception bill in,” Steen said. “We need to decimate the chemical abortions.”

The G-O-P candidates were asked about the issue last (Tuesday) night during a debate hosted by Moms for Liberty. The crowd laughed when a host opened the event by noting Congressman Randy Feenstra, the perceived front-runner in the G-O-P race for governor, had turned down their invitation and they cheered when Steen criticized Feenstra’s absence. “Why is Randy Feenstra not answering questions like we are answering?” Steen said. “We do not have an ability as a populace to drag him across the finish line to beat Rob Sand. That’s why this is so critical right now and it’s because of life.”

Feenstra was at President Trump’s events in central Iowa Tuesday afternoon and, in a written statement, Feenstra said he will always defend the unborn and protect the right to life.

Zach Lahn says a candidate’s stand on abortion is a foundational issue. “My wife and I went through a process and we were at a fertility clinic. We are now banned for life from that clinic because we refused to discard the embryos and the ones we refused turned into our youngest son, Fritz,” Lahn said, to applause. “And so that’s how far you have to go with this.” Brad Sherman, a pastor who’s a former member of the Iowa House, says the state should immediately ban abortion pills from being mailed into Iowa. “I was happy to vote for the heartbeat bill which prevented surgical abortions after six weeks,” Sherman said, “but folks, we need to do better.”

Eddie Andrews, a current member of the Iowa House, also voted for the six-week abortion ban. “It’s not that we’re one issue voters,” Andrews said. “It’s that it’s the first issue. If you can’t get life right, then I can’t trust anything else that you’ve got.” Life at conception bills that would ban all abortions in Iowa have been introduced in the Iowa legislature, but have never made it to the governor’s desk. Democrats say the bills could make contraceptives and some certain fertility treatments illegal.

Alabama’s Supreme Court recently ruled frozen embryos are children and those who destroy embryos could be held liable for wrongful death.

(Greenfield, IA) – The Adair County Board of Supervisors, today (Wednesday) approved a request for an increase in wages for Sheriff’s Office dispatchers. The request came from Sheriff Jeff Vandewater, who said he was informed the current wages are not enough to retain and hire persons for those positions. Vandewater said he took that input and and came up with a proposed wage scale that was based at least in part on what other area counties are paying, and the job stress level that requires and extraordinary amount of multi-tasking, especially during potential life and death situations.

Vandewater says the starting wage now, while on probation for the first six months is $21.06. With the Board’s approval today (Wednesday), it will go to $25.00 on February 7th the new pay period begins.

The Board also approved the Jailer/Dispatcher resignation of Gwendy Rice and her request to move from full-to part-time employee.

In other business, the Adair County Supervisors passed a resolution awarding an OEC Paving project for the Orient Energy Center facility in the amount of a little nearly $1.3-million ($1,290, 943.90) to Grimes Asphalt of Des Moines. There were six bids for the project, according to County Engineer Nick Kauffman, with the bottom two bids separated by a little over $8,000. The engineer’s estimate for the project was $1.6-million.

The Board also passed a resolution awarding the W-18 Harrison Bridge Project. Govco, Inc., in Red Oak was the low bid, at $325, 221. The engineer’s estimate was $380,000. Kauffman said he’d budgeted for $350,000.

(Creston,IA) – Police in Creston arrested a man Tuesday night. Authorities say 35-year-old Alex Richard Cunningham, of Creston, was arrested a little after 8-p.m. at his residence. Cunningham was charged with Violation of Probation. Cunningham was taken to Union County Jail and held without bond until making his initial court appearance.

OMAHA, NE. — Delta Air Lines, the parent company of Endeavor Air, says one of their commuter planes en-route from the New York-LaGuardia Airport to Epply Airfield in Omaha, made an emergency landing in Omaha late Tuesday night, after a crack was discovered in the left side window during descent.

Delta said Endeavor Flight 4900 – a Canadair Regional Jet CRJ-900 (twin-engine jet) – landed safely at around 10:30-p.m. without further issue, and there were no injuries. The passengers departed the plane as normal. Several emergency vehicles followed the jet to the gate.