(Radio Iowa) – The Iowa Senate Commerce Committee may consider a statewide policy for how retailers that don’t have pennies provide change during a cash transaction. The U-S Mint stopped making new pennies last year and the Iowa Retail Federation says it’s difficult for Iowa businesses to get pennies for their cash registers. If the policy introduced in the state Senate becomes Iowa law, a consumer paying with cash would see their final bill rounded up or rounded down to the nearest nickel.

Michael Gathman, C-E-O of Community Bankers of Iowa, says the scarce supply of pennies is starting to have an impact as people cash checks at Iowa banks and the bill would help.”It’s not a problem, but there’s no standardization,” Gathman said, “so it just gives some meaningful guidance for people to be consistent and be fair to consumers and the retailers.” Tom Cope, a lobbyist for Casey’s General Stores, says the bill addresses the challenge.  “In 2024, 3.2 billion pennies were made each year and they’ve now stopped making pennies and so this legislation makes it easier for the retailers to figure out how to address the situation,” Cope said, “so we appreciate the bill very much.”

The bill won unanimously support in a Senate subcommittee this (Thursday) afternoon. In October, Kwik Star stores in Iowa began phasing out pennies in change and rounding cash transactions to the nearest nickel. Canada stopped distributing pennies in 2013 and uses the rounding method when people pay in cash.

(Council Bluffs, IA) – A Judge in the Pottawattamie County case against a man charged in connection with a shooting incident in Avoca on Oct. 9th, 2025, has granted a request by Defense Attorney Joseph Hrvol, to continue the trial of Shaun Patrick McCarthy, of Avoca, until March 10th. The request was granted by Judge Amy Zacharias just one day before the 29-year-old McCarthy was set to stand trial on the charges of domestic abuse assault, attempted murder, reckless use of a firearm, going armed with intent, three counts of child endangerment—substantial risk, and willful injury resulting in bodily injury. McCarthy has pleaded not guilty.

On October 9th, the Pottawattamie County Sheriff’s Office took a report at a little after 8-p.m., of a person injured in a shooting in Avoca. The victim suffered minor injuries in the shooting. Deputies arrived on scene and determined the shooting occurred at a rural residence just west of Avoca, that the suspect was believed to still be in the home with minor children, and more gunfire was reported from the rural residence.

The Pottawattamie County Emergency Response Team and Negotiators responded to the scene west of Avoca. While deploying to the residence more gunfire was heard coming from near the home, and a male suspect, identified as Shaun McCarthy, was located outside. After a brief standoff, McCarthy was taken into custody, and the minor children were found to be safe and unharmed inside the home.

The Pottawattamie County Sheriff’s Office was assisted by the Shelby County Sheriff’s Office and Iowa State Patrol.

(Radio Iowa) – A bill advancing in the Iowa House would make it illegal for public libraries to let anyone under 18 access books or other materials that are harmful to minors due to sexual content — unless the parent provides written consent. Terri Hubbard is a member of the Sioux Center Public Library’s Board of Trustees. “Across Iowa, minors have unrestricted access in public libraries to materials containing graphic depictions of sexual activity and sexual violence,” Hubbard said. “We would not consider that developmentally neutral in any other public setting.” The bill was drafted after a 13-year-old checked out a book from the Sioux Center library last summer that had adult themes. Hubbard says the president of the Sioux Center Library Board has indicated any restrictions on access to books be handled at the state level.

“This bill does not ban books or restrict adult access,” Hubbard said. “It simply recognizes that minors and adults are treated differently when it comes to sexually explicit material.” Patty Alexander of Indianola, a leader in the Warren County Moms for Liberty Chapter, says public libraries should be a safe space for Iowa families. “We don’t allow children under 18 go to sexually explicit movies,” Alexander said. “Why would sexually explicit materials in the public library be any different?” The bill would give parents the right to sue a public library — and any librarian — who provides sexually explicit materials to a minor for damages and the librarian could be charged with a crime and sentenced to up to a year in prison for a first offense. Sam Helmick, a librarian in Iowa City, is past president of the Iowa Library Association and the American Library Association’s current president.

“It seeks to transform our sanctuaries of literacy and learning into sites of surveillance,” Helmick said. “It takes the librarian, often a volunteer..and threatens them with the cold iron of criminal penalties and the crushing weight of financial ruin not only for themselves, but also for their small community.” Leslie Noble, assistant director of the Urbandale Public Library, is a member of the Iowa Library Association’s government affairs committee. She says the bill will create confusion and liability concerns. “The risk of criminal and civil liability will deter individuals from serving their communities on library boards or working in libraries,” she said. “Municipal insurance coverage could become more expensive or unavailable if insurers view these new liabilities as unmanageable.”

Chelsea Hoye, a lobbyist for the Iowa League of Cities, says the risk of litigation could be crippling for small town libraries.) “This legislation waives governmental immunity and makes cities vicariously liable for library decisions,” Hoye said, “exposing taxpayers to statutory damages up to $10,000 per item.” Two Republicans on a House subcommittee voted to advance the bill early this (Thursday) morning and it’s currently scheduled for debate today (Thursday) in the House Judiciary Committee.

(Elk Horn, IA) – The Exira-EHK School Board, in a regular monthly session, Wednesday evening, set the dates and times for Public Hearings on the Property Tax Notice and FY27 Budget. According to the meeting minutes, the latter will take place at 6-p.m. on April 14th, followed by the Board’s regular meeting. The Property Tax Hearing was scheduled for 6:30-p.m. on March 24th, with the regular meeting to follow.

In other business, the Exira-EHK School Board approved:

• The FY27 School Calendar, as presented.
• Participation in the Storm Protection Fund for FY27.
• The 1st Reading of Policy Primer, Vol. 34 #2, and they reviewed the 400-through 403 Policies, followed by a waiving of the 2nd Reading.

Personnel matters included the hiring of:

• Courtney Peppers – JH Girls Track
• Kevin Brown – Head Track (Boys/Girls)
• Trey Petersen & Tyler Petersen – Co-Head Baseball Coaches
• Tom Petersen – Head Golf Coach (Boys/Girls).

Since a JV Boys Track fire was not available in time for the meeting, Wednesday, the matter was tabled until their meeting in March. The Exira-EHK School Board approved the Resignation of Kevin Petty – Elementary Custodian.

(Atlantic, IA) – During a Special Meeting of the five-member Cass County Board of Supervisors this (Thursday) morning, the Board approved the hiring of an Executive Assistant to the Board. Dorene Sothman will be paid $70,000 per year, effective Feb. 16, 2026. Sothman will be assigned specified duties, and other tasks as assigned.

The Board had previously discussed and then approved the creation of a new Executive Assistant position to support their operations.

(Clarinda, IA) – Page County Attorney, James L. Varley, reports the following activities in the Iowa District Court for Page County for the week of January 26, 2026. The Honorable Craig Dreismeier, District Court Judge of the Fourth Judicial District presided. All persons are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

Cody Dean Nevada Carlson, age 34, Clarinda, Iowa, appeared pro se and pled guilty to Assault Causing Bodily Injury. The defendant was sentenced to 10 days in jail, fined $430 and ordered to pay restitution, court costs, surcharges and court-appointed attorney fees.

Joshua Edward Mastin, age 45, Johnson City, New York, appeared by counsel and pled guilty to Person Ineligible to Carry Dangerous Weapons and Possession of Controlled Substance-Marijuana. The defendant was sentenced on the Person Ineligible to Carry Dangerous Weapons charge to 180 days in jail, with all but 40 days suspended and fined $430, suspended. The defendant was sentenced on Possession of a Controlled Substance-Marijuana to a fine of $420. The defendant was placed on probation for one year and ordered to obtain a drug/alcohol evaluation and following any recommendations. Defendant was ordered to pay court costs, court-appointed attorney fees.

Bryson Sean McAlpin, age 31, Clarinda, Iowa, appeared by counsel and admitted to violating the terms and condition of his probation. The defendant was sentenced to one day in jail and shall continue on probation with expectation that he successfully complete the terms of probation until successfully discharged.

Jayden Anthony Morris, age 26, Clarinda, Iowa, appeared by counsel and pled guilty to Operating While Under the Influence-1^st Offense. The defendant was sentenced to 2 days in jail and fined $1,250. Defendant shall successfully complete drinking driver’s school and obtain a drug/alcohol evaluation and follow through with any recommendations. Defendant was ordered to pay courts costs and court-appointed attorney fees.

Samuel Wade Walker, age 51, Clarinda, Iowa, appeared with counsel and admitted violating the terms and conditions of probation. The defendant’s probation was modified to require defendant to enter and successfully complete inpatient treatment and shall remain in jail until bed space is available.

Samantha Josephine Wheatley, age 38, Des Moines, Iowa, appeared with counsel and admitted violating the terms and conditions of probation. The defendant’s probation was revoked and the original sentence of 5 years in prison was imposed.

Anthony Curtis Webb, age 21, Clarinda, Iowa, appeared by counsel and pled guilty to Attempted Burglary in the Third Degree. The defendant was granted a deferred judgment for one year and placed on probation for 12 months. As a condition of probation, the defendant must obtain a substance abuse evaluation. Defendant was ordered to pay a civil penalty of $430, courts costs and court-appointed attorney fees.

(Creston, IA) – The Creston Police Department reports two arrests took place, Wednesday. At around 11:50-a.m., 21-year-old Lucas Lynn Smith, of Creston, was arrested for Domestic Abuse Assault/1st Degree. Smith was taken to Union County Jail and held without bond until seen by a Judge.

And, at around 3:20-p.m. Wednesday, Creston Police arrested 50-year-old David Allen Jones, of Lamoni. Jones was charged with Failure to Appear. He was taken to the Union County Jail and held on a $300 cash or surety bond.

(Radio Iowa) – Around 250 Iowa National Guard soldiers who have been deployed in the Middle East were welcomed home in ceremonies Wednesday in Sioux City and Des Moines. Fifty-nine of the soldiers from the Second Brigade Combat Team, 34th Infantry Division who were in Syria and Iraq landed in Sioux City. First Sergeant Cole Cooley from was Spencer was happy to finally be back in Iowa. “The trip back was a little bit hectic just because flights are always kind of on and off, which mixed in with our emotions, I would say, especially with the family,” he says. “Like even this morning, we were going to come home and then we weren’t for a little bit. So anticipation for families, it’s kind of surreal still. I think it takes a little bit to really set in that we’re actually home.”

Cooley serves with the 194th Field Artillery and was in Iraq since July. “We were at Al-Asad Air Base and we were actually responsible for closing down Al-Asad Air Base in Iraq. So it was really just cleaning up, making sure we got all the equipment out of there and then left it clean to hand over to the Iraqi Army,” Cooley says. Sergeant Cooley says it was emotional to get back after two Iowa Guard soldiers were killed in a terror attack in Syria. “Obviously December was a pretty sad month for us and I think when that happens it kind of makes it real for everybody, the risks and the dangers that we are and at points during our mission. But yeah, it’s definitely proud to take all of my soldiers home,” he says.

Cooley says he is looking forward to reconnecting with two members of his family he couldn’t talk to while he was overseas.”Dumb as it might sound to see my dogs, because I can’t talk to my dogs while we’re gone. Just emotions. I guess it’s hard to explain,” Cooley says.

Two other groups of soldiers returned to Des Moines. This is the first phase of the return of some 18-hundred soldiers who have been deployed.

(Radio Iowa) – The Iowa Court of Appeals has denied Walmart’s effort to cut millions in property taxes for its store in Marshalltown. The Walmart store in Marshalltown sits on a nearly 25 acre site and the main store is around 214-thousand square feet with a six-thousand square foot garden center. The Marshall County Assessor appraised the store at 13-point-three million dollars ($13,323,780) in January of 2023. Walmart contested the property tax assessment, saying it should be eight-point-three million dollars ($8,332,680).

Walmart argued the county evaluation was not proper because it was based on the building being leased and not owner-occupied. The Court of Appeals ruled the methods the county expert used in the appraisal were more credible than Walmart’s appraiser.