(Radio Iowa) – A Christian conservative group that’s influential in Iowa Republican Party politics is endorsing Adam Steen’s bid for governor. The Family Leader’s C-E-O Bob Vander Plaats already gave Steen his personal endorsement and now the group will ramp up its fundraising for an effort to boost Steen’s name recognition, as he faces four other Republican candidates in the June 2nd Primary. “Not only do we believe Adam’s the best qualified, we also believe he’s in the best position to win the governorship and take the baton from Kim Reynolds and keep Iowa moving forward.”

In 2020, Vander Plaats endorsed Randy Feenstra’s bid for a U.S. House seat, but Vander Plaats says Feenstra — the current fundraising leader in the Republican Party’s 2026 race for governor — would lose to Democrat Rob Sand in November. “Our history in Iowa shows and proves that we do not elect congressmen to be governor of Iowa,” Vander Plaats says. “We could ask Congressman Fred Grandy. We could ask Congressman Jim Lightfoot who gave us Tom Vilsack and we could ask Congressman Jim Nussle who gave us Chet Culver.” Vander Plaats, who ran for governor twice, was Nussle’s lieutenant governor running-mate in 2006.

Vander Plaats says he knew at the time Nussle wouldn’t win because Culver was able to make the race Iowa versus D.C. “When you look across the country, there’s a lot of things that divide and people are looking to put the blame on somebody and I believe Randy Feenstra is going to carry that bag,” Vander Plaats said, “and when Rob Sand makes him carry that bag, Rod Sand will be your next governor.”

The Primary Election is in 77 days.

(Des Moines, IA) – The Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is looking for prairie chickens this spring and Iowans can help. Iowa’s prairie chicken population had resided in three locations in Ringgold County – two on or near the Kellerton Wildlife Area; the third on private land – but have been seen in Union, Clarke, Decatur and Taylor counties.

“Whether your checking on the cattle or working the fields, we’d like you to keep an eye out for prairie chickens and let us know if you see them,” said Stephanie Shepherd, wildlife biologist with the Iowa DNR’s diversity program. Prairie chicken sightings can be reported by calling 515-230-6599 or emailed to vwmp@dnr.iowa.gov.

“There’s a concern for this population,” Shepherd said. “Our numbers are down, not just here, but across the border in Missouri, and we want to keep tabs on any birds that we missed as part of our previous surveys.”

(Glenwood, IA) – Officials with the Glenwood Police Department report there were four arrests the past few days. Sunday afternoon (March 15), Officers with the Glenwood P-D arrested 35-year-old Hannah Marie May, of Glenwood, for Driving While License Denied or Revoked-OWI (related). Her bond was set at $1,000.

Late Friday morning, 28-year-old Halee Elizabeth Forbey, of Council Bluffs, was arrested in Glenwood for Driving While License Denied or Revoked-OWI (related). Her bond was also set at $1,000. A preliminary hearing in her case will be held April 13th.

And, there were two arrests March 12th in Glenwood: 22-year-old Jazlynn Leeann Robbins, of Harlan, along with, 23-year-old Trent James Ring, of Neola, were both arrested on a charge of Contempt – Violation of a No Contact Order. The charges were dismissed by the Court on March 13th for a lack of Probable Cause and amended to a traffic citation.

(Radio Iowa) – The spokesman for the Iowa State Patrol says many people are following the new hands-free cell phone law since law enforcement went from warnings to tickets. Sergeant Alex Dinkla says many other motorists are still using their devices while driving. “January 1st to March 1st is 2,417, and that is for all law enforcement agencies in the state of Iowa,” he says. Dinkla says there have also been some 19-hundred warnings written this year. He says there is no doubt that the law has improved safety on the roadways.”We are seeing a reduction in fatalities by month. And so that is telling us that there is a direct correlation between the using of the cell phones and the electronic devices and not using those devices,” he says.

Dinkla says there are many people who aren’t following the law that haven’t been ticketed. “There is a very small tip of the iceberg that we are even stopping and coming across,” he says. “I can tell you there’s many days that we drive around when we’re not in our patrol car that we continue to see these folks violating this law.” He says that’s case with other laws, like speeding, and he says they will continue reminding motorists about the hands-free law. “We want to make sure that we still educate those folks and we remind everyone anytime we can, put the phone down, drive safe and buckle up,” Dinkla says.

The fine for handling a cell phone while driving is 100 dollars.

(Atlantic, IA) – The Cass County Board of Supervisors, during their meeting this (Tuesday) morning, accepted a bid from Jeff Johnson in the amount of $328.80 per acre, for the lease of county-owned farmland south of Atlantic, in the southwest portion of the northwest one-quarter of Section 15, in Grove Township (23 tillable acres). There were five sealed bids that were opened during the meeting, with the bid from Johnson being the highest of the five. The lowest bid was $255/acre.

In other business, the Supervisors heard a regular report from Cass County Engineer Trent Wolken, and they acted on approving the following Resolutions: One was with regard to the vacating of Herbers Akron Road, part of which is in Shelby County, north of Marne and Interstate 80. The road is not publicly utilized, and therefore will not affect public travel. Both Boards unanimously passed the Resolution. The other Resolution was with regard to an Order establishing the 2026 Noxious Weed Control Program. Cass County Supervisors Chair Steve Baier…

That Resolution also passed unanimously. The Board accepted a Fiscal Year 2025 Engagement Letter with Gronewold, Bell, Kyhnn & Company P.C. (auditors), after a representative of the company explained their fees and billing practices, which the Board in the past, found to be confusing. The Supervisors passed a resolution pertaining to Compensation for Election Officials. Once again, here’s Steve Baier…

And they approved the resignation of Linda Olsen, Benton Township Clerk, effective June 30, 2026. They then moved to approve the appointment of Jill Irlmeier as Benton Township Clerk, effective July 1, 2026.

(Radio Iowa) – The U-S Senate is scheduled to debate the Safeguard American Voter Eligibility Act this week, and Iowa Senator Chuck Grassley is a co-sponsor of what’s known as the SAVE America Act. It would require people to show proof of citizenship, like a driver’s license or passport, when registering to vote. Grassley, a Republican, calls it a common-sense way to strengthen our nation’s election process. “Now, I’m not here to say that there’s a massive amount of fraud,” Grassley says, “but requiring people to show proof of citizenship to vote and requiring photo ID to ensure the person casting the ballot is the person registered to vote.” Grassley says 36 states, including Iowa, already require a photo I-D in order to register.

Some key Senate Republicans say they will vote against moving forward with the bill as President Trump is pushing to include the elimination of voting by mail, with only a few exceptions. Grassley says he favors keeping absentee voting as an option. Grassley says, “This bill, with 80% of the people supporting it, 71% of the Democrats supporting voter ID, this bill deserves to be debated.” Reports say some Senate Republicans fear that getting rid of absentee voting in rural states will cost G-O-P votes if would-be voters have to travel a long way to cast a ballot.

Trump reportedly wants “no excuses” for mail-in voting, only allowing exceptions like military duty, serious illness, or disability. Grassley says, “Republicans in Iowa have worked real hard over a period of the last three or four national elections to do as well as the Democrats do in absentee ballot, mail-in voting.” He says it shouldn’t be a big deal to have to show an I-D to register to vote, as people already have to produce proof of who they are when doing things like renting a hotel room, boarding a plane, or buying alcohol.

(Corning, IA) – The Adams County Sheriff’s Office reports three arrests took place recently. On Friday, March 13th, 50-year-old Brent Romer, of Corning, was arrested on a Department of Corrections warrant, and 18-year-old Justyn Edwards, of Leon, was arrested for OWI/1st offense, Driving While License is Revoked, and for Failure to equip a vehicle with an ignition interlock.

On Saturday, March 14th, Adams County Deputies arrested 21-year-old Mya Squibbs, of Corning, on an active Adams County warrant for Failure to Appear.

(Glenwood, IA) – Officials with the Mills County Sheriff’s Office, today (Tuesday, March 17, 2026), said that a suspect in the June, 2025 burglary at The Playhouse in Mills County, has been identified, and is currently incarcerated in the Douglas County, NE., Jail, on unrelated burglary charges. The suspect, 47-year-old Jason Fischer, of Omaha, was identified by DNA obtained from a blood sample recovered at the scene of the crime in Mills County. The sample was submitted to the Iowa Department of Criminal Investigation’s laboratory for examination and identification. Authorities say a warrant for Jason Fischer is being sought, charging him with Theft in the 1st Degree – a Class C Felony.

Background:

On June 30, 2025, Mills County Deputies were dispatched to The Playhouse 19201 Bunge Ave. for a burglary alarm. Responding deputies discovered an unknown suspect had forcefully entered the business and committed a theft.

Disclaimer: A criminal charge/citation is merely an accusation, and the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty in a court of law.

(Guthrie Center, IA)- A joint monthly meeting of the Adair-Casey/Guthrie Center School District Boards of Education will be held beginning at 7-p.m. Wed., March 18th, at the AC/GC High School Media Center, in Guthrie Center. During their meeting, shared Superintendent Josh Rasmussen is expected to inform the Boards that:

– As winter lingers into March earlier this week, the students have missed two full days of school this year due to winter weather conditions, along with one late start and one early dismissal during parent-teacher conferences. Currently, his plan is for the last day of school to remain on Friday, May 22nd, with teachers making up the two missed snow days on May 26 and 27.

-Caliber Concrete began demolition of the front steps at the High School. 7D services will install the storm water drains as weather permits. Caliber can then begin their framing of the stairway soon after the storm installation is completed. The entire project should be completed within 3–4 weeks.

Josh Rasmussen says also, VIBES Audio began the installation of wires and speaker brackets this past week at the High School. Equipment has been ordered and it will be installed as soon as possible.

Personnel matters the Boards are expected to act on, include at Adair-Casey, the resignation of Rick Blake – Social Studies Teacher, and at Guthrie Center, the resignations of: Amber Wetzel – Teacher/Instructional Coach; Savana Fuller – Asst. Softball Coach; Bob Bolton – HS Gov’t./History Teacher, and Wade Monthei – Custodian/Nutrition.

The G-C Board will also act on approving Contract Recommendations for: Rhys Pate – HS Principal, and Taylor Luther – Activities Director/At-Risk. Action items for both the Adair-Casey and Guthrie Center Boards include:

• An AEA Purchasing Agreement for the 2026-27 School Year, as presented.
• Approval of the 2026-27 School Calendar as presented.
• Setting the date for a Public Hearing on the 2026-27 Certified Budget as April 15th at 7-p.m. In the Junior High Library.

Separately, the Adair-Casey Board will act on approving: A Snyder and Associates bill amounting to $375 that was tabled during their Nov. 2025 meeting. And the Guthrie Center Board will act on approving:

• A DECA Out-of-State Trip
• HS HVAC ClassroomUnits

The Joint Board Meeting will conclude with a closed session for a regular evaluation of Superintendent Josh Rasmussen.

(Radio Iowa) – The Board of Regents introduced David Cook to become the new president of Iowa State University in November, and he is now on the job. Cook told Radio Iowa he plans to do a lot of listening in the first months. “I’ve kind of outlined 100 days to just listen and learn and get out and talk to people. really better understand what are the opportunities and the challenges and what can this new president do to really help to continue to build on an amazing foundation,” he says. Cook is an Ames native and Iowa State graduate who was president of North Dakota State when he was hired. He replaces Wendy Wintersteen who retired in January. Cook is going to be in Des Moines today (Tuesday) to visit with lawmakers for the first time.

“I think the big issue is when you’re when you’re leading a land grant, it’s going to be, you know, workforce. What’s our role in changing the landscape there and helping to make sure that we’re educating students to make a difference in our state,” Cook says. Cook says his wife has joined him and they’ve already been talking with students to get their thoughts. “To make sure that they can be successful and what can we do to continue to make sure that they’re having a great experience at Iowa State,” he says. The Board of Regents is considering a tuition increase for students at the three state schools. Cook says that is something they will talk with students about.

“I mean, I know affordability, probably on just about every college campus is going to always be critical and that’s going to be something that is very important to me,” Cook says. He says 73 percent if Iowa State students have a scholarship and almost half of their students graduate without debt.