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)

w/ Ric Hanson

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (4.8MB)

Subscribe: RSS

• 2 pounds frozen hash browns
• 1 can cheddar cheese soup
• 1 – 12 oz. can evaporated milk
• 1 – 12 oz. can milk
• salt and pepper
• 1 can onion rings (optional)

Partially thaw hash browns.  Put everything in crock pot, but onion rings.  Cook four to five hours on high.  Add onion rings in last hour.

(Carol Luhring)

• 3 eggs, beaten
• 1 package yellow cake mix
• 1 can pie filling (any kind)

Topping:

• 1/3 cup brown sugar
• 1 tablespoon flour
• 1 tablespoon butter
• 1 teaspoon cinnamon

Beat eggs and cake mix together well.  Add pie filling and put into greased and floured 9 x 13 inch cake pan.  Cover with topping.  Bake at 350 degrees for 35 to 40 minutes.

(Esther Bockhaus)

w/ Ric Hanson

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (7.1MB)

Subscribe: RSS

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.