Branstad Says There is Media Bias In The Election
DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – Iowa Gov. Terry Branstad is supporting Republican
presidential candidate Donald Trump’s claim that the election is rigged and media
organizations are intentionally helping Democrat Hillary Clinton.
Speaking Monday at his weekly news conference, Branstad said he agrees with
Trump that there are efforts to cheat the system and that national media
organizations are “colluding” with Clinton.
However, Iowa Secretary of State Paul Pate is assuring Iowans that the
state’s election is not rigged and says Republican presidential candidate Donald
Trump’s claims of voter fraud only confuse voters.
Monday’s comments by Pate, a Republican, were in response to Trump’s remarks
and comments by Iowa Gov. Terry Branstad.
Branstad, a Republican whose son leads Trump’s Iowa campaign, said media bias
and voter fraud are “one in the same.”
Branstad’s position contrasts with other Republicans, including House Speaker
Paul Ryan and vice presidential nominee Mike Pence, who have expressed confidence
in the election.
Branstad expressed confidence in efforts of election officials to hold a
clean election in Iowa, but added, “Nobody’s perfect.”
An Iowa Democratic Party spokesman says it’s shocking Branstad didn’t reject
Trump’s assertions.
Iowa State University Shields The Names Of People Who Traveled With Leath
AMES, Iowa (AP) – Iowa State University is shielding the names of several people
who have traveled with President Steven Leath, including his best friend, a
National Rifle Association Board member and a controversial athletics booster.
The university last week released records of flights that Leath took in the
last 2 1/2 years, but redacted names of passengers who joined Leath on trips. His
travel has come under scrutiny following an investigation by The Associated Press.
The university said the names were exempt from the open records law since
they are current or potential donors. That position drew criticism from the Iowa
Freedom of Information Council, which said the redactions make it impossible to
judge the legitimacy of Leath’s travel.
The AP obtained passenger names from flight records that had been online.
Capitol Dome Repairs Are Delayed
DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – Officials say repairs to the Iowa State Capitol’s
dome have been delayed.
The state legislature approved a nearly $10 million state appropriation for
the major restoration project that is expected to take 12 to 18 months to
complete.
The Des Moines Register (https://dmreg.co/2dVVqQD ) reports that architects
are still working on drawings and specifications to allow competitive bidding on
the project, which means repairs won’t start until the spring. Work to fix failing
joints and cracks in the mortar, as well as other issues, had been expected to
start in August.
Mark Willemssen, an Iowa Legislature facilities manager, says a contract for
repairs will be awarded around January.
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Pubic Health Service Sets Up Hotline For Food Borne Illnesses
DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – The Iowa Department of Public Health and the Iowa
Department of Inspections and Appeals have set up a hotline for people who want to
report foodborne illnesses.
The Iowa Public Health medical director, Dr. Patricia Quinlisk, says that
once a call is made to the IowaSic hotline at 844-469-2742, trained specialists
will begin an investigation. The specialists will ask a caller about the illness,
symptoms, onset and duration, and also complete a history of all foods the caller
has consumed in the past several days.
Illnesses associated with foods purchased from or consumed at food
establishments will be investigated by staffers in Inspections and Appeals’ Food
and Consumer Safety Bureau.
