Republican Legislators To Continue Debate On Collective Bargaining Bill
(Des Moines) — Both chambers of the Republican-controlled Iowa Legislature have pushed back scheduled votes on a bill that would eliminate most collective bargaining rights for public workers in the state.
The House chamber, which debated the bill for several hours, agreed after 10:30 p.m. Tuesday to adjourn until Wednesday morning. The Senate took similar action shortly after 8:30 p.m.
Democrats, now in the minority, have filed dozens of proposed changes to the bill. At least one amendment in the Senate to gut the measure failed.
The legislation is expected to pass amid support from GOP legislative leaders, Gov. Terry Branstad and Lt. Gov. Kim Reynolds, the incoming governor. However, the timing of final votes remained unclear.
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Postal Playhouse To Present “The Boys Next Door”
Le Mars Community School District To Hire “Curriculum Director”
(Le Mars) — The Le Mars Community Board of Education gave incoming superintendent Dr. Steven Webner the go-ahead to search for a candidate that will serve in the new Curriculum Director for the Le Mars Community School District.
Webner informed the school board on Monday evening the position would assist the superintendent. The position of Curriculum Director would supervise all development implementation, monitor, evaluate, and communicate all district curriculum, instruction, and assessment programs. The new position would assist principals and building level teams in coordinating grade level and departmental collaboration to effect horizontal and vertical articulation of the curriculum, instruction, and assessment programs. Webner informed the school board that a qualified candidate would have a salary of around $100,000.
Gehlen Catholic To Host Inspirational Singer & Speaker
(Le Mars) — Nationally renowned singer, speaker, & inspirer, Paul J. Kim, will be the keynote speaker Wednesday & Thursday, February 22nd & 23rd, to the All Saints’ Parish Religious Education, as well as Gehlen & Spalding Catholic’s 7th through 12th graders.
According to Kim’s website, he has spoken & performed original music to youth for more than a decade. Kim has emceeded the National Catholic Youth Conference & spoken at the Steubenville Conference. He has earned an international reputation for his dynamic & entertaining presentations incorporating a life-changing message.
Gehlen Catholic’s Christian Leadership Team (CLT) moderator, Mrs. Alissa Schipper, noted Kim will share his testimony on what you say & do today & how it truly matters. The theme for his keynote speech is “Trust.”
Orange City To Host Regional Pork Conference
(Le Mars) — Area pork producers may want to attend a regional pork conference scheduled for Monday to be held at the Sioux County Extension Office in Orange City. Dave Stender is a swine specialist with Iowa State University Extension and Outreach. He says the conference will feature three different speakers including: Livestock Agricultural Economist, Lee Schultz; swine specialist, Erik Potter; and Dr. Chris Rademacher, Iowa State University Extension Swine Veterinarian. Stender says there will be a focus on swine health and diseases, including managing PRRS and PRVD, as well as other swine diseases happening in Iowa.
Stender says Dr. Rademacher will show pork producers how some swine operations have been able to manage or eradicate PRRS and PRVD.
Prior to the start of the conference, Stender will lead a training session that will focus on the Pork Quality Assurance program. He says most pork producers are now certified in Pork Quality Assurance, and the packers have assisted by conducting quality assurance audits.
The regional pork conference will begin at 1:00 p.m. and it is free with pre-registration, otherwise, there is a five dollar fee at the door. The Pork Quality Assurance training session will begin at 9:30 a.m.
Audit Questions Whether Iowa State University President Violated Campus Gun Policy
AMES, Iowa (AP) – An audit is questioning whether Iowa State University President Steven Leath violated policy by storing and transporting firearms in campus housing and airplanes without written approvals.
A Board of Regents report says ISU has no documentation that Leath applied for and received waivers required to bring guns on school property.
Leath stores firearms at the president’s mansion, the Knoll, and has brought them on university planes to hunt during fundraising trips.
University policy bans weapons, without advanced approvals for storage and transportation. The report says Leath received verbal approval to store weapons at the Knoll following a campus police inspection.
ISU says Leath believed that approval also applied to transportation and that documentation likely existed but couldn’t be found due to administrators’ retirements. Leath’s obtaining a new waiver.
The audit came after the Bleeding Heartland blog reported in November that Leath’s hunting trips likely violated the weapons policy.
