Governor Reynolds and New Lt. Governor Gregg To Appear At Hawarden This Morning
(Des Moines) — Governor Kim Reynolds is scheduled to appear at Hawarden this morning at the Caboose to introduce Adam Gregg as the next Lt. Governor. Gregg, 34, has been the state public defender will serve in an acting capacity, fulfilling all duties of the lieutenant governor’s office, but not eligible to
be in line for succession to the governor’s position. In addition to his executive branch leadership and work in the courts, Gregg also served as the Governor’s Office’s top legislative adviser from December 2012- June 2014. Gregg is a native of Hawarden, Iowa.
Attorney General Miller Comments On Gregg’s Appointment
(Des Moines) — Iowa Attorney General Tom Miller says he has no problem with new Governor Kim Reynolds designating an “acting lieutenant governor.” Miller, a Democrat, released an opinion earlier this month that the state constitution does not give Reynolds, a Republican, the authority to name a new lieutenant governor after she became governor.
Reynolds announced on Thursday that she is designating Adam Gregg as Acting Lieutenant Governor. Miller says the position of acting Lieutenant Governor is not in the Constitution, but Reynolds has the right to create the position.
He says he will look a little more into the acting lieutenant governor position.
Miller was asked if the acting lieutenant governor can be paid the same salary as Reynolds was as lieutenant governor.
Miller’s opinion that created controversy because it reversed the first statement he gave on the issue, which said that Reynolds could appoint her own replacement. Many Republicans, including the chair of the party accused Miller of playing politics and trying to create chaos for the new governor by changing what he first said about the issue.
Supreme Court Redefines Criminal Arrests
DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – A divided Iowa Supreme Court has reset the way criminals are charged by redefining when a person is formally arrested.
The court ruled Thursday in cases involving three Waterloo men accused of drugging and raping two 15-year-old girls in 2012. The men were not charged
until more than a year later after DNA samples returned from testing labs connecting them to the case.
The Iowa Court of Appeals in 2015 ordered charges dropped because the men weren’t charged within 45 days after they were questioned, which the court considered their arrest date.
The Supreme Court Thursday reverses that saying an arrest doesn’t occur for the purposes of a speedy indictment until a suspect appears before a magistrate judge and not simply when someone is physically detained but later released.
The decision means Deantay Williams, Taevon Washington and Cordarrel Smith will go to trial on sexual assault and kidnapping charges.
Three People Died From Des Moines Apartment Fire
DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – Des Moines’ fire chief says three people have died from injuries received in a Des Moines apartment fire.
The Des Moines Register reports (https://dmreg.co/2r0TXOZ ) that the blaze broke out Thursday afternoon at the Eddy Apartments, about two miles west of downtown Des Moines.
Fire Chief John TeKippe confirmed late Thursday afternoon that three people had died. TeKippe says one person died on the scene and two others died later at a hospital.
Police had initially reported that three people were critically injured in the fire. Two others were also reported to have been injured.
Officials have not release the names of those killed or hurt.
Investigators are trying to determine the cause of the fire.
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Audit Shows Fraudulent Spending At University Of Iowa Athletics Department
IOWA CITY, Iowa (AP) – A state audit is detailing misspending and potential fraud by the former information technology director of the University of Iowa athletics department. State auditors say Patrick Delin made personal purchases using a university credit card, then “intentionally submitted” false invoices that showed legitimate work items had been purchased. They say Delin spent
thousands traveling to a conference in Colorado that wasn’t related to his work and registering for a Miami conference he didn’t attend.
Schroeders Use Farm As A Classroom
(Le Mars) — Area schools either have, or are about to dismiss for the summer, but a Plymouth County farm couple likes to use their farm as a classroom.
You may have heard of Ag in the Classroom, but for Tony and Shirley Schroeder of Le Mars, Iowa, they believe their farm serves as a good educational setting, as a classroom. The Plymouth County farm couple have hosted well over 5,000
elementary students from Le Mars, Remsen, and even Sioux City for the past 20 years. When students first arrive on the Schroeder farm, Tony always begins by asking the question, “Where does your food come from?”
Tony says, often times the teachers are as unaware as the students with regards to food origins. The Schroeders believe it is important for children to have a basic understanding of agriculture. Tony says very few of the students have
ever been to a working farm, prior to visiting the Schroeder farm.
Shirley serves on the board of “Siouxland Ag in the Classroom.” She informs the students about the various by-products that are derived from the farm. She often explains to the students how some medicines even start from farm products.
According to Shirley, the students are often surprised to hear of the many common household items that originate from farm commodities.
The Schroeders have shared their farm with students for 20 years, and they intend to continue for another 20 years. The Schroeders say they believe its
that important for school children to learn about Iowa farming.
