Ernst Completes 99 County Tour At Plymouth County
(Brunsville) — Republican U-S Senator Joni Ernst completed her 99 county tour of Iowa with her final stop at Plymouth County. Ernst held a town hall meeting at the American Legion Hall at Brunsville on Saturday. More than 50 people
attended the forum to ask questions, and to listen to the Senator’s comments ranging from healthcare to agriculture, and from gun suppressors to funding for mentally challenged people, and even a question regarding Ernst’s stance on DACA
or better known as the “Dreamers Act” which allows children of illegal immigrants the opportunity to become U-S citizens. After the town hall forum, Ernst informed the news media that there are bi-partisan efforts to again address the nation’s healthcare program. She says she has visited with President Trump administration staff people about the importance of having a
stop-gap measure for Iowans healthcare needs.
Ernst says action has started within the Senate to again address the concerns associated with the nation’s healthcare issues.
The Iowa Republican Senator says she supports President Trump’s move to discontinue the Iranian nuclear agreement.
One person attending Saturday’s townhall forum, held up flash cards in front of Senator Ernst indicating whether she agreed with the Senator or disagreed with the Senator’s views. Senator Ernst says she appreciated the gentle nature of the gathering. She noted there were people expressing opinions for both sides of issues.
Ernst spoke for just over an hour.
Pate Talks About Improvements Are Needed For Iowa Caucuses
(Le Mars) — Iowa has enjoyed its “first in the nation” status for several election cycles, but will the state political parties be able to continue to feature Iowa as a prime ground for presidential politics. Caucuses are unique to Iowa and Iowa Secretary of State Paul Pate believes they have been good for the state. However, he says both major political parties need to make some improvements to the caucus process.
The Iowa Secretary of State was in Le Mars last Friday for a regional auditors seminar. Pate says the state may not be able to determine a political winner in time for news media deadlines, and he says it is more important to wait for the caucus results and be accurate.
Pate says Iowa political caucus usually determine the political issues, as opposed to the favorite candidate.
Some people may wonder if Iowa will be able to retain its “first in the nation” status.
Pate believes Iowa will continue to attract presidential candidates, simply because it is a cost-effective state to campaign. Pate says presidential candidates can make a large impression in Iowa without having to spend much money.
Pate says once presidential political candidates leave Iowa and New Hampshire, then it becomes necessary for them to build up enough money to carry them through the other states.
Washington To Help With Hate Crime Trial
WASHINGTON (AP) – The Justice Department is sending a federal hate crimes lawyer to Iowa to help prosecute a man charged with killing a transgender teenager last year. LGBT advocates have long been skeptical of Attorney General Jeff
Sessions’ pledge to prosecute acts of violence against transgender people. But the rare move, outlined in recently filed court papers, is a sign he intends to do so even as the Trump administration has taken other steps to erode the rights
of transgender people broadly. The New York Times first reported the decision Sunday. The case involves 23-year-old Jorge Sanders-Galvez. He is charged with killing 16-year-old Kedarie Johnson in Burlington, Iowa, in March 2016.
Authorities have not disclosed a motive. But Johnson’s relatives tell local news outlets they believe the shooting was a hate crime.
Iowa Native American Tribe To Start Selling Tobacco
TAMA, Iowa (AP) – The Meskwaki Nation in Iowa is expanding its business interests from its casino and bingo hall into tobacco products and e-cigarettes. The Des Moines Register reports that tribal leaders are looking to diversity their revenue so the tribe is less reliant on casino profits. Meskwaki Inc. will soon open a 30,000-square-foot factor and warehouse just off Highway 30, within walking distance of both the Meskwaki Bingo Casino
Hotel and the Meskwaki Travel Plaza. The facility will service Meskwaki’s growing family of companies, which includes 12 subsidiaries that operate businesses in retail, distribution,
manufacturing and construction. Officials say the jobs created by the new businesses will provide more opportunities beyond tribal government positions and jobs at the casino. —
