Le Mars Police Investigate Use of Counterfeit Money
(Le Mars) — Le Mars Police Department is investigating a case of counterfeit money being passed to a local business. Police Chief Kevin Vande Vegte says a fake $100 bill was given as payment. The counterfeit bill is what is used for movie production. Chief Vande Vegte says the fake money is able to be obtained through on-line internet. Several other communities including Spencer and Storm Lake have also had movie production currency show up and used for payment.
Democrat Governor Candidate John Norris Visits Le Mars
(Le Mars) — There are seven candidates seeking the nomination for governor on the Democratic party. One of those candidates made an appearance in Le Mars yesterday morning. John Norris says his background with political experience separates him from the others seeking the nomination for governor.
Norris says he would be able to make a difference on his first day in office. The Democratic contender says he wants to rebuild rural Iowa.
Norris informed the dozen people gathered at Lally’s Restaurant to visit with him that his first priority as governor would be to dismantle the privatization of the Medicaid program.
The Democratic governor candidate says the problems with the privatization of Medicaid is destroying the quality of life for many Iowans.
Norris says he also wants to give attention to labor unions and increase education funding for secondary schools and community colleges, four-year colleges, and state universities.
Northey Confirmed By Senate For USDA Position
(Washington) — It has been a long wait, but Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Bill Northey has finally been confirmed by the U-S Senate to begin his work as the Under Secretary for the U-S Department of Agriculture. Northey appeared before
the Senate Agriculture Committee for the confirmation hearing back in October. However, Texas Senator Ted Cruz had placed a hold on Northey’s confirmation vote.
Bill Northey will serve as the Under Secretary overseeing the farm production and conservation, a position created in May during reorganization of the USDA.
Northey will oversee the Farm Service Agency, Natural Resources Conservation Service and the Risk Management Agency.
Several Iowa commodity and farm organizations, have issued news releases applauding the U-S Senate for confirming Northey. Northey has served as the Iowa Secretary of Agriculture for the past eleven years. Gov. Kim Reynolds will name his replacement.
Grassley and Ernst Discuss Ethanol Benefits at White House Meeting
WASHINGTON (AP) – The White House says talks will continue on a dispute over the future of the renewable fuel standard, which has pitted lawmakers from corn-producing states against those representing refineries.
White House spokeswoman Sarah Huckabee Sanders says President Donald Trump had a productive meeting Tuesday with four Republican senators: Ted Cruz of Texas, Pat Toomey of Pennsylvania and Charles Grassley and Joni Ernst of Iowa.
The White House says Trump has made clear his commitment to the RFS and support for farmers and energy workers.
The standard requires ethanol from corn and soybeans to be blended into gasoline and diesel. Midwest states have sought to maintain the standards while oil companies have pushed to ease the mandates.
Grassley says in a conference call with reporters that no deal was reached Tuesday.
U-S News and World Report Ranks Iowa as “Best State”
(Washington) — U-S News and World Report magazine has announced its listing of “Best States” with Iowa topping that list. The news magazine looks at health care, education, job opportunities, and quality of life as part of its ranking criteria. U-S Senator Chuck Grassley, a republican, says he is proud of the state of Iowa and proud of Iowa’s ranking. He says he would like to see two words featured on Iowa license plates that describe the state.
Grassley Says Federal Government Can Do Things To Reduce Mass Shootings
(Washington) — The latest mass shootings involving school children at a Florida High School has prompted an nation-wide emotional and controversial debate.
Many people are turning to Congress and other government officials to do something to reduce the number and frequency of mass shootings. Grassley told reporters during his news conference that the nation faces a mental health
problem rather than a gun control problem.
Speaking to reporters during his weekly news conference, Grassley says there are some things the federal government can and should do to reduce the number of mass shootings.
Grassley says if these programs would have been implemented it may have prevented the recent shootings in Florida, as well as the Baptist Church in Texas.
Iowa Senate Votes To Discontinue Traffic Cameras
DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – The Iowa Senate has approved a bill that would ban automated traffic enforcement cameras in the state, though the measure’s future is unclear.
The Republican-controlled chamber voted 32-18 Tuesday for the legislation, which would prohibit devices tracking vehicles that speed or run a red light.
The measure heads to the GOP-majority House, where leadership hasn’t commented on its chances. A separate bill in the Legislature would instead add regulations for such cameras.
The nonpartisan Legislative Services Agency says eight cities operate about 80 related devices. A ban would reduce revenue for local governments by about $12 million annually.
The Legislature has considered a ban for years. The state’s transportation department faced legal challenges recently for ordering cities to remove some cameras. The Iowa Supreme Court sided with the state last year.
