Reynolds Promotes “Future Iowa Ready Initiative” Bill
(Le Mars) — Last week, the Iowa House passed one of Governor Reynolds’ proposed bills entitled the Future Iowa Ready Initiative. Reynolds explains how the bill will assist Iowa businesses and schools.
Republican representative Chuck Holz of Le Mars says although the governor’s bill was passed, it remains unfunded.
(Le Mars) — Governor Reynolds, along with governors of five other states have written a letter to President Trump reminding him of his campaign committments to the renewable fuels industry. The ethanol and bio-diesel industries are under constant attack from the petroleum industry, and legislators representing oil producing states. Texas Senator Ted Cruz has proposed a plan that would redefine the Renewable Fuels Standard, and midwest lawmakers say if Cruz’ plan is acted upon, it would devastate the midwest economy and the expanding renewable fuels market. Reynolds was in Le Mars on Friday as part of her gubernatorial campaign swing through western Iowa. She says she will do all within her powers to keep Iowa’s renewable fuels industry growing.
Reynolds says several people from various states are working to retain the renewable fuels industry, and to convey the message to President Trump.
Besides the possibility of a lost market share with ethanol and biofuels, several people are concerned that Iowa agricultural trade may suffer from President Trump’s call for a tariff on imported steel and aluminum products, as well as his intent to modify the North American Free Trade Agreement. Reynolds says she understands why Iowans may be concerned.
The entire interview with Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds can be viewed on the KLEM radio website at www.klem1410.com
Sioux City Council To Consider Development Loan For Former Warrior Hotel
SIOUX CITY, Iowa (AP) – The City Council in Sioux City is considering more than $12 million in assistance for a $56 million project to convert two historic downtown buildings into luxury apartments and a nearly 150-room hotel.
Developer Lew Weinberg and St. Louis-based developer Restoration St. Louis plan to turn the former Warrior Hotel and Davidson buildings into a Marriott brand hotel.
The financial package would include a partially forgivable $5 million loan, a portion of the city’s share of hotel-motel taxes generated by the facility, property tax incentives, and reduced rates for city ramp parking. The council could vote on the package Monday.
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Sioux City Police Involved In Stand-off
(Sioux City) — An armed standoff Saturday on Sioux City’s west side ended with one person being taken to the hospital. Sioux City Police Chief Rex Mueller says officers were called to 1906 Helmer Street around 11:00 a.m. Saturday on a welfare check call.
The SWAT team and crisis negotiators were called to the scene to establish contact with the male gunman inside the home. Chief Muller says it did not appear that the man inside the home was shooting at anyone or anything outside the residence.
Some nearby residents evacuated and others stayed in their homes. After about 90 minutes, the chief says they lost contact with the individual and police deployed an aerial drone which detected no movement inside. A flashbang device was used also got no response so SWAT officers then entered the home.
Officers provided medical aid to the person inside, and he was taken to Mercy Medical Center. His name and condition have not yet been released. No one else was injured during the incident.
State Legislator Reunites With Daughter
DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – A member of the Iowa Legislature has reunited with the daughter she released for adoption 47 years ago.
On a Saturday morning this year, State Rep. Marti Anderson’s phone rang, and her daughter, Shellie Price Wardlaw, was on the other line.
Wardlaw tells the Des Moines Register that she found Anderson after taking a DNA test through Ancestry.com in January, which identified a maternal match. Anderson had taken the same test in December.
Wardlaw had been wondering about her birth parents since she found out she was adopted at age 7.
Anderson says she had been awaiting that phone call for four decades. Anderson then met up with her daughter at her home just across town in Des Moines.
Anderson says she hopes to start making up for lost time.
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Federal Loans To Upgrade Rural Utilities
CORNING, Iowa (AP) – Federal loans will help utilities in Iowa and Missouri upgrade electric lines in rural parts of those states.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture recently announced $276 million in loans to help rural utilities improve the efficiency and reliability of their networks.
The Southwest Iowa Rural Electric Cooperative will receive $6.1 million to help it build 69 miles of electric line and make improvements to another 96 miles of lines.
In central Missouri, the Three Rivers Electric Cooperative will receive $15 million to help build 72 miles of electric lines and improve another 100 miles.
Winning Powerball Ticket Sold In Pennsylvania
DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – If you bought a Powerball ticket in Pennsylvania for Saturday’s drawing, you may be holding a piece of paper worth $457 million.
Powerball officials say a single winning ticket was sold in Pennsylvania that matches all of the winning numbers: 22-57-59-60-66 and Powerball 7. The jackpot from Saturday’s drawing is the eighth-largest ever for the Powerball game.
The specific location where the winning ticket was sold has not been announced.
Powerball is played in 44 states plus Washington, D.C., Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. The largest jackpot in Powerball history was $1.6 billion. Three winning tickets were sold in that Jan. 13, 2016, drawing.
