Governor Reynolds Proposes A Bill For A Constitution Amendment Giving Former Felons The Opportunity To Vote
DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds is releasing her proposed bill that would restore voting rights for felons through an amendment to the Iowa Constitution.
The language released Tuesday would change Article 2 of the
constitution to say a felon gets voting rights back after the sentence is discharged. That means they could vote after serving their prison time and any probation or parole.
It doesn’t include complete repayment of all obligations, including restitution. That’s an issue that could be a problem for some conservative lawmakers who have viewed Reynolds’ proposal with skepticism.
Reynolds says the move would bring Iowa in line with 35 other states that either never take away rights or restore them upon discharge of a sentence.
Iowa and Kentucky are the only states with a broad permanent ban on felons’ voting.
Climatologist Says Western Iowa Has Been Receiving More Rainfall In Recent Years Which Has Helped Crop Yields
(Le Mars) — Yearly rainfall amounts in northwestern Iowa have been increasing during the past decade, which has lead to higher crop yields according to an Iowa State University Extension and Outreach Climatologist.
Dr. Elwynn Taylor spoke to about 150 farmers and other agricultural officials during this morning’s Crop Advantage Meeting held at Le Mars. He says there has been a shift in the climate from the eastern corn belt to now the western corn belt regions.
Despite seeing higher yields in recent years, Taylor suggests there is a strong possibility that farmers will begin to see much more volatility with the crop yields. Even facing the possibility of having lower yields due to drier conditions. Taylor says history has shown a weather pattern of 17 good years, followed by 25 years of ups and downs with crop yields.
Taylor says it is likely farmers will see more extremes to the weather patterns in the coming years. He says the year 2025 could be the harshest crop year that we have seen for some time.
The Iowa State University Extension Climatologist suggests for farmers to pay attention to the weather trends in order to capitalize on some marketing opportunities. Taylor says when the USDA gives their crop estimates, the one thing they don’t factor are the number of growing degree days.
Taylor says research has proven when the Midwest has cooler summer evenings following pollination, than there is a likelihood farmers will see higher yields. He says if there are warmer summer nights, the crops will mature too quickly, giving farmers reduced yields.
Ernst Says She Turned Down Offer To Be Trump’s Running Mate Due To Family Concerns
IOWA CITY, Iowa (AP) – Sen. Joni Ernst of Iowa says she turned down Donald Trump’s request to run as his vice president in 2016 because of family concerns.
Ernst made the claim in an affidavit in a divorce proceeding that was first reported by Cityview, a Des Moines alternative newspaper.
The filing was made in October but unsealed this month after Ernst and her former husband, Gail Ernst, settled their previously contentious divorce.
Ernst wrote that after Trump interviewed her in July 2016 to be his running mate, “I turned Candidate Trump down, knowing it wasn’t the right thing for me or my family.” She says it was a sacrifice she made for her husband, who wasn’t fond of her political career.
Ernst has indicated she’ll run for a second six-year Senate term in 2020.
The White House and Trump campaign didn’t immediately respond to requests for comment Tuesday.
Charges Filed Against Woman Suspected Of Stealing From Church
IOWA CITY, Iowa (AP) – A 23-year-old woman has been accused of stealing from an Iowa City church.
Authorities say Markell Leach, who lives in Iowa City, is charged with felony theft and unauthorized use of a credit card. Court records don’t list the name of an attorney who could comment for her.
Records say Leach was issued a church credit card while working for First Baptist Church from June 2016 through April this year. She’s accused of making about 1,400 unauthorized and fraudulent personal transactions totaling around $50,000.
Des Moines Man Charged With Murder For Hitting A Pedestrian
DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – Authorities say a Des Moines resident suspected of fatally injuring a pedestrian while driving a stolen car has been charged with first-degree murder.
The new charge has been filed against 21-year-old Donterius Bomar, who’s already charged with attempted murder, robbery and criminal mischief.
Bomar is accused of assaulting a business employee and stealing the employee’s car within hours of being released from jail on the unrelated charge of attempted murder. Police say Bomar was driving that car when he hit 69-year-old Charles Michael Childs and kept going.
Childs was found dead two days later inside a tent at a homeless camp.
Police say the Polk County medical examiner’s office has determined that Childs’ manner of death was a homicide.
Woman Accused Of Setting Fire To Apartment Roommate
BURLINGTON, Iowa (AP) – Authorities say a woman was set on fire by another woman at the apartment they shared in Burlington.
Des Moines County court records say 51-year-old Deborah Powell is charged with domestic assault, willful injury and reckless use of fire.
County jail records show Powell remained in custody Tuesday.
Court documents say Tammy Speights told officers she and Powell had been arguing early Friday morning and that Powell sprayed her with rubbing alcohol and lit her on fire. Police say Speights was taken to West Burlington hospital before being transferred to University of Iowa Hospitals & Clinics in Iowa City.
The documents say Powell told police that Speights may have set herself aflame by falling asleep with a lit cigarette.
Black Hawk County Officials Hope To Have Enough Funds To Work On A Trail Bridge
LA PORTE CITY, Iowa (AP) – A Black Hawk County official says enough money has been secured to fix a long-closed bridge on the Cedar Valley Nature Trail in La Porte City.
County conservation board executive director Mike Hendrickson says the only worry now is whether bids that will be opened in fall are low enough.
The project estimate is $854,000. Grants, private donations and $77,000 from the county are paying for the project.
The Waterloo-Cedar Falls Courier reports that work would begin in spring 2020 if all goes according to plan.
The bridge over Wolf Creek was closed in September 2015 after
inspectors concluded it was unsafe. The trail runs 67 miles (108 kilometers) along an old railroad line from Evansdale through Cedar Rapids to Ely.
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