Home News Friday News, February 22nd

Friday News, February 22nd

White and Merrink To Have Hearing At Federal Courthouse

(Sioux City) — A preliminary hearing for the two suspects accused of robbing the Iowa State Bank of Le Mars, back in December, has been rescheduled. Defendants Patrick White and Karen Merrick, both of Sioux City, were to appear in U-S Federal Court on Wednesday morning. However, Judge Kelly Mahoney has set the preliminary examination and detention
hearing for Friday, February 22nd at 11:00 a.m. in the Federal Courthouse in Sioux City. A grand jury has indicted the pair.

White                                       Merrink

 

 

Sentencing For Thomas Bibler Scheduled For Today

(Le Mars) — Sentencing for Thomas Bibler, the Le Mars man found guilty of second degree murder for the fatal stabbing of his sister, Shannon Bogh, is scheduled for Friday, February 22nd. Judge Jeffrey Neary will hand down the sentence from the Plymouth County Courtroom at 1:00 p.m. Bibler had stabbed
to death his sister back in June of 2016.

 

 

Jeneary and Carlin To Host Town Hall Meetings

(Le Mars) — State Representative Dr. Tom Jeneary and State Senator Jim Carlin have scheduled two town hall meetings for Saturday, February 23rd.  The Republican lawmakers will be at Joe’s Cafe in Akron at 9:00 a.m. and at Floyd Valley Healthcare at the lower level conference room at 11:00 a.m.  The legislators will address legislation that has been discussed and introduced in the Iowa General Session.  The public is welcome to attend the town hall meetings.  State Senator Randy Feenstra of Hull has scheduled a town hall meeting for today (Friday) at the Cedar Rock Grill at Rock Valley.  That town hall meeting will begin at 12:00 noon.

State Representative Tom Jeneary     State Senator Jim Carlin

State Senator Randy Feenstra

 

 

King Says He Will Seek Re-election In 2020

(Des Moines) — Iowa Congressman Steve King says he’ll run for re-election in 2020 — and he says the controversies surrounding him recently were amplified by cyber bullies. David Yepsen, moderator of I-P-T-V’s “Iowa Press” program, had this question for King when the show was taped Thursday.

Republican leaders in the U.S. House denounced King’s comments about white supremacy that were published in the New York Times and stripped King of his committee assignments this year. King says certain phrases have been “weaponized” by critics on Twitter, Facebook and other platforms. King says
that’s why Republicans lost House seats in 2018 — and he nearly lost his own race.

King has asked supporters to pray that he be reinstated on committees. King also says he’d have no real influence on committees since Republicans lost the majority in congress. King has served in congress since January of 2003 and will be seeking a 10th term in 2020. State Senator Randy Feenstra of
Hull and a couple of other Republicans in the fourth congressional district have announced they intend to challenge King in the G-O-P primary election next year. King suggests a vote against him is a vote against President Trump’s agenda.

Trump made an appearance in Iowa to help King raise money for his 2014 campaign, then Trump was among the G-O-P candidates who appeared at a Caucus kick-off event King hosted in January of 2015. King endorsed Trump’s rival Ted Cruz before the 2016 Iowa Caucuses. King’s appearance on Iowa Public
Television will be broadcast Friday night at 7:30 p.m.
…………..

 

 

Iowa To Appeal Judge’s Ruling Regarding Law Forbidding Undercover Employees At Livestock Operations

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – The state of Iowa is appealing a federal judge’s ruling last month that found unconstitutional a 2012 law that made it illegal to get a job at a livestock farm to conduct animal cruelty undercover investigations.
The Des Moines Register reports that Iowa Attorney General Tom
Miller filed a motion Wednesday to appeal the case to the Eighth Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals.
Last month, a federal judge sided with opponents who sued in October 2017 to challenge the law intended to stop organizations like People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals from conducting undercover investigations at farms and puppy mills.
The judge found the law violates the First Amendment’s right to free speech.
Federal courts have struck down similar laws in Idaho, Utah and
Wyoming.

 

 

Rural Bankers See Slow Agriculture Economy Continuing

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) – A monthly survey of rural bankers in parts of 10 Plains and Western states shows nearly two-thirds of banks in the region have raised farm loan collateral requirements on fears of weakening farm income.
The Rural Mainstreet survey for February showed nearly one-third of banks report an increase in the farm loan rejection rate for the same reason.
The survey’s overall index dropped to 50.2 from January’s 51.5. Any score above 50 suggests a growing economy in the months ahead, while a score below 50 indicates a shrinking economy.
Creighton University economist Ernie Goss, who oversees the survey, says the rural economy appears to be expanding outside of agriculture, but that tariffs and low agriculture commodity prices continue to weaken the farm sector.
Bankers from Colorado, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, South Dakota and Wyoming were surveyed.

 

 

Iowa Legislature Considering An “E-Verify” Bill

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – A bill that would require Iowa businesses to use a federal program to verify employees are allowed to work in the United States has advanced through a Senate subcommittee despite concerns from business
groups and county prosecutors.
The bill voted out of a subcommittee Wednesday prohibits businesses from knowingly employing workers with no legal residency status or citizenship. It requires county attorneys to take action against employers, but a lobbyist for the prosecutors say they have no staff to pursue such cases.
Under the measure, employers found in violation would have to fire all those unauthorized to work or lose their business license. A second offense would bring a permanent business license suspension.
The bill requires businesses to use the E-Verify federal system to
check worker documentation. Business groups say the system is unreliable.
Sen. Julian Garrett, a Republican, says more than 20 states have
similar measures.

 

 

“Ugly Produce” Not As Appealing For Consumers

URBANDALE, Iowa (AP) – Is the “ugly produce'” reaching the end of its shelf life in grocery stores?
Companies like Walmart and Whole Foods in recent years tried selling blemished fruits and vegetables at a discount, produce they said might otherwise be trashed because it’s not quite the right size, shape or color.
But the two chains and others quietly ended their tests, suggesting dented apples and undersized potatoes may not be that appealing in stores where better looking fruits and vegetables are on display.
Still, home delivery startups say they’re still seeing interest.
Some stores also haven’t given up on selling less-than-perfect produce to reduce waste.
Kroger says it still plans to introduce ugly produce this year, and
the supplier of “Misfits” produce says about 300 groceries still sell the fruits and vegetables.