Home News Wednesday News, January 15th

Wednesday News, January 15th

Two Hinton High School Students Killed In Auto Accident

(Hinton) — Two high school students from Hinton High School were killed during an early Tuesday morning vehicle accident located in rural Plymouth County. The accident happened at about 8:00 a.m. near the intersection of county road K-22 and Granite Avenue. According to Hinton High School Superintendent, Todd Meyer, the two students were siblings, a senior girl, and a freshman boy. Plymouth County Sheriff’s Officials are investigating the fatal accident. Authorities say that icy roads may have played a factor in the head-on collision. The fatal victims were driving a 2010 Honda Civic heading northbound on county road K-22 when it entered a curve in the road and began to slide. The pickup was going southbound on K-22 when the Honda entered into its path and was struck on the passenger’s side. The two victims were transported to a Sioux City hospital, where they died. The names of the students have not been released. The driver of the pickup was not injured. There have been four vehicle accident fatalities in Plymouth
County during the last three weeks.

 

 

Buttigieg Cancels Le Mars Appearance

(Le Mars) — Democratic party officials have announced that South Bend, Indiana mayor and Democratic presidential candidate, Pete Buttigieg has cancelled his scheduled appearance in Le Mars. Buttigieg was originally scheduled to hold a political campaign rally at the Plymouth County Historical Museum on Friday morning, but that appearance has now been
cancelled. No word was given for the reason for the event to be cancelled.

 

 

Democratic Presidential Debate Brings Out Barbs Between Sanders and Warren

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – Elizabeth Warren has made a forceful case for a female president in the final presidential debate before primary voting begins. Warren also stood behind her accusation that progressive rival Bernie Sanders had told her a woman couldn’t beat Donald Trump. Sanders vehemently denied Warren’s accusation, which threatened to split the
Democratic Party’s left flank at a critical moment less than three weeks before Iowa’s caucuses. And Sanders said of course a woman could win, noting that Hillary Clinton scored millions more votes than Trump. The Democratic Party’s leading presidential candidates also sparred Tuesday night over
Iraq, war and foreign policy.

 

 

Democrat Presidential Candidates Question Each Other’s Positions During Debate

WASHINGTON (AP) – Democratic presidential candidates strained to keep Tuesday’s debate civil and substantive. They drew policy contrasts with each other on national security, health care and trade, but repeatedly shifted the focus back to their common opponent: President Donald Trump. The debate
came three weeks before the Iowa caucuses and just as some candidates are preparing to leave the campaign trail to serve as jurors in Trump’s Senate impeachment trial. Months of campaigning have left Democrats with a crowded
top tier, and it’s unclear if the debate helped any of the candidates break out of that pack.

 

 

Reynolds Delivers Third “Condition of the State” Address And Focuses On Conservation and Water Quality

(Des Moines) — Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds delivered her third “Condition of the State” address to the state legislature yesterday morning.
The first topic Reynolds brought up was the flooding from last year, which for many Iowans living in southwest corner of the state still remains a problem.

(photo contributed.)

Governor Reynolds said we are not only starting a new year, but a new decade. She pointed out for the state lawmakers that Iowa is in better shape today, than it was ten years ago.

Reynolds informed the legislators that Iowa needs to plan for the next few decades and she urged them to take a bold step.

Reynolds then spelled out for lawmakers the specifics of the bill and how the old formula needs to be modified.

She focused on conservation and water quality.

Reynolds is asking lawmakers to consider increasing the state sales tax by 1 cent to fund increased spending on water quality, the environment and mental health care programs. To offset
the tax increase she’s proposing an income tax cut of 10% and a property tax cut. Reynolds made the proposals in her annual Condition of the State address delivered to lawmakers Tuesday. Reynolds is again calling for a constitutional amendment to allow felons to vote upon completing their sentences and an amendment declaring there is no right to an abortion under
the Iowa Constitution.

 

 

Legislators Deny Blogger To Have Media Credentials

IOWA CITY, Iowa (AP) – The Republican-controlled Iowa Legislature has again denied press access to a liberal journalist whose blog is often critical of its policies, despite warnings from state and national groups that the restriction appears to be unconstitutional. The Iowa House and Senate informed Laura Belin, author of the Bleeding Heartland blog, that her
applications for access during the session that began Monday have been rejected. The Iowa House told Belin that it does not credential journalists who are nontraditional while the Iowa Senate said it doesn’t consider Belin a member of the media. Belin says she’s considering her next steps, including an appeal or a lawsuit.

 

 

Developer Proposes Building A Casino At Des Moines Airport

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – A development group that wants to build a $225 million casino and hotel at the Des Moines airport says the project would help pay for a planned new terminal. Highview Development Group presented the plan to the Des Moines Airport Authority board on Tuesday. The complex
would include a 350-room hotel connected to the airport by a skywalk. There also would be a fountain, rock garden, restaurant and wedding and banquet facilities. The airport board tabled discussion of the proposal until its February meeting. Officials have been seeking $194 million from various sources to cover the $500 million airport project.