U-S 2020 Census To Begin In Mid-March
(Le Mars) — Every ten years, the U-S government conducts a count of the nation’s population. The 2020 census will begin with a mailing starting in mid-March. Maureen Schriner is with the Census Bureau and says its important that everyone completes the census form and be counted.
Schriner says the other reason the census is important is that it determines our legislative representation.
Complete Count Committees are forming across the nation to make certain everyone is counted for the 2020 Census. Schriner says Iowa Lt. Governor Adam Gregg is setting the goal for Iowa to have the most complete census count.
Often times people wonder why should they complete the census form and answer the questions? They further wonder if the information is kept confidential?
We will feature part 2 of our 2020 Census series during our 10 a.m. news update, or you can visit the KLEM website at www.klem1410.com and listen to the entire series of reports. Additional information regarding the 2020 Census can be obtained at the Le Mars City Hall.
No Evidence Of Animal Abuse On State Senator’s Hog Farm
DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – Authorities say an investigation into animal treatment at an Iowa state lawmaker’s hog farm found no evidence that animals were being abused despite video that a group posted that appeared to show otherwise. Two people with California-based Direct Action Everywhere entered a hog farm last spring owned by Republican Iowa state Sen. Ken
Rozenboom. Mahaska County Sheriff Russell Van Renterghem says an investigation didn’t find any abuse. Rozenboom said he decided in December to lease the hog building to a different farmer. He has said veterinary records show the herd was being treated for a respiratory infection that contributed to the problems Direct Action Everywhere documented.
Drake University Student To Sue Fraternity and Drake For Hazing Incident
DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – A student is suing Drake University in Des Moines, along with a fraternity at the school and several fellow students for an unspecified amount after he said he nearly died from a hazing incident.
Court documents filed Feb. 7 show Marcus Shields is suing the school, Theta Chi fraternity, its Drake chapter and others. The lawsuit says Shields was a 19-year-old freshman last year and a Theta Chi pledge when the fraternity engaged in hazing, included coercing and forcing him to drink excessive amounts of alcohol. Shields says he pleaded with his fraternity brothers that “he didn’t want to die,” and had to be taken by ambulance to a hospital for acute alcohol poisoning.
Iowa Democratic Party Selects New Chairman
DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – The Iowa Democratic Party has selected a new interim chairman to replace Troy Price, who resigned this week following a meltdown in the state’s lead-off presidential caucuses. The Des Moines Register reports that the party’s State Central Committee voted Saturday to install Iowa state Rep. Mark Smith, of Marshalltown, as interim chairman.
The vote came a day after party officials agreed to hire two high-profile lawyers to investigate the factors leading to the problems that hamstrung the Feb. 3 Iowa Caucus, when problems with a mobile app and other issues prevented it from releasing results.
Fire At Fort Dodge Towing Company
FORT DODGE, Iowa (AP) – Officials say two people suffered minor injuries in a fire that destroyed a Fort Dodge towing and auto business. Television station KCCI reports that the fire broke out Friday afternoon in Mid Iowa Towing. Firefighters arrived to find a large fire in the company’s shop area, with flames reaching the roof. The building is not served by the city
and did not have fire hydrants, requiring the firefighters to use 500-gallon water tanks. Officials say the lack of water and presence of a large amount of flammable liquids, coupled with high winds, caused the fire to grow and spread quickly. Two of the business’ employees were treated for burns on their hands.
Judge To Hear Comments Regarding Planned Parenthood Lawsuit
DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – A state court judge has heard arguments on whether to dismiss a lawsuit challenging a state law passed last year that would block Planned Parenthood of the Heartland from receiving federal grant money for sex education courses. Judge Paul Scott is considering whether to dismiss the lawsuit filed by the American Civil Liberties Union of Iowa for
Planned Parenthood. It challenges the law passed on the last day of the 2019 session as a violation of free speech, due process and equal protection rights. A judge last May halted enforcement of the law until the court decides whether it’s constitutional.
