Soderberg And Anderson Hold Public Legislative Forums
(Le Mars) — State Legislators, Chuck Soderberg and Bill Anderson are scheduled to hold two legislative forums this morning. Soderberg and Anderson will first visit with Le Mars Community School officials at 8:30 a.m. at the Le Mars Community Education Services Center. Following that meeting, the two area lawmakers will hold a public forum at the Le Mars Public Library at 9:45 a.m. The legislators will discuss issues of concern, as well as talk about legislative action at the state capitol. The public is invited to attend the forum at the public library.
Television’s “Canyon Kid” Passes Away
(Sioux City) — Long time local television personality Jim Henry has passed away. Henry, who perhaps was best known as Canyon Kid, hosted a children’s television program on KCAU-TV Channel 9 for nearly three decades. Henry was 90. After his work at KCAU was done due to a change of ownership, Henry worked at cross-town rival KTIV Channel 4 and was host to the public service program “Around Siouxland”.
Chinese Man Accused Of Stealing Seed Corn Patents On Trial
DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – One of the six men from China charged with conspiring to steal patented seed corn from two of the nation’s leading seed developers has appeared in federal court in Des Moines.
Mo Hailong, also known as Robert Mo, appeared Thursday before Magistrate Judge Ross Walters. He entered a plea of not guilty to one count of conspiracy to steal trade secrets. Walters set a trial date for March 31 and ordered Mo held until trial.
A lawyer based in Beijing was approved to represent Mo.
Xiang Wang did not immediately respond to an email seeking comment on behalf of his client.
Mo was arrested in Miami on Dec. 11. FBI investigators say highly valuable seed corn owned by Pioneer Hybrid and Monsanto was being taken from test fields.
Lawmakers Discuss Bill Concerning Women’s Mammograms And Breast Density
DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – A bill being considered by Iowa lawmakers would require that women who get mammogram exams would later be given a written statement about breast tissue density.
Experts say dense breast tissue can make it harder for a mammogram to catch a possible tumor and may increase the risk of breast cancer. Bills are being considered in the Iowa House and Senate that would require Iowa’s Department of Public Health to adopt rules that breast density data would be included in mammogram reports to patients and physicians.
Dubuque Sen. Pam Jochum says the information would give women an extra sense of security.
But some doctors say it could needlessly worry women and the state should leave such matters to physicians.
Branstad Defends Closing Juvenile Home
JOHNSTON, Iowa (AP) – Iowa Governor Terry Branstad says he stands by his decision to close the Iowa Juvenile Home despite criticism from legislators.
Speaking Friday on the public television program “Iowa Press,” Branstad argued that there had been too much emphasis on protecting the juvenile home when the focus should be on what’s best for the children.
Branstad closed the facility in Toledo on January 15th following allegations that teens were improperly treated and denied a proper education. The home housed some of Iowa’s most troubled girls.
The governor says other institutions in the state can better serve the needs of teens previously housed in the home.
Democrats plan to file legislation and have joined a lawsuit in an effort to reopen the home.
Braley Leads Campaign Fund Raising For Senate Seat
DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – Democratic U.S. Senate candidate Bruce Braley continues to hold a substantial fundraising lead over the Republicans vying to oppose him in the general election.
Financial reports due to the federal government Friday show that Braley raised slightly more than $4 million in 2013 and ended the year with $2.6 million in cash.
The congressman from Waterloo is the only Democrat running for the seat being vacated by Senator Tom Harkin. At least six Republicans are seeking the nomination in 2014.
Among them, State Sen. Joni Ernst raised more than $450,000 in 2013, and was left with about $290,000 in the bank. Wealthy businessman Mark Jacobs reported raising $410,000. He also provided over $500,000 to his campaign in donations and loans. He ended the year with just over $250,000 in cash.
State Trooper Cleared Of Shooting Suspect
COUNCIL BLUFFS, Iowa (AP) – The Pottawattamie County attorney says a state trooper won’t face criminal charges in connection with the shooting of a man last December.
The county attorney Matt Wilber announced Friday that trooper Tim Sieleman wouldn’t be charged in connection with the Dec. 1 shooting.
Sieleman shot 28-year-old Michael Lee of Carter Lake after an incident that began when the trooper stopped the man for not having license plates on a truck later determined to have been stolen.
After a chase, Sieleman rammed the pickup truck Lee was driving. Later, Sieleman was on foot when he shot at Lee as his pickup was coming toward the trooper.
Lee suffered an arm wound.
Lee has pleaded not guilty to interference with official acts and assaulting a police officer.
DNR Dismisses Top Manager Positions
DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – A top manager at the Iowa Department of Natural Resources says he was asked to resign from his job.
Chuck Corell, head of the conservation and recreation division, tells The Des Moines Register he was asked to submit his resignation Wednesday by Bruce Trautman, the agency’s deputy director.
DNR confirmed Friday it had received resignations from Corell and Cindy Axne, head of the management services division.
Corell was named to the post two years ago, but he’s worked for the agency for more than two decades. He calls the decision a surprise.
State Senator Dick Dearden, a Democrat from Des Moines, tells the Register that DNR Director Chuck Gipp told him the moves were a way to reduce costs.
Messages for DNR were not immediately returned Friday night.
