Grassley Says He Is Skeptical Over Iran Nuclear Agreement
(Washington) — U-S Senator Chuck Grassley of Iowa told reporters during his weekly news conference, that he is skeptical about the proposed agreement with Iran. Grassley says he has 60 days to further study the agreement, but what he has heard so far about the agreement over nuclear arms deal, he doesn’t like the terms. Grassley says it appears the United States conceded on too many issues.
(sot) Grassley-Iran
Ames Police Apprehend Wanted Man Since April
AMES, Iowa (AP) – A man police have been looking for since April on suspicion of false imprisonment and threatening reporters in Le Grand has been arrested in Ames.
27-year-old Chad Bryant was arrested Thursday evening at a car dealership after police responded to a report of a stolen car. Officials say when they spotted Bryant, he took off on foot and was eventually apprehended.
Police say another man led officers on a high-speed chase that lasted about 30 minutes.
Bryant had been arrested on a false imprisonment charge after a 16-year-old told police he was held against his will at a residence by Bryant and several others.
KCCI-TV says Bryant pointed what looked like a rifle at its news crew and poured water over a cameraman’s head outside a home following his arrest in April. Bryant left the home, prompting the search.
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Work Force Employees Are Told To “Look Nice” For Governor Branstad
DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – Iowa Workforce Development director Beth Townsend is telling employees to look nice for Governor Terry Branstad’s visit even though he’s coming on Casual Friday.
Townsend told employees in an email that Branstad will visit the agency’s headquarters Friday and wants to meet as many employees as he has time.
She says that employees should be “mindful of our dignitary’s visit when coming to work” and “make sure you are in compliance with the dress code.”
The code calls for business casual attire every day of the week except Fridays, when jeans, sweatshirts, athletic shoes, and flip-flops are allowed.
Branstad appointed Townsend earlier this year to run the agency, which had struggled with personnel disputes under former Director Teresa Wahlert. Townsend has made a number of personnel changes in recent months.
Public Information Board Wants More Information Regarding Accidental Shooting
DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – The Iowa Public Information Board has voted to further review whether authorities must release records detailing the mistaken killing of a woman by a Burlington police officer.
The board voted Thursday to spend another month investigating complaints alleging authorities have repeatedly violated the open records law after the January shooting of Autumn Steele.
The board rejected recommendations from its executive director to dismiss complaints filed by Steele’s family and the Hawk Eye newspaper in Burlington.
The Division of Criminal Investigation has released a 12-second video of Steele’s shooting by officer Jesse Hill, who was responding to a domestic disturbance and meant to shoot at a growling family dog. But the city, the county attorney and the DCI have declined to release additional video, a 911 call and investigative reports.
Accused Lottery Official’s Attorney Rest His Case
DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – Attorneys for a former lottery worker accused of rigging a Hot Lotto game have rested their case in the man’s fraud trial.
The defense for 52-year-old Eddie Tipton presented testimony Thursday for about an hour before resting their case. Closing arguments are scheduled Friday.
Tipton, a former information security director for the Multi-State Lottery Association, is accused of installing a computer program to pick numbers for a December 2010 Hot Lotto drawing. Prosecutors say he bought a ticket with those numbers and unsuccessfully tried to get others to cash the $14 million prize.
Tipton faces two counts of fraud. He denies the accusations.
Tipton’s three siblings testified that a hooded man featured in a video of the ticket purchase is not their brother.
HSUS Questions USDA’s Method Of Euthanizing Birds From Bird Flu
DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – The U.S. Department of Agriculture says it considers many factors when determining ways to euthanize large numbers of animals during a disease outbreak.
The agency released the statement Thursday in response to a letter from an animal rights group criticizing a USDA proposal to respond to a future outbreak of bird flu.
The Humane Society of The United States’ letter focused on statements made by USDA Chief Veterinary Officer John Clifford during a Senate committee hearing last week.
Clifford said shutting off ventilation systems to barns when the highly contagious disease is found may be more humane and efficient than gassing or using foam to suffocate the birds. Those methods were used amid this year’s outbreak.
The animal rights group says the latest idea is gruesome and should be scrapped.
States Call For Investigation Into Planned Parenthood Actions Of Selling Baby Parts
INDIANAPOLIS (AP) – The governors of Georgia and Indiana and Ohio’s attorney general on Thursday ordered investigations of Planned Parenthood facilities in their states to determine if organs from aborted fetuses were being sold.
The state investigations – as well as probes announced Wednesday by three Republican-led congressional committees – come in response to the release of an undercover video made by anti-abortion activists. The video shows Dr. Deborah Nucatola, Planned Parenthood’s senior director of medical services, discussing procedures for providing fetal body parts to researchers.
Planned Parenthood officials say Thursday that Nucatola has been “reprimanded.” They did not elaborate. The organization’s president, Cecile Richards, apologized for the tone of some of Nucatola’s recorded statements.
