Iowa Farm Bureau Federation and Iowa State University Extension to Host “Winning the Game” Marketing Seminar
(Le Mars) — A marketing seminar hosted by the Iowa Farm Bureau Federation and Iowa State University Extension and Outreach is scheduled for this evening at 6:00 p.m.
the Le Mars Convention Center and Plymouth County Extension office. The seminar, entitled: “Winning the Game” will focus on how farmers can help their bottom financial line during times of low commodity prices. Iowa Farm Bureau’s Marketing Director, Ed Kordick discusses what will be covered during this
evening’s seminar.
Kordick says one way farmers can best prepare themselves for the unexpected, in terms of bad weather conditions is to take out crop insurance.
Kordick says marketing strategies will be presented this evening that have been proved successful over the course of time.
The Iowa Farm Bureau marketing specialist says the benefits of forward contracting will also be discussed during this evening’s seminar.
Area banks are picking up the registration fees.
Iowa Legislature Begins General Session
(Des Moines) — The gavel has sounded marking the start of the General Session of the Iowa Legislature.
That was Speaker of the House Linda Upmeyer, and over at the Senate Chamber, State Senator Bill Dix convened the 50 members.
Lawmakers convened this morning at 10:00 a.m. in both chambers and discussed their hopes for the general session. A top Democrat says it’s time to address the “disgraceful” and “predatory behavior” in the Iowa Senate that led to a
million dollar settlement with the former communications director for Senate Republicans. Senate Democratic Leader Janet Petersen of Des Moines raised the issue during her speech at the opening of the 2018 legislative session.
The senate’s Republican leader asked a retired senator who used to be a human resources manager for Wellmark Blue Cross Blue Shield to review the case and senate operating rules, but she has yet to make a public report. Petersen — the
Democratic leader in the senate — says retaliation against a whistle blower is supposed to be grounds for termination under the existing senate handbook, but the rule is being ignored.
Petersen and the Democratic floor leader in the Iowa House both used their “opening day” speeches at the statehouse to lambast Republicans on a variety of fronts. House Minority Leader Mark Smith of Marshalltown says legislators’ first priority is to restore “fiscal order.”
Smith criticized Republicans to cutting state support of public
universities and community colleges and questioned whether Republicans will invite Democrats to develop bipartisan proposals on key issues.
Iowa Republicans gathered for a fundraising breakfast three hours before the 2018 legislative session began, emphasizing their goal of passing income tax cuts this year. G-O-P leaders also delivered opening day speeches after the House and Senate officially opened for business at 10 a.m. today (Monday).
Trial To Begin On Teacher Who Failed To Report Sex Abuse
TOLEDO, Iowa (AP) – A trial is scheduled to begin Monday for a Marion kindergarten teacher accused of not reporting that a 15-year-old classroom volunteer sexually abused her students.
The trial of 59-year-old Diane Graham had been scheduled to begin Nov. 6 but was delayed by another trial set for the District Court in Tama County. Graham’s trial was moved there after Graham’s attorneys cited extensive media coverage of the boy’s and Graham’s cases in Linn County.
Court records say Graham was teaching at Starry Elementary when two students told her in August 2016 that they were being abused by the volunteer. Prosecutors say Graham didn’t report the abuse, allowing it to continue for two more months.
The boy has been convicted of sexual abuse.
