Iowa’s Most Wanted “Dangerous Fugitive” Caught In Montana
(Des Moines) — A man classified as a “dangerous fugitive” by federal officials and wanted in Iowa on a weapons charge was arrested last week in Montana.
Authorities say Elma, Iowa, was the last known address they had for 62-year- old Michael Duane Strain. U.S. Marshals arrested Strain at a remote ranch on Native American land in Montana. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms had listed Strain on their list of 15 “most wanted” fugitives. According to a
news release, Strain has a criminal history that includes possession of explosive devices, trespassing and fleeing a peace officer. Officials say Strain is part of the “sovereign citizen” movement. The F-B-I describes sovereign citizens as “domestic terrorists” who say they “don’t have to answer to any government authority, including courts, taxing entities, motor
vehicle departments, or law enforcement.”
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Opioid Use Is Decreasing
(Des Moines) — Statistics from the Iowa Department of Health show a 33-percent drop in opioid-related deaths in 2018. The state went from 206 deaths in 2017 to 137 last year. Health Department Opioid Initiatives Director, Kevin Gabbert, says reasons include an increase in the overdose reversal drug Narcan.
He says the use of a prescription drug monitoring program had also helped, along with more addiction treatment programs.
The 137 deaths in 2018 marks a five year low for opioid-related deaths. Iowa has one of the lowest rates of opioid-related deaths in the country.
Paul Pate Selected As President Of Secretary Of State Association
DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – Iowa Secretary of State Paul Pate is the new president of the National Association of Secretaries of State, a professional organization for top state election officials.
Pate was sworn in July 3 at the group’s annual meeting in New Mexico and will serve as the NASS president through July 2020.
Pate is the second Iowa official to lead the group since its founding in 1904. The first was Melvin Synhorst in 1960.
Pate says he will make election security his top priority. He says the group’s mission for 2020 is to ensure “the sanctity of the vote is protected at every level, from the smallest county to the largest state.”
Pate’s colleagues from other states also voted to award him the NASS IDEAS award for his election cybersecurity efforts.
