Governor Reynolds Creates An Economic Recovery Advisory Board
(Des Moines) — Governor Kim Reynolds announced today during her COVID-19 media briefing that through her executive powers, she has formed an economic recovery advisory board to gauge the rate of economic recovery of Iowa’s
businesses.
Reynolds says the work of the economic recovery board is not just to move the economic dial, but also to insure the future prosperity of our state. The governor says she anticipates the work by the economic recovery board will help set the agenda for the legislative session in 2021. The board is being chaired by Ruan Transportation CEO, Ben McLean, and it consists of several
executives from Iowa’s prominent businesses, industries, and manufacturing companies.
McLean joined Governor Reynolds at today’s news briefing and made a pledge of commitment on behalf of the economic recovery board.
McLean says through out the course of history, and through many tough times, Iowans have been resilient.
The Ruan Transportation executive shared how his company have been able to overcome many obstacles due to the COVID-19 pandemic. McLean says Ruan Transportation was not unlike many other Iowa businesses.
McLean says the newly formed economic recovery board will welcome any ideas from all Iowans.
Reynolds announced that Thursday’s news briefing will be her last live televised briefing dealing with the COVID-19 virus. Reynolds says she will return to her regular schedule of having one news conference each week.
Ernst Is Urging Fellow GOP Senators To Pass Violence Against Women Act
(Washington) — Republican Senator Joni Ernst is pressing her G-O-P colleagues to make it a crime for federal agents to engage in a sex act with a person in their custody. Federal judges, prosecutors and probation officers would also be barred from sexual contact with a defendant. That kind of activity is already a crime for employees in federal prisons.
The U.S. House included this provision in its 2019 bill that reauthorized the Violence Against Women Act, but the bill did not clear the Senate. Ernst is lobbying for this issue to be included in the G-O-P’s police reform package that could be debated yet this month.
Ernst says current law lets federal law enforcement officers claim a sexual encounter with a defendant or a person in custody was consensual in order to avoid assault charges. At least 20 states have enacted legislation similar to what Ernst and two of her Democratic colleagues in the U.S. Senate first proposed at the federal level last year.
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Unemployment Claims About Steady in Iowa 2nd Week in June
(Des Moines, IA) — Iowa Workforce Development is reporting that about 95-hundred initial unemployment claims were filed last week. That’s 600 less than the first week of June. The number of continuing unemployment claims was 154-thousand-752 – down more than 35-hundred from the previous week.
Most of the COVID-19 restrictions on Iowa businesses have been lifted and more people have been returning to work. Most of the new claims were from manufacturing and self-employed workers.
Beef Up Iowa Program Connects Cattle Producers, ISU Students and Food Banks
(Ames, IA) — A new state program aims to connect beef producers with food insecure Iowans. Beef Up Iowa is a partnership with the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship, Iowa State University and Iowa’s beef producers. Iowa State University staff and students will process cattle from
producers who have limited processing options due to COVID-19. The meat will then be distributed to food bank and food pantry feeding programs across the state. The initial cattle for Beef Up Iowa will come from Iowa 4-H and F-F-A members. Governor Kim Reynolds said, “Beef Up Iowa brings high quality,
nutritious beef to families in need of food security.”
Police in Cedar Rapids Investigate Deadly Shooting
(Cedar Rapids, IA) — Police in Cedar Rapids are investigating a shooting at a party that left one man dead. Officers were called to a fight and shots fired early this morning (Thursday). A 20-year-old man suffered a gunshot wound to the upper body and was taken to a hospital where he died.
Investigators say there was an argument during a large party and shots were fired. Police believe it was a targeted shooting.
$6000 Reward Offered in Fort Dodge Double Homicide
(Fort Dodge, IA) — Authorities are offering a six-thousand-dollar reward for information that leads to arrest in a double homicide in Fort Dodge.
Officers say Jamael Cox and Tyrone Cunningham were shot and killed early Tuesday during a volley of gunfire. Both victims were apparently bystanders.
Two women were also wounded in the exchange of shots. Webster County Crime Stoppers is putting up the five-thousand-dollar reward. People who provide tips can remain anonymous.
