Grassley Says U-S Senate Agriculture Committee To Hold Hearings On Wednesday Focusing Cattle Marketing
(Washington) — Demand for beef is high in grocery stores in Iowa and across the U-S as beef prices are sharply rising, but while there’s plenty of supply, many cattle producers are struggling financially. The lack of transparency in cattle markets is the subject of a hearing tomorrow (Wednesday) before the U-S Senate Agriculture Committee, where Iowa Senator Chuck Grassley is the ranking Republican.
Consumers and producers are being hurt by consolidation of the cattle industry, Grassley says, and he’s called for a hearing on the topic for months.
Grassley says he’s hearing pleas for changes in the industry from members of the Iowa Cattlemen’s Association and individual producers who are being negatively affected by consolidation. Farmers claim the big packers are intentionally manipulating beef prices.
Earlier this year, Grassley introduced a bill he says is designed to foster efficient markets while boosting competition and transparency among meatpackers. With this hearing, he says he’s hopeful his legislation will gain support or that a compromise can be reached. Tomorrow’s hearing is scheduled for 1:30 PM/Central time.
Cedar Rapids Hospitals Urge COVID-19 Vaccinations
(Cedar Rapids, IA) — Hospitals in the Cedar Rapids area urging residents to get vaccinated against COVID-19. Officials at Mercy Medical Center and UnityPoint Health- St. Lukes say they have seen a significant decline in admissions of COVID patients, but the vast majority who are being admitted are not vaccinated. Mercy chief medical officer Doctor Tony Myers said, “the
trends we are seeing reinforce the importance of getting the vaccine.” Myers says he’s concerned with the sustained low level of community spread of the virus and the anticipated increase with new variants.
Man Sentenced to 50 Years For Girlfriend’s Murder in Webster City
(Webster City, IA) — A man convicted of a north-central Iowa killing is facing a lengthy prison sentence and ordered to pay a 150-thousand dollar civil fine. Thirty-four-year-old Zackery Bassett of Webster City was sentenced to 50 years in prison on Monday, after he was convicted in February of second-degree murder. Bassett was found guilty in the 2018 murder of his
former girlfriend Andrea Sokolowski. The trial lasted two weeks and the jury deliberated for just four hours before finding Bassett guilty.
17-Year-Old Charged With Driving Get-Away Car Des Moines New Year’s Shooting
(Des Moines, IA) — A 17-year-old girl from Des Moines is accused of driving the get-away car in a murder that happened a year-and-a-half ago.
Police say two groups got into a fight at a downtown Des Moines hotel early on New Year’s Day 2020, but then left the area. Investigators say the 17-year-old then drove herself and four friends to confront the other group.
Officers say the girl’s friends got out of the car, walked to a house and one of them fired several gunshots, killing a 14-year-old boy. Police say the girl then drove the group away from the scene. She’s charged with first-degree murder. Police say more arrests are expected.
Boone Man Faces Hate Crimes Charges For Anti-LGBTQ Notes
(Boone, IA) — A Boone man is facing hate crime charges for leaving anti-LGBTQ notes at homes in the community. Police say 25-year-old Robert Geddes is charged with four counts of trespass-hate crime and third-degree harassment. Several residents reported receiving notes over the weekend,
including ones that read, “burn that gay flag!” Most of the homes had Pride flags or displays supporting the LGBTQ community. Officers say Geddes was spotted on a neighbor’s doorbell camera posting the notes.
