Second Proposed Redistricting Legislative Maps Would Split Plymouth County
(Des Moines) — The Iowa Legislative Services Agency released its second version of the redistricting Congressional and State legislative maps on Thursday. The proposed 4th Congressional district covers 36 counties and includes all the counties that border the Missouri River. Le Mars would remain in the 4th Congressional District if the plan is approved. As for the new proposed Iowa House of Representatives district map, Plymouth County is again shown as being split, with the northern half joining the southern half of Sioux County and would be referred to as Iowa House District 3. As proposed, both Republicans State Representatives Dr. Tom Jeneary of Le Mars, and State Representative Skylar Wheeler of Orange City would be placed in the same district. In terms of the newly proposed State Senate district maps, Republican State Senator Jeff Taylor would inherit Lyon County and the northern portion of Plymouth County. State Senator Jim Carlin would have the southern half of Plymouth County and most of Woodbury County and Monona County, outside the Sioux City and Sergeant Bluff metro areas.
Legislative Services Agency Releases 2nd Iowa Redistricting Plan
(Des Moines, IA) — The Iowa Legislature will vote next Thursday on the second redistricting plan and, if approved, it could pit two incumbent members of Congress against one another in the 2022 election. Democrat Cindy Axne and Republican Mariannette Miller Meeks both live in the proposed 3rd District. Miller-Meeks is seeking a second term. Axne is considering a bid for a third House term or a run for Iowa governor. First District Congresswoman Ashley Hinson lives in the proposed 2nd District while Congressman Randy Feenstra would remain in the 4th District. No incumbent lives in the proposed 1st District. Republicans would have a voter registration edge in all four districts. An initial review of the districts proposed for seats in the Iowa House indicates up to three dozen incumbents could face a race against another representative. In the Iowa Senate, its appears up to 20 incumbents are living in the same proposed district as a fellow state senator.
Democrats Urge Iowa Republicans to Approve 2nd Redistricting Plan
(Des Moines, IA) — Iowa Democrats are calling on Republicans in the legislature to approve the second plan redistricting plan released by the non-partisan Legislative Services Agency. The state law does not allow lawmakers to amend this second plan. If the Republican-led legislature rejects the second plan for redistricting in a special session next Thursday, lawmakers would be able amend the third plan. Senate Democratic Leader Zach Wahls (“walls”) of Coralville says the agency addressed the concerns Republicans raised about the first plan and in the second plan released yesterday (Thursday) and it meets legal and constitutional requirements. G-O-P leaders say they will fully review the plan just like they did the first plan.
Iowa DOT Using New Sign Package to Prevent Wrong-Way Drivers
(Ames, IA) — The Iowa Department of Transportation is putting up new signs at intersections and interchanges on state highways to try and prevent more people from going the wrong way. DOT traffic safety engineer Willey Sorenson says it began with a study along Highway 30 near Ames around ten years ago and now there’s a statewide database ranking all 467 interchanges in Iowa. They started with an intersection ranking guide from the University of Auburn that used crashes, volume of traffic, proximity to liquor stores, and the type of interchange. Sorenson says they added 9-1-1 wrong-way calls during the day that didn’t involve a crash and also included G-P-S navigation data. Sorenson says the signs go along with pavement markings that are designed to make it very clear you are going the wrong way. The signs are the same ones used in the past — but they are larger, more strategically placed, and aimed to catch a driver’s attention. Sorenson says they will have about half of the new wrong-way markings and signs in by Thanksgiving.
ISU Looking To Implement New Policies To Stop Cheating
(Ames, IA) — Iowa State University looks to implement new academic integrity policies to crack down on cheating. I-S-U sent out a survey to five-thousand students this week to ask them about their studying habits and academic tendencies. The goal is to create stronger guidelines that can help keep students honest in the digital age, and give professors more guidance about things to watch out for. Iowa State officials expect to get the results of the survey back in the spring.
Trial Delayed For Alleged Getaway Driver in Fatal Sioux City Shooting
(Sioux City, IA) — The trial for a Sioux City woman accused of driving the getaway car in a deadly New Year’s shooting is being pushed back to December. Twenty-year-old Liliana Gutierrez was scheduled to face a jury October 26th, but the case will now begin December 7th. Prosecutors say three men fired more than two dozen shots into a home during a New Year’s party, killing 18-year-old Mia Kritis and wounding three others. Police said Gutierrez drove the shooters to and front the home. She’s charged with intimidation with a dangerous weapon and reckless use of a firearm. The three shooting suspects pleaded guilty to second-degree murder.
Trial Delayed For Alleged Getaway Driver in Fatal Sioux City Shooting
(Sioux City, IA) — The trial for a Sioux City woman accused of driving the getaway car in a deadly New Year’s shooting is being pushed back to December. Twenty-year-old Liliana Gutierrez was scheduled to face a jury October 26th, but the case will now begin December 7th. Prosecutors say three men fired more than two dozen shots into a home during a New Year’s party, killing 18-year-old Mia Kritis and wounding three others. Police said Gutierrez drove the shooters to and front the home. She’s charged with intimidation with a dangerous weapon and reckless use of a firearm. The three shooting suspects pleaded guilty to second-degree murder.
Greyhound Racing Coming to End in Iowa Next Year
(Des Moines, IA) — Greyhound racing is set to end in Iowa after action taken by the Racing and Gaming Commission. Administrator Brian Ohorilko (Oh-reel-koh), says the operator of the Iowa Greyhound Park in Dubuque asked for an end to racing in 2022 during Thursday’s license renewal request. The track in Dubuque is the last Iowa greyhound track, and had survived using payments from two other tracks required by the greyhound cessation legislation that was passed approximately seven years ago. Those payments end in 2022. Ohorilko says many other states have already shut down greyhound racing.
Iowans Asked to Watch For Rare Rabbit Disease
(Undated) — The Iowa D-N-R is asking everyone to be on the lookout for rabbit hemorrhagic (hem-ah-RAJ’-ick) disease. The disease quickly kills domestic and wild rabbits and is confirmed in two states that border Iowa and D-N-R officials are asking Iowans to be vigilant for signs it’s arrived here. State wildlife veterinarian Rachel Ruden (ROO’-den) says if you spot one or several dead rabbits, don’t touch them — but instead call the D-N-R. Doctor Ruden says domestic rabbits are also very susceptible to this disease.
