CONGRESS AND THE SUPREME COURT
Iowa Senator Chuck Grassley says he opposes a bill that’s advanced in the U-S Senate which would create a code of ethics for U-S Supreme Court justices. Grassley, the ranking Republican on the Senate Judiciary Committee, says the Democrat-backed bill passed the panel 11-to-10 last week on a party line vote.
Recent reports have questioned actions by several justices on the nation’s highest court, including Samuel Alito, Neil Gorsuch, Clarence Thomas and Sonia Sotomayor.
The legislation before the Senate would enact new guidelines for Supreme Court justices, including a requirement that they disclose more of their financial dealings and recuse themselves from cases when there might be a conflict of interest. Grassley says the high court’s leaders are demonstrating a desire to police themselves.
The measure before the Senate needs some Republican support to advance further, and likely has little chance to win passage in the U-S House, where the G-O-P holds the majority.
FAIR ROYALTY
The 2023 Plymouth County Fair Queen and King were crowned on the Pioneer Village stage on the opening evening of the fair. 18 year old Abagail Tilberg was crowned as the new Queen. She is the daughter of the Mark & Laurene Tilberg. She represents the Classy Clovers 4-H Club. Abagail says she was surprised when she heard the announcement.
The 18 year old daughter of Mark & Laurene Tilberg of Le Mars described the judging as “nerve wracking”.
Owen Schroeder was crowned as the new king. The 17 year old son of Rick and Stacey Schroeder of Le Mars was also taken by surprise at the announcement.
Owen represents the Union Viking 4-H Club and told KLEM news about the judging.
Miss Congeniality is Andrea Penning. The two Fair princesses are Alexa Sawyer and Desiree Brewer. Mr. Personality is Will Harpenau. The Fair Princes are Brady Allen and Caden Wurth.
At the Plymouth County Fair today, there’s judging in several events… the horse show is at 8 a.m., the sheep show at 8-30. In the afternoon, it’s meat goats at noon, and dairy goats at 4 p.m., and a new event, Bacon Buddies at 7 p.m. all at the livestock arena. Tuff Trucks will be a at the grandstand, starting at 6-30 p.m. KLEM will have live reports from the fair, at 10-30 and 11-30 this morning, and 4-30 this afternoon.
PORK PRODUCERS FAIR PRESENCE
“Oinkin’ Round the Barn” is the theme of this year’s fair, with a focus on pork production. Sterling Meyer of the Plymouth County Pork Producers says they have a strong presence at the county fair.
She describes the new swine show event that will be unveiled tonight.
Meyer says the pork producers work to make the fair a success, as a teaching tool to the next generation.
Meyer says it’s important to educate a new generation of pork producers about the pork industry, but also about their role in the community.
ALTON ARREST
A Sioux City man was arrested in Alton after an altercation which occurred during a child custody exchange. Tuesday, the Sioux County Sheriff’s Office arrested 34 year old Travis Twito. He was charged with first degree harassment. During a child custody exchange, Twito threatened serious physical harm to the adult female involved in the exchange. Twito was jailed at the Sioux County law enforcement center in Orange City. Alton-Orange City Police assisted the sheriff’s office.
WIND TURBINE MORATORIUM
Some residents are asking local officials to enact a moratorium on wind turbine construction in unincorporated areas of Dickinson County. Kristine Van Kleek lives in a rural area, outside of Milford. She spoke at Tuesday’s meeting of the Dickinson County Board of Supervisors.
Van Kleek says a moratorium should prohibit Dickinson County supervisors from receiving, reviewing or approving any application for a wind turbine development.
A large crowd gathered for the Dickinson County Board of Supervisors meeting this week as Van Kleek outlined the proposal. The chairman of the Dickinson County Board of Supervisors says the county’s Planning and Zoning Commission is currently reviewing the request.
FAIR SIDE CHATS
A dozen Republican presidential candidates have agreed to have Governor Kim Reynolds interview them at the Iowa State Fair. Reynolds is calling the 12 interviews Fair Side Chats. Former President Donald Trump has not accepted the governor’s invitation to join her on the fairgrounds, but the news release announcing the schedule indicated it is subject to change. The governor told reporters at the statehouse that she plans keep the questions consistent rather than tailored to each candidate. Her staff has set up a website, so Iowans can submit questions, too.
STUDENT LOAN SCAMMERS
Thousands of people will need to restart payments on their student loans this fall after more than three years of delays, and Iowans are being warned that scammers are lurking. Lisa Schiller, spokeswoman for the Better Business Bureau, says people may get an email or phone call from someone claiming they’re eligible for student loan consolidation, a payment reduction program or something similar. Schiller says don’t believe it, hang up and report the scam, especially if they ask for money or personal banking information. No government agency or lender will ask you for information they should already have, she says, nor will they ask for money over the phone.
