STUCKENBERG FOR PRESIDENT
A candidate for president is taking his Operation Dark Horse to Le Mars Sunday.
Major David Stuckenberg of Florida announced his candidacy this week at Plymouth Rock, Massachusetts, and will bring his campaign to Plymouth County, Iowa. He says he’s campaigning to cure what ails America.
Major Stuckenberg, an Air Force pilot, questions the character of the nation’s leaders.
Major Stuckenberg hopes to learn from Iowans Sunday, when he visits the Le Mars Pizza Ranch. He calls Iowans gatekeepers of the Republic.
One of his major campaign themes is immigration reform.
His economic stance is for the nation to spend what it takes in, and no more. To erase debt, he’s calling for massive tax cuts, including a repeal of the inheritance tax.
He urges Iowans to meet him Sunday, at noon, at the Le Mars Pizza Ranch, and share your ideas with him.
IOWA PRISON ‘RECIDIVISM’ RATE DECLINES
Iowa Department of Corrections director Beth Skinner says for the third straight year, there’s a decline in the percentage of people violating the terms of their parole or commiting a crime that sends them back to prison. Skinner says there are several reasons the rate is declining, like focusing on getting substance abuse or mental health treatment for those who are at highest risk. She also credits the 30 registered apprentice programs, including training for plumbers, welders and electricians. Ninety percent of people in prison will be released at some point.
BILL HELPS SMALL TELECOMS REMOVE CHINESE EQUIPMENT
Iowa Congresswoman Ashley Hinson is co-sponsoring a bill that would shift three BILLION dollars in unused COVID-19 funds to help U-S telecommunications companies replace Chinese-made equipment. Hinson says it’s a privacy issue for Americans and national security issue as well because equipment made by two firms connected to the Chinese government can intercept commercial cell traffic AND the highly restricted airwaves used by the U.S. military. Hinson, a Republican from Marion, is among a bipartisan group in the House co-sponsoring a bill called the Defend Our Networks Act. A similar bill in the U.S. has bipartisan backing.
PROPERTY SALE
There will be a public hearing later this month on a plan to sell 3 parcels of city-owned property for future development. The combined properties total 38 acres, and are located north of Parkview Terrace Mobile Home Park. The LeMars Community Development plan identifies this property for medium density residential development. The homes would be planned with smaller, more affordable sizes. The public hearing will be held on November 21.
BROWNS CHRISTMAS
The ninth season of holiday concerts begin tonight at the Brown Century Theater in Le Mars. Michaela Brown says they are ready for another for another series of concerts under the theme “Christmas Wonder.
the Browns put on a show featuring 20 favorite Christmas songs.
This summer, the Browns traveled to the Czech Republic to record a Christmas album, featuring the City of Prague Philharmonic Orchestra. Live vocals to the orchestra’s soundtrack will be featured on the songs performed this season. You can find details on the Browns holiday concert schedule on their website, TheBrownsTheater.com
Tickets for the concert are now available, and the Browns also offer a holiday dinner before each concert.
FEENSTRA PUSHES APPROVAL OF FARM BILL BEFORE 2024
Iowa Congressman Randy Feenstra says he remains hopeful Congress will act on a new Farm Bill before the end of the year. Feenstra and some colleagues sent a letter to House Speaker Mike Johnson, urging action on the measure, what could end up being the first trillion-dollar Farm Bill. Feenstra also spoke with Pennsylvania Congressman G-T Thompson, chair of the House Ag Committee, regarding the need to act. Feenstra says the bill’s critical components are hanging in the balance.
A C-R is a continuing resolution, or a stopgap measure that extends the deadline. Feenstra, a Republican from Hull, says the flap over the House Speaker’s position delayed work on the Farm Bill and other important issues.
Feenstra says a one-year extension of the 2018 Farm Bill — which expired in late September — would be harmful to Iowa farmers and to certain programs.
Last week, Iowa Congressman Zach Nunn expressed confidence the House would avoid a one-year extension of the old farm bill.
POLICE ACADEMY CONDITIONS, TRAINING ‘UNACCEPTABLE’
The head of Iowa’s law enforcement training academy says its facilities, processes and training are “unacceptable” and a group of state lawmakers plans to recommend more funding. Brady Carney became director of the Iowa Law Enforcement Academy in March. On Wednesday, Carney told a statehouse committee there’s a crisis in the recruitment of law enforcement officers, and the state’s training resources have been inadequate. Carney says the training content for new hires is “unacceptable” and the academy lacks proper training facilities. He says the curriculum is being updated, as it was up to two decades old in some cases. He says the academy council worked through a major decertification backlog that meant some police officers continued to work when they should’ve been suspended.
HEARING ON SUMMIT’S CARBON CAPTURE PIPELINE ENDS
The Iowa Utilities Board’s public hearing on Summit Carbon Solutions’ proposed carbon pipeline has concluded. Over eight weeks, the Utilities Board convened for 26 days, hearing testimony from over 100 landowners who object to having the pipeline on their property. Utilities Board members are letting hundreds of additional public comments be entered into evidence. Summit waived its right to offer rebuttal witnesses yesterday (Thursday). In a written statement, Summit said the hearing’s conclusion is a critical step forward for its project. Summit’s proposed pipeline would capture carbon emissions from more than 30 ethanol plants in Iowa and four other states. There’s no deadline for the board to make its decision on Summit’s application for a permit to construct and operate a carbon capture pipeline in Iowa.
