LAYOFFS AT WILSON TRAILER COMPANY IN SIOUX CITY
A northwest Iowa business that makes trailers for hauling livestock and grain will be laying off dozens of employees this fall. Woody Gottburg reports.
A-G SEEKS TO OVERTURN RULING ON CHILD TESTIMONY IN COURT
Iowa Attorney General Brenna Bird is working on a constitutional amendment that would make clear children do not have to testify in person — in a courtroom — against their alleged abuser. In June, the Iowa Supreme Court overturned the conviction of a man who argued it was unconstitutional for two children to testify against him via a live video link that was shown in the courtroom. Four Iowa Supreme Court justices joined the majority opinion that says remote testimony from children in abuse cases violates a defendant’s right to confront their accuser in court. Bird says while she respects the opinion as an officer of the court, she’s drafting a proposed amendment so children may testify outside the courtroom against adults accused of child abuse or assault.
IOWA’S OLDEST LABOR DAY CELEBRATION OPENS TODAY IN GRAETTINGER
The northwest Iowa town of Graettinger (GRET-in-jur) claims to have the state’s oldest Labor Day celebration, and another edition starts this (Friday) afternoon. Event co-chair Phillip Schmidt says the tradition had humble beginnings 127 years ago.
Schmidt says there’s a long list of events, including a Miss Graettinger pageant, a truck and tractor pull, a large bake sale, and something called Cow Pie Bingo, where you pick a square on a field where a bovine may leave its mark.
He says there are activities for everyone in the town this weekend, especially families.
See the full rundown of this weekend’s events at the Graettinger Labor Day Facebook page.
SEVERAL IOWA HUNTING SEASONS OPEN THIS WEEKEND
Hundreds of Iowa hunters will hit the fields this holiday weekend for the start of the rabbit and squirrel seasons. Nate Carr, an Iowa D-N-R conservation officer for Hamilton and Hardin counties, says the weather should be ideal. Carr says shooting hours are sunrise to sunset and you can take up to 10 rabbits per day, while the squirrel daily bag limit is six. Iowa’s rabbit season runs through February 28th, while the squirrel season will end on January 25th. Carr says this Sunday will also kick off the hunting seasons for mourning doves, and for teal.
VILSACK SAYS USDA SUMMER FOOD PROGRAM A SUCCESS
U.S.Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack would not comment on Governor Reynolds’ request for a waiver from a U-S-D-A program, so she can provide state-purchased food to needy families with kids next summer.
The U-S-D-A program provides electronic benefits cards to families during the summer months if a child in the household qualifies for a free or reduced price lunch during the school year.
The governors of 43 states have signed up for the U-S-D-A program for the summer of 2025. He says research shows it’s the most successful way to make sure youngsters have appropriate nutrition in the summer months.
Reynolds says the state will be able to provide more food, by making bulk purchases of nutritious food.
Vilsack spoke with reporters this week at the Farm Progress Show in Boone.
