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First Lady caught smoking in forbidden area

November 20, 2008 By

Iowa First Lady Mari Culver (file photo) Iowa’s first lady has issued a statement of apology after being seen smoking in a vehicle that’s leased by the state. 

First Lady Mari Culver was spotted at a stoplight earlier this week in Des Moines, sitting in an S.U.V. reserved for the Culvers and smoking.

Mrs. Culver said in a statement released Thursday that "like many Iowans" she has "struggled" to quit smoking. She went on to say she "successfully" quit last year, but "unfortunately" took up the habit again "a few months ago."

Culver, who is an attorney, admits in the brief written statement that she did smoke in a state vehicle, saying it’s an action she regrets. She promised that it wouldn’t happen again.

The new state law which took effect on July 1st bars smoking in most public places, including vehicles that are used by more than one person for work purposes. Her husband, the governor, signed that bill into law on April 15th. "All Iowans will benefit from cleaner air," Culver said during the bill-signing ceremony. "…I understand there are compelling arguments against this bill, but the bottom line is this bill will save lives, plain and simple, and I am happy to sign it today."

The governor has not issued a statement regarding his wife’s smoking in a state-owned vehicle. In February of 2007, Governor Culver "outed" his wife, revealing during a speech at a hospital that she’s a smoker who’s struggled to quit. On February 19, 2007, a statehouse reporter asked Culver whether he thought his wife would be able to kick the habit.  "We’ll see," was all Governor Culver said in reply.

Mrs. Culver’s smoking was a topic of discussion as lawmakers debated Iowa’s Smoke-Free Air Act this past spring. Representative Chuck Soderberg, a Republican from Le Mars, was among those who argued private residences like the governor’s mansion that are owned by the state should be smoke-free areas.

"The state really does need to lead by example. We have a lot of investment in historical buildings that I think we need to make sure that we protect and preserve also," Soderberg said during a committee meeting. "And I kind of go back…to the Condition of the State (message in which) our governor made the comment that if you’re going to talk the talk, you need to walk the walk."

Filed Under: Health & Medicine, Politics & Government Tagged With: , ,

Huckabee in Iowa to sign copies of his new book

November 20, 2008 By

Former Arkansas Governor Mike Huckabee — the winner of the Iowa Republican Party’s Caucuses this past January — stopped in Cedar Rapids and Des Moines Thursday to sign copies of his new book. The book’s title is "Do the Right Thing" and during an interview with Radio Iowa, Huckabee downplayed the idea he’s in Iowa to lay the groundwork for another run for the White House.

"First of all, I’m not anticipating planning or even trying to think about any future campaign," Huckabee told Radio Iowa. "I’m wanting to make sure I get the message of this book out and work on my show with FOX and then starting in January I’ll be doing two, five-minute-a day commentaries for the ABC Radio Network, so I have plenty to keep me busy."

The title of the first chapter in Huckabee’s book is: "I Love Iowa!" Later, on page 99, Huckabee mentions the "grueling" nature of the campaign in Iowa. "Iowa is, obviously, throughout the book and it starts there," Huckabee said during his interview with Radio Iowa. "There are so many references to Iowa events and Iowa people because so much of our campaign, I mean, we spent more time here than we spent here in our own homes during the almost two years up to the caucus."

Huckabee’s book is not just a recounting of the 2008 campaign, though. It articulates his political philosophy. "We’ve got to, as a party, realize that we win when we stand for some things: when we are clearly pro-life/pro-family, for lower taxes, we empower parents…and when we stick by those things and actually govern that way we win elections," Huckabee told Radio Iowa, "but it’s when we don’t govern that way that our message loses any authenticity and we lose."

The book ends with Huckabee’s direct responses to some of his critics — responses that cover three pages with incredibly tiny type. That’s followed with Huckabee’s outline of a "veteran’s bill of rights."

Read more about Huckabee and his book on "The Blog."

AUDIO: Huckabee interview (mp3 runs 8 min)

Filed Under: Politics & Government Tagged With: , ,

Storm Lake couple face child endangerment charges

November 20, 2008 By

Two people in Storm Lake are charged with child endangerment after neighbors called police to report smoke coming out from under their apartment door. Police say they got no answer when they knocked on the door, so they entered and found two adults standing in the living room in what’s described as heavy smoke.

The smoke was from burned food on the stove. There was no fire. The two adults, 25-year-old Tasharra Jester from Storm Lake and 27-year-old Tyrice McCray from Chicago, were taken from the apartment. That’s when rescuers learned there were still six children, from two to seven years old, still inside the smoke filled home.

Police got the youngsters out and firefighters were able to ventilate the apartment. Authorities called the Iowa Department of Human Services who took the children into protective custody. Jester and McCray face six counts of child endangerment.  

Filed Under: Crime & Courts

State agencies look for ways to cut the budget

November 20, 2008 By

The leaders of state agencies are looking for ways they can trim millions of dollars from their operations. Governor Chet Culver blames the tight economy and disaster expenses for his request to cut 40-million from the state budget.

New Department of Human Services Director Gene Gessow says the target for his organization is 5.7-million dollars. "That is going to be very difficult," Gessow said. "We have a target of next Tuesday evening to be finished. I’m meeting with department staff (Friday) to discuss it. I’ve already met with them once, we’ve talked about how we’re going to approach finding that money, but we have not yet come to any solutions."

Charlie Krogmeier, director of the state Department of Management, says it’s doubtful any state employees will lose their jobs. Gessow refused to say if there might be staffing changes within the D.H.S. "

The only thing that I know for sure is that the Governor has given us the opportunity to find the best way that works, rather than giving us a rule that it has to be done one way or the other," Gessow said. "So, I need to take advantage of that flexibility and see what opportunities it creates for us."

Culver has asked the Department of Corrections to cut 11-million dollars from its budget. The target is 7.5-million for the Board of Regents and $600,000 for Workforce Development.

 

Filed Under: Politics & Government

Iowa Association of School Boards holds annual conference

November 20, 2008 By

Some 1,300 school superintendents and school board members from across Iowa are in Des Moines for the annual conference of the Iowa Association of School Boards. Association spokeswoman Margaret Buckton says the attendees voted yesterday on their legislative priorities, things they want brought to state lawmakers when the session opens in January.

Buckton says key issues include: allowable growth or the per-pupil cost that the state pays school districts, professional development training for teachers and the core curriculum which is designed "to raise expectations for students clear across the K-12 education spectrum."

Governor Chet Culver will speak at the convention this afternoon, addressing the condition of Iowa’s schools and the future direction. Buckton says there will be special awards presented on Friday.

The Corning Community School District is winning an award for student achievement while Waverly-Shell Rock will be recognized for its support of the fine arts. Buckton says those attending the convention will be involved in any of some three-dozen workshops throughout the day. She says the break-out sessions cover topics like school finances, raising graduation rates, school improvements and joint programs with community colleges.

The convention is underway at the Polk County Convention Center through Friday afternoon.

 

Filed Under: Education

UNI closes out regular season on the road

November 20, 2008 By

The UNI Panthers close out the regular season this weekend with a visit to Southern Utah. The Panthers clinched at least a share of the Missouri Valley title last week and defense has been one of the biggest factors. UNI has posted back-to-back shutouts and the defense has not given up a touchdown in 12 consecutive quarters.

Coach Mark Farley says the Panthers will be tested by Southern Utah’s run and shoot offense. He says it’s a good time to play them as it will test them in a different way and get them ready for a game against someone in the playoffs that likes to throw the ball.

Farley says Southern Utah will throw the ball all day, as he says they use a lot of BYU philosphy in what they do in their coaching. Farley says this is a much different and better Southern Utah team than the one the Panthers beat 48-10 in the UNI-Dome last season.

He says they will use four wideouts every down and throw the ball and on defense will play man-to-man. Farley says the Thunderbirds are much Better than their 4-6 record. He says they’ve played some tough opponents who are strong football teams that will be in the playoffs and in bowl games.

UNI has won or shared a conference title 14 times in the last 24 years and Farley has been a player or coach on all of those teams. He credits tradition as a major factor in the continued success of the program. Farley says everything is linked to the history and he says they teach the players to touch the UNI sign as a symbol tying them to all the other teams. The Panthers are 9-2 overall. 

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St. Ambrose opens football playoffs on the road

November 20, 2008 By

The St. Ambrose football team opens the N-A-I-A national playoffs on the road this weekend at second ranked Sioux Falls. It is the fourth straight trip to the playoffs for the Fighting Bees who won the Mid-States Football Association Midwest League title after posting a victory against Trinity International.

Coach Mike Magistrelli says the Fighting Bees are playing their best at the right time. They have won six out of their last seven games. He says they got better and better as the season went on, and that allowed them to gain confidence.

They face a tough opener against Sioux Falls, as he says they are one of the top programs in the country and have been putting up some eye popping defensive statistics.

Magistrelli says anytime you are playing on the road, limiting turnovers is critical. He says they can decide the game when two good teams play. St. Ambrose finished the regular season 8-3. 

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