The Iowa House has voted to remove a requirement that children between the ages of 12 and 15 complete a hunter safety course in order to hunt deer with a pistol or revolver. Republican Representative Matt Windschitl of Missouri Valley said this clarifies part of a 2017 gun rights law. "I believe … [Read more...]
Hawarden relieved as Big Sioux River crest lowered
The National Weather Service has decreased its forecast crest for the Big Sioux River near Hawarden to 33.8 feet which is nearly three-feet below the previous forecast. Leaders in Hawarden had been calling for more volunteers to help sandbag along the Big Sioux River -- but City Administrator … [Read more...]
Addressing Iowa college games in sports betting debate
It appears a bill that would legalize and tax sports betting in Iowa may ban bets on individual Iowans playing on college and university teams. Representative Vicki Lensing of Iowa City says there were concerns some athletes might be pressured to miss a free throw or drop a pass in order to secure … [Read more...]
Students part of national campaign to get smokers to quit
Students in several Iowa cities are taking part in anti-smoking campaigns today on this national Kick Butts Day. Sydney Brookman, a seventh grader at Waverly-Shell Rock Middle School in Waverly, says she learned early on that smoking is something you shouldn't do and she's spreading the message … [Read more...]
Gillibrand says climate change is ‘greatest threat to humanity’
New York Senator Kirsten Gillibrand is making her first trip to Iowa since officially entering the Democratic presidential race and she's calling for aggressive action on climate change. "Global climate change is the greatest threat to humanity that exists," Gillibrand said Tuesday night. "It's … [Read more...]
Colesburg man faces charges for alleged threat against Sumner-Fredericksburg schools
A northeast Iowa man is accused of threatening violence at an elementary school in the Sumner-Fredericksburg District. Authorities arrested 26-year-old Ean Weipert of Colesburg Tuesday on felony charges of intimidation and threat of terrorism and a simple misdemeanor charge of disorderly conduct. … [Read more...]
School is back on in flooded Hamburg without restrooms and other extras
Hamburg school officials seeking some normalcy in the midst of disastrous flooding will resume classes at Marnie Simons Elementary School today. Hamburg School Superintendent Mike Wells says the water is out and students are asked to bring water bottles, and buses will run wherever possible. "We … [Read more...]
Hornick mayor worried some residents won’t return after flood
Power was restored in the western Iowa city of Hornick Monday and residents could return to their flooded town. Mayor Scott Mitchell says he’s worried some residents won’t want to stay and the town will lose people. “In turn, you can’t really blame them, but I hate to see it. This is a small … [Read more...]
Vice President Pence promises federal help for Iowa-Nebraska flood zone
Vice President Mike Pence surveyed flood damage in Iowa and Nebraska yesterday and Pence used the word "crisis" to describe the situation. "To all the families that have seen their homes flooded, seen livestock lost, who've had their lives (and) their communities upset by these extraordinary … [Read more...]
Democrat Eric Giddens wins open Iowa Senate seat
A member of the Cedar Falls School Board is now a senator-elect. Democrat Eric Giddens won today's special election for an open seat in the Iowa Senate, beating Republican Walt Rogers by 15 points. Giddens will represents all of Cedar Falls, the community of Hudson and a small portion of … [Read more...]