Iowa Radio News

DES MOINES, IA (IRN) – Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds is proposing the Legislature pass a constitutional amendment that would no longer allow the state to strip convicted felons of their right to vote. The proposal was made today as part of Reynolds’ Condition of the State address to lawmakers. Reynolds also made a budget request that includes $93 million more in funding for education, $20 million for her Future Ready Iowa jobs training program, additional money for children’s mental health, state universities and funding for rural broadband and housing programs. WASHINGTON, IA (IRN) – Iowa Republican Rep. Steve King was removed from his House committees Monday. House Republican Leader Kevin McCarthy of California said Sunday he would take action after King told the New York Times: “White nationalist, white supremacist, Western civilization — how did that language become offensive?” The decision by the Republican Steering Committee to remove King from the judiciary, agriculture and small business committees was unanimous. King denies he’s a racist. DES MOINES, IA (IRN) – The long process of adding gun rights to the Iowa Constitution must begin again due to a mistake at the Iowa Secretary of State’s office. Iowa Secretary of State Paul Pate said Monday that his office forgot to publish official details of the Legislature’s plan to amend the Iowa Constitution. Pate, a Republican, apologized. IOWA CITY, IA (IRN) – Protesters took to the benches at the downtown Ped Mall in Iowa City Monday, according KCRG-TV. They are protesting new benches that have bars that prevent homeless people from sleeping on them. Protesters want the old benches back. DES MOINES, IA (IRN) – Iowa is now ranked eighth for growth in the number of women-owned businesses as well as their own growth in employment and revenues, according to an American Express report. Three years ago, the state was in last place. Local business owners said one of the reasons for the change is the network of women who support each other has grown as well as access to resources.

RICHLAND, IA (IRN) – A snowmobile driver went missing early this morning. KCII Radio reports at 1:49 a.m. Henry County authorities were notified of a missing snowmobile driver. The driver is 25-year-old Spencer Ray Adam of Richland. Henry County officials began searching with authorities from the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office and the Iowa Department of Natural Resources. The snowmobile was located near the Skunk River shortly after 3 a.m. Adam was not found near the snowmobile and is still missing. AMES, IA (IRN) – Ames Police are looking for a teenage suspect in a weekend shooting. WHO-TV reports a witness told officers a woman was shot in the chest and identified the shooter. She’s in stable condition. Wanted in the shooting is 18-year-old Rodney D. Halterman. An warrant has been issued for attempted murder. DES MOINES, IA (IRN) – Iowa lawmakers head back to the Statehouse today for the start of the 2019 legislative session. Republicans control the House, Senate and governor’s office and are eager to continue achieving conservative goals. Issues range from property tax reform to choosing judges to job training to fill the need for more workers. WASHINGTON, D. C. – The top House Republican in D. C. says he and Rep. Steve King will discuss King’s future in the party following the Iowa congressman’s remarks in defense of white supremacy. House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy told CBS’ “Face the Nation” yesterday he intends to have a “serious conversation” with King today. The California Republican says King’s “language has no place in America.” Iowa Senators Chuck Grassley and Joni Ernst have also condemned King’s remarks. King denies being racist. WINTERSET, IA (IRN) – One of Madison County’s historic bridges was burnt down in April 2017, but reconstruction is now underway. After three arsonists set fire to the Cedar Covered Bridge, the community decided to rebuild their piece of history. The Madison County Covered Bridge Preservation Association welcomes donations to cover unexpected expenses.

MUSCATINE, IA (IRN) – An arrest has been made in the death of a woman whose body was found earlier this week on the side of an eastern Iowa highway. The Muscatine Journal reports that police arrested 35-year-old Douglas Foster, of Marion, in the death of 20-year-old Lea Renae Ponce, of Fairfield. Ponce was last seen alive early Tuesday getting into a pickup truck Foster was believed to have been driving. Her body was found along Highway 38 less than an hour later. FORT MADISON, IA (IRN) – A correctional officer was assaulted by an inmate at the Iowa State Penitentiary in Fort Madison on Friday. KTVO-TV reports an inmate set fire to his mattress, and he assaulted an officer when he was trying to put out the fire. Staff report minor injuries, and the inmate was transported to the hospital for his self-inflicted injuries. WASHINGTON, D.C. (IRN) – The list of Republicans speaking out against Rep. Steve King’s most recent controversial comments now includes both of Iowa’s U.S. senators. The backlash follows an interview with the New York Times earlier this week in which King, who represents Iowa’s 4th District, lamented why terms like “white nationalist” and “white supremacist” are offensive. King attempted to backtrack, but both Senator Joni Ernst and Senator Chuck Grassley condemned his remarks. DES MOINES, IA (IRN) – As the first major snowfall this season to hit Des Moines, police were busy responding to weather-related crashes. Officers responded to 33 crashes from 10 p.m. Friday to 7:30 a.m. Saturday. Nine of those crashes were hit-and-run, and there was one minor injury. One crash involved an OWI, and the others caused property damage.

DES MOINES, IA (IRN) – Two Des Moines men admitted in court Friday they are responsible for the death of Mike Wasike, according to KCCI-TV. Terrance Cheeks and LeShaun Murray pleaded guilty to second-degree murder in the 2013 robbery and assault in which Wasike was injured. Wasike died only recently, and their charges were updated. They will spend 50 years in prison. MONTOUR, IA (IRN) – A 22-year-old man who was in a chase with police has died in a crash in Tama County. The Iowa State Patrol says the crash happened in Montour shortly after midnight Friday. Royce Grayson Timberwolf of Montour was driving his Kia Optima trying to get away from Meskwaki Nation Police. He left the road, struck a driveway, rolled his vehicle and was ejected. He died at the scene. WAUKEE, IA (IRN) – Waukee Schools Superintendent Cindi McDonald plans to step down at the end of the current school year, according to WHO-TV. The decision comes after a rocky December when a state audit found the district misspent $130,000 and former COO Eric Rose was charged with three felonies. LE MARS, IA (IRN) – It’s known as the “Ice Cream Capital of the World,” but now Le Mars has a new nickname to celebrate. According to 24/7 Wall Street it’s the best city in Iowa to live in. Not only is it the home of Blue Bunny Ice Cream but it has also been deemed one of the most affordable cities in the U.S. For a smaller community, there’s a lot to do including museums, a golf course, and parks. About 10,000 people live in Le Mars.

FAIRFIELD, IA (IRN) – Authorities are investigating the death of a 20-year-old woman who was found dead on the side of the road in Muscatine County. KCII radio reports the Muscatine County Sheriff’s Office received a call Tuesday stating there was a woman laying on the side of the road. She was found to be deceased. Authorities identified the woman as 20-year-old Lea Renae Ponce of Fairfield. An autopsy was conducted Wednesday, the results have not been made available yet. DES MOINES, IA (IRN) – A man believed to be the victim of a hit-and-run crash was found dead Thursday after his body was found at a homeless camp on Des Moines’ north side. KCCI-TV reports the body of the man, identified as 69-year-old Charles Childs, was found in a tent. The hit-and-run apparently happened nearby. EAGLE GROVE, IA (IRN) – A man accused of shooting into an occupied bus is pleading not guilty. KIMT-TV reports Jason Jacob Bouska, 38 of Eagle Grove, was arrested in December 2018 after he allegedly fired several shots into an occupied bus. Bouska is charged with going armed with intent and intimidation with a dangerous weapon. DAVENPORT, IA (IRN) – A Davenport woman is accused of stealing $8,300 of lingerie over a two-month span from Victoria’s Secret. KWQC-TV reports Willshanique Evans, 18, is charged with five counts of theft. Video of five separate incidents shows Evans and two others picking up armfuls of Pink brand clothing and leaving without paying. DES MOINES, IA (IRN) – The excitement around Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds’ upcoming inaugural ball has led her staff to organize a second one on the same evening. Staff are organizing the second ball on January 18 due “to overwhelming demand.” Reynolds and Lt. Gov. Adam Gregg plan to appear at both. Reynolds says, “It’s a good problem to have.”