A Presidential candidate forum focused on Native American issues underway at the Orpheum Theater in downtown Sioux City. The forum is named after Native American activist Frank LeMere of Siouxland who died in June. Eight Democratic candidates are speaking in-person at the forum. Massachusetts Senator Elizabeth Warren, who has been dogged by criticism since her claims of Native American ancestry have been disproved, apologized for her actions, saying she had “listened and learned.” On another

081619 532 South Sioux City police officer Brian Van Berkum will face no criminal charges for his actions during a fatal May shootout. A grand jury has ruled today that no charges will be filed, according to the Sioux City Journal. The grand jury ruled there was no criminal conduct in the May 11 incident in which Van Berkum fatally shot Luis Quinones Rosa outside of Los Amigos, a South Sioux City bar and liquor store. Van Berkum was shot in the leg and abdomen. Van Berkum is currently on light

081619 504 A grand jury on Friday found that a South Sioux City police officer's actions during a fatal May shootout were not criminal, and no charges will be filed, according to the Sioux City Journal. The decision cleared South Sioux City police Officer Brian Van Berkum for his actions in a fatal shootout in May. The grand jury ruled there was no criminal conduct in the May 11 incident in which Van Berkum fatally shot Luis Quinones Rosa outside of Los Amigos, a South Sioux City bar and liquor

081619 432 Iowa’s unemployment rate went up very slightly in July, but it is still one of the lowest in the nation. Iowa Workforce Development says the July rate was 2.5, and for the previous 12 months the rate was 2.4 percent. Democratic presidential candidate Bernie Sanders will make return visits to Northwest Iowa communities on Tuesday. Sanders will hold a "Storm Lake Breakfast with Bernie" event 10 a.m. Tuesday at Better Day Cafe, in Storm Lake. The event is free and open to the public. At

081619 404 Iowa's unemployment rate climbed slightly in July to 2.5% but remains among the lowest in the nation. Iowa Workforce Development announced Friday that the unemployment rate rose from 2.4% in June. The rate had been stuck at that level since July 2018. Although the unemployment rate increased, the number of residents with jobs also rose by about 4,000 compared to June. The number of unemployed residents increased by about 1,400. Iowa's unemployment rate was third-lowest in the nation,

Rep. Steve King's most recent insensitive remarks about rape are the kind that has doomed political candidates elsewhere, but some fellow Iowa Republicans say it's possible they actually could help the embattled congressman's re-election chances by reinforcing his credentials as a social conservative. King made the comment Tuesday before a conservative group. He was attempting to justify his support for a ban on abortions without exceptions for rape and incest. The latest monthly survey of

081519 432 Iowa is becoming the 11th state to allow sports betting, and six casinos say they're ready to sign up players and begin taking bets. New regulations allow betting to begin at noon Thursday. Casinos in Altoona, Bettendorf, Osceola, and Waterloo will offer betting on-site and through a mobile app. Casinos in Burlington and Council Bluffs will offer on-site betting only for now until their mobile systems are set up. Gambling regulators say at least two more casinos could be approved by

081519 404 Iowa is officially open for business for sports betting. Today at noon several casinos around the state held ceremonies and began taking their first wagers. At the ribbon-cutting for the sportsbook at Prairie Meadows in Altoona, state senate majority leader Jack Whitver (WIT-ver) of Ankeny said before now some Iowans were already betting illegally. We decided the right path forward was to bring sports wagering out of the darkness into a controlled, regulated environment that offers

081519 1204 Well, it is official, as of noon today, Iowa is the 11th state to allow sports betting, and six casinos say they're ready to sign up players and begin taking bets. Casinos in Altoona, Bettendorf, Osceola, and Waterloo will offer betting on-site and through a mobile app. Casinos in Burlington and Council Bluffs will offer on-site betting only for now until their mobile systems are set up. Gambling regulators say at least two more casinos could be approved by the end of the day.

081419 532 4 th district Congressman Steve King caused more controversy today at an appearance in the Des Moines area. The nine-term Congressman was discussing his stance on abortion laws that carve out exceptions for rape and incest. He questioned whether such exceptions could have if honored in past civilizations, caused the end of humanity. King’s comments were echoed across national and social media. Last year, King lost support from many party leaders after being quoted by the New York