SPM News

Several states are ditching their Republican primary next year, paving the way for the president’s re-nomination. However, the Republican Party of Iowa Chair Jeff Kaufmann says holding a caucus every cycle is just good for the GOP. Nebraska state emergency officials who faced record floods this summer are now scrambling to boost their ranks with more workers to help residents recover and rebuild their communities. The Nebraska Emergency Management Agency plans to hire 17 new employees in the

Iowa's attorney general says his office is joining a multistate investigation to determine whether Facebook has violated any antitrust laws. Attorney General Tom Miller says Facebook's dominance over communications and information is concerning and warrants the investigation he's leading along with 8 other attorneys general including the state of Nebraska. Miller says the goal is to determine whether Facebook's actions "may have endangered user data, reduced the quality of consumers' choices, or

Authorities say a Sioux City man looted the checking account of a nursing home resident. Woodbury County court records say 52-year-old Ronald Taylor is charged with dependent adult abuse. His attorney didn't immediately return a call Friday from The Associated Press. Taylor's next court hearing is scheduled for Sept. 13. Court records say Taylor held a power attorney for the man, who has dementia and can't handle his finances. The records say Taylor spent nearly $23,000 of the man's money since

090519 532 District Judge Tod Deck had no conflict of interest while presiding over Tran Walker's double-murder trial, according to a Woodbury County defender and assistant county attorney. That means Walker will be sentenced for killing two companions Sept. 20 in Woodbury County District Court, according to the Sioux City Journal. A Woodbury County Public defender and First Assistant Woodbury County Attorney reviewed two juvenile court cases involving Walker and found nothing to show that Deck

It’s been found that District Judge Tod Deck had no conflict of interest while presiding over Tran Walker's double-murder trial. Walker's case will proceed to sentence, scheduled for Sept. 20 in Woodbury County District Court, according to the Sioux City Journal. Walker was convicted for killing two companions. A Woodbury County Public defender and First Assistant Woodbury County Attorney reviewed two juvenile court cases involving Walker and found nothing to show that Deck had any involvement

090519 432 A Texas health and human services official has been named the new director of the Iowa Department of Human Services today. Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds appointed Kelly Kennedy Garcia to head the department that oversees the state's Medicaid program, mental health centers, and child welfare services. Garcia is now the deputy executive commissioner at the Texas Health and Human Services Commission. Garcia previously managed the Texas Medicaid program and once served as a senior adviser to

090519 404 Governor Kim Reynolds has appointed a new Iowa Department of Human Services director a couple of months after she abruptly ousted Jerry Foxhoven from the position. Kelly Kennedy Garcia is scheduled to start leading the state’s biggest agency November first. She’s currently a deputy executive commissioner of the Texas Health and Human Services Commission. Garcia has also worked for the Texas Sunset Advisory Commission, which studies whether state agencies should be abolished, and for

A northwest Iowa woman accused of lying about killing her husband has entered a plea. Plymouth County District Court records say 35-year-old Becky Hebert, of rural Akron, entered a written Alford plea to a misdemeanor charge of interference with official acts. In an Alford plea, a person doesn't admit guilt but acknowledges there is enough evidence for a likely conviction. Her sentencing has not been scheduled. She had originally been charged with second-degree murder for the Oct. 6, 2017,

090419 504 It looks like the dispute over ethanol waivers will go one a little longer than expected. Governor Kim Reynolds says due to the natural disaster caused by hurricane Dorian, the Trump Administration’s announcement about ethanol has been delayed. Reynolds says they are still working on the deal. Last week President Trump promised on Twitter that his administration is coming up with a “great package” to boost ethanol. The pledge came after the uproar over 31 waivers to oil refineries,

Governor Kim Reynolds says due to the natural disaster caused by hurricane Dorian, the Trump Administration’s announcement about ethanol has been delayed.Gov. Reynolds says they are still working on a deal. Last week President Trump promised on Twitter that his administration is coming up with a “great package” to boost ethanol. The pledge came after the uproar over 31 waivers to oil refineries, reducing the amount of ethanol that must be blended into gasoline. Iowa’s governor spoke with Vice