SPM News

082119 432 More than a dozen Democrats running for president talked up their support for organized labor at a meeting of union leaders near Des Moines today (Wednesday). In turn, they’re trying to win the support of union workers, who voted for the Democratic candidate in the last presidential election by a smaller margin than any other time in the past three decades. Several candidates mentioned the Iowa Legislature’s 2017 actions, led by Republicans, that limited collective bargaining rights

082119 404 One of the candidates running for Democratic nomination for the US Senate in Iowa next year visits Sioux City next Tuesday. Theresa Greenfield of Des Moines will hold a Sioux City campaign event on Tuesday. The meet-and-greet event will take place at 5 p.m. at The Marquee on Fourth St. Greenfield is a real estate agent and one of three Democrats who are running for the seat, which is held by U.S. Sen. Joni Ernst. Ernst was first elected in 2014 and is running for re-election. The

Several Democratic presidential candidates have appeared at the Frank LaMere Native American Presidential Forum today at Sioux City’s Orpheum Theater. Former Maryland Congressman John Delaney took questions on wide range of issues from rescinding medals given to soldiers who took part in Native American massacres to opioid addiction. Delaney was also asked how he would try to improve the chronically underfunded Indian health service hospitals and clinics. Delaney said he would work to improve

A malpractice lawsuit involving a Sioux City plastic surgeon got underway this morning in Dickinson County District Court in Spirit Lake. That’s according to the Clerk of Court. The trial was scheduled for Woodbury County District Court. But, a judge granted a change-of-venue in the case. The trial involves a woman who says Dr. Adam Smith used breast implants instead of butt implants during a cosmetic procedure. The Iowa State Medical Board says Dr. Smith failed to provide appropriate care to 17

A Presidential candidate forum focused on Native American issues is underway at the Orpheum Theater in downtown Sioux City. The forum is named after Native American activist Frank LaMere of Siouxland who died in June. Massachusetts Senator Elizabeth Warren, who has been dogged by criticism since her claims of Native American ancestry have been disproved, apologized for her actions. “ I know that I have made mistakes. I am sorry for harm I have caused. I have listened and I have learned . . . a

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,