SPM News

A Polk County judge will decide whether to allow a lawsuit aimed at rolling back Governor Kim Reynold’s expanded role in selecting judges for the state Supreme Court. Lawyers for Democratic lawmakers argued in court today (Monday) that a law passed at the end of the legislative session is unconstitutional. It allows the governor to appoint nine members to the nominating commission, up from eight. Iowa lawyers select the eight remaining members. Attorney Bob Rush represents the Democratic

062419 404 Sioux City School District Superintendent Dr. Paul Gausman could receive a nearly 2 percent raise tonight, boosting his annual pay to more than $243 thousand dollars. Last year, Gausman asked to board to freeze his salary. At its meeting tonight, the school board will vote on a new three-year contract for Gausman. He has been Sioux City school superintendent since 2008. Gausman’s contract is in line with the previously approved raise for other administrators and the two percent raise

062419 432 A trial has begun in Polk County challenging Iowa’s voter ID law. lawyers for a Latino civil rights group and a college student say the law unconstitutionally infringes upon Iowans exercising their right to vote. Attorney Bruce Spiva (spy-vuh) says these provisions put burdens on the right to vote that outweigh any potential benefits. 0624spiva1: 16 “The unjustified hurdles that HF516 placed in front of the ballot box will disproportionately trip those voters who are young, voters who

062419 404 Sioux City School District Superintendent Paul Gausman could receive a nearly 2 percent raise tonight, boosting his annual pay to more than $243 thousand dollars. Last year, Gausman asked to board to freeze his salary At its meeting tonight, the school board will vote on a new three-year contract for Gausman. He has been Sioux City school superintendent for 11 years. The contract calls for a 1.95 percent pay raise for Gausman in the 2019-20 school year, and that is in line with the

The first official summer weekend will be a soggy one for most of Iowa. Potential heavy rain will be mixed with severe weather over the next few days. In Siouxland, scattered thunderstorms are possible tonight with hail and winds up to 40 miles per hour. The National Weather Service says the most severe weather could strike parts of southern Iowa. Three years after South Dakota lawmakers changed the state's education funding formula to boost teacher pay, school leaderes say the new system isn't

The Sioux City Community School District’s music program just hit a high note after a major announcement from a famous performer. Barry Manilow delivered an important message for students across the country and here locally. “In second place, Sioux City School District from Sioux City, Iowa. They get $20,000 for school instruments.” “Fantastic!” The Sioux City School District entered a video in a competition with the Barry Manilow Music Project. First place receiving $100,000. The submission

Representative Steve King took to the house floor today in Washington to try and persuade other members of congress to approve funding to help fight substance abuse in Siouxland. He added a proposal to a potential funding bill that would help pay for drug and alcohol treatment services for Native Americans. King also honored the memory of community leader Frank LaMere who died this week of cancer. “The lead on this effort has been Mr. Frank LaMere. He has been a statesman for the Winnebago for

Iowa has received one of the top rankings for child well-being in country. That’s according to the annual Kids Count report released this week by the Annie E. Casey Foundation. Statewide, the survey shows improvement in just about every category. Iowa was ranked third overall in the U.S. The report shows rates in Iowa for kids who live in poverty dropped significantly since 2010 and are above national averages. However, in Woodbury County there is an increase of children living in poverty. It’s

Funeral services take place tomorrow for community activist and democratic party leader Frank LaMere. LaMere died over the weekend after a battle with cancer. LaMere struck up an unusual alliance with Republican Congressman Steve King of Iowa. The two worked on a plan to battle homelessness and substance abuse among native Americans in Northwest Iowa. On Twitter Congressman King says “Siouxland mourns the passing of Frank LaMere atrong leader and advocate for Winnebagos and all Native Americans.

Native American activist and Democratic party leader Frank LaMere has died. A post on Facebook said he passed away last night in Omaha. LaMere recently underwent surgery for bile duct cancer. LaMere was a champion for the less fortunate in the region. Most recently he worked to help the homeless and people battling with addiction in the area and spoke to Siouxland Public media about his mission at a special summit that took place in Sioux City in April. LaMere was 69 years old.