Republican Ashley Hinson says she has ended a working relationship with a consulting firm she blames for plagiarism uncovered by a recent media report. Hinson is running to unseat Democrat first-term Congresswoman Abby Finkenauer. In a new statement on her campaign website, Hinson says an employee of the unnamed firm she used to help with background and some writing, “took word for word several informational statements from others and included it in many of the pieces that I later approved and published.” In Tuesday’s statement, Hinson apologized again for the plagiarism, and notes that the positions and values included were in full accordance with her views.
Invitations were formally made yesterday to both the Finkenauer and Hinson campaigns for a candidate forum to be hosted by News/Talk 1540 KXEL and our coverage partners at Iowa’s News Now…similar to a forum held before the 2018 general election between the First Congressional District candidates. We hope the event, to be simulcast on KXEL and CBS2, will be the week before Labor Day. We’ll keep you posted on their responses.
State health reports show Iowa has surpassed 800 COVID-19 deaths…the state health department’s virus tracking website showed that as mid-morning yesterday, there had been 10 more deaths reported in the previous 24 hour period, bringing the state’s total deaths to 808 since the beginning of the outbreak. The site also shows just another 374 cases confirmed from Tuesday to Wednesday, bringing the state’s total to 39,793
Police are warning residents about a bison roaming the roadways west of Hudson. The warning came in a post on the Hudson Police Department’s Facebook page that said the bison was located Friday night on Watters Road. It was then seen again on Monday night on Zaneta Road near Black Hawk Creek county park. Officials said the current crop conditions have kept them from corralling or capturing the bison, and they have not been able to locate the owner. They also warn residents who encounter the Bison that it should be considered unpredictable and dangerous.
Fire crews in Cedar Rapids responded to a fire around 6 o’clock yesterday morning. Firefighters said there were reports of smoke and fire at a vacant one-story home at 2390 Rompot Street SE. The fire was extinguished quickly, but there was extensive damage to the side of the structure and moderate damage to the interior. No one was inside the home and no one was injured. The cause of the fire remains under investigation.
Fire damaged a Waterloo home yesterday morning. Waterloo Fire Rescue crews were called to a residence in the 1400 block of W. Sixth St. around 7:30 a.m.; they found heavy smoke coming from the residence. All of the occupants were able to escape; one person was taken to the hospital with minor injuries. Officials said the fire started with combustibles that were close to a space heater.
The Waverly-Shell Rock Community School District has completed its investigation after racist comments were directed at a Charles City baseball player…district officials announced all of the individuals involved in the incident are students within the district. According to a post on the district’s Facebook page, federal and state law prohibits the district from releasing specific findings and actions relating to the matter. But the post says the district is taking “appropriate measures in response to the incident.” The Charles City player said he initially didn’t think much of the comments because it’s not the first time a player has experienced comments like that in Waverly. New Hampton school officials also say sportsmanship has been an ongoing issue and that Waverly-Shell Rock administrators haven’t addressed the issue with students and fans.
Students, faculty and staff at the University of Northern Iowa can now get tested for COVID-19 at the Student Health Clinic on campus. Testing is for people with COVID-19 symptoms or those who have had close contact—defined as less than 6 feet for longer than 15 minutes–with an individual with confirmed or suspected COVID-19. The clinic asks you call ahead to be evaluated by phone so clinic staff can determine if testing is appropriate.
Good news for Deere workers in the Quad Cities…officials have confirmed 82 workers in Davenport will not face layoffs as previously announced…but layoffs will go as announced in Waterloo. On June 29, Deere informed 82 workers at John Deere Davenport Works of layoffs effective August 3, but last week, those workers were told the layoffs will not take place. But the 35 layoffs at the John Deere Waterloo Foundry announced the same day will go forward as planned.
The director of Iowa’s Medicaid program is leaving his role next month. Michael Randol, who was hired to oversee the state’s privately managed program two years ago, will be leaving the state for a job in the private sector on Aug. 14. Deputy Medicaid Director Julie Lovelady will serve as interim director while DHS begins recruitment of a new director immediately, officials said. Officials did not offer more details on the search for a new director. Before coming to Iowa, Randol led the Medicaid program in Kansas for five years.
The FBI has raised to $10,000 the reward for information related to the disappearance of a 10-year-old Breasia Terrell, the Davenport, Iowa girl who went missing earlier this month. FBI agents around the country are on alert. Terrell was reported missing July 10, after going to spend the previous night at an apartment with her half-brother and his father, 47-year-old Henry Dinkins, a convicted sex offender.
The man facing attempted murder and domestic assault charges stemming from a July 12 incident in northeast Cedar Rapids is now held on a $1.5 million bond while awaiting his initial appearance in the case. 24-year-old Keenan Baker is accused of shooting a 23-year-old woman at the Oakland Court and Gardens Apartments. He is set for an initial appearance a week from Friday. Court records show Baker was also convicted of domestic abuse in a 2015 case.
