A new poll shows GOP incumbents leading in Iowa for both president and U.S. Senate, but within the margin of error. The Monmouth University Poll released yesterday morning shows President Trump leading Joe Biden in Iowa 48-45 percent…Patrick Murray of the Monmouth Poll says it’s a closer race than the president had four years ago because Biden is outperforming Hillary Clinton in 13 key swing counties. Both Black Hawk and Linn are in the “swing” category.
Governor Kim Reynolds yesterday signed an executive order restoring the voting rights of thousands of Iowans who have completed their felony sentences. Executive Order 7 restores the right to vote for Iowans who have already completed their felony sentences and announces that Governor Reynolds will continue to do so on a daily basis for those who complete their sentences in the future. The executive order requires completion of any prison, probation, parole, or special sentence. Individuals who were convicted of felony homicide offenses are excluded from the automatic restoration and must continue to individually apply for restoration. Full payment of restitution is not required for voting rights to be restored. Reynolds noted that today’s executive order is a temporary solution because it can be changed by the next governor. So she will continue working toward getting a constitutional amendment passed.
Both President Trump and U.S. Sen. Joni Ernst hold leads over their Democrat challengers in Iowa…that according to a Monmouth University Poll released yesterday…but both races are statistically dead heats when the margin of error is included. The closeness of both races means Iowa is on the national radar, according to Monmouth pollster Patrick Murray. Murray told me their poll results for the four congressional districts in Iowa will be released later today.
An appeal hearing for a former Cedar Rapids police officer who was fired is now being delayed. Lucas Jones is seeking to reverse his termination with the city, handed down in June. He also wants to be reinstated as a sergeant, plus back pay and benefits. His case is being reviewed online only at this point, a format his attorneys are fighting…they want it open to the public with in-person attendance allowed. Jones’ appeal hearing was to begin on August 18 but has been moved to September 22, allowing attorneys more time to prepare the case.
The Metropolitan Transit Authority of Black Hawk County will begin requiring all passengers to wear face masks beginning next Monday. A notice has been posted on all buses, and drivers will initially supply masks for people who don’t have one. The mask must be worn at all times on the bus and must fit over the nose and below the chin. This initiative goes along with the city’s policy which requires masks in public buildings.
A Monmouth University Poll shows Iowans are divided over President Trump’s handling of the coronavirus, with 49 percent supporting and 49 percent opposed. Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds fares better than the president, though, with 58 percent saying she is doing a good job and only 39 percent saying she’s done a bad job. Monmouth pollster Patrick Murray explained to me why. The Monmouth Poll showed by President Trump and Sen. Joni Ernst leading their Democrat challengers in Iowa, but within the margin of error.
The Iowa City Community School District Board of Education voted unanimously Tuesday to delay the start of its school year by two weeks. The year had been scheduled to start Aug. 24, but now classes won’t resume until Sept. 8. Interim Superintendent Matt Degner said during a virtual board meeting Tuesday that the extra two weeks will allow teachers more time to prepare for the year, and allow the district to get a better sense of community health conditions before school starts…including the impact of tens of thousands of University of Iowa students returning to the city. Iowa City schools had hoped to start online, but are waiting to see if their request for a waiver will be approved by the state.
Ames police say two men are accused of stabbing and beating another man. 26-year-old Jacki Daniels and 22-year-old Lionel Williams, both of Ames, have been charged with willful injury. Officers responded to a report of a stabbing at an apartment around 6 p.m. The victim told police he was stabbed in the back and struck in the head with a baseball bat during the assault. Daniels and Williams were arrested at the apartment.
