While much of the election-related attention has focused on the presidential race and the races for U.S. Senate and Congress in Iowa…every member of the Iowa House and half the members of the Iowa Senate are on the ballot. Iowa Speaker of the House Pat Grassley of New Hartford told me yesterday his goal was to expand the Republican majority beyond its current 53-47 split. Grassley also noted that Iowa’s state budget has weathered the coronavirus pandemic better than in many other states, and that is key to the state’s economic recovery. You can hear the full interview with Speaker of the House Pat Grassley during the 9 o’clock hour of KXEL Live & Local today.
Amazon is looking for more than 1,000 employees to help fill customer orders at its new Bondurant facility, and early applicants could see $500 bonuses. The online retailer says work at the new warehouse is expected to open at the end of this year. Jobs range from picking, packing and shipping…to human resources…and information and technology positions. Positions start at $15 per hour and come with comprehensive benefits including health, dental and a 401(k) account from the first day. The company also said it will offer a $500 bonus for people who apply early.
President Trump held a rally in Des Moines two weeks ago; last night, he was in Omaha, accompanied by many Iowa candidates including Sen. Joni Ernst. The president talked about his experience testing positive for coronavirus earlier this month–and criticized the “many names” of the virus. The President continued to highlight his administration’s economic and health recovery efforts, saying “we’re rounding the turn” with the virus. And the president reacted to accusations from a former business partner of Hunter Biden, Tony Bobulinski, who says Joe Biden and his campaign is lying about not having dealings with a Chinese energy company. The President also accuses Joe Biden of letting China “steal American jobs,” and says that if Biden wins, China will own America. Prior to attending the Omaha rally, Sen. Joni Ernst connected with me for an extended one-on-one interview, which you can hear during the 10 o’clock hour of KXEL Live & Local today.
Searchers found the car of a Hampton man who has been missing since 2013…and a scuba diver who was part of the search says the vehicle contained human remains. Franklin County authorities say the car belonging to Ethan Kazmerzak was found Monday in a body of water northwest of Hampton. Scuba diver Jared Leisek said a coroner will have to confirm that the remains belong to Kazmerzak, who was last seen at a party in rural Franklin County on Sept. 15, 2013. He was 22 years of age at the time.
University of Northern Iowa president Mark Nook has overridden an earlier decision by UNI student government that denied recognition to a student anti-abortion group. Nook ruled that Students for Life of America will be allowed to form a local chapter on campus. The student government had denied the group’s application, saying it could create a hostile environment and would not meet the campus’ “good faith” policy. The group appealed to Nook last week. In his decision, Nook said the student government overlooked the school’s policies protecting free speech and indicated the denial appeared to discriminate against the group.
