From the Associated Press (11:20 a.m.):
OMAHA, Neb. (AP) – The National Weather Service is warning of potentially damaging winds in parts of Nebraska, Kansas, Iowa and Missouri this week on the heels of devastating tornadoes that wreaked havoc in the Midwest. The weather service has issued a high wind watch starting Wednesday morning for most of Kansas and Nebraska and the northwest corner of Missouri. Central Iowa is under the same watch starting Wednesday afternoon into that night. Forecasters say strong sustained winds between 25 mph and 40 mph are expected in the region, with gusts of more than 65 mph at times. The weather service says damaging winds are likely to bring down some trees and power lines and make driving difficult.
ELLIOTT, Iowa (AP) – A coalition of California restaurants and grocery stores has filed a lawsuit to block implementation of a new farm animal welfare law. The move adds uncertainty about whether bacon and other fresh pork products will be much more expensive or in short supply in the state when the new rules take effect on New Year’s Day. The lawsuit is the latest step in a tumultuous three-year process of enacting rules overwhelmingly approved by voters. Shortages could be prevented, however, by a state decision to allow pork processed under the old rules and held in cold storage to be sold in California in 2022.
SIOUX CITY, Iowa (AP) – Sioux City is considering spending $250,000 in federal coronavirus relief funds to provide a $300 bonus to city employees a little more than a week before Christmas. The Sioux City Journal reports that the City Council is expected to vote Monday on the proposal. City Manager Bob Padmore had urged council members in May to devote most of the city’s federal COVID-19 relief dollars to infrastructure projects. The city now expects to receive $40.6 million. If approved, employees would get the extra payment Dec. 17. Mayor Pro Tem Dan Moore said city employees did work under extraordinary circumstances during the coronavirus pandemic.
MONTEZUMA, Iowa (AP) – Wildlife officials say deer hunters found a dead mountain lion with a broken snare around its neck in east-central Iowa. The Iowa Department of Natural Resources says the nearly 120-pound cat was found Tuesday in Poweshiek County by a group of hunters. Department wildlife biologist Vince Evelsizer told the Des Moines Register that the agency will conduct tests on the carcass to try to get more information on the mountain lion’s background. Confirmed mountain lion sightings in Iowa are rare.
IOWA FALLS, Iowa (AP) – The Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation has identified a man fatally shot by officers in Iowa Falls. The agency says 35-year-old Jared Risius, of Eldora, died after being shot during a confrontation with police Wednesday morning. Investigators said a woman called police to say a man she had once dated was stalking her by following her in his car. Iowa Falls police, Hardin County sheriff’s deputies and the Iowa State Patrol responded. Arriving officers say they saw the man, later identified as Risius, run his vehicle into the woman’s car. Police said Risius refused orders to get out of his car, displayed a shotgun and tried to speed off. Officials say that’s when police shot him.
