From the KCRG-TV9 Newsroom:
We are mere hours into a federal government shutdown as no spending agreement could be reached between Republicans and Democrats on Capitol Hill. Some farmers in Iowa say they’re concerned about the impact a shutdown could have on the USDA and the future of many farm financial programs, loans and crop reports. As of last night, the USDA had not released its contingency plans for a government shutdown.
Attorneys for the Des Moines public school district’s superintendent say he is resigning. Dr. Ian Roberts was taken into custody by ICE agents on Friday after officers say he drove off from a traffic stop as customs agents tried to detain him. Since then, his license to work in education has been revoked by the state, and the District has placed him on unpaid leave. Roberts’ resignation comes as he is held in a jail in western Iowa to face deportation charges.
Hundreds of students at Des Moines public schools left class yesterday, with some marching to the Governor’s Mansion on Terrace Hill. They protested the actions against Dr. Roberts and spoke out against possible ICE actions inside Iowa schools. Homeland Security says ICE will not conduct enforcement actions at school, even though the president lifted a rule barring them from doing so.
Escucha Mi Vos plans to be out in force this morning outside the Cedar Rapids Homeland Security office to protest the detainment of Superintendent Roberts and Iowa City resident Jorge Gonzalez, who was arrested at an Iowa City grocery store. The immigration advocacy group is also formally complaining about Homeland Security limiting where the public protest can be held outside its offices. The government blocked off access to the area between the street and public sidewalk, which the group says is illegal.
The Dubuque County Sheriff is warning of a new scam involving tap to pay readers attached to your phone. The scammers pose as people who they are collecting money for a sick or injured person. They say they don’t want cash, but to use the tap to play readers for payment. After the transaction, they make multiple withdrawals from your account. The sheriff’s office warns against making sidewalk transactions with random people.
