DES MOINES, Iowa (KCRG) – The Polk County Auditor has rejected a challenge to Sen. Jack Whitver’s (R-Grimes) voter registration. The decision comes after a hearing over the claim made by a registered voter that Whitver doesn’t live in his State Senate District. Whitver, who was first elected to the Iowa Senate in 2011 and became Senate Majority Leader in March 2018, won reelection in last month’s midterm elections. In the findings, Polk County Auditor Jamie Fitzgerald concluded Whitver was able to submit evidence that he had moved to, and owns a home in Grimes in September 2022, where he pays utility bills and has received mail. He also signed an affidavit declaring his intent to remain at the residence a definite, or indefinite or indeterminable length of time.
CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa (KCRG) – During the Thanksgiving Weekend, the National Retail Federation said in-person shopping grew faster than online shopping compared to last year. It’s a shift from the COVID-19 pandemic when more shoppers bought products online. The advocacy group also said the average consumer spent more money this year than last year, but the difference was similar to the inflation rate. The National Retail Federation said more people are shopping online compared to brick and motor stores, but they are growing at two different rates. The number of online shoppers, according to the group, grew increased by 2% compared to 2021. While the number of in-person shoppers, according to the group increased by 17% compared to 2021. University of Iowa business professor Nancy Abram said she believes the increase is happening because people are less concerned with COVID-19 and large crowds. She also believes people like to shop and missed the experience over the holiday weekend. The National Retail Federation said people this year spent around $325.44 this year, which is about an 8% increase compared to last year.
CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa (KCRG) – With another two years before travelers need that little gold star on their ID to board domestic flights, Transportation Security Administration suspect many will continue to put off the REAL ID process. But officials want to remind people there’s more to the process than simply renewing your last driver’s license. A passport, marriage certificate, bank statement, social security card — these are all items on a long list of documents that might be required during the process. 64% of Iowans have already gotten their REAL ID. In the next two years, the department of homeland security wants to make it a simpler process for those who still need to get theirs.
FAYETTE COUNTY, Iowa (KCRG) – On December 5th, at 10:11 am, the Fayette County dispatch received a report of a two-vehicle accident on County Road V-68 just northeast of Sumner. Deputies and the Iowa State Patrol arrived in the area between 170th and 165 street to discover that 2016 Chevy truck had lost control on the icy roadway and crossed the center line, hitting a semi traveling southbound head-on. The driver of the Chevy truck was taken to Sumner Hospital with serious injuries. The driver of the semi was uninjured.
