STL News

Iowa Governor Reynolds Appointed Taryn Frideres & Paul Trombino

15Jan

By Publisher3No Comments

Politics

Iowa Governor Reynolds Appointed Taryn Frideres & Paul Trombino

Des Moines, IA (STL.News) Gov. Kim Reynolds announced the hiring of Taryn Frideres to serve as her new Chief Operating Officer. Taryn is an Iowa native who is joining the Governor’s team from the United States Department of State. “I am excited to welcome Taryn back to Iowa. She has proven herself in challenging roles across the federal government, and her experience will make her a great asset in service to the people of Iowa as my Chief Operating Officer. Taxpayers deserve streamlined government services, and Taryn will play a central role in continuing my effort to improve our state’s responsiveness and efficiency.” Gov. Reynolds also announced the appointment of Paul Trombino as Director of the Iowa Department of Homeland Security and Emergency Management. Paul was serving as...

Iowa Tet Sites Closed For Martin Luther King, Jr. Holiday

14Jan

By Publisher3No Comments

Health

Iowa Tet Sites Closed For Martin Luther King, Jr. Holiday

Des Moines, IA (STL.News) The five state-operated Test Iowa drive-thru sites and the State Hygienic Lab will be closed on Monday, Jan. 18, for the Martin Luther King, Jr. federal holiday. The sites include: • Black Hawk County — 4121 Alexandra Drive, Waterloo • Linn County — Windstar Lines, 5755 Willow Creek Drive SW, Cedar Rapids • Polk County — 4475 NE 3rd Street, Des Moines • Pottawattamie County — 3236 Nebraska Ave., Council Bluffs • Scott County — North Park Mall, 320 W. Kimberly Road, Davenport All sites will reopen for testing as usual on Tuesday, Jan. 19, from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Individuals who wish to be tested at any site must first complete an online assessment at testiowa.com, and schedule an appointment.

Iowa Governor signs new proclamation modifying public health measures

8Jan

By STLNEWSNo Comments

Health

Iowa Governor signs new proclamation modifying public health measures

(STL.News) Thursday, Iowa Governor Reynolds signed a new Public Health Disaster proclamation that modifies existing public health measures designed to reduce the spread of COVID-19. The proclamation continues to require that when people are in an indoor public space, and unable to social distance for 15 minutes or longer, masks are required to be worn. Spectator limits for sporting and recreational gatherings, including for high school-sponsored events, will be lifted Friday, January 8th, 2021. Other public health measures have been extended until Saturday, February 6th, 2021. The proclamation can found online here.

IOWA Governor to deliver her Condition of the State Address next week

5Jan

By Publisher2No Comments

Politics

IOWA Governor to deliver her Condition of the State Address next week

Gov. Reynolds to deliver her Condition of the State Address next week (STL.News) Governor Kim Reynolds will deliver her annual Condition of the State Address on Tuesday, January 12th, 2021 at 6:00 p.m. Iowa PBS will be providing a livestream online, and it can be watched on the Governor’s Facebook Page. Iowa PBS will provide satellite coordinates and additional information closer to the address. SOURCE: GOVERNOR.IOWA.Gov

Gov. Reynolds sets date for Iowa State Senate Election

31Dec

By Publisher2No Comments

Politics

Gov. Reynolds sets date for Iowa State Senate Election

Gov. Reynolds sets date for Iowa State Senate District 41 special election (STL.News) Gov. Kim Reynolds issued a proclamation setting a special election date in Iowa State Senate District 41 for Tuesday, January 26, 2021. The proclamation follows the announced resignation of State Senator Mariannette Miller-Meeks. The proclamation setting the date of the special election are as follows: SPECIAL ELECTION PROCLAMATION WHEREAS,I have received notice of a vacancy in the Office of State Senator for the Forty-First (41st) State Senatorial District of the Iowa General Assembly, as defined by section 41.2(41) of the 2021 Iowa Code, by reason of the resignation of Iowa State Senator Mariannette Miller-Meeks, effective January 2, 2021. NOW, THEREFORE, I, Kim Reynolds, Governor of the S...

Iowa: Robert Joe Hennings Sentenced to 20 Years in Prison

12Nov

By STLNEWSNo Comments

General

Iowa: Robert Joe Hennings Sentenced to 20 Years in Prison

Iowa: Robert Joe Hennings Sentenced to 20 Years in Prison for Child Pornography Offense (STL.News) – On Tuesday, November 10, 2020, Robert Joe Hennings, age 33, of Des Moines, was sentenced by United States District Court Judge Rebecca Goodgame Ebinger to 240 months in federal prison, to be followed by 20 years of federal court supervision, for receipt of child pornography, announced United States Attorney Marc Krickbaum. Hennings was ordered to forfeit the electronic media used in the offense, pay $15,000 in restitution to victims, and pay $100 to the Crime Victims’ Fund. Hennings was also ordered to register as a sex offender after his release. According to the record made at sentencing, Hennings collected in excess of 550,000 images of child pornography over a three-year period, incl...

IA: Phillip Christopher Lytton Sentenced to Prison

10Nov

By STLNEWSNo Comments

General

IA: Phillip Christopher Lytton Sentenced to Prison

IA: Phillip Christopher Lytton Sentenced to Prison for Possession of Child Pornography (STL.News) – On November 9, 2020, United States District Court Chief Judge John A. Jarvey sentenced Phillip Christopher Lytton, age 43, formerly of Des Moines, to 48 months in prison for Possession of Child Pornography, announced United States Attorney Marc Krickbaum. Lytton was ordered to serve five years of supervised release to follow his prison term and comply with sex offender registry requirements upon release. The investigation began in early 2019 after law enforcement received an investigative lead from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children that images of child pornography had been uploaded on a social media account associated with Lytton. The investigation showed that Lytton ...

Iowa Governor Signs Public Health Emergency Declaration

10Nov

By STLNEWSNo Comments

Politics

Iowa Governor Signs Public Health Emergency Declaration

Gov. Reynolds signs new proclamation continuing State Public Health Emergency Declaration Des Moines, IA (STL.News) Today, Gov. Reynolds signed a new proclamation continuing the Public Health Disaster Emergency for another 30 days. The proclamation imposes a number of additional public health measures to reduce the spread of COVID-19. These new measures will be effective at 12:01 a.m. on Wednesday, November 11 and will continue until 11:59 p.m. on November 30, 2020. To view a summary of enhanced mitigation measures, click here. The proclamation continues the requirements that those attending any social, community, recreational, leisure or sporting gathering must maintain six feet distancing from other groups. But it now also requires that those groups are limited to 8 people unless the...

Iowa Gov. Reynolds Announces $28 million to Health Departments

3Nov

By STLNEWSNo Comments

Politics

Iowa Gov. Reynolds Announces $28 million to Health Departments

Gov. Reynolds announces $28 million in direct relief to hospitals, local health departments Des Moines, IA (STL.News) Governor Kim Reynolds announced today that she is allocating an additional $28 million in direct relief to Iowa’s hospitals and local county health departments to help manage increased needs due to COVID-19. The funding comes from the $1.25 billion in federal CARES Act funds allocated to the state. “As COVID-19 continues to impact Iowans, it is putting strain on both staffing at our hospitals as well as local public health departments,” Gov. Reynolds said. “These added funds will provide much-needed relief to hospitals to support their staffing needs in this critical time. They will also support Iowa’s county health departments, which are facing continued and ongoing inc...

Iowa: Sonny Perdue designated Iowa County As Natural Disaster Area

2Nov

By STLNEWSNo Comments

Politics

Iowa: Sonny Perdue designated Iowa County As Natural Disaster Area

Sec. Perdue grants Gov. Reynolds’ request for a Secretarial disaster designation for Iowa County Seven other counties named contiguous disaster counties Des Moines, IA (STL.News) This weekend, the Governor's office announced United States Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue designated Iowa County as a primary natural disaster area. In accordance with the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act, 7 additional counties were designated contiguous natural disaster counties, including: Benton, Johnson, Keokuk, Linn, Powesheik, Tama and Washington counties. These designations follow Secretary Perdue’s September 3 approval of 42 counties considered primary and contiguous natural disaster areas in response to Governor Reynolds’ request immediately following the storm. “This designation by...

Iowa Governor Reynolds: $3 Million in Disaster Recovery Funding

30Oct

By STLNEWSNo Comments

Politics

Iowa Governor Reynolds: $3 Million in Disaster Recovery Funding

Gov. Reynolds announces up to $3 Million in U.S. Department of Labor Disaster Recovery Funding for Derecho Recovery The funds will be used to create employment opportunities and provide humanitarian assistance in communities impacted by the severe storms. Des Moines, IA (STL.News) Governor Reynolds announced Iowa will receive a U.S. Department of Labor Disaster Recovery National Dislocated Worker Grant for up to $3 million to assist the state’s response to the severe storms of August 2020. An initial award of $1 million will create disaster-relief jobs to address debris cleanup and the delivery of humanitarian assistance to those affected by the storms. The project will focus efforts in the following 16 Iowa counties: Benton, Boone, Cedar, Clinton, Dallas, Jasper, Johnson, Jones, Linn, Ma...

Iowa Test sites to move Scott County, change hours for winter

30Oct

By STLNEWSNo Comments

Politics

Iowa Test sites to move Scott County, change hours for winter

Des Moines, IA (STL.News) The State continues its plans to relocate or transition Test Iowa sites in preparation for the winter months. The Test Iowa site in Scott County, currently located at North Park Mall in Davenport (360 W. Kimberly Road), will move from the mall’s parking lot into the former Sears Auto Center building at the same location when testing concludes on Thursday, Oct. 29 at 6 p.m. The enclosed site will protect Test Iowa staff and others from winter weather conditions and allow drive-thru testing to continue. The site will open for testing as normal on Friday, Oct. 30 at 8 a.m. Plans are also underway to transition the three remaining sites in Black Hawk, Linn and Pottawattamie counties. Additionally, hours of operation will change beginning Monday, Nov. 2 at six sta...

Iowa Governor Reynolds: Criminal Justice Reform recommendations

29Oct

By STLNEWSNo Comments

Politics

Iowa Governor Reynolds: Criminal Justice Reform recommendations

Governor’s FOCUS Committee on Criminal Justice Reform makes final recommendations Des Moines, IA (STL.News) Gov. Kim Reynolds accepted the final report of the Governor’s FOCUS Committee on Criminal Justice Reform today during the 8th Annual Iowa Summit on Justice and Disparities. The committee, which Gov. Reynolds announced at last year’s summit, was charged with making recommendations for building an unbiased criminal justice system in Iowa. The committee’s recommendations include a statutory prohibition on disparate treatment in law enforcement activities, requiring data collection on race and ethnicity in law enforcement stops and analysis of that data. “Taken together, these recommendations would represent another historic step forward in Iowa’s leadership in civil rights and crimin...

Iowa Governor Reynolds Announces COVID-19?County Fairs Relief?Program

26Oct

By STLNEWSNo Comments

Politics

Iowa Governor Reynolds Announces COVID-19?County Fairs Relief?Program

Financial Assistance Available to County Fairs for Continuation of Operations Des Moines, IA (STL.News) Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds and the Iowa Economic Development Authority (IEDA) today announced the launch of the new Iowa County Fairs Relief Program. The program will provide short-term relief to eligible county and district fairs for the purpose of continuing or resuming operations in the context of the public health emergency. “Every single year, Iowans who attend their local county fair get to see, taste, and experience the positive impact Iowa agriculture has on our communities,” said Gov. Reynolds. “The economic and social impact is immeasurable and it’s critical they have our support to continue operations in preparation for next year.” The state has allocated up to $6?million?...

Iowa Governor Reynolds applauds Trump Administration’s High-Speed Broadband Investment

22Oct

By STLNEWSNo Comments

Politics

Iowa Governor Reynolds applauds Trump Administration’s High-Speed Broadband Investment

Des Moines, IA (STL.News) The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced today that it is investing $24 million to provide broadband internet in rural communities across the state of Iowa. The investment is part of the ReConnect Program. “Improving broadband internet access will help Iowa communities thrive, and this federal investment builds on efforts we have underway through my empower rural Iowa initiative,” said Gov. Reynolds. “By leveraging state, federal, and private resources, we can open the door for greater innovation and breakthroughs, setting the stage for future economic growth in all corners of Iowa. I appreciate President Trump and his Administration for being a partner in our efforts to invest in rural Iowa.” In December of 2018, USDA announced the “ReCon...

Iowa: $4.4 million Awarded to Colleges & Universities to to Increase Internet Connectivity

22Oct

By STLNEWSNo Comments

Politics

Iowa: $4.4 million Awarded to Colleges & Universities to to Increase Internet Connectivity

Nearly $4.4 million awarded to Iowa colleges and universities to expand student access to technology, increase internet connectivity Des Moines, IA (STL.News) The state of Iowa and the Iowa Department of Education today announced 43 Iowa colleges and universities have been awarded nearly $4.4 million to increase internet connectivity for students in the 2020-21 school year. The funding is part of the state’s $26.2 million in Governor’s Emergency Education Relief (GEER) Funds, and is part of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act. The awards will help colleges and universities address barriers to online and remote learning opportunities for the 2020-21 school year and help ensure students have equitable access to technology needed to continue their education throughout the ...

Iowa Governor Reynolds announces Registered Apprenticeship Expansion Grant Awardees

19Oct

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Politics

Iowa Governor Reynolds announces Registered Apprenticeship Expansion Grant Awardees

Governor Reynolds announces Registered Apprenticeship Expansion Grant awardees and encourages applicants for new Coronavirus Relief Fund grant opportunity Governor Reynolds announces Registered Apprenticeship Expansion Grant awardees and encourages applicants for new Coronavirus Relief Fund grant opportunity Des Moines, IA (STL.News) Today, Governor Reynolds announced the awardees of the Coronavirus Relief Fund Registered Apprenticeship Expansion grants and encouraged new applicants for the Coronavirus Relief Fund Earn and Learn Grant. The Registered Apprenticeship Expansion grants were awarded to 72 projects totaling $6,626,852. The new Coronavirus Relief Earn and Learn Grant is now open for applications from nonprofits, adult training providers, small businesses (less than 50 employees...

Iowa Governor Reynolds Suspended Overweight load regulations for fall harvest

12Oct

By STLNEWSNo Comments

Politics

Iowa Governor Reynolds Suspended Overweight load regulations for fall harvest

Des Moines, IA (STL.News) The Office of Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds is reminding Iowans participating in the fall harvest that Gov. Reynolds has already suspended the weight limits for transportation of agricultural supplies and commodities on state highways. Section 120 & 121 of the current Public Health Disaster Proclamation issued on September 18, 2020, allows vehicles transporting agricultural supplies and commodities including but not limited to livestock, milk, crop supplies, and agricultural waste (not exceeding 90,000 pounds gross weight) without a permit, for the duration of this proclamation. It also waives hours of service requirements while transporting these loads. This proclamation applies to loads transported on all highways within Iowa (excluding the interstate system)...