State officials say 30 communities in Iowa have been affected today (Tuesday) by false reports of school shootings.
Iowa Department of Public Safety Commissioner Steve Bayens (BAY-ins) says it appears to be a hoax known as “swatting.”
“The design of it is to create confusion and chaos. It’s to suck up law enforcement resources to try to draw a large law enforcement presence to a school even though there is no active threat. By all accounts and for all intents and purposes, it appears thus far that that’s what Iowa is experiencing today.”
Bayens says the first fake calls to law enforcement were this morning (Tuesday) about Clinton. Several law enforcement agencies responded to Clinton High School and found no active threats. Very similar calls started coming in about other schools, apparently moving east to west across the state.
Bayens says all the calls may be from one source, possibly in a different country, and technology used by the caller could make it impossible to track them down.
A spokesperson for the Sioux City Police Department tells Siouxland Public Media, Sioux City did not get any of these calls, but local authorities are aware of the issue including all school resource officers.
Iowa leaders launched a new website, app and hotline today (Tuesday) for anonymously reporting concerns related to school safety. It’s called “Safe and Sound Iowa” and can be used by students, teachers, parents and community members.
Special Agent in Charge Don Schnitker leads the Governor’s School Safety Bureau.
“This tool helps identify and provide intervention to students in crisis before they hurt themselves or others. Safe and Sound Iowa is designed to prevent violence, unlawful possession of weapons, self-harm, and other threatening behavior that affects Iowa youth.”
It’s free to use, and schools can decide whether or not to participate. Governor Kim Reynolds paid for the program with federal COVID relief money.
The program was coincidentally launched on the same day that Iowa is facing a wave of false reports of school shootings. Officials say the reports came through 9-1-1, not the new app.
Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds says she wants to ban gender-affirming care for transgender minors because she believes there’s not solid science to support it
Reynolds could soon sign laws to ban gender-affirming care for minors and to restrict what bathrooms transgender students can use.
She says her heart goes out to their families, but she feels it’s her obligation to pause gender transition care until there’s more research available. Reynolds says it’s about protecting transgender kids.
“Unfortunately, these kids don’t get a redo. It’s done. So I don’t think it’s too much to ask to say, I don’t know what the rush is, when we don’t have science that’s conclusive.”
Major American medical organizations support the use of puberty blockers, hormone therapy and sometimes surgery for transgender kids. The bill’s opponents have raised concerns about a potential spike in mental health issues for kids who are denied such care. Reynolds says she won’t be surprised if the bills face lawsuits once signed into law.
Sioux City community schools appear to have removed a book from a high school library in response to a tweet from a right-wing Twitter account, according to Siouxland News CBS/FOX 44. (click the link for the full story.)
Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds says she’s in talks with lawmakers about getting a behind-the-counter birth control bill passed.
She first proposed a similar bill four years ago, but the effort failed. And this year, Reynolds brought it back as the legislature may soon get more leeway to restrict abortion.
The Senate passed a bill last week that would allow pharmacists to dispense hormonal birth control without a prescription from a doctor. The House is considering a similar bill, but would require a doctor’s visit to get a refill after about two years. Reynolds says it’s the right thing to do.
“It comes down to some type of maybe compromise language that everybody feels comfortable with. My goal is to get it across the finish line. And so we’re going to continue to sit down with lawmakers and find what that compromise looks like.”
House Democrats released their own bill yesterday to allow pharmacists to dispense up to a year’s supply of hormonal birth control at a time.
The Anamosa State Penitentiary has been placed on restricted movement amid a narcotics investigation. Inmate movement will be limited throughout the prison, allowing the Iowa Department of Corrections to conduct a search for contraband. No visitation will take place during this time.
According to the DOC, three inmates were found unresponsive in their cells at the prison this past weekend in two unrelated incidents.
Three staff members who responded to the incident also showed signs of illness, two of which were also treated with Narcan, according to the release.
The inmate staff members were all treated and have been released from the hospital.
On Monday, the DOC announced that two other inmates were found unresponsive in their cells on Sunday and were administered Narcan. These inmates did not require outside medical attention and both tested negative for illegal substances. The staff that responded to these inmates did not any signs of illness.
The DOC said that it was determined that the incident on Sunday was unrelated to the incident on Saturday.
Republican Gov. Kristi Noem signed legislation that puts more than $390 million into the state’s prison system, with most of that money going toward investing in new prison facilities. One of the bills signed by Noem on Monday allocates $60 million to construct a women’s prison in Rapid City. Another sets aside $54 million for property and design costs for a Sioux Falls men’s prison and puts $270 million into a fund for future men’s prisons in the state. Lawmakers widely supported the bills as they made their way through the session.
Noem also approved the state’s 2024 fiscal year budget of $7.4 billion, despite previous threats to veto the spending plan. The budget includes an increase in funding for education, state employees, and hospitals.
The Governor didn’t say if she would support a nearly veto-proof plan to lower the state sales tax through 2027.
The Sioux City Council, by voting in favor of its consent agenda Monday, approved a more than $3.8 million settlement agreement and release between the city and a California clay pipe manufacturer and supplier.
There was no discussion on the item before council members cast their votes to approve the consent agenda, according to the Sioux City Journal.
Submitted news releases:
SIOUX CITY NORTH HIGH BAND AND ORCHESTRA PROGRAMS TO RECEIVE 40 NEW MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS
Sioux City, Iowa – Sioux City North High School will soon receive 27 new band instruments and 13 new orchestra instruments, thanks to The Mr. Holland’s Opus Foundation, a national organization supporting music education in schools.
With many school music programs across the country losing vital funding, the foundation helps under-served schools with minimal budgets by donating new instruments, often replacing some that are more than 30 years old.
An application for support was submitted by Pat Toben, head of the music department and band director at North High School, and the foundation found their program to be a worthwhile investment, allowing more students to be able to play and experience the benefits of music education.
"This grant is significant to the community of North High. Being able to place 40 new instruments in students hands with a value of over $57,000 is a dream come true for our band and orchestra programs. Our students love the community of being together and making music together. With these new instruments we will be able to replace instruments that are no longer
repairable and provide an opportunity for more students to be a part of our community of music making,” says Toben.
“We believe in supporting schools that recognize the importance of music education for their students,” says Felice Mancini, President and CEO of The Mr. Holland’s Opus Foundation. “To give more kids the experience of making music in school is more important than ever and giving teachers quality instruments makes a huge difference. The benefits are tremendous.”
North High School is the District’s largest high school with approximately 1,600 students. The school is one of the most diverse in Iowa, representing some fifteen different home languages. Students excel academically, being named to Iowa’s AP Index for multiple years, and succeeding through a wide range of activities from music to athletics.
IOWA SCHOOL DISTRICTS RECEIVE "SWATTING CALLS"
March 21, 2023
DES MOINES, Iowa - Today, several school districts across Iowa received “swatting calls” that referend an alleged active shooter scenario. According to Department of Public Safety officials, the first swatting call originated in Clinton County at approximately 8:00 a.m., and the last call was received at 10:30 a.m. in Creston. Officials estimate that approximately 30 calls were received by local law enforcement agencies.
A “swatting call” refers to a false claim intended to trigger an immediate and widespread law enforcement deployment or emergency service response to a specific location. Hoax reports such as the ones experienced today commonly consist of claims of serious violent attacks, such as a bomb threat, active shooter, and/or a hostage situation.
Iowa Department of Public Safety Commissioner Stephan K. Bayens said these false reports are a tactic intended to illicit a large-scale law enforcement response. “The design of it is to create confusion and chaos. It’s designed to draw a large law enforcement presence to a school even though there is no active threat. And by all accounts and for all intents and purposes, it appears thus far that is what Iowa experienced today.” Bayens said today’s swatting calls impacted the following communities:
• Cedar Rapids • North Liberty • Iowa City (multiple schools) • Clinton • Davenport • Muscatine • Cerro Gordo County • Story County • Lee County (multiple schools) • Waterloo • Boone • Mason City • Charles City • Clear Lake • Creston • Des Moines • Oskaloosa • Marshalltown • Monona • Nevada • North Liberty • Ottumwa • Decorah
Immediately after receiving these calls, local law enforcement and school officials reported all relevant information to the Department’s Division of Intelligence and Fusion Center, which then re-disseminated the information to local law enforcement agencies throughout the state. Bayens said this proactive information sharing allows schools and law enforcement to better determine their response protocols should one of their schools receive a similar call. “By reporting these calls to us, we can quickly inform our school and law enforcement partners, which in this case may have impacted the nature of their response and stemmed the flow of more calls to other communities,” Bayens said.
The Department is continuing to work with the Federal Bureau of Investigation to investigate and identify the caller. Bayens said the initial information leads investigators to believe the calls are similar in nature and likely originated from a single source.
State school safety officials and Governor Kim Reynolds were able to quickly inform the public about the swatting calls as part of a scheduled press conference and launch of a new school safety app called Safe+Sound Iowa. The app was made available to all public school districts and accredited non-public schools today. Parents, students, and community members can anonymously report any tips to law enforcement through dps.iowa.gov/SafeandSoundIowa, downloading the free Safe+Sound Iowa app, or by calling 800-224-6018.
ABOUT THE IOWA DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SAFETY
The Iowa Department of Public Safety (DPS) is the largest law enforcement agency in the state. It includes six divisions and several bureaus, all working together with local, state and federal government agencies and the private sector, to keep Iowa a safe place by following our core values: leadership, integrity, professionalism, courtesy, service and protection. Divisions within the Iowa DPS: Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation, Iowa Division of Narcotics Enforcement, Iowa State Patrol, Iowa State Fire Marshal Division, Iowa Division of Intelligence and Fusion Center, and Administrative Services Division. The Department of Public Safety is led by the Commissioner who is appointed by the Governor.
Gov. Reynolds Leads Bipartisan Letter Urging EPA to Issue Emergency E15 Waiver
DES MOINES– Today, Gov. Kim Reynolds led a joint, bipartisan letter urging the EPA to issue an emergency waiver for E15 sales during the summer.
“We write today to thank you for proposing to grant our petition of April 28, 2022, that would allow year-round sales of E15 in our states pursuant to Clean Air Act section 211(h)(5). However, we have concerns that because the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) missed its statutory deadline to promulgate our petition by more than 200 days, the agency is now proposing to delay implementation until April 28, 2024. Postponing implementation of our petition could result in higher prices at the pump during the summer 2023 driving season, as consumers would lose access to lower-cost, cleaner-burning E15.
In light of this, we ask that EPA use its authority under Clean Air Act section 211(c)(4) to apply the same volatility limitations to both E10 and E15 during the 2023 summer ozone control season to address extreme and unusual fuel supply circumstances across our nation caused by the war in Ukraine.
There is recent precedent for EPA taking such action. The agency exercised this emergency authority during the summer 2022 ozone control season and doing so achieved the desired outcome. Continued availability of E15 throughout the summer of 2022 extended fuel supplies, helped avert potential shortages, and saved Americans at least $57 million in fuel costs. Drivers choosing E15 saved $0.23 per gallon on average last summer, equating to $3-5 in savings per fill-up.
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We urge the EPA to act immediately to ensure lower-cost E15 remains available in the marketplace this summer. We thank you again for granting our proposal and appreciate your consideration of our request.”
The governors that joined Governor Reynolds in signing onto this letter include: Jim Pillen, Nebraska; Tim Walz, Minnesota; Kristi Noem, South Dakota.
Attorney General Brenna Bird Announces Top Ten Consumer Complaints of 2022
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Tuesday, March 21, 2023 Contact: Alyssa Brouillet | Press Secretary | 515-823-9112 | alyssa.brouillet@ag.iowa.gov
DES MOINES – Attorney General Brenna Bird has released the top consumer complaints received by the Attorney General’s office in 2022. Last year, the Iowa Attorney General’s office received over 4,000 consumer complaints across more than 30 different industries.
“We’re protecting consumers and holding scammers accountable,” said Attorney General Bird. “We see cases all too often where scammers convince people to give up their personal information or large sums of money by taking advantage of people’s emotions. Our office will keep fighting to protect Iowans from these terrible crimes by working with fraud victims and raising awareness on how to recognize a scam or fraudulent business. Our goal is to stop the scam.”
The Consumer Protection Division protects Iowan consumers from becoming fraud victims, ensures fair competition in the marketplace, and informs the public about consumer fraud.
Top 10 Consumer Complaints in 2022, by industry:
1. Auto
The Iowa Attorney General’s Office received 532 automotive related consumer complaints, involving misrepresentations in the sale of new or used cars, disputes over automobile warranty details, as well as faulty repair and servicing issues. Signs you may be getting scammed include a seller’s reluctance to produce the vehicle’s history or sudden, surprise recommendations for complicated car repairs.
2. Healthcare
The Iowa Attorney General’s Office received 447 healthcare related consumer complaints. Complaints involve disagreements over health insurance payments, billing related to hospital and doctor visits, and consumer dissatisfaction with supplemental purchases. Health fraud is also common and can be prevented by always consulting with health care professionals and by watching out for medications that promise a “quick fix” and claims of “risk-free” money-back guarantees.
3. Home Improvement
The Iowa Attorney General’s Office received 359 home improvement related consumer complaints. Complaints include the failure of contractors to finish or complete jobs and poor workmanship quality. Look out for contractors who ask for money up front. To better protect from fraud, it’s also good practice to request an estimate of the expected work and get a contract with terms and conditions signed in writing.
4. Imposter
The Iowa Attorney General’s Office received 341 imposter scam related consumer complaints. Common scams include fake job offers, online shopping scams, lottery scams, romance scams, and IRS/social security scams. Consumers can avoid scams by doing business only with established sellers, being wary of unsolicited texts and calls, and by avoiding wiring money electronically to people you have not previously met.
5. Personal Services
The Iowa Attorney General’s Office received 326 personal services related consumer complaints. Complaints involve dissatisfaction with timeshare companies and other travel related experiences. Timeshare grievances include companies charging undisclosed fees and increasing fees for maintenance and other services. Complaints also allege companies did not resell timeshares after previously agreeing to do so and that companies did not provide property deeds after consumers purchased their timeshares. The top travel complaints involve airline flight delays or cancellations and the misrepresentation of costs. Also common is the sale of exercise club memberships that promise discounts and other amenities but later turn out to be much less valuable than consumers initially expected.
6. Personal Goods
The Iowa Attorney General’s Office received 258 personal goods related consumer complaints. Complaints focus on food purchases, clothing and accessory purchases, as well as the validity of gift cards. Consumers report businesses price-gouging certain food products, notably in the aftermath of natural disasters. Consumers also filed complaints of false advertising for clothing products, failure to deliver merchandise, and issues with gift card activation and use.
7. Home Goods & Services
The Iowa Attorney General’s Office received 252 home goods and services related consumer complaints. Complaints involve issues related to appliances, furnishings, and electronics. Consumers reported misleading or false advertising, late delivery times, faulty appliances, and companies refusing product replacement for furniture and other major appliances. Solar panel installation is also a highly reported issue among consumers. Complaints related to solar include delayed or improper installation, shoddy solar panels, and property damage caused by installation. To avoid similar issues, consumers should avoid large down payments and be sure to conduct thorough research on a company before doing business.
8. Media
The Iowa Attorney General’s Office received 170 media related consumer complaints. Complaints involve satellite and cable television, bundled media services, and magazines. Consumers report problems with promotional offers, billing, contracts, cancellations, signal quality, and general service. If doing business with a third-party, consumers should know where the business is located, how to contact the provider, and get any agreements in writing. Other issues can be avoided by knowing exactly what a provider is offering and charging. By reading the monthly bill, consumers may also avoid overcharge fees for services they did or did not request. And if canceling, read the terms and conditions agreement for information on early termination fees.
9. Housing & Realty
The Iowa Attorney General’s Office received 156 housing and realty related consumer complaints. Complaints involve rental housing, real estate sales, manufactured/mobile homes, and home building. Consumers often report false or misleading information on what to expect and hidden, extra charges. Complaints involving mortgages are also common with consumers citing inflated appraisals, foreclosure scams, and the use of a false identity for loan applications. To avoid similar issues, consumers should analyze property valuations, receive referrals from trusted professionals or family, and review all loan documents to ensure personal and financial information is accurate.
10. Miscellaneous
The Iowa Attorney General’s Office received 226 miscellaneous consumer complaints. Common complaints reported by consumers include a variety of problems including, but not limited to, employment, home safety devices, and personal disputes.
If you spot a scam, contact (515)281-5926 or file a complaint here.
Governor Pillen Declares Month of March Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month
Lincoln – Today, Governor Jim Pillen was joined by Tony Green, the Director of the Division of Developmental Disabilities (DDD) within the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), Kristen Larsen, the Executive Director of the Nebraska Council on Developmental Disabilities (NCDD), Sarah Fuenning, a Hy-Vee employee, and Jeanne Thomas, the Human Resource Manager at Hy-Vee to proclaim March as Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month.
Developmental Disabilities Month was first proclaimed by President Ronald Reagan in 1987, the purpose of the month is to educate and encourage Americans to provide individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) the encouragement and opportunities they need to lead productive lives and achieve their full potential. Over 5,000 Nebraska residents are supported through DHHS.
“I am honored to declare the month of March as Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month,” said Governor Jim Pillen. “It allows us to raise awareness for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) and I urge all Nebraskans to provide encouragement and support to these individuals to help them achieve their full potential, goals, and dreams.”
“I encourage all Nebraskans to take a moment in March to celebrate the successes and achievements that have been made towards ensuring that people who experience IDD have the support they need to live full and meaningful lives,” said Tony Green, the Director of DDD within DHHS. “Employment gives individuals with IDD the opportunity to be contributing members of their communities where they can learn new skills, live full lives, and engage in new opportunities.”
Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month is an opportunity to educate and remind communities of the benefits of ensuring that individuals with IDD have opportunities to live, work, and enjoy life. This benefits both the individual and the community.
Pictures of the event are below:
Group photo with the proclamation