The American Civil Liberties Union and ACLU of Nebraska have filed a lawsuit against the legality of a bill signed into law last week in Nebraska. The law includes a 12-week abortion ban and restrictions on medical care for transgender minors. The lawsuit claims the law violates the state Constitution that “no bill shall contain more than one subject.”
The organizations are representing Planned Parenthood of the Heartland and chief medical officer Dr. Sarah Traxler, who also provides abortions.
The two Republican presidential candidates who are leading in the polls will be in Iowa this week, according to Radio Iowa.
Florida Senator Ron DeSantis will hold events here today and tomorrow, including a stop in Sioux City tomorrow morning. Then former President Donald Trump will be in Iowa Thursday. On Saturday, Iowa Senator Joni Ernst will host her annual “Roast and Ride” fundraiser at the Iowa State Fairgrounds and eight presidential candidates will address the crowd. Ernst announced early this morning DeSantis will be among the speakers.
An Iowa mayor says five Davenport residents are missing including two people who could still be in the wreckage of a partly collapsed apartment building. Mayor Mike Matson and the police chief confirmed the numbers at a news conference on Tuesday. Critics have accused the city of moving too quickly toward demolishing the building, which partially collapsed Sunday afternoon. Tenants had been allowed to remain even as bricks began falling from the building. A woman was rescued Monday after authorities initially said no one was left inside. No fatalities have been reported.
The U.S.D.A. says abnormally dry conditions are likely to persist in Iowa through the summer.
The most recent U.S. Drought Monitor indicates 57% of Iowa is either abnormally dry or is experiencing some level of drought.
Pockets of severe or extreme drought stretch through four northwest Iowa counties and three counties in southeast Iowa.
Radio Iowa reports the definition of exceptional drought that’s happening in northwest and southeast Iowa is something that is experienced once every 20 to 50 years.
The last major droughts to hit Iowa were in 1988 and 2012.
Residents of five counties in southwest Iowa will have to continue boiling and conserving water this week as work continues to get their water system back up. Ongoing drought caused the water system to run out of water last week. For more on the story click here: https://www.radioiowa.com/2023/05/30/drought-conditions-finally-caught-up-with-southwest-iowa-water-system/
A federal project starting this summer is designed to make it easier for people to visit a total of 20 museums in Iowa — and hundreds more museums across the country — without cost being an issue.
Officials say under the program, people who receive food assistance can gain free or reduced admission at more than one-thousand museums nationwide by presenting their EBT card and a photo I-D. The list of museums includes the LaunchPAD Children’s Museum in Sioux City.
A person with knowledge of the decision says the Philadelphia 76ers have hired coach Nick Nurse weeks after he was fired by the Toronto Raptors. The person spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because the team had not announced the move. Nurse led the Raptors to the 2019 NBA championship after they beat the 76ers in the Eastern Conference semifinals. Nurse will replace Doc Rivers, who was fired after he led the 76ers to their second straight 50-win season behind NBA MVP Joel Embiid but again failed to lead them to the Eastern Conference finals. Nurse, a native of Carroll, Iowa, played at UNI from 1985 to 1989. He started his coaching career there as an assistant and at the age of 23 became head coach at Grand View University in Des Moines.
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Governor Pillen Signs Historic School Choice Bill
LINCOLN, NE – Today, Governor Jim Pillen signed LB753 (Opportunity Scholarships Act) – the first school choice bill in Nebraska's history to be signed into law. Governor Pillen was joined at the event by state senators, school choice advocacy representatives, and students.
LB753 commits $50 million in tax credits for scholarships to kids across Nebraska with priority for scholarships going to kids who live in poverty, foster care, experience bullying, harassment, or other victimizing behaviors, or have a parent or guardian who is serving in the military. With the Governor's signature, Nebraska joins 48 other states offering school choice.
"This legislation is a historic step forward for the state of Nebraska," said Governor Pillen. "Our kids are our future, and we all believe that every Nebraska kid should have the opportunity to have their educational needs met, whether they live in Omaha or Scottsbluff. This law ensures that we are funding students, not systems."
"Today is about the kids and families in Nebraska whose lives will be changed thanks to the freedom to attend a school that best fits their needs," said Senator Lou Ann Linehan. "It has been my honor and privilege to be part of this effort and it would not have been possible without the leadership and commitment of Governor Pillen, Speaker Arch, so many of my colleagues in the Legislature, and hundreds of advocates and families who have been fighting to open the doors of opportunity to kids who need it most."
"This is not an anti-public school bill. This is a pro-parent bill," said Senator Justin Wayne. "This is a bill that gives parents an option to help them and to give their kid a hope for their education."
"Today, we are blessed to witness the historic signing of this bill, which will give opportunity to Nebraska kids, regardless of their socioeconomic status," said Tanya Santos, principal at Holy Name School. "Many more parents will have the ability to choose the right educational fit for our children."
"LB753 ensures that more Nebraska parents have the opportunity to find the best school for their children," said Jeremy Ekeler, the associate director of education policy for the Nebraska Catholic Conference. "This is critical because kids get just one shot at an education. We thank Governor Pillen, Senator Wayne, and especially Senator Linehan for their support of kids and parents."
"This program will give children an opportunity to get an education that best fits them in their academic lifetime," said Clarice Jackson, the executive director for the Voice Advocacy Center. "These children cannot wait, and now they will finally have a chance.
Students First Education Savings Account Application Period Opens May 31 at 8 a.m.
DES MOINES – Governor Reynolds’ landmark Students First Education Savings Account (ESA) program, which promotes universal school choice for K-12 students in Iowa, officially opens for applications on Wednesday, May 31, at 8 a.m.
Parents and guardians can access the online application from a link on the Department of Education’s ESA webpage at educateiowa.gov/pk-12/students-first-education-savings-accounts. The link will redirect them to the Students First ESA platform managed by Odyssey, the program administrator selected by the state. The link will not be activated until 8 a.m. on May 31 when the application period opens. Applications are available in English and Spanish, and will be accepted until Friday, June 30, at 11:59 p.m.
The Students First Act was signed into law earlier this year and will provide state funding for eligible students who attend accredited nonpublic schools starting in the upcoming school year. Students must be residents of Iowa and attend an accredited nonpublic school located in Iowa.
All incoming kindergarteners and all K-12 students currently attending a public school who choose to enroll in an accredited nonpublic school for the 2023-2024 school year are eligible for the ESA program regardless of income.
Students who attended an accredited nonpublic school at any time during the 2022-2023 school year are eligible for the 2023-2024 school year if their household income is at or below 300% of the 2023 Federal Poverty Level (FPL). Income eligibility will be automatically verified during the application process using the parent’s or guardian’s 2022 Iowa State Tax Return. If a parent did not file a 2022 tax return in Iowa, other documentation will be required to complete their application.
Parents planning to apply can find answers to frequently asked questions about the application process, eligibility, and more on the Department of Education’s ESA webpage.
After the ESA application period opens, technical support will be available from Odyssey representatives by phone at 515-368-9564 or email at help.ia@withodyssey.com.
Gov. Reynolds Authorizes Iowa National Guard and Dept. of Public Safety Deployment for Operation Lone Star
DES MOINES – Today, Gov. Reynolds authorized the deployment of approximately 100 Iowa National Guard troops and 30 Department of Public Safety personnel to help secure the U.S. Southern border.
The announcement comes one week after Gov. Reynolds and fellow Republican Governors received a security briefing from Texas Governor Greg Abbott and a request to support Operation Lone Star to help secure the border following the end of Title 42.
“The crisis we are experiencing is a direct result of a dereliction of duty by President Biden. The consequences of an open border can be felt across the country as fentanyl and the cartels threaten our communities,” said Governor Kim Reynolds. “While the White House chooses to do nothing, Republican Governors stand ready to protect our states’ interests.”
The approximately 100 Iowa National Guard troops will deploy for 30 days in August. The 30 Department of Public Safety personnel will deploy for 30 days in September.
In June 2021, Gov. Reynolds approved sending nearly 30 Iowa State Patrol troopers to Texas as part of Operation Lone Star. During the first deployment, Iowa troopers assisted with 240 criminal arrests, 51 vehicle pursuits and seizures of 948 pounds of marijuana, 37 pounds of cocaine and methamphetamine, 18 firearms, and $1.7 million dollars.
“Two years ago, the Iowa Department of Public Safety provided humanitarian aid and public safety assistance along our nation’s southern border. Our officers experienced first-hand the challenges of a chaotic border and provided much needed aid and assistance to our colleagues at the Texas Department of Public Safety,” said Iowa Department of Public Safety Commissioner Stephan K. Bayens. “Their need for help is even greater today, and we stand ready to support them without compromising our duties to our home state.”
"The Iowa National Guard is trained, prepared and Always Ready to aid in protecting Iowans, our communities, and nation," said Adjutant General of the Iowa National Guard, Major General, Stephen Osborn. "Our units stand ready to deploy and conduct missions that are needed to secure our border and safeguard the American people."
Siouxland Pride Alliance Names Parade Marshal for the 2023 Pride Parade
Treyla Lee has been named the parade marshal for the 2023 Pride Parade which will be held on Thursday, June 1st, at 6:00 p.m. in downtown Sioux City.
Ms. Lee was chosen to honor her mother, Flora Lee, a long-time community leader, passed away suddenly on April 27, 2023. Flora served on the Sioux City Community School board for 12 years, she headed the local NAACP chapter for over a decade and was an educational consultant with Northwest Area Education Agency (AEA) for 20 years. Flora also worked with the Iowa Civil Rights Commission and the Sioux City Human Rights Commission. Flora was a long-time supporter of the LGBTQ+ community.
The parade will begin at the Long Lines Family Recreation Center parking lot at 6:00 p.m. The parade will progress north on Pierce Street before turning right on 4th Street. The parade will end at 4th and Iowa Streets.
Siouxland Pride Alliance was formed in 2012 to connect and protect the local LGBTQ+ community as well as to educate the broader Siouxland community about LGBTQ+ issues. The Alliance also hosts support groups for adults and youths, manages a free lending library, assists individuals to navigate community resources and provides educational opportunities on LGBTQ+ issues.
This is the tenth year that Siouxland Pride Alliance has hosted free, family-friendly events to celebrate Pride Month. The theme for this year’s events is “#StillHere” to acknowledge the tenacity of LGBTQ+ people in the face of discrimination.
Municipal Band Summer Concert Season Begins June 4
The Sioux City Municipal Band’s summer season of concerts at the band shell in Grandview Park will begin with a concert on Sunday, June 4, 7:30p.m.
This first concert, led by Conductor Michael Prichard, will feature selections from the Broadway musical “Cats,” the theme from the film “Lawrence of Arabia,” the rousing “Them Basses,” and John Philip Sousa’s “Manhattan Beach March.”
The traditional audience sing-a-long, led by band shell host Dave Madsen from Morningside University, will include songs from The Music Man: “Til There Was You” and “76 Trombones.”
The summer concerts are presented by the Sioux City Parks and Recreation Department, and will continue through July 23.
COMEDIAN BRAD WILLIAMS ANNOUNCES SHOW AT THE ORPHEUM THEATRE
TICKETS GO ON SALE FRIDAY, JUNE 2
Sioux City, IA (May 30, 2023) – Comedian Brad Williams will be taking the stage at the Orpheum Theatre on Thursday, September 14, 2023.
Tickets go on sale Friday, June 2 and can be purchased online at Orpheumlive.com or at the Primebank Box Office. Tickets start at $29.50.
Brad Williams started doing stand-up comedy as a teenager and has been touring successfully ever since, routinely selling out prestigious venues all over the country and world.
Williams has parlayed his live performances into a multitude of stand-up television appearances, including The Tonight Show, Dave Attell’s Comedy Underground, and Jimmy Kimmel Live. His first one-hour special, Fun Size, was the highest rated special on Showtime, and a year later, he followed that up with his second one, Daddy Issues, which was even more successful than the first. His third special in three years was an uproarious one, hosting some of the edgiest comedians in the country from the prestigious Montreal Just For Laughs Festival. His last groundbreaking special on Netflix, The Degenerates, garnered more huge ratings and rave reviews.
Also, an accomplished actor, Williams has appeared on numerous TV shows and feature films, including FX’s Legit, Sam and Cat, Mind of Mencia, Pitboss, a recurring role on the Hulu original show Deadbeat, and memorable roles in a plethora of movies, including Little Evil, produced by Scott Stuber (Ted), as well as the Netflix original Christopher Guest film, Mascots, and most recently Reno 911: It’s A Wonderful Heist.
Recently, Brad became the first stand-up comedian to headline a Cirque de Soleil show in their 30-year history, when he agreed to launch—and do a three-month run of—their newest show Mad Apple, at the magnificent 1,200 seat New York New York Theater in Las Vegas. The show became an immediate smash hit to rave revues, singling out Williams for his incredible ability to captivate his audiences with his extraordinary performances.
In addition to stand-up and acting, Williams co-created and co-hosted one of the most successful podcasts in the world, with friend and fellow comic Adam Ray, entitled About Last Night, which was always a mainstay on the iTunes charts during their five-year run. Additionally, he is also a regular contributor with a series of incredibly funny appearances on several national radio and podcast platforms, including KROQ’s Kevin and Bean Show and The Adam Carolla Show.
Williams’ humorous and inspiring observations on disability, relationships, sex, and race consistently win over audiences; proving anyone can overcome their shortcomings.
“No one is doing stand-up comedy more hilariously than Brad Williams.”- New York Times
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