Iowa News

WHERE’S THE SNOW?        1st snow falls in Iowa but misses eastern Nebraska        DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – The record streak of snowless days ended in central Iowa this weekend, but most of eastern Nebraska still hasn’t received measurable snow.        The National Weather Service says Des Moines streak without snow ended this weekend. By Sunday morning, eight-tenths of an inch of snow had fallen.        On Friday, Des Moines broke a record set in 1889 by reaching 278 consecutive days without snow.        But this weekend’s storm missed Nebraska, so the snowless records will continue to grow in Omaha and Lincoln.        Omaha’s last snow fell on Feb. 24, so Nebraska’s largest city has gone 289 days without snow.        Lincoln’s snowless streak reached 300 days on Sunday. The last time snow fell in Nebraska’s capital city was February 13th.

BRANSTAD-2013 SESSION        Branstad says elections force compromise in 2013        DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) -Governor Terry Branstad is approaching the 2013 legislative session open to compromise and chastened by Iowans’ reaffirmed preference for divided government.        Branstad says in an interview with The Associated Press that as an improved economy brings in more tax revenue, he would be willing to accept higher spending requests from Democrats, if that’s what it takes to gain approval of his proposals, especially those dealing with education and property taxes.        The Republican governor’s conciliatory tone comes as he signals plans to seek re-election in 2014 and marks a change to his approach.        Now, with Democrats retaining a Senate majority and cutting into the GOP’s margin in the House, Branstad says he’s willing to bargain during the 2013 session before campaign politics again descend on the Capitol.

STATE OVERTIME        Iowa spent more than $25M on overtime last year        (Information in the following story is from: The Des Moines Register, http://www.desmoinesregister.com)        DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – Iowa spent more than $25 million on overtime pay during the last fiscal year, but that is less than the state spent in recent years.        The Des Moines Register reports that the state’s overtime spending has been around $30 million for the four previous years.        A nursing assistant at the University of Iowa Hospitals collected nearly $226,000 in overtime last year – the most in the state – by working 8,507 extra hours.        Officials say the $25 million total remains a concern, but there’s been improvement.        Iowa Management Department Director Dave Roederer says the state adopted new practices to limit overtime, and the state is trying to do a better job of predicting vacancies.        Roederer says the overtime should continue to decline because the state is becoming more efficient.

CASINO-CEDAR RAPIDS        Opposition to Cedar Rapids casino gets organized        (Information in the following story is from: KCRG-TV, http://www.kcrg.com)        CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa (AP) – Opponents of a plan to build a casino near Cedar Rapids are getting organized to fight the idea.        Cedar Rapids television station KCRG-TV reports that a group of people who oppose gambling on moral grounds will likely be helped by owners of nearby casinos.        Dan Kehl, who is CEO of casinos in Riverside and Larchwood, says he opposes the idea of a Cedar Rapids casino because it would hurt his business.        Casino opponents have already put together a phone survey on the support for gambling in Linn County.        But the casino group led by Cedar Rapids businessman Steve Gray is moving forward with its plans for a referendum on gaming in Linn County.

IOWA PLAYER ARRESTED        Iowa football player accused of disorderly conduct        IOWA CITY, Iowa (AP) – Iowa defensive back Micah Hyde had another run-in with police over the weekend and now faces a disorderly conduct charge.        The Quad-City Times reports that Hyde was ticketed Sunday after Iowa City police responded to a loud party in his apartment building.        Hyde, who started 38 games for Iowa before his career ended last month, was also arrested in October on suspicion of public intoxication and interference with official acts.        Hyde pleaded guilty to interference and was ordered to pay nearly $400 in fines, but he faces a December 27th court date on the intoxication charge.        Hyde is scheduled to make his first court appearance on the disorderly conduct charge on January 24th.        Hyde’s lawyer did not immediately respond to a message Sunday and his number is unlisted.

BODY FOUND        Iowa hunter finds adult man’s body in the woods        (Information in the following story is from: KCRG-TV, http://www.kcrg.com)        CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa (AP) – Authorities are investigating a man’s death after an Iowa hunter found his body under a bridge east of Cedar Rapids.        The Linn County Sheriff’s office is leading the investigation. KCRG reports the death is considered suspicious.        Officials aren’t sure how long the middle-aged man’s body was there before the hunter found it under the Squaw Creek Bridge on Saturday.        Officials would not discuss the condition of the body or release the man’s identity.        The man’s body was taken to Ankeny for an autopsy.

DAVENPORT BODY        Police identify man found in field near Davenport        (Information in the following story is from: The Des Moines Register, http://www.desmoinesregister.com)        DAVENPORT, Iowa (AP) – Authorities have identified a man whose body was found in a field outside Davenport, but they are still investigating his death.        The Des Moines Register reports that 41-year-old Robby Kohn was found dead early Saturday morning. Davenport police released his identity on Sunday.        Kohn’s body was discovered by a Scott County deputy around 1:30 a.m. Saturday.        Davenport Police haven’t released many details about Kohn’s death, but Assitant Chief Donald Shaefer says visible trauma to his body prompted a full investigation.        An autopsy will be performed on Kohn’s body on Monday.

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