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Taylor Swift is demanding this college student stop tracking her private jet

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — When it comes to dealing with a Florida college student who uses public data and social media to track the private jets of billionaires, politicians and other celebrities, Taylor Swift apparently can’t just shake it off.

In late December, Swift’s camp hit Jack Sweeney, a junior studying information technology at the University of Central Florida, with a cease-and-desist letter that blamed his automated tracking of her private jet for tipping off stalkers as to her location. In the letter, attorneys from the law firm Venable accused Sweeney of effectively providing “individuals intent on harming her, or with nefarious or violent intentions, a roadmap to carry out their plans.”

Sweeney provided the link to that letter in an email to The Associated Press. In that message, he emphasized that while he has never intended to cause harm, he also believes strongly in the importance of transparency and public information.

“One should reasonably expect that their jet will be tracked, whether or not I’m the one doing it, as it is public information after all,” he wrote.

A spokesperson for Swift echoed the legal complaint, saying that “the timing of stalkers” suggests a connection to Sweeney’s flight-tracking sites. The spokesperson did not respond to questions seeking elaboration of that charge, such as whether stalkers have been seen waiting for Swift at the airport when her plane arrived or, alternatively, if there is evidence that stalkers have somehow inferred Swift’s subsequent location from the arrival time of her flight.

The legal letter likewise accuses Sweeney of “disregarding the personal safety of others”; “willful and repeated harassment of our client”; and “intentional, offensive, and outrageous conduct and consistent violations of our client’s privacy.”

Such statements are difficult to square with the fact that Sweeney’s automated tracking accounts merely repackage public data provided by the Federal Aviation Administration, a government agency. That fact did not dissuade the Venable attorneys, who demanded that Sweeney “immediately stop providing information about our client’s location to the public.”

The Swift spokesperson did not reply to a question inquiring whether the attorneys had issued the same demand to the FAA.

At one point Sweeney had more than 30 such accounts on Twitter, now known as X after Elon Musk purchased the site for $44 billion in 2022. Musk subsequently had his own dustup with Sweeney, tweeting at one point that his commitment to free speech required him not to ban Sweeney’s @elonjet account even though he considered it “a direct personal safety risk.”

But it wasn’t long before Musk abruptly about-faced and effectively banned the student from X, accusing Sweeney of endangering his personal safety.

Secretary Naig Encourages Applications for Century and Heritage Farm Recognition

DES MOINES — Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig encourages eligible Iowa farm owners to apply for Century or Heritage Farm recognition as part of the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship’s Century and Heritage Farm Program. The program was created by the Department and the Iowa Farm Bureau Federation to honor families who have owned their farms for 100 years and 150 years, respectively.

To be included for recognition in 2024, completed applications must be postmarked or received by the Department by June 1, 2024. The ceremonies honoring the 2024 Century and Heritage Farm families will be held on August 15, 2024, in the historic Livestock Pavilion at the Iowa State Fair.

“Century and Heritage Farm families represent the very best of our state and are remarkable examples of the ingenuity, strength and resilience of Iowa agriculture,” said Secretary Naig. “You can’t help but be inspired by the pride, stories and legacies of these multi-generational farm families and that makes Century and Heritage Farm Day at the Iowa State Fair one of my favorite days of the year.”

To apply, download and complete the application found on the Department’s website and return it to:

Century and Heritage Farm Program

c/o Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship

Wallace State Office Building

502 E. 9th Street

Des Moines, IA 50319

You may also request an application from Kelley Reece, coordinator of the Century and Heritage Farm Program, at 515-281-3645 or kelley.reece@iowaagriculture.gov.

This is the 48th year of the Century Farm Program, which started in 1976 as part of the Nation’s Bicentennial Celebration. To date, more than 21,000 farms from across the state have received this distinction. This is the 18th year of the Heritage Farm Program and more than 1,800 farms have been recognized since this program began in 2006.

To search for previous Century and Heritage Farm recipients, visit the database on the Department’s website. Photos from past recognition ceremonies are also available on the Department’s Flickr website.

Central College Music Concerts Set for February

PELLA — Central College’s music program will showcase three concerts in February and bring joy during the winter.

A Cappella Choir will perform alongside 10th-12th grade students from 14 different high schools to conclude Singfest. The concert will take place 6 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 13, in Douwstra Auditorium on Hoekstra Family Stage. Mark Babcock, a 1991 Central graduate, M. Joan Kuyper Farver Endowed Chair in Music and professor of music, will conduct the performance. Singfest is an honor choir festival hosted by Central’s music program for high school students.

Gabriel Espinosa, a 1979 Central graduate and professor emeritus of music, will host “Jazzmania” at 8 p.m. Friday, Feb. 16, in the Cox-Snow Recital Hall. Joining Espinosa as special guests will be Canadian pianist Carol Welsman and ALMA.

High School Bandfest, an honor band festival, will welcome students from 23 different schools. The concert will take place at 7 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 22, in Douwstra Auditorium on Hoekstra Family Stage. The Central College Symphonic Wind Ensemble will also perform. Brad Lampe, lecturer of music, will conduct the performance.

All three events are free and will be live streamed on Central Dutch Network.

Nelson Pioneer Farm Welcomes McKenzie “Mac” Korte as New Museum Director

OSKALOOSA — The Mahaska County Historical Society/Nelson Pioneer Farm & Museum announced the appointment of McKenzie Hardeman Korte, often known in his communities and to his family as Mac, as their new incoming Museum Director. Mac has close ties to the local community in Oskaloosa through the Hardeman family.

Mac comes to Mahaska County with an impressive background in museum education and management, serving in many roles throughout his career at various museums and schools from coast to coast, including renowned institutions such as the Mashantucket Pequot Museum and the Mystic Seaport Museum. Mac comes to Nelson Pioneer after celebrating with many of his close friends and colleagues in the museum and education spheres in New England knowing that his experiences and passion for his communities will be the drivers of his success as he returns to his family in Oskaloosa.

“The hiring committee and I were incredibly impressed with Mac’s breadth of experience and the range of communities in which he’s served,” explains outgoing Director/Curator Margaret Spiegel. “Mac’s professional experience in many facets of museum work lays a solid foundation for his role as Museum Director at the Mahaska County Historical Society. His outgoing and conscientious personality will also ensure he leads our organization with intention, care, and excitement. I’ve no doubt that he will do well here.”

Mac’s experiences and background in new methods and technologies in the museum field have allowed him to focus on sustainable, community-focused initiatives with the hopes to cultivate new generations of museum and community members. In his collegiate studies at Eastern Connecticut State University, Mac received a degree in History, building connections throughout the area leading to his prospering career.

Reflecting on his new role, Mac shares his enthusiasm stating: “Coming to Oskaloosa to serve a community close to me just down the road from the Hardeman family farm is a profound honor. I am grateful to see the culmination of my experiences and connections with so many communities across the United States bring me here to the Nelson Pioneer Farm & Museum. It’s a distinct privilege to continue and build from the successful work of outgoing director Margaret Spiegel and the community she has helped foster here.”

The Mahaska County Historical Society invites the public to join them in warmly welcoming Mac to his new role as he journeys from New England to Mahaska County in time for their Annual Meeting on February 19th in his cross-country battle tested 2004 Subaru Outback.

The public portion of the Annual Meeting begins at 7:15 p.m. on Monday, February 19 after a brief business meeting for Historical Society members.

Officials tout Super Bowl plans to crimp counterfeiting, ground drones, curb human trafficking

LAS VEGAS (AP) — Amid warnings about counterfeit goods, human trafficking and illegal drones at the Super Bowl in Las Vegas, federal, state and local security officials said Monday they’re preparing for a busy week in the air, at airports, at Allegiant Stadium and in merchandise shops as crowds arrive for the NFL championship game.

Representatives from agencies including Homeland Security, Customs and Border Protection and the Transportation Security Administration — accompanied by a bomb-sniffing beagle named Ozzie — briefed the media at Harry Reid International Airport about their plans to counter such illegal activity.

The officials displayed a table piled high with knockoff sports memorabilia including jerseys, T-shirts, caps, beanies and a sparkling silver replica of the Vince Lombardi Super Bowl trophy.

“The merchandise you see on display today is nothing compared to the millions of fake goods that criminals will try to sell online, on the street and through other unauthorized sources,” said Cheryl Davies, lead Super Bowl field coordinator for U.S. Customs and Border Protection. “Our message is clear: Don’t buy this stuff.”

“We have collectively surged resources in the months leading up to the Super Bowl to identify and target individuals illegally importing counterfeit goods into the United States,” said Christopher Miller, Homeland Security Investigations agent in charge in Las Vegas.

Investigators seized nearly $1 million worth of counterfeit merchandise from four locations just during the last weekend, Nevada Attorney General Aaron Ford said after the briefing. He declined to provide details, saying investigations were continuing.

The air around Allegiant Stadium next Sunday has been designated by the Federal Aviation Administration as a “no drone zone.” Takeover signals and jammers will be used if necessary, said Karen Burke, TSA Nevada security director.

Commercial air operations at nearby Harry Reid Airport are not expected to be affected. But Davies said customs agency Blackhawk and A-star helicopters will be aloft to protect airspace and enforce no-fly zones.

Ralph Lepore, an airport administrator with the Clark County Department of Aviation, focused on efforts to stem human trafficking, which he said was neither new nor exclusive to big events.

“We’re reminding all our employees, partners and guests to be alert and act if they see something suspicious,” he said. “It’s extremely important.”

Burke noted that TSA officers were trained to spot human trafficking and that extra agents will be added to handle record post-game crowds expected to top more than 100,000 passengers a day early next week at Harry Reid airport. She promised that every lane of every airport security checkpoint will be open nonstop for 48 hours after the Super Bowl ends.

Senate GOP leader optimistic lawmakers can agree on some AEA changes

By O. Kay Henderson (Radio Iowa)

The chairman of the House Education Committee says the governor’s bill to overhaul Area Education Agencies will not come up for a vote in his committee. Senate Republican Leader Jack Whitver predicts the legislature will approve some changes in how AEAs operate.

“I think there’s a lot of people in our (Senate Republican) Caucus that are excited to make some reforms,” Whitver says. “There’s some that have a lot questions and I think it really indicates more of just the normal legislative process where the two sides disagree and we’re going to have to work with the governor and find some solution, but I’m optimistic we can do that.”

Area Education Agencies provide services for students with disabilities, as well as media and curriculum materials and training for all teachers. Governor Reynolds has proposed giving each Iowa school district the option to use AEA services or find another way to provide those services to students and staff.
House Speaker Pat Grassley has suggested it’s time for a “reset” on the whole conversation about AEAs. Whitver says the governor has made adjustments in her intitial proposal.

“I don’t know about starting from scratch because it is a totally different bill than it was three weeks ago, but we’re going to have to continue the conversation and make the case why these reforms are necessary if it’s going to become law.”

Critics say under the governor’s plan, urban districts will be able to use their AEA allotment to hire more staff or find private companies to provide the services — leaving rural schools with a depleted AEA system.

“That’s what we’re looking at, but I mean there’s almost $600 million in the AEA system, so if some of the schools opt out, I think there’s still a lot of money to make sure that services are being given to students across the state,” Whitver says, “but that’s certainly something we’re hearing from our rural members.”

Whitver made his comments this weekend on Iowa Press on Iowa PBS.

Poweshiek County farmer wins Iowa Farm Bureau’s ‘Grow Your Future’ Award

WEST DES MOINES, Iowa—Feb 5, 2024—Ashley Wenke of Pleasant Grove Homestead near Montezuma was named Iowa Farm Bureau Federation’s “Grow Your Future” Award first-place winner at the organization’s Young Farmer Conference held Feb. 2-3. Wenke takes home a $7,500 grand prize to expand her direct-to-consumer produce and meat business.

Wenke, along with her husband, Zachary, grow more than 40 different crops in addition to meat birds and laying hens. In 2023, they sold more than 1,200 meat chickens at farmers markets and food cooperatives. Through the Iowa Local Food Purchasing Assistance Program, their farm provided $9,000 of fresh fruits and vegetables to local food pantries in 2023 and continues to supply 90 dozen eggs weekly to meet nutritional needs of the community.

The Wenkes plan to use their winnings to purchase stainless steel tables, shelves for their cooler and harvest crates for deliveries. These items are expected to increase their farm’s efficiency by 30% to better meet their growing customer bases’ needs, says Wenke.

The Grow Your Future competition helps young farmers, ages 18-35, amplify their niche market, unique ag service or specialty business. Contestants submitted a video application in August of 2023. A public vote held in December during Iowa Farm Bureau’s annual meeting narrowed the contestant pool from five selected applicants to three. The three finalists then participated in a live pitch-off in front of 550 Iowa Farm Bureau Young Farmer Conference attendees.

“During the public voting, we were so excited to see the number of people in our local community rallying around us and supporting us with their daily votes,” says Wenke. “This award not only allowed us to receive funds to grow our operation, but we were also able to share our experience and growth with others across the state who are interested in similar work to ours.”

In second place, Carly Zierke of Sweet Season Farm in Winneshiek County won $5,000. Zierke and her husband, Ethan, sell produce via subscriptions and collaborate with another local farm to diversify their offerings. Bobbi Jo Berg, from Recipes from French Creek in Allamakee County, who creates freezer meals with locally sourced ingredients, including eggs from her own farm, took third place and a $2,500 prize.

“This competition is another example of how our grassroots organization works,” says Amanda Van Steenwyk, Iowa Farm Bureau farm business development manager. “Five years ago, our young farmer committee wanted to highlight and support fellow farmers who were thinking outside the box and meeting consumer demand in niche markets. Since then, we’ve been able to award money to farmers who raise crickets, grow mushrooms, have direct-to-consumer businesses and offer agritourism opportunities. It’s been great to elevate entrepreneurs who are strengthening agriculture and their local communities.”

Oskaloosa City Council Swears in Two New Police Officers, Honors Outgoing Councilmember

By Sam Parsons

The Oskaloosa City Council held their first regular meeting of the month of February last night. The city swore in two new police officers to the Osky Police Department: officers Cale Holmberg and Richard Fortney. Officer Holmberg is an Oskaloosa native and graduate of Oskaloosa High School, receiving his degree in Criminal Justice from Indian Hills Community College. Officer Fortney was born in Iowa City and raised in Eldon. He graduated from Cardinal High School and attended the University of Northern Iowa as a Presidential Scholar, where he received his degree in criminology with honors. Fortney previously worked for police departments in Richland, Sigourney, and Williamsburg, as well as Oskaloosa itself.

The Osky city council also honored outgoing city councilmember Steve Burnett. Burnett officially announced his resignation from the council effective January 26. The council voted unanimously to fill the empty council seat via a special election.

Taylor Swift wins album of the year at the Grammy Awards for the fourth time, setting a new record

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Taylor Swift won album of the year at the Grammy Awards for “Midnights,” breaking the record for most wins in the category with four.

She began her speech by thanking her producer and friend Jack Antonoff and added, “I would love to tell you this is the happiest moment of my life,” she told the crowd, but said she feels this happy when she creates music and plays shows.

Earlier in the night, Taylor Swift used her 13th Grammy win on Sunday to announce her new album, “The Tortured Poets Department,” will arrive April 19.

“I know that the way that the Recording Academy voted is a direct reflection of the passion of the fans,” she said while accepting the best pop vocal album award. “So, I want to say thank you to the fans by telling you a secret that I’ve been keeping from you for the last two years.”

One of the night’s biggest awards, record of the year, went to Miley Cyrus for “Flowers,” her second-ever Grammy and second of the night.

“This award is amazing. But I really hope that it doesn’t change anything because my life was beautiful yesterday,” she said in her speech.

Victoria Monét won best new artist. “Thank you to the champagne-servers tonight,” Monét began her acceptance speech. “Thanks to my mom, a single mom raising this really bad girl.” Then she started to cry, telling the room that this award was “15 years in the making.”

Billie Eilish won song of the year for writing the “Barbie” hit, “What Was I Made For?” She thanked director Greta Gerwig for “making the best movie of the year.”

It was just one of several standout moments from Sunday’s show, hosted by Trevor Noah and broadcast live from Cypto.com Arena in downtown Los Angeles.

Karol G made Grammy history Sunday by becoming the first female performer to win best música urbana album for her blockbuster “Mañana Será Bonito” record.

“This is my first time at the Grammys,” she told the audience in English. “And this is my first time holding my own Grammy.”

Performances were many. Olivia Rodrigo brought her bloodsucking ballad “vampire” – or in this case, bloodletting, as red liquid dripped from the walls behind her. Joni Mitchell, 80, made Grammy history by performing “Both Sides Now” from her 1969 album “Clouds”; Travis Scott did a medley of “My Eyes,” “I Know?,” and “Fein.” Burna Boy was joined by Brandy and 21 Savage and did “On Form,” “City Boys,” and “Sittin’ on Top of the World.”

A long and touching In Memoriam segment celebrated many of the musical greats lost last year. Stevie Wonder performed “For Once in My Life” and “The Best Is Yet To Come” in honor of Tony Bennett; Annie Lennox delivered “Nothing Compares 2 U” for Sinéad O’Connor. “Artists for ceasefire, peace in the world,” Lennox said at the end of the song, her fist extended in the air.

Jon Batiste did a medley of “Ain’t No Sunshine,” “Lean On Me,” and finally “Optimistic” with Ann Nesby for the late great music exec Clarence Avant. Oprah introduced a fiery Tina Turner tribute of “Proud Mary” by Fantasia Barrino and Adam Blackstone.

SZA also took the stage – performing a medley of her larger-than-life hits “Snooze” and “Kill Bill,” joined by dancers wielding katanas. Later, she’d take home the trophy for best R&B song — for “Snooze,” handed to her by Lizzo. SZA ran to the stage and gave a charming, out of breath speech because she was “changing, and then I took a shot.”

Luke Combs’ delivered a heartfelt rendition of “Fast Car” with Tracy Chapman – his cover of the Chapman classic has dominated country radio and won him song of the year at the 2023 CMAs. In 1989 the song won Chapman best female pop vocal performance.

Dua Lipa opened the show with a high-octane medley: first, a tease of her forthcoming single, “Training Season,” then, her most recent single, “Houdini,” and finally, her disco-pop “Barbie” hit “Dance the Night.”

Eilish and Finneas also brought “Barbie” to the Grammys stage with live string accompaniment. They were followed by Cyrus, who performed “Flowers” for the first time live on television.

“Why are you acting like you don’t know this song?” she teased the crowd — John Legend and wife Chrissy Teigen were among those in the audience who got up to dance — and later cheered mid-song, “I just won my first Grammy!”

Best country album went to Lainey Wilson for “Bell Bottom Country,” — her very first Grammy — as presented by Kacey Musgraves. “I’m a fifth-generation farmer’s daughter,” she told the crowd, adding that she’s a “songwriting farmer,” and that’s where the musical magic came from.

Jay-Z was awarded the Dr. Dre Global Impact Award and used his speech to talk about the hip-hop greats that came before him – and heavily suggesting at the Grammys history of placing rap on the backburner – or at the very least, not in the televised version of the show. (This year, there were no rap categories on the telecast, but two pop, one Latin, one country and one R&B.)

“We want you all to get it right,” he said. “At least get it close to right,” before switching focus to Beyoncé. “Most Grammys, never won album of the year. How does that work?”

Bridgers took an early lead at the Grammys, quickly winning four trophies ahead of the main telecast, with her and her boygenius bandmates bringing an infectious energy to the pre-telecast Premiere Ceremony.

Jack Antonoff took home producer of the year, non-classical for a third year in a row, tying Babyface as the only other producer to do so consecutively. “You need the door kicked open for you,” he said in his acceptance speech. “Taylor Swift kicked that (expletive) door open for me,” he said.

The first of three new categories in 2024, best pop dance recording, went to Kylie Minogue for “Padam Padam” — her first win in 18 years.

About 80 Grammys were handed out pre-broadcast. Regional Mexican star Peso Pluma won his first Grammy for his first and only nomination, for best música Mexicana album for his “Genesis.”

Best African music performance, a new category which aims to highlight regional musical traditions and recognizing “recordings that utilize unique local expressions from across the African continent,” went to South African singer Tyla for her ubiquitous hit, “Water.”

“I never thought I’d say I won a Grammy at 21 years old,” she said in her acceptance speech. “Last year God decided to change my whole life.”

Killer Mike won three awards in quick succession Sunday night, but ended up in police custody before the main Grammys ceremony began because of an altercation, police spokesperson Officer Mike Lopez said.

The rapper won his first first Grammy in 21 years, for best rap performance for “Scientists & Engineers,” which featured André 3000, Future and Eryn Allen Kane. Soon afterward, they won for “best rap song.” Killer Mike also took home best rap album for “Michael,” cheering, “It is a sweep! It is a sweep!”

Billy Joel was both the penultimate and final performance of the night. First, he brought his new track “Turn the Lights Back on” — his first new music in decades — live to the Grammy stage. Then, after album of the year was announced, he returned to the stage for his 1980 classic, “You May Be Right.”

A welcome surprised was the inclusion of Celine Dion, who handed Swift her record-breaking trophy. “When I say I’m happy to be here, I really mean it from my heart,” she told the audience. In 2022, Dion revealed she was diagnosed with a rare neurological disorder called stiff person syndrome, which causes spasms that affect her ability to walk and sing.

After 70-degree swing from snowy January, look for warmth ahead

By Matt Kelley (Radio Iowa)

Much of Iowa is seeing above-normal temperatures for the first week of February, a radical change from just a couple of weeks ago.

January wrapped up with some Iowa cities reporting mid-50s for highs, and state climatologist Justin Glisan says that’s some 60 to 70 degrees warmer than the middle of the month when we were in the teens below zero, with wind chills of 40-below.

“The northeast half of the state was actually slightly above average, and the southwest corner below average, but overall, about four-tenths of a degree above average,” Glisan says, “which is amazing given how cold we were right in the middle of the month.”

Some Iowa cities saw more than 20 inches of snow during January, and many communities ended up 10 to 15-inches above their averages for snowfall. Glisan says the month concluded as the third-snowiest January on record for Iowa.

“This will be in the top 15 wettest Januarys on record,” Glisan says. “With that snowpack on the ground, with a statewide average of almost 18 inches, and that’s over nine inches above average, the snowpack really did a good job of insulating the surface and keeping those soil temperatures just below freezing, and as we warmed up, those soil temperatures actually got above freezing.”

That allowed the water to filter down into the soil, he says, which brought some improvements in our statewide drought conditions. As for the month ahead, Glisan says we can expect more of what we’ve been seeing all week — warmer-than-normal temperatures.

“If we look at the short-term outlook of six to 10, and eight to 14-days, that gets us out into the middle of the month, high probabilities of warmer temperatures,” Glisan says, “and then on that monthly outlook by the Climate Prediction Center, showing the same type of signal, very high probabilities of warmer temperatures across much of the United States, including Iowa.”

The National Weather Service says the two snowstorms we had during mid-January dropped more than 27 inches of snow on Des Moines, which recorded its second-snowiest January on record, while the 25-plus inches that fell on Waterloo made it -the- snowiest January in history for that northeast Iowa city. It was also Waterloo’s fourth-snowiest month of any month on record.

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