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Trump’s indictment in New York: Here’s what to know

Posted on by Sam Parsons

NEW YORK (AP) — Donald Trump has become the first former U.S. president to be charged with a crime, the culmination of a political rise defined by unprecedented scandal.

The vote of a Manhattan grand jury to indict the Republican former president on charges related to hush money payments made on his behalf during his 2016 presidential campaign catapults the now-candidate Trump into a new era of legal risk and complicates his attempts to return to the White House.

Here’s what to know about the indictment and the case:

THE FORMER PRESIDENT COULD HAVE A CRIMINAL RECORD

Trump now faces threats to his freedom after decades of legal investigations that have never resulted in serious consequences.

The Manhattan district attorney’s office said Thursday that prosecutors had reached out to Trump’s lawyers to arrange for him to surrender, which could happen early next week. Trump is expected to appear at the prosecutor’s office to be processed and fingerprinted and have a mug shot taken. He is also expected to appear in court, when a judge would list the charges and Trump would enter a plea.

He will have to contend with a criminal case while running again for the White House, taking time and attention away from the campaign trail — though neither the case nor a conviction would preclude him from seeking or winning the presidency in 2024.

The indictment comes as he is facing several other investigations that could lead to legal problems for the former president. Those pending cases, along with a civil trial that’s scheduled to start in New York next month over a columnist’s claims that Trump raped her in the 1990s, add to an ever-growing cloud of scandals surrounding him.

CASE STEMS FROM HUSH MONEY PAID TO WOMEN

The grand jury in Manhattan had been probing hush money payments at the height of the 2016 presidential campaign to two women who alleged sexual encounters with the former president. Trump’s former lawyer Michael Cohen, one of the witnesses who testified, says he orchestrated payments totaling $280,000 to porn actor Stormy Daniels and former Playboy model Karen McDougal. Cohen pleaded guilty in 2018 to violating federal campaign finance law in connection with the payments. Federal prosecutors said the payments amounted to illegal, unreported assistance to Trump’s campaign. But they declined to file charges against Trump himself.

The Manhattan district attorney’s office appeared to be investigating whether anyone committed crimes in arranging the payments, or in the way they accounted for them internally at the Trump Organization. But the specific charges remained under seal late Thursday.

TRUMP MAINTAINS HIS INNOCENCE

Trump, who denies the sexual encounters, called the indictment “political persecution” and an attempt to interfere in his presidential campaign.

Calling himself “a completely innocent person,” he cast the indictment as the latest in a line of actions that he says are designed to “destroy” his Make America Great Again movement, including his two presidential impeachments and the FBI search of his home that turned up classified documents.

“The Democrats have lied, cheated and stolen in their obsession with trying to ‘Get Trump,’” he said in a statement.

Earlier this month, Trump said his arrest was imminent and called on his supporters to protest. Last week, he warned about “potential death and destruction” if he were charged. His words evoked his comments ahead of the violent Jan. 6, 2021 insurrection at the U.S. Capitol.

Trump did not repeat his call to protest Thursday, but police forces around the country are on guard for potential unrest.

OTHER INVESTIGATIONS CONTINUE

Beyond the Manhattan case, Trump is facing an array of other investigations.

On the federal level, the Justice Department is investigating the retention of top-secret government documents at his Florida estate, Mar-a-Lago, and efforts by Trump and his allies to overturn the results of the 2020 election.

The efforts by many of the same players in the latter case were also the subject of a special grand jury investigation in Georgia. The panel’s foreperson said the special grand jury recommended multiple criminal indictments, leaving it up to Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis, a Democrat, to decide whether to convene a regular grand jury and pursue criminal charges.

With many serious cases looming around the other investigations, some legal experts have questioned the wisdom of the Manhattan case becoming the first to result in charges.

TRUMP’S RIVALS CONDEMN INDICTMENT

Trump has said the charges would actually help him in the 2024 presidential race and has tried to use the case to galvanize support. Last weekend, at the first rally of the campaign, he cast the Manhattan investigation and the other probes as the latest in a long line of political attacks against him. His campaign handed out signs that said “Witch Hunt” as Trump told his supporters that the legal challenges were also an attack on his followers and his political movement.

Some Republican and independent voters could see the case, at the very least, as another example of problematic baggage that has followed Trump for years and has been a distraction. The news was expected to only fortify existing Democratic opposition to Trump.

Republicans who are running against Trump or who are considering their own campaigns were quick to rally to criticize the case and attack Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg, even if they didn’t address the underlying allegations against Trump.

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, who is expected to announce a campaign and is seen as Trump’s top rival for the GOP nomination, called the indictment “un-American.” Former Vice President Mike Pence, also considering a challenge to Trump in 2024, called the indictment “an outrage.”

GOP LAWMAKERS TARGET PROSECUTOR

Republicans framed the arrest as a political prosecution by a rogue Democratic district attorney who they said was weaponizing the criminal justice system.

House Speaker Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif., said the House “will hold Alvin Bragg and his unprecedented abuse of power to account.”

Some of Trump’s fiercest supporters came to his defense. Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene of Georgia and former Arizona gubernatorial candidate Kari Lake, two names floated as potential Trump running mates, said he’s innocent.

BIDEN, DEMOCRATS HAVE LITTLE TO SAY

Democrats were less vocal in the hours after the indictment became known, but some of the former president’s critics have framed the case as a long-overdue dose of accountability.

President Joe Biden, who is expected to announce he’s running for reelection next year, has not commented on the indictment.

The Democratic National Committee did not comment on the specifics of the case but sought to yoke the entire GOP to Trump.

“No matter what happens in Trump’s upcoming legal proceedings, it’s obvious the Republican Party remains firmly in the hold of Donald Trump and MAGA Republicans,” DNC National Press Secretary Ammar Moussa said in a statement.

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., said: “Mr. Trump is subject to the same laws as every American. He will be able to avail himself of the legal system and a jury, not politics, to determine his fate according to the facts and the law.”

House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, D-N.Y., did not immediately comment, though some lesser-known House members welcomed the news.

“I continue to believe that every American elected official and leader should be held fully accountable for their actions and crimes,” said Rep. Harley Rouda of California.

“Finally, today, Donald Trump’s chickens have come home to roost,” said Rep. Raul Grijalva, who represents a safe district in Arizona. But his fellow Arizonan, Rep. Ruben Gallego, who is running for the Senate, was more measured: “We should wait to hear from the grand jury before jumping to conclusions.”

Secretary Pate urges voters to respond to ‘No Activity’ notices

Posted on by Sam Parsons

DES MOINES – Iowa Secretary of State Paul Pate is encouraging Iowans who receive a ‘No Activity’ notice from his office in the mail to respond to it quickly. Registered voters who did not participate in the 2022 general election have been made inactive and will receive a notice in the mail to confirm their residential address. Those who do not respond will remain as an ‘inactive’ status.

Registered voters made inactive through the list maintenance process can return themselves to active status by requesting an absentee ballot, voting in an election, submitting a new registration, or updating their voter registration prior to the end of 2026 general election cycle.

During the first quarter of each year, the Iowa Secretary of State’s Office conducts voter list maintenance as required by state and federal law. The ‘No Activity’ mailing occurs during each odd-numbered year.

“This mailing is just one part of the process to ensure Iowa’s voter rolls remain up-to-date and as accurate as possible,” Secretary Pate said. “It’s a crucial component to ensure clean, accurate and fair elections across the state.”

Iowans who receive the mailing should check the appropriate box, sign their name, and return the postcard in the mail. Postage is pre-paid, so there’s no need to attach a stamp. If the voter no longer lives at the address, the current resident may discard the mailing.

To check your voter registration status, visit VoterReady.Iowa.gov.

An example of the ‘No Activity’ notice is available for your use at this link.

OHS Prom Coming Up

Posted on by Sam Parsons

OSKALOOSA, IA — OHS’ prom is quickly approaching and will be held April 15th at Debbie’s Celebration Barn.

The theme is “Fly Me To The Moon.” Promenade will be held in the large gym at OHS beginning at 5:30 pm. Prom attendees will park in front of the George Daily and enter through the south doors. All spectators wishing to watch promenade must park in the north lot and enter through the north doors. No exceptions.

Gateway Helping Hands Accepting Donations for Mississippi Tornado Relief Tomorrow

Posted on by Sam Parsons

By Sam Parsons

Tomorrow, from noon to 4pm, Gateway Helping Hands will have an enclosed trailer parked in front of the Gateway Church of the Nazarene to accept donations for Mississippi tornado relief.

In the aftermath of the devastating tornado that struck the state of Mississippi on Friday, Gateway Helping Hands will be accepting donations from area residents, loading them onto a semi, and delivering them south to those who have lost their property.

Items they are asking for include:

  • New underwear and socks. All sizes
  • New pillows
  • Kitchen and bath towels
  • Toiletries
  • Bottled water
  • Paper products- toilet paper, paper towels, Kleenex
  • Blankets
  • Clean and nice clothes-especially 2t – 5t
  • Diapers and baby wipes
  • Baby bassinets or pack n plays
  • Canned goods or non perishables

Gwyneth Paltrow’s widely watched ski crash trial nears end

Posted on by Sam Parsons

PARK CITY, Utah (AP) — The closely watched trial over a 2016 ski collision between Gwyneth Paltrow and the retired optometrist suing her for the injuries he sustained is expected to draw to a close, when attorneys give closing arguments and send the case to the eight-member jury. Terry Sanderson, 76, is suing Paltrow, claiming she skied out of control and crashed into him, leaving him with four broken ribs and a concussion with symptoms that have lasted years beyond the collision. Gwyneth Paltrow’s attorneys came close to wrapping up their case on Wednesday by relying on more experts to mount their defense on the seventh day of trial. The jury could get the case Thursday.

Senate puts the brakes on carbon pipeline regs approved by House

Posted on by Sam Parsons

By O. Kay Henderson (Radio Iowa)

A bill that would have set a few new ground rules for carbon pipelines has stalled in the Senate. Representative Steven Holt, a Republican from Denison, led debate of the bill in the House, where it passed on a 73-20 vote.

“The legislation’s one of the most important things we could have done this session,” Holt told Radio Iowa.

The bill would have required that 90 percent of a carbon pipeline’s route be secured through voluntary agreements before eminent domain authority from the state could be used to compel other landowners to sign easements.

“A lot of concerned citizens across the state of Iowa do not want their property taken for this project — an economic development project and I’m disappointed,” Holt said.

Today is the last day of the legislature’s work week and also the deadline for policy bills from the House to have cleared a Senate committee. Senate Democratic Leader Zach Wahls of Coralville told reporters Republicans who control the senate’s debate agenda could have at least scheduled a subcommittee hearing on the bill.

“I think that if the bill would have come to the floor, it would have had strong majority support,” Wahls said, “so I was surprised.”

It’s possible some of the elements of the bill could be tacked onto a budget bill next month. There’s also a chance state regulators’ review of the pipeline projects might extend into early 2024. Holt said that means it might be possible for next year’s legislature to revisit the issue.

“Dynamics can change around here very quickly around here when it’s an election year and people begin to hear a lot from their constituents, so we’ll see where it goes,” Holt said. “My concern about waiting a year, obviously, is that eminent domain could already be in process for some of our landowerns, but maybe the process will not be that far along, so we’ll see.”

The proposed Wolf pipeline to capture carbon from ADM plants is about 300 miles long and the developer says it’s getting voluntary access to the route and will not need to seek eminent domain authority. The other pipeline developers are expected to ask the Iowa Utilities Board for eminent domain authority to secure easements from landowners who haven’t voluntarily granted access to their properties. Navigator’s pipeline would stretch about 800 miles through 33 Iowa counties. The Summit Carbon Solutions pipeline would be about 680 miles long and pass through 29 counties. Advocates say the pipelines will make ethanol a low-carbon fuel by capturing and shipping carbon from Iowa ethanol plants to underground storage sites in Illinois and North Dakota.

Opening of Lake Red Rock recreation areas further delayed

Posted on by Sam Parsons

KNOXVILLE, Iowa –The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Rock Island District, announces that due to a delay in manufacture and delivery of pipe for waterline upgrades several recreation areas at Lake Red Rock will not be opening June 1 as previously announced. Howell Station and North Overlook campgrounds and the North Overlook picnic area will now remain closed through July 31. Fifield picnic area will remain closed throughout the 2023 recreation season.

Those who have made reservations during the adjusted dates will receive full refunds through Recreation.gov. All other recreation areas at Lake Red Rock will be open during their previously scheduled dates. Reservations can be made by visiting: www.recreation.gov or calling 1-877-444-6777.

For more information, please contact the Lake Red Rock Project Office at 641-828-7522.

North Mahaska’s McGriff Named Emerging Leader

Posted on by Sam Parsons

NEW SHARON, IA — Sarah McGriff, North Mahaska Community School’s Business Manager and Board Secretary, was awarded the Emerging Leader Award by the Iowa Association of School Business Officials at the 2023 IASBO Spring Conference. This scholarship is awarded to two applicants across the state each year and is used to assist the recipient with costs for attending an ASBO International event for professional development. 

Award recipients must demonstrate a dedication to the field as a School Business Official, and a commitment to IASBO and their mission. McGriff is in her third year as SBO for North Mahaska and is excited for the opportunity to further her experience and knowledge in the field through attending an ASBO International event. 

‘Bachelor’ creator Mike Fleiss exits reality TV franchise

Posted on by Sam Parsons

LOS ANGELES (AP) — The creator of “The Bachelor” has exited the reality TV franchise more than two decades after the iconic dating show launched. Mike Fleiss’ departure was confirmed Tuesday, a day after “The Bachelor” aired its season 27 finale. Fleiss thanked WBTV and ABC in a statement shared with The Associated Press that did not include the reason for the split. He described the show as lightning in a bottle and said the creative team taking over will keep the franchise “bold and moving forward.” Taking the helm as executive producers and showrunners is a trio of franchise stalwarts.

ISU study: Rural Iowans are being hurt more by inflation than urbanites

Posted on by Sam Parsons

By Matt Kelley (Radio Iowa)

An Iowa State University study shows inflation is hitting rural residents harder that those in urban areas. Professor David Peters, a rural sociologist for ISU Extension and Outreach, says inflation took a bigger bite of rural household budgets throughout much of last year, but its effects were similar in rural and urban areas by year’s end.

“Over the past 10 years, inflation costs that we’re all familiar with, gas and food and everything else, has cut rural discretionary incomes by over a third,” Peters says. “What’s the discretionary income? Well, the discretionary income is essentially the money you have leftover at the end of the year after you pay your taxes and pay all your expenses.” That discretionary income is critical, he says, for handling unexpected or emergency expenses. In the past two years, Peters says inflation has cost the average rural household a total of more than eight thousand dollars.

“And that just means rural households have less money for unexpected health care costs,” Peters says. “A lot of rural people have their own health insurance, less money for unexpected home repairs, the furnace goes out, you need a new roof, unexpected car repairs, or even just for rural people to save for their own retirement or their kids’ future education.” Peters says he doesn’t foresee inflation letting up anytime soon.

“I would say likely not in the next two to three years,” Peters says. “I would say that the price increases we’ve seen are going to stay. They might not be increasing as much as they have been in the last two years, but all indications would be those inflation rates are here to stay.” The Federal Reserve recently raised interest rates in an effort to stave off further inflation, which Peters says raises the risk of the economy falling into a recession.

“People grumble about inflation and people grumble about paying more for the groceries and their gas,” Peters says, “but that’s a far less major problem than a recession where people would lose their jobs and lose their businesses.” Peters says rural households paid an extra $300 per month because of inflation in 2021, but the urban-rural gap in additional expenses was modest, around $15 a month. When transportation costs shot up in early 2022, largely due to higher gas prices, he says rural households felt it more. For the first two-thirds of the year, inflation cost rural households at least an extra $450 per month, which is $60-90 more than urban households.

See the full report online: https://smalltowns.soc.iastate.edu/wp-content/uploads/sites/163/2023/02/SOC-3106.pdf

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