AP — U.S. gas prices have dipped under $4 a gallon for the first time in more than five months. AAA says the national average is $3.99 for a gallon of regular. That’s down 15 cents in just the last week, and 68 cents in the last month. Gasoline peaked at around $5.02 a gallon on June 14. Motorists in California and Hawaii are still paying above $5, and other states in the West are paying close to that. The cheapest gas is in Texas and several other states in the South and Midwest. The decline reflects falling prices for crude oil, which have dipped close to $90 a barrel from over $120 a barrel in June.
Ernst says U.S. must be more aggressive in order to expel Russians from Ukraine
By O. Kay Henderson (Radio Iowa)
Iowa Senator Joni Ernst says it’s time for the U.S. to provide more long range weapons to Ukraine.
“To make sure the Ukrainians are a safe distance when they are shelling the Russians,” Ernst said, “because right now it’s turning into trench warfare and we know that does not progress very quickly.”
In June, the U.S. shipped artillery rockets to Ukraine. Ernst supports sending more advanced guided missiles that can go longer distances.
“We want to expel or see the expulsion of Russians out of Ukraine and we want to minimize the destruction of Ukrainian communities,” Ernst said. “That’s why I think the Biden Administration needs to step up with more weapons and munitions.”
President Biden released a billion dollars worth of military hardware to Ukraine this week. Ernst said without longer-range missiles, the war will drag on for years and much of Ukraine will be destroyed.
“The Russians are just basically carpet-bombing areas with artillery, which means there’s a lot of loss of innocent life and the Russians — they honest to goodness don’t care. We do care,” Ernst said.
Ukraine officials have been pushing for a shipment of U.S. missiles that can hit targets up to 190 miles away. President Biden has said the U.S. does not intend to provide Ukraine with weapons that could reach into Russian territory. Ernst said that’s “risk averse” and it’s time to take “a more aggressive stance” against Russia.
“We just need to ensure that the Ukrainians have their their hands on those types of munitions and are just bombing the heck out of the Russians that are in Ukraine,” she said.
Russian forces occupy about 20% of Ukraine territory today, according to Ernst, and she said they’ll continue inching forward without a change in tactics. Ernst, a Republican who was in the Iowa National Guard, does not support sending U.S. troops into Ukraine, but has voted to provide the money so the U.S. remains the main supplier of weapons for Ukraine’s military.
Marion County: Applications Now Being Accepted for Leadership Red Rock
The Marion County Development Commission is now accepting applications for the 2022-23 Leadership Red Rock class. This program includes five sessions. Session topics include: leadership, tourism, business, government, social services, education, workforce and more. Classes are held once a month from October to February in the evening from 5:30-8:30 p.m. at various locations around Marion County.
“Leadership Red Rock is a great way to expand your network of contacts, learn about key local issues and discover new leadership skills,” explains Carla Eysink, MCDC Director. “Class member get to meet current leaders and experience some unique locations within the county.”
Sessions this year will be held on: October 25, November 15, December 6, January 19 and February 16. The application deadline is September 20. Click here to apply and learn more.
Stephen Memorial Animal Shelter to Host Feline Fine and Dog Days Carnival This Month
The Stephen Memorial Animal Shelter in Oskaloosa is set to host their Feline Fine Dog Days Carnival later this month. We chatted with the director of the shelter, Shanna Woodcock Smith, who gave us a quick overview of what to expect.
All proceeds from this carnival will go toward medical expenses for the adoptable animals at the shelter, and the carnival will also have some of its adoptable dogs available. The carnival is scheduled for Saturday, August 27, from 11am-3pm at the Southern Iowa Fairgrounds. More information can be found on the flyer below or on the Stephen Memorial Animal Shelter Facebook page.
William Penn University Athletic Director’s List Announced for 2021-22
OSKALOOSA — William Penn Athletics Director Nik Rule announced yesterday the recipients of the 2021-2022 Athletic Director’s List.
Individuals who earned this honor achieved a 3.5 Grade Point Average for the 2021-2022 school year, while also being honored as either all-conference or All-America in their respective sport. A total of 23 student-athletes were honored, highlighted by five from the shotgun sports team.
2021-2022 WPU Athletic Director’s List
Tanner Bedier–Baseball
Ryan Dudley–Men’s Bowling
Aleksander Kostric–Men’s Bowling
Rok Kostric–Men’s Bowling
Gabi Evans–Women’s Bowling
Colton Horak–Football
Bailee Frayne–Women’s Golf
Carlee Frayne–Women’s Golf
Courtney Jackson–Women’s Golf
Caeden Miller–Men’s Lacrosse
Breck Putzier–Men’s Lacrosse
Hunter Block–Shotgun Sports
Jarrett DeKoning–Shotgun Sports
Kade Dunkin–Shotgun Sports
KayLynn Sieber–Shotgun Sports
Dominick Ver Meer–Shotgun Sports
Luke Andrews–Men’s Soccer
Chelsey Huff–Softball
Abby Wilson–Softball
Alicia Jaquez–Women’s Volleyball
Corrin Lepper–Women’s Volleyball
Justin Moeller–Men’s Track and Field
Steven Skewes–Men’s Wrestling
Iowa State’s Hutchinson Named to Earl Campbell Tyler Rose Award Watch List
Iowa State senior wide receiver Xavier Hutchinson was named to the Earl Campbell Tyler Rose Award Watch List yesterday. The award is given to the top offensive player in Division I football who exhibits the enduring characteristics that define Earl Campbell. The award is limited to players who were born in the state of Texas, attended a Texas high school or attended a Texas junior college or university.
Hutchinson is a native of Jacksonville, Florida, and graduate of Blinn Junior College in Brenham, Texas. He led the Big 12 with an Iowa State single-season record 83 receptions last season. Hutchinson earned First Team All-Big 12 honors for the second-straight seasons in 2021. He leads all active Big 12 receivers in career receptions (147) and receiving yards (1,758).
US inflation will likely stay high even as gas prices fall
WASHINGTON (AP) — Americans may finally be catching a break from relentlessly surging prices — if just a slight one — even as inflation is expected to remain painfully high for months. Thanks largely to falling gas prices, the government’s inflation report for July, to be released Wednesday morning, is expected to show that prices jumped 8.7% from a year earlier — still a sizzling pace but a slowdown from the 9.1% year-over-year figure in June, which was the highest in four decades. The forecast by economists, if it proves correct, would raise hopes that inflation might have peaked and that the run of punishingly higher prices is beginning to ease.
Oskaloosa Man Arrested for OWI, Drug and Weapons Charges
OSKALOOSA — The Oskaloosa Police Department reports that on August 8, 2022, at approximately 5:58 a.m., members of the Oskaloosa Police Department were dispatched to the intersection of C Ave East and N 4th St in reference to a person passed out behind the wheel of a vehicle. Upon arrival, they arrested Trevern Braden, 47, of Oskaloosa, for OWI.
A search warrant was requested and issued for Braden’s vehicle, leading to additional charges of possession with intent to deliver methamphetamine, possession with intent to deliver marijuana, two counts of failure to affix drug tax stamp, possession of drug paraphernalia, theft 2nd degree, theft 5th degree, carrying weapons while intoxicated, and trafficking stolen weapons.
The Oskaloosa Police Department was assisted by the Mahaska County 911 Center.
A criminal charge is merely an accusation, and the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.
Oskaloosa School District Reaches Agreement with Communications Firm
The Oskaloosa School Board met last night. A topic that saw significant discussion was the board’s decision to enter into an agreement with the Donovan Group, a communications firm specializing in education. Superintendent Mike Fisher initially recommended the group to outsource various aspects of the district’s PR, and explained why he saw the agreement as beneficial.
The agreement will cost the district $2,500 a month for full access to the firm’s services and is up for renewal annually, though the district can back out at the conclusion of any month of its duration.
The Oskaloosa School Board’s next regular meeting is scheduled for September 13.
Iowa Republicans question FBI search of Trump’s home
By O. Kay Henderson (Radio Iowa)
Governor Kim Reynolds and the five Republicans in Iowa’s congressional delegation are calling on federal officials to release details about the FBI’s search of former President Donald Trump’s Florida home.
“It doesn’t seem right,” Senator Joni Ernst said earlier this afternoon, “and it just doesn’t seem to be on the up and up.”
Ernst said the American people deserve answers.
“Obviously no one knew that this was going to happen or occur, like to know what’s behind it,” she said. “We need clear answers coming from the (Attorney General) Merrick Garland on why this was executed the way it was executed (and) what they were looking for.”
According to Ernst, Republicans are skeptical, in part, because the Department of Justice and FBI have been “sitting on the sidelines” when they should have investigated threats to Supreme Court Justices.
Governor Kim Reynolds tweeted that “the Biden Administration is taking our nation down a dangerous path.” Congresswoman Mariannette Miller-Meeks of Ottumwa, the only Republican in Iowa’s House delegation who Trump has not endorsed, said in a tweet last night that it’s time for Washington to focus on the crimes happening at the border and in U.S. cities and “not waste taxpayer dollars investigating political rivals.”
Ernst said it appears the search may be related boxes of presidential records and classified material Trump took to Florida that should have been turned over to the National Archives.
Senator Chuck Grassley said in a tweet this morning that “we’ve got a right to be skeptical” about the search of a former president’s home. Grassley said without transparency, the FBI and Department of Justice “risk further damaging their credibility.” Republican Congressman Randy Feenstra of Hull said in a tweet that the FBI ‘must immediately provide a full accounting of facts.”
Republican Congresswoman Ashley Hinson of Marion said via tweet that if voters elect a GOP majority in the House this November, Republicans will “provide rigorous oversight of the Biden Administration and ensure they are serving the American people, not targeting them.”
Democrats like House Speaker Nancy Pelosi say no one is above the law, even presidents, and the investigation should be allowed to run its course.