Bohannan wants 1st District recount: Democrat Christina Bohannan’s campaign requested a recount in her bid against Republican incumbent U.S. Rep. Mariannette Miller-Meeks to represent southeast Iowa’s 1st Congressional District. The initial tally puts Bohannan less than a percentage point — 802 votes — behind Miller-Meeks. That’s much tighter than in 2022, when Miller-Meeks won by 7 percentage points over Bohannan. Miller-Meeks has declared victory in the race, saying it’s mathematically impossible for Bohannan to win with the number of provisional ballots still to be counted. The Associated Press has not yet called the race.
DEI dies on campus: Members of the Iowa Board of Regents praised state universities for their efforts that have brought them nearly in compliance with legislation restricting diversity, equity and inclusion offices on campus, but said the work is not done yet. A new state law bars state universities from starting, maintaining or funding DEI offices unless required by law or for accreditation.
Happy harvest: Corn harvest in Iowa was 95 percent complete, four days ahead of last year’s harvest and nearly two weeks ahead of the average harvest schedule, according to the latest Iowa crop progress and condition report. Steady rainfall has delayed finishing the corn harvest. The soybean harvest was completed in late October.
They said …
“It is an honor to continue to lead the most productive, conservative Republican caucus in the country. I am proud of our accomplishments.” — State Sen. Jack Whitver, reelected as Iowa Senate majority leader
“The widespread rainfall over the last few weeks has been beneficial in improving drought conditions across large swaths of Iowa.” — Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig
Odds and ends
Hate literature: Waterloo city officials reported flyers for a hate group were left around town last weekend. The leaflets encouraged people to “Take a stand. Join today!” and included a Nazi SS logo and an address for a white power website.
Cellphone ban: The Janesville Consolidated School District, north of Waterloo, has barred cellphone use by students at its high school. Students must put phones in a cellphone lock bag at the beginning of their first-class period. Phones are returned after school or when the student leaves campus.
Banners honor veterans: Cedar Rapids and Davenport will put up banners next year featuring veterans and active service members. The banners will be on light posts in downtown Cedar Rapids and along the Davenport riverfront. The Cedar Rapids banners are $250, but donors can contribute to the “Honor A Veteran Fund” to recognize those who deserve it but don’t have the funds available. For details on the Cedar Rapids program, visit freedomfestival.com/military-tribute-banners.
Water cooler
GOP leadership: Jack Whitver will continue to lead Republicans in the Iowa Senate as treatment on his brain tumor continues. The 44-year-old from Grimes has held the post since 2018. Pat Grassley will continue to serve as Iowa House speaker. Grassley, from New Hartford, has been House speaker since 2020.
Democratic leadership: Iowa House Democrats reelected state Rep. Jennifer Konfrst of Windsor Heights to lead the caucus during the upcoming Iowa legislative session, despite losing seats in the Nov. 5 election. Republicans are poised to hold a 67-seat majority in the 100-member Iowa House and a 35-seat majority in the 50-member Iowa Senate.
Ernst bid defeated: Iowa Republican U.S. Sen. Joni Ernst’s bid for a post in Senate Republican leadership was unsuccessful. Ernst ran for caucus leadership’s No. 3 position, Republican conference chair, but lost to Arkansas U.S. Sen. Tom Cotton. The internal vote was 35-18 in favor of Cotton, according to Politico.
In the news
Show of support: A family’s heartbreaking decision to end treatment for a preschooler with cancer has the Mason City community rallying behind the boy and his parents. Four-year-old Ozrael Guerrero has been battling Stage 4 liver cancer since last November. Doctors say Oz’s options for treatment have been exhausted. Supporters gathered around the family’s home Thursday to show their love and support.
AirTag, you’re it: A Marion man was arrested on suspicion of breaking into vehicles in Cedar Falls near the University of Northern Iowa campus after an Apple AirTag showed police where he was. Authorities allege Jacob Tyler Swails, 31, stole items including an AirTag tracking device that led police to his location.
Double dealing: A Waterloo man was arrested for allegedly selling the same vehicle twice. Authorities allege Kameron Christian Warrior, 30, sold his 2007 Land Rover to a woman in August. He sold it again in September while in jail on an unrelated charge. He told the buyer where the vehicle could be found with the keys inside. It was parked at the first buyer’s home.
