PERRY, Iowa (Gray Media Iowa Capitol Bureau) – Perry Police Chief Eric Vaughn is correcting misinformation about an event at a church in town last week.

A social media posts makes claims that undocumented migrants were given Photo IDs

The state of Iowa only gives out driver’s license and ID cards to people whose lawful presence in the U.S. has been verified by The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services.

The post then claims that once these migrants got an ID, a woman helped them vote by telling them which place to mark, and they told everyone to vote for Kamala Harris.

Chief Vaughn says this isn’t the case at all.

In a Facebook post, Vaughn says people were given a non-government form of ID. Those can be used at places like banks and libraries, but cannot be used to vote or drive.

The original post claims that Perry police officers were at the event and told migrants to show the ID to law enforcement and they’d be allowed to drive on with no charges because Perry is a “sanctuary city”.

Perry is not a sanctuary city, nor is any other city in Iowa. Sanctuary cities were banned in Iowa in 2018.

Vaughn also says Perry Police were not at the event.

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Conner Hendricks covers state government and politics for Gray Media-owned stations in Iowa. Email him at conner.hendricks@gray.tv; and follow him on Facebook at Conner Hendricks TV or on X/Twitter @ConnerReports.

Copyright 2024 KCRG. All rights reserved.

AMES – One of the things that the transfer portal and NIL money have scrambled is team and roster building. 

There used to be a relatively standard way for coaches to try to create the best team possible. They recruited the best high school players they could, and then they tried to develop them into the best collegiate players possible. 

Simpler times, I suppose. 

Now, with rosters flipping constantly and immediate financial remuneration possible, the old way isn’t really the new way. Or at least what’s viewed as the cutting-edge way to build a roster. 

But what it has done is make the process of roster building more variable. Programs are having to find different ways to build and compete. 

Ohio State and Alabama can spend tens of millions of dollars on a roster if they want. LSU and Penn State can pony up extra dollars to keep their own players from becoming someone else’s. 

That’s not really the case at Iowa State. 

More: Join Travis Hines’ Cyclone Insider text-messaging group for behind-the-scenes access

The Cyclones, though, are trying to make their shortcoming – or at least what looks like one at this point in time – a strength. 

“We have a relationship and a bond that is bigger and stronger than ever,” quarterback Rocco Becht said. “It’s fun out there now. It’s not just we’re out there with a teammate going through the motions. We’re out there with our friends.  

“Not just our teammates, but our friends and playing the game that we love and playing it as a team.” 

Maybe sounds a little corny, sure, but there is something to be said for a college football team to be playing for the people they care about rather than with their co-workers. 

More: Darth Vader and Iowa State football help Troy DeJoode keep his son’s memory alive

“That emphasis on team is what we’ve always sold here,” Iowa State coach Matt Campbell said. “We haven’t wavered from that. It’s not like we’re out there able to sell much more than that, to be honest with you. The hope that we can develop you to be your best if you come be a part of our team. 

“There’s a multitude of guys who certainly financially had the chance to enhance themselves, but maybe the lessons learned will set them up to be the best humans they possibly can be. 

“We don’t take their loyalty to us for granted, for sure.” 

Something to think about as we prepare for the College Football Playoff rankings to be released on Tuesday, where the best rosters money can buy and Iowa State will be on display. 

When you talk to Cyclones players and coaches, do you detect any pressure building from being undefeated? 

One of my biggest questions about this team coming into the year was its maturity and poise. I thought the talent would be enough to compete, but I wasn’t sure this group had enough of the other stuff to be consistent over the course of three-plus months. 

They’ve obviously shown that they do – or at least enough for two months – and dealing with being 7-0 has been no exception. 

“It’s something we worked for,” senior right tackle Tyler Miller said. “We wanted it. We expected it. It’s really big for us with the history of this university and it’s something that’s very cool.  

“Our team does a great job of staying grounded, focusing on the next game and not worrying about what’s to come or anything like that.” 

It’s an easy thing to say that, especially to a reporter, but I think Iowa State’s performances over these last seven games backs up the sentiment. 

Nothing has seemed to really rattle these guys. Least of all success. 

Why is it that Iowa State football can keep throwing linebackers in and don’t miss a beat? I know we finally have depth but the talent they have is unreal. 

Certainly I think the credit here has to go to the players and the coaching staff for making it possible. The coaches had to identify players who don’t immediately project as Big 12 contributors who could step in. And those players had to prepare and make the most of the moment. 

It is really a tribute to Campbell and Co.’s system, from start to finish. 

But I also think it’s worth taking this time to engage in a little bit of bygone romanticism. 

The guys who are stepping up and in, like Kooper Ebel, Rylan Barnes and Beau Goodwin are all small-town Iowa kids. Ebel and Goodwin had scholarship opportunities elsewhere while Barnes is a walk-on. 

When the name on the front of the jersey means something to the name on the back, I do think there’s an added component there. 

More: Hines: Iowa State football perseveres with Rocco Becht at the helm for Cyclones

More: Hines: Iowa State football relying on young linebackers with small-school pedigrees

I don’t even know that I could totally put my finger on it, but defensive coordinator Jon Heacock has thought a lot about this over his four-decade career. 

“I think anytime you have players on your team from your home state, it means more,” he said earlier in October. “When this is your home state and your name is on the university, I think it’s really a critical factor in guys wanting to do well.  

“It’s all really, really important to them.” 

If you’re Barnes, maybe it makes the everyday walk-on grind a little more palatable even though your chance is likely far off, if it ever comes at all. If you’re Ebel or Goodwin, maybe knowing you’re representing the place and people you’re from gives you a little extra. 

I don’t know exactly, but I’m with Heacock. I think, whatever it is, it makes a difference, and it matters. 

Iowa State columnist Travis Hines has covered the Cyclones for the Des Moines Register and Ames Tribune since 2012. Contact him at thines@amestrib.com or (515) 284-8000. Follow him on X at @TravisHines21.

CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa (KCRG) – Four organizations have formed a an advocacy group calling for reform in the way utility companies set rate increases. The entities that make up the group are Iowa Business Energy Coalition, Iowa Economic Alliance, Iowa Business for Clean Energy, and Large Energy Group. Although the coalition doesn’t have a group name.

The group cited Alliant Energy’s most recent rate increase as a concern for both residents and businesses. Alliant’s increase was approved by the Iowa Utilities Commission back in Sept. In a news release, the group called Alliant a monopoly.

According to the U-S Energy Information Administration, Alliant had the highest electric rates in all of Iowa in 2023. And Iowa’s average rate was higher than 37 other states.

The advocate group said the cost of electricity is making it harder to operate a business in Iowa. It said the larger companies in Cedar Rapids like Quaker Oats and the hospitals already have expensive electric bills every month and the increase has added to that.

“Some of these larger customers, their bills are a million dollars or more. So when you’re talking about some of the increases they’ve recently seen, a 15% increase, that’s a substantial impact,” Dave Vognsen with Large Energy Group said.

The business group also suggested changing how Iowa utilities can charge customers for future projects. Right now, electric companies can charge customers before they start a new project.

“What the utilities plan for in their resource plans are eventually going to be paid for by customers,” Vognsen said. “So that’s why it’s important to take a look and make sure you know that it’s the least cost based upon the needs of customers,” he said.

Ultimately, the group said it is pushing for legislation changes that would allow the Iowa Utilities Commission to regulate the way utility companies increase their rates, serving as a check of sorts.

“The commission can make sure those decisions are based on the best interests or rate payers and not just in the best interest of the utilities,” Bob Rafferty with Iowa Business for Clean Energy said.

KCRG reached out to Alliant Energy about the group’s push for reform. It said in a statement:

“We remain committed to cost-effectively meeting customers’ energy supply needs. Investing in a diverse energy mix and modernizing the energy grid delivers a more reliable, sustainable, resilient and secure energy future. The IUC’s decision positions us to accomplish this as we continue planning ahead, acting on behalf of our customers to ensure we’re ready to manage the rapidly changing energy landscape,”

Copyright 2024 KCRG. All rights reserved.