Q: Why did you maintain a Senate area listening to in Des Moines?
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A: Counterfeit
prescription capsules laced with lethal fentanyl are contributing to historic drug
overdose deaths in the USA, together with right here in Iowa. Based on the
Iowa Division of Public Well being, drug overdose deaths have climbed 34 p.c
between 2019 and 2021. Amongst Iowans age 25 and youthful, overdose deaths surged
by 120 p.c. Tragically, 470 lives have been stolen by drug overdose in Iowa simply
final yr. As co-chair of the Senate Caucus on Worldwide Narcotics Management,
I take advantage of my management platform on behalf of Iowans to assist clear up issues and
save lives. I convened a area listening to in our capital metropolis to assist elevate
consciousness on this public well being disaster, to provide Iowa households a voice and to
determine options to forestall extra deaths from lethal fentanyl. Drug overdose
deaths, with fentanyl taking part in a number one position, is now the main explanation for demise
for Individuals ages 18-45. Mothers and Dads are waking up within the morning to
uncover a son or daughter died of a drug overdose in a single day. This could not
be taking place. Sufficient is sufficient. So, I’m leveraging my management for Iowa
to assist reinforce the urgency of this disaster and form options in order that extra
Iowa households aren’t grieving the lack of a liked one heading into the vacation
season. I invited Iowans from Des Moines, Shelby and Cedar Rapids to share
their tales. Their highly effective testimony will make an affect on policymakers,
well being care professionals, educators and regulation enforcement about what may be performed
and must be performed to battle fentanyl. I share of their sorrow and commend
these grieving Iowans for his or her bravery and willingness to inform us about their
family members in order that they could assist save lives. It’s heartbreaking their beloved
sons have been poisoned to demise by fentanyl and had their lives and futures stolen.
Because of the braveness of those Iowa dad and mom, the reminiscences of Sebastian Kidd,
age 17; Devin Anderson, age 23; and Bailey Arwine, age 22, will assist different
dad and mom to have severe discussions with their youngsters in regards to the risks of
fentanyl. I encourage Iowans to hearken to their highly effective tales right here.
Q: What extra may be performed to cease overdose deaths?
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A:In my
work on behalf of Iowans within the U.S. Senate, Congress has enacted complete
reforms to spice up drug prevention, therapy, enforcement and restoration efforts.
As then-chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee, I steered the Complete
Dependancy and Restoration Act in 2016 and SUPPORT
for Sufferers and Communities Act in 2018 to the president’s desk.
Since President Biden took workplace, artificial medication pose an growing threat to
the U.S. inhabitants as Mexican drug cartels exploit the open southern border to
push their poison into the USA. Testimony on the area listening to
defined how precursor substances from China are despatched to Mexico, pressed into
counterfeit capsules by the cartels, and trafficked throughout the border up by way of
the arterial interstate highways into America’s heartland. The drug cartels are
lacing fentanyl into different medication and prescription medicines to hook customers and
in some circumstances are mixing stimulants like methamphetamine with fentanyl. The
end result has been catastrophic with 108,000 overdose deaths final yr within the U.S.
It’s pushing down life expectancy in America. The open border insurance policies and lax
enforcement of the Biden administration are making the state of affairs worse, not
higher. Customs and Border Safety (CPB) reported seizing 7 tons of fentanyl
on the border. Clearly, it’s good federal brokers made these seizures, however
it’s solely a fraction of what’s coming into the USA. Furthermore,
testimony on the listening to indicated these seizures are extra the results of
elevated quantities of fentanyl and different illicit medication pouring throughout the open
border somewhat than a simpler regulation enforcement effort. Untold quantities of
fentanyl are making it into native communities and houses of grieving Individuals,
together with right here in Iowa. One deadly dose of fentanyl is the equal of the
weight of a mosquito. One pound of fentanyl can kill greater than a
quarter-million folks. Final yr, sufficient fentanyl was seized to kill each
single American. That’s why I’ll proceed pushing the Biden administration and
Congress to increase the Schedule 1 for fentanyl-related
substances so regulation enforcement can use each device out there to cease these
harmful medication from killing extra Individuals. The commissioner of the Iowa
Division of Public Security testified on the listening to in Des Moines that the
cultural demonization of regulation enforcement is hampering the power to recruit
officers. He mentioned there are 51 vacancies on the Iowa State Patrol. Much less regulation
enforcement means extra fentanyl goes undetected and extra poison will get trafficked
throughout Iowa. So long as I’m within the U.S. Senate, I cannot cease combating the
fentanyl disaster that’s devastating households and communities in our state.
Former Iowa Hawkeyes star George Kittle is in the midst of what has to be the most trying season of his NFL career.
Kittle’s San Francisco 49ers—who were Super Bowl contenders heading into 2024—fell to just 5-6 with their loss to the Green Bay Packer this past Sunday, further hindering their playoff chances.
However, the tight end is not giving up hope in the midst of severe adversity.
“My optimism is not broken by any means,” Kittle told reporters. “We still have a lot of very talented players. We will get some guys back. And I still have full trust in the coaching staff to put our guys in position to make plays, and I got no worry about that. But definitely an uphill grind, and going to see what we’re made of, which I’m looking forward to.”
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You have to love Kittle’s fighting spirit, but it seems hard to imagine the 49ers righting the ship in their current predicament.
San Francisco is dealing with a plethora of injury issues up and down the roster, which includes quarterback Brock Purdy, who missed the Packers game with a shoulder problem.
Kittle himself had a strong performance in Week 12, logging six catches for 82 yards and a touchdown. He has also been his usual impressive self overall this season, totaling 49 receptions for 642 yards and eight scores in nine appearances.
But not even Kittle can save the Niners from all of their current troubles.
The 49ers will face the Buffalo Bills in a matchup that could ultimately decide their playoff fate this Sunday.
No. 17 Iowa State goes into its home game against Kansas State on Saturday night as one of the Big 12 teams with the highest probability of making it to the conference championship game next week.
That calculation comes from conference officials putting pencil to paper to figure out all the scenarios that could unfold on the final weekend of the regular season.
Cyclones coach Matt Campbell said his team just needs to worry about itself and not the myriad of possibilities that could determine the matchup for next week’s Big 12 title game at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas.
“To me,” he said, “all that other stuff is wasted time, effort and energy.”
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If the Cyclones (9-2, 6-2, No. 18 CFP) beat the Wildcats (8-3, 5-3, No. 24 CFP), they probably would be in. Arizona State would be the likely opponent if the Sun Devils win at Arizona.
So much would have to align for the Wildcats to advance — starting with beating Iowa State — that coach Chris Klieman said he didn’t plan to address the possibilities with his players. He said he wouldn’t have to anyway.
“The kids know,” he said.
Kansas State quarterback Avery Johnson runs the ball during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Arizona State Saturday, Nov. 16, 2024, in Manhattan, Kan. Credit: AP/Charlie Riedel
Going for 10
The Cyclones are trying to become the first team in the program’s 133-year history to win 10 regular-season games. Wildcats’ tight end Will Swanson said he wasn’t aware of the 10-win milestone until a reporter told him. He indicated he and his teammates would like to keep the Cyclones from achieving it.
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“I’ll probably have to mention that,” he said, laughing.
Up and running
K-State quarterback Avery Johnson appears to be back to his old self. The staff tried to reduce his rushing attempts after he was injured Oct. 12 at Colorado. There were no limitations on him in last week’s 41-15 win over Cincinnati. He ran 10 times for 70 yards, including a 33-yard burst and a 21-yard touchdown.
“People saw when he’s healthy, we’re really good on offense,” Klieman said.
Cold, but no snow
Temperatures are expected to be in the teens in Ames, but no snow is in the forecast. Heavy snow fell during last year’s game in Manhattan, Kansas. Abu Sama III ran for 276 yards and three touchdowns and the Cyclones’ defense made a fourth-down stop in the final minute to preserve a 42-35 victory.
“I just remember the snow and Abu running wild,” ISU receiver Jayden Higgins said. “There definitely was a lot of snow on the field.”
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K-State’s Swanson said the game reminded him of a backyard football game but that it “panned out terribly.”
“Some spots there were 6 inches of snow,” he said. “I remember I caught a ball and I got tackled. I was face-first in the ground and had a pound of snow between my face and my facemask.”
Injury update
Klieman said RB Dylan Edwards could return against the Cyclones after sustaining a no-contact leg injury two weeks ago against Arizona State.
Campbell said S Drew Surges will be available and DT J.R. Singleton and TE Ben Brahmer are on track to play.
Colorado Buffaloes (5-1) vs. Iowa State Cyclones (4-1)
Lahaina, Hawaii; Wednesday, 2:30 p.m. EST
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BOTTOM LINE: Colorado and No. 5 Iowa State play at Lahaina Civic Center in Lahaina, Hawaii.
The Cyclones are 4-1 in non-conference play. Iowa State ranks fifth in the Big 12 with 41.2 points per game in the paint led by Keshon Gilbert averaging 9.2.
The Buffaloes are 5-1 in non-conference play. Colorado ranks fifth in the Big 12 shooting 39.3% from 3-point range.
Iowa State makes 49.0% of its shots from the field this season, which is 8.2 percentage points higher than Colorado has allowed to its opponents (40.8%). Colorado averages 13.9 more points per game (77.7) than Iowa State gives up (63.8).
The matchup Wednesday is the first meeting of the season for the two teams in conference play.
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TOP PERFORMERS: Gilbert is scoring 16.8 points per game with 2.6 rebounds and 5.2 assists for the Cyclones.
Elijah Malone is averaging 14.3 points for the Buffaloes.
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The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.
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