Free Republic

MAHASKA COUNTY, Iowa - The state auditor is recommending changes to the way small bodies of government handle money after a secretary in Mahaska County allegedly pocketed thousand of dollars. An investigation into the Mahaska County Soil and Water Conservation District found former Secretary Jessica Strasser allegedly mismanaged nearly $280 thousand. A review of Strasser's personal bank statements found $240 thousand in cash deposited to her accounts. Deputy State Auditor Tami Kusian said Strasser had little oversight and as a result the $241,248 in cash withdrawn from the district's accounts went largely unnoticed for years. "Anybody that had reviewed these...

Every election cycle tells a story, but the storyline for the 2014 general election is still being written. Republicans have longed believed that 2014 would be a Republican year in Iowa, especially with the absence of a presidential candidate at the top of the ticket. Strong fundraising from Democrats seeking federal office, especially Congressman Bruce Braley who wasn’t challenged for the Democratic nomination for the U.S. Senate seat that Sen. Tom Harkin is vacating, made it look like Iowa was leaning Democrat in the 2014 U.S. Senate race. A month into the general election, Braley’s campaign seems adrift, and Republican...