Transcripts For KCRG KCRG TV9 Morning News 20151214

Alert forecast, kaj. Weve had better days, thats for sure. Plan on gusty wi, rain to continue today. Rainfall totals will wind up in the 23 range with isolated higher amounts around 4 at waarloo. Rivers will respond, with flood warrngs likely on most basins this week. Temperatures will slowly cool as the week goes on with a minor system still on track to move in on wednesday morning. Temperatures will be warm enough for that to stay as all rain, and should also be very light. By thursday and month so far , comes in with highs in the low 30s. By the weekend, another tempmprature rebound is likely with some more rainfall to start next week. Today showers, windy, falling temps high 4652 winds sw 1530 alo 46 dbq 50 iow 49tonight patchy fog low 3238 winds nw 1020 alo 34 dbq 36 iow 35tomorrow mostly cloudy hig 4147 winds se 515 alo 41 dbq 44 io 44tomorrow night isolated showers low 3541nds se 1015 alo dbq 39 w 40 one park in downtown cedar rapids has seen a lot of changes since the summer. One of those changes includes a new name. Greene square parks now Greene Square. Tv9s Forrest Saunders joins us from the newly forrest, these are the first changes to Greene Square in more than 30 years. Nicole, back to you. A dubuque man faces drug chargesesfter he reported an attempted burglary at his home. Police say 21yearold Austin Lovett called them friday night to his home in the 700 block of university avenue, saying someone had tried to break in. While officers were searching for a suspect inside, they saw marijuanstems and seeds and drug. Officers later arrested lovett on a charge of possessing a controlled substance. A worthington man went to the hospital sunday after his handgun went off, while he e s checking traps. It happened around 9 oclock yesterday morning about four miles north of hopkinton. Authorities say 51year old carey ahlers junior was trying to load his handgun when it went off and a bullet struck him in the leg. First responders took him to a nearby hospital. He is expected to be ok. The waterlwo School District may talk about finalizizg a formal bond issusu today for a vote in february. The waterloo Cedar Falls Courier reports the board of education will look at a 47 Million Dollar bond issue that woulfocus on career and techchcal education. This has beenen conversation point with waterloo schools for years. The new programs would be inside a new, 35 Million Dollar Career Center close to centl middle school. Waterloo east and waterloo west high schools would receive six Million Dollars for renovations. The vote would be held on february 2nd. Rose bowl officials plato meet with the university of iowa a day to finalize plans for Celebration Events surrounding the game. Last night, dozens of hawkeye fans celebrated the teams upcoming rose bowl game in coralville. Rose bowl officials threw a party at 30 hop, equipped with games, a livivdj and a chanan to win a set of tickets to the game. Fans could also take pictures with the rose bowl trophy. Iowa meets up with stanford on new years day to try and bring the trophy back here for the First Time Since 1959. After the championship game there was probably a little bit of let down and the team was little disappointed. When they heard the invitation to come to rose bowl they were really excited again but the fans didnt get to together and celebrate so thats whats fun to have a little bit of a pep rally the hawkeyes play in the rose bowl on friday, january first at four pm, iowa time. You can watch the game on an eastern iowa womans artwork is all over the National Czech Slovak Museum library. But this time of thth year, marj nejdl sits in a corner of the museums gift shop, personalizing christmas ornaments. Kcrgtv9s brady smith shows us her work. I do folk art, czech folk art. Marj nejdls love of that art is rooted deeply in the foundations of her heritage, as a first generation czech american. My dad was born 1908, and he came over when he was about 7 years old. Buher artistic flair, marj says, came from her mother. She works with anything that has a good surface for painting. Inclu ding these handblown glass ornaments. These that are clear glass are hardero do, because i can see whattbehind it, instead of where im working. They come from the Czech Republic already adorned with various designs, but marj gives them a final touch for anyone who wants it. Holidays. Anniversaries, new bies, first year, things like that. Youd be surprised how many we do for pets. This delicate work requires a steady hand, dedication. At christmas time, its busy. And an ability to admit the occasional mistake. Sometimes, i misspell a word, a name. I thought it was an a and its supposed to be an o. so, i had to do that over. What started as a fundraiser decades ago grew into a yearly tradition marj looks forward to. I love it, and i love coming into the museum during december on saturdays, because everybodys in a good mood, and its fun. She knows one day shell have to pass down her tools and techniques to someone else. I was just advising one of the gals, she says that shes going to take over after im finished and shes going to learn calligraphy, and i said, if you learn your own style, then you dont have to go back to the book to see what youre doing. You can just whip it out. T. But shes not done yet. As long as i can see and hold a brush, ill be doing it. In twitter is telling some users to be on the lookout for cyberattacks from overseas. And chinese researchers are putting a new spin on driverless cars. Thats ahead in todays techbytes. Good morning its. Hey this holiday, u. S. Cellulars giving you 15 gigs of data for just 70 [ gasps ] youre getting data. Ponysized data . U. S. Clular sized data. 15 gigs of good, s song data you can actually use because it works in the middle of anywhere. Id like 100 youre getting 400 in promo cards yes switch to u. S. Cellular and get 15 gigs of data for just 70. Gusty wind, falling temperatures, and light rain to continue today. Rainfall totals will wind up in the 23 range with isolated higher amounts around 4 at waterloo. Rivers will respond, with flood warnings likely on most basins this week. Temperatures will slowly cool as the week goes on with a minor system on track to move in on wednesday morning. Temperatures will be warm enough for that to stay as all rain, and should also be very light. By thursday and friday, the coolest air of the month so far , comes in with highs in the low 30s. By the weekend, another temperature rebound is likely with some more rainfall to start next week. Today showers, windy, falling temps high 4652 winds sw 1530 alo 46 dbq 50 iow 49tonight patchy fog low 3238 mostly cloudy high 4147 winds se 515 alo 41 dbq 44 iow 44tomorrow night isolated showers low 3541 winds se 1015 alo 39 dbq 39 thanks kaj. Now heres abcs reena ninan and Richard Bacon with this mornings techbytes. Techbytes, a warning from twitter. Yeah, the company is sounding an alarm to some users that their account may have been targeted by state sponsored hackers. The company says the small grupt of accounts were targeted but that there is no indication that any personal data was stolen. More troubles for the hoverboard. According to swagway amazon stopped selling it along with several other brands pending a safety review. The move comes after several fires have been linked to the popular devices. And chinese researchers are putting a new spin on the concept of a driverless car. Their behind controlled vehicle allows drivers to take complete control without using their hands or feet. Currently no plans to put the hightech automobile in production. Good. Sounds like a terrible idea you know that wow, im starving feeling . Well now at subway you can make it deluxe for our 50th anniversary. Its 50 for 50 on our 50th. So when youre craving that little extra. Get to subway and make it deluxe. [meow mix jingle slowly and quietly plucks] right on cue. [cat meows] meow, meow, meow, meow. Its more than just a meal, its meow mix mealtime. With great taste and 100 complete nutrition, its the only one cats ask for by name. Here in vineland, home of progresso, we love all kinds of chicken soups. But just one kind of chicken. White breast meat chicken every time. So if youre not going to make your own chicken soup tonight, first officer charged in the death of freddie gray. William porter has pleaded not guilty to manslaughter and other charges. Andrew spencer shows us what will go into the jurys decision. Prosecutors argue officer William Porter ignored pleas for help because the he did not care about the prosecution has presented evidence that went far beyond what the public expected, and thats what makes their case very strong. Over the last two weeks, theyve also argued porter went against Department Policy by not securing gray properly in the back of a Baltimore Police transport van. Porters defense has said the opposite arguing standard protocol was to not use seat belts. Theyve tried to pin responsibility on the vans driver, caesar goodson. I just dont see where the state has convinced anyone that beyond a reasonable doubt that simply not belting him in when it wasnt his responsibility reflected a callous disregard for the life of freddie gray. The Big Questions at the center of this trial are when during the 45minute ride did freddie gray suffer a fatal neck injury and whether and how quickly porter tried to get him medical help. The jury will weigh those questions as they consider the charges against manslaughter, Second Degree assault, misconduct in office and reckless endangerment. Im andrew spencer, reporting Law Enforcement Officials Say ems found in a San Bernardino, california, lake are not related to the mass shooting. Fbi investigators spent several days searching the lake, a few miles away from the site of the attack. Investigators hoped to find evidence linked to the shooting that killed 14 people earlier this month. Authorities believe the shooters syed farook and Tashfeen Malik visited the lake before they were killed. President obama will make a rare visit to the pentagon today. He will meet with Top National Security advisors to focus on the war against isis. White house Officials Say there will be no policy shift today. This is the president s first visit to the pentagon since the terrorlinked attacks in San Bernardino and paris. More than 300 newborns may have been exposed to tuberculosis at a hospital in the Santa Clara Valley Medical Center says it learned last month that an employee worked in the newborn nursery, while suspected of having the bacterial disease. The employee is now on leave. The hospital is monitoring the infants closely. Tb leaves the lung and causes other problems such as meningitis, so its appropriate to take the protection of newborns very seriously when an exposure has occurred doctors say skin and blood tests are extremely unreliable for infants, so they recommended antibiotics for the next six months. The latest poll in iowa has someone other than donald trump leading the field of republican hopefuls. Ted cruz is making a steady climb through the polls with seven weeks until the caucus. Youre looking live on our cedar falls city cam. Kaj will be back right after the break with a look at your monday forecast. Stay with us. Us nowfirst alert forecast. Weve had better days, thats for sure. Plan gusty wind, falling temperatures, and light rain wind up inhe 23 range with isolated higher amounts around 4 at waterloo. Rivers will respond, with flood warnings likely on most basins this week. Temperatures will slowly cool as the week goes on with a minor system still on track to move in on wednesday morning. Temperatures will be warm enough for that to stay as all rain, and should also be very light. By thursday and friday, the coolest air of the month so far , comes in with highs in the low 30s. By the weekend, another temperature rebounis likely with showers, windy, falling temps high 4652 winds sw 1530 alo 46 dbq 50 iow 49toninit patchy fog low 3238 winds nw 1020 alo 34 dbq 36 iow 35tomorrow mostly cloudy high 4147 winds se 515 alo 41 dbq 44 iow 44tomorrow night isolated showers low 3541 iow 40 2016 hopefuls from both sides of the party line are gearing up for debates. Weve got when and where you can watch them go headtohead. Keep it here on good monday morning. Heres a live look on our heres what you need to know today. Governor branstad is celebrating a milestone today. He officially becomes the longest serving governor in american history. Bernie sanders spends the weekend campaigning throughout eastern iowa and tops it off with a big Campaign Rally in mount vernon. Clcling arguments starartoday in the firir of six freddie gray manslaughter trials in baltimore. Gray died from a neck injury while riding in a police van. Today marks the third anniversary of the mass shooting at sandy hook elementary in newtown, cocoecticut. Adam lanza killed 20 kids and six adults before turning the gun on himself. And people in downtown cedar rapids can now enjoy Greene Square after six months of renovations. Youre watching g rgtv9. Now, from your 24 hour news source, this is kcrgtv9 news morning news. Alert forecast, kaj. Weve had better days, thats for surereplan on gusty wind, falling temperatures, and light rain to continue today. Rainfall totals will wind up in the 23 range with isolated higher amounts around 4 at waterloo. Rivers will respond, with flood warnings likely on most basins this week. Temperatures will slowly cool as the wee goes on with a minor system still on track to move in on wednesday morning. Temperatures will be warm enough for that to stay as all rain, and should also be very light. By thursday and friday, the coolest air of the month so far , comes in with highs in the low 30s. By the weekend, another tempererure rebound is likely with some more rainfall to start next week. Today showers, windy, falling temps high 4652 winds sw 1530 alo 46 dbq 50 iow 49tonight patchy fog low 3238 winds nw 1020 alo 34 dbq 36 iow 3 3omorrow mostly c cudy high 4147 winds se 515 alo 41 dbq 44 iow 44tomorrow night isolated showers low 3541 winds se 1015 alo 39 dbq 39 today, Governor Terry branstad will enter the record books, as the longest serving governor in the american history. It will be his 7thousand 642nd day as governor. Thats almost 21 years in office. Governor branstad will pass former new york governor george clinton. He was also a governor across 2 different tenures, onon clintons started in 1777. Branstad will hold an official celebration tonight at the state fairgrounds. Democratic president ial candidate Bernie Sanders spent all of his weekend traveling around eastern iowa. The vermont senator made 8 stops including in mount vernon at Cornell College yesterday. Sanders enjoyed some momentum at the beginning of his campaign. But can he recapture that in time for the Iowa Caucuses in 7 weeks . Tvnines brea love reports. Sanders filled every seat here night all in effort to give his supporters a future to believe in. He entered to a standing ovation, which continued on as he touched on many of his campaign issues. Sanders discussed the economy, education, the working class, and made a special note about veterans. Before he spoke to the crowd, he met with more than a dozen iowa veterans, giving them the chahae to share their stories. I am the former chairman of the Us Senate Committee on veteran affairs and if elected president i will make certain that every veteran in this country gets the Quality Health care that they deserve and benefits they need in a timely fashion. Sanders also made it a point to share his opposition against the war on iraq, and his plans to defeat isis. In my view, isis must be destroyed b b we must do it in aa way that is sensible and that does not lead to unintended consequences. Sanders says the only way demand a difference. He says working with the 11 hundred in attendance and other supporters across the country, they together can transform the nation. In mount vernon, brea love, kcrgtv9 news. In recent weeks, texas senator ted cruz has gradually edged up the polls of Iowa Republicans. Over the weekend, cruz came out on top of the republican field in the last 3 polls of iowans. He has a 10point lead in the des moines registers iowa poll from saturday and has a lead in a fox news poll that came out sunday. The fox poll of more than 400 respondents has cruz and trump in a statistical tie. Cruz has 28 percent to trumps 26 percent. But there is a 4point5 percent margin of rubio is third at 13 percent and retired neurosurgeon ben carson is fourth at 10 percent. After that, the field falls off quickly. Former Florida Governor jeb bush and kentucky senator rand paul received 5 . No one after that was higher than two percent. The fox poll now marks the 3rd straight poll of Iowa Republicans where cruz came out on top. Before that, trump and carson had been either first or second in iowa polls going back to august. On friday, trump attacked cruz on Energy Policy during his Campaign Stop at the state fairgrounds in des moines. Trump told cnn that cruzs lead in iowa will be shortlived. He e so said that ople should vote for him over cruz because he says hes more capable of being a leader. I like him. Hes been so nice to me. I can say anything and hed say, i agree, i agree. but i think the time will come to an end pretty soon it sounds like. More president ial debates are republican candidates will meet on tuesday at the venetian in las vegas. The first debate w wl be at five and the primetime debate at 7 30 on cnn. Chris christie will return to the primetime debate. Hell join others including trump, carson, cruz and rubio. On the mocratic side, the three candidates meet in six days, on december 19th, in manchester, new hampshire. That will air on abc. Today marks the third anniversary of the mass shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School in newtown, connecticut. 20yearold adam lanza, a man with mental illness, killed six adults and 20 children on december 14th of 2012. He shsh his own mother before attacking the school. Lanza turned his gun on himself as Police Closed in. Nicole hockley was the mother of one of the victims, six year old dylan hockley. She says its still hard to not see dylan joining his classmates who are e w in 4th grade. I can picture dylan running through the halls and thats hard. Seeing kids, especially now. According to a review by the associated press, in the three years since the shooting, dozens of new state laws have actually made it easier to get guns a a carry them in public places. Those laws have also made it harder for local governments to enact restrictions. Bell ring, abigail richmond, age six over the weekend, some eastern iowa groups met to honor the sandy hook victims. Metro High School Students read off the names of the sandy hook shooting victims in front of the First Lutheran Church in downtown cedar rapids saturday afternoon. And the National Group moms demand action organized a rally in iowa city to advocate for stronger gun laws. People in downtown cedar rapids now have a renovated park to enjoy. Greene square is s w open after a two Million Dollar renovation. Kcrg tv9s Forrest Saunders takes us through the 2 Million Dollar renovation city contributed 650,000 started officially in june park created 172 years ago this is the first major renovation in 32 years features; clear path from library to museum, water feature, new statue. A modererpark is a stimulus for economic development, said Economic Alliance executive Vice President doug neumann. It reinforces a communitys sense of place, which is something todays workforce and therefore employers crave. First named franklin park, then washington for the school that once sat on the site of the current library, Greene Square was at one point the heart of downtown. The e rk is part of the reason the city got its name as the parlor city, linn county supervisor Linda Langston said. It served as the front yard or parlor for travelers disembarking at the train depot that once stood on the parks west side. I believe the renovation of Greene Square will restore the parlor of parlor city, but it parlor, not a parlor of the past, she said. It was indeed the parks past and future that spired the new design, said brown, a principal at opn in cedar rapids, who served on the Art Selection Committee for the park and oversaw the design. Two eastern iowa women are taking the phrase paying it forward to a new level this holiday season. And theyre doing it all through a Facebook Page olin schools starting at 9 30 due to power outage First Alert Storm Team meteorologist kaj omara joins us now. Weve had better days, thats gusty wind, falling temperatures, and light rain to continue today. Rainfall totals will wind up in the 23 range with isolated higher amounts around 4 at waterloo. Rivers will respond, with flood warnings likely on most basins this week. Temperatures will slowly cool as the week goes on with a minor system still on track to move in on wednesday morning. Temperatures will be warm enough for that to stay as all rain, and should also be thursday and friday, the coolest air of the month so far , comes in with highs in the low 30s. By the weekend, another temperature rebobod is likely with some more rainfall to start next week. Today showers, windy, falling temps high 4652 50 iow 49tonight patchy fog low 3238 winds nw 1020 alo 34 dbq mostly cloudy high 4147 winds se 515 alo 41 dbq 44 iow 44tomorrow night isolated showers low 3541 winds se 1015 alo 39 dbq 39 iow 40 hawkeye fans are definitely getting excited for the rose bowl game on new years. Some started the celebration early this weekend and even got the chance to take a picture with the coveted trophy. That and more still to come on tv9. People in Johnson County will have a new facility to go to for healthcare today. University of iowa quickcareeast is ooning its doors in a new space. The clinic is moving to the iowa city market place which was formerly referred to as sycamore mall. It now sits between the four seasons store and panera restaurant in the mall. The new space exam rooms, a larger waiting area and entrances from both the parking lot and from inside the mall. This is one of six ui quick cares in Johnson County. In dubuque, police say someonon damaged portions of the dubuque Veterans Memorial plaza on schmitt island. Police believe a vehicle drove into the memorial sometime between 7 00 saturday night and 1 00 sunday afternoon. The damage includes one b bnch and a pillala which was overturned. Police say whoever is responsible caused about 15thousand dollars worth of damage. We want to remind you that when you see news, call newsline nine. That number is 3193659999. You can also send us pictures and videos to newsroom at kcrg dot com. The waterloo School District may talk about finalizing a formal bond issue today for a vote in february. The waterloo Cedar Falls Courier reports the board of education will look at a 47 Million Dollar bond issue that would focus on career and technical education. Waterloo schools for years. The new programs would be inside a new, 35 Million Dollar Career Center close to central middle school. Waterloo east and waterloo west high schools would also receive six Million Dollars for renovations. The vote would be held on february 2nd. Rose bowl offials plan to meet with the university of iowa today to finalize plans for Celebration Events surrounding the game. Last night, dozens of hawkeye fans celebrated the teams upcoming rose bowl game in coralville. Rose bowl officials threw a party at 30 hop, equipped with games, a live dj and a chance totoin a set of tickets to the game. Fans could also take pictures with the rose bowl trophy. Iowa meets up with stanford on new years day to try and bring the trophy back here f f the First Time Since 1959. After the championship game there was probably a little bit of let down and the team was little disappointed. When they heard the invitation to come to rose bowl they were really eited again but the fans didnt get to together and celebrate so thats whats fun to have a little bit of a pep the e wkeyes play in the rose bowl on friday, january first at four pm, iowa time. You can watch the game on espn. Two women in dubuque are trying to connect people with commity needs this holiday season. Aula dominy and tracey lee say they have already helped dozens of families through their Facebook Page called pay it forward. Its group where people can post a need. Then, someone can respond if they can help. It can be big things like a toddler bed or small things like silverware or towels. Dominy says shes just trying to give back to a community that has helped her. Tragedy had hit home for us at one time. And i realized it doesest take a lot to lookok around and see there are a lot of people in need in our community. Right now they are filling reests for christmas presents for small chchldren. Wrapping for a cause at the lindale mall wants to take the hassle out of your holiday wrapping. The booth is in the e od court. Choose from a large selection of festive holiday wrapping paper and volunteers will wrap your gifts for you. Wrappers will be at the booth every day from now until christmas eve. Theyll be there from 11 to eight monday through saturday and 11 to five on sunday. All proceeds benefit the arc of east central iowa. If you have a nonprofit event or organization youd like to see featured. Send us an email. Mugshot at kcrgdotcom. Hey this holiday, u. S. Cellulars giving you 15 gigs of data for just 70 but i wanted a pony. [ gasps ] youre getting data. Ponysized data . U. S. Cellular sized data. 15 gigs of good, strong data you can actually use because it works in the middle of anywhere. Id like 100 youre getting 400 in promo cards yes switch to u. S. Cellular and get t gigs of data for just 70. Heres what you need to know as you head out the door on your monday. Today is the third anniversary of the mass shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School in newtown, connecticut. 20 year old adam lanza killed 20 kids and six adults before killing himself. He also shot his mother at her home before going to the school. Today, Governor Terry branstad will enter the record books, as the longest serving governor in the american history. It will be his 7thousand 642nd day as governor. Thats just shy of 21 years in office. Branstad will hold an official celebration tonight at the state fairgrounds. Now, one last look at this mornings weather,aj. Weve had better days, thats for sure. Plan on gusty wind, falling temperatures, and light rain to continue today. Rainfall totals will wind up in the 23 range with isolated higher amounts around 4 at waterloo. Rivers will likely on most basins this week. Temperatures will slowly cool as the week goes with a minorystem still on track to move in on wednesday morning. Temperatures will be warm enough for that to stay as all rain, and should also be very light. By thursday and friday, the coolest air of the month so far , comes in with highs in theow 30s. By the weekend, another temperature rebound is likely with some more rainfall to start next week. Today showers, windy, falling temps high 4652 winds sw 1530 alo 46 dbq 50 iow 49tonight patchy fog low 3238 winds nw 120 alo 34 dbq 36 iow 35tomorrow mostly cloudy high 4147 winds se 515 alo 41 dbq 444 iow 44tomorrow night isololed showers low 3541 winds se 1015 alo 39 dbq 39 iow 40 we certainly hope your is off to a good start. Good morning america is next. Also makaksure to join us at good morning, america. Wicked weather slamming the western half of the country. Tornado on the ground. Tornadoes touching down. Damaging dozens of homes. Windndtossing these train cars. And whiteout conditions make roads hazardous. And record heat in the east. Shorts to waterskiing on the great lakes. Gett ready for a white hot christmas. Ted cruz shaking up the race for president