Thank you, thank you very much. Thank you. Okay, sit down. Sit down. Sit down. Thank you. Thank you very much. That was very kind of you. Thank you. It is good to have you back in pierre to the legislature, welcome. Im sure youre going to enjoy this experience immensely. Before i begin today, though, i would like to note a historical milestone. Today is the beginning of Lieutenant Governor Matt Michaels seventh session as president of the senate, and prior to that, he presided for four sessions as speaker of the house. Those 11 sessions make Matt Michaels the longest serving officer in the south dakota legislature. Lets recognize him and thank him for that service. [ applause ] thank you very much. Over the past six years, weve undertaken many significant initiatives together, and have made progress in many areas. Today, im going to provide updates on many of our efforts in the areas of education, transportation, criminal justice, workforce and Tribal Affairs among others. I want to up
That may continue today with the winds staying strong. We wont warm up much today. Or the rest of the week. Ill have that cold forecast for you in a few minutes. We have breaking news this morning. Waterloo firefighters are on the scene of a fire. Firefighters are at western avenue. Theyve been there for about the last hour or so. It appears to be a home but our crew says it could also be a duplex with multiple families living there. Our crew is seeing smoke coming from the building. Right now youre getting a live look at the scene. Were still working to get more information. Once we learn more about the fire well let you know. Another big story this morning. A showdown between governor branstad a former iowa lawmakers. Today, former governor chet culver is having town hall in coralville and cedar rapids. Hes now one of the critics of Current Governor Terry Branstads plan to privatize the states medicaid system. Culver said last week the move could put Peoples Health at risk. Branstad
The rest of the week. Ill have minutes. New thisismorning waterloo firefighters respond to a fire this morning. They were first called to new this morning waterloo firefighters respond to a fire this morning. They were first called to Western Avenue around four this morning. Smoke has been pouring out of the homm. We just spoke with firefighters a few minutes ago but they dont have any more information at this time. Theyre still on the scene. A kwwl followup. An updayeeon the three people rescued from a cedar falls mobile home during a fire a story we first ashley calfee, the mother, had to be taken to iowa city to be treated. She took in a lot of smoke. Her three year old son and five and windy weather. John bostwickcedar falls fire, battalion chief we had some things that were starting to freeze up during the started to freeze up and that type of stuff. Take a look at this body camera video from a Cedar Falls Police officer. They showed up first and battled the fire until firefighter
Now live in waterloo with more details ron it goes beyond shoveling your sidewalks. Think about the snow mounds that pile up at the end of sidewalks and driveways. Theyre impossible for people in wheelchairs to get over. Take a look at these sidewalks theyre clearly not snow covered sidewalks are common in many areas in eastern iowa especially this year, weve already had multiple rounds of storms. Olivia mancino although people do clear off their sidewalks the snow mounds at the ends of sidewalks create a problem for pilcher makes the comparison of trying to get cars over snow piles the wheels keep spinning, but the car doesnt move. He says its the same with wheelchairs. Jason you know theyre budnled up too but theyre exerting so much effort, they get tired, you know theyre just trying to get out in the Community Check out this photo taken in waterloo, a Police Officer stopped to give a man a around the snowy sidewalks with his wheelchair. Pilcher says the americans with disabilities a
Wind chills below zero. Winds are still 15 to 25 mph and still gusting to 30 mph and will continue through the day. Our roads are showing some drifting, but interstate 35 is closed between ames and clear lake. Our visibilities are better, but we still have some blowing snow this morning. And that may continue today with the winds staying strong. We wont warm up much today. Or the rest of the blowing snow is still a problem this morning. Several schools are starting two hours late as you can tell by the announcements we have running along the bottom of the screen. Part of i35 remains shut down right now because visibilty is so poor. This is video from yesterday. There were several crashes south of clear lake. After that, the state shut down part of the highway. Now to decision 2016 a huge day in the race for the white house. After iowa last week, its now New Hampshires turn. Week, but New Hampshire doesnt have nearly as many evangelical voters. Political experts say that means its unlik