Transcripts For KFXA Fox 28 News At 9 20151212

Imagine going about your average day when someone attacks you from are working to address with a class designed to teach potentially lifesaving skills. Skills. Fox 28 News Reporter dora miller is live in iowa city to explain, dora . The class taught right here at the university of Iowa Police Department is only for womena many first timers in the class say its taught not only to defend themselves, but to learn more about who they are. Are. Selfdefense is something to be taken seriouslya nats no especially when your life depends on it. Nats no oleta 09 37 18 we do a very good job with this program educating women about what Sexual Assault really looks like. And in this rape aggression defense class its not about meeting violence with violencea jenn 06 46 17 i had never thrown a punch in my life. It starts with the mind. Firsttimers, like jennifer wyatt, say thats what theyre taking away from the course. Jenn 06 45 43 they talk a lot about visualization and being prepared in your mind, so being able to take that time for myself, invest that time and think about how i would react in certain add the physical piece to the class, but its really an opportunity to educate. Educate and empower. Kerby 06 43 50 i feel confident, i feel prepared and i feel ready through this class. Laura 06 49 16 im more on the passive side of the spectruma i think the thing that has surprised me the most is how uncomfortable i am with just having to get used to fact that i need to practice these moves. The yells and the moves only work to encourage women to not stand for abusea jenn06 45 27 85 percent of assaults are by people that you know. But to stand up for themselves no matter what the threat is. Oleta 09 37 54 rape is a very uncomfortable word, but exactly that. It is exactly what it is. Rape is not pretty and its not kerby 06 43 42 i think just being more aware of my surroundings is good, you never know just walking down the street what situation you might find yourself in. Laura 06 48 19 i really think that it is so important for every college girl takes this class and i wish that it was a requirement. If you have a group of eight or more women who would like to take the class, the Police Department says they would be happy to hold a class at the time of day that works for you. One of the most wanted men in kansas may be hiding out in iowa and theres a 20thousand dollar reward for information leading to his arrest. Us marshals are searching for bryan levi bridges. They say he and others were trying to rob a home in pittsburg, kansas when the homeowners startled them. Bridges is accused of shooting and killing one of the homeowners. Officials say he is now on the run and has ties to iowa. Bridges is 5foot7, about 170 pounds and may be going by the name el chinito. We are just a month away from the 2016 legislative session here in iowa,. Before lawmakers gavel in, a statewide group, consisting of Economic Development leaders, is prioritizing what they want to see lawmakers accomplish. Local leaders say one of those priorities is immigration. Fox 28 News Reporter Mellaney Moore explains why. Why. Alliance president and ceo dee baird, serves as chair for the iowa chamber alliance. She says there are four critical areas workforce, Economic Development, the simplification of taxes and infrastructure. The biggest challenge for cedar rapids, she says, is workforce. How do we continue to attract more people here, how do we help those that are here that want opportunities, get opportunities and have the skills and then how do we work with our schools to make sure that the pipeline of potential workers is in alignment with what employers need. Baird says there needs to be more dialogue on immigration to help with the workforce shortage. She wants to make sure the corridor is a welcoming community thats positive about what immigrants can bring to the local, state and national economy. If you just look around our community, weve had a lot of success with people that have walks of life for Different Reasons and different backgrounds that have actually settled here and grown businesses here. On the other side of the corridor, the icad group, an Economic Development organization for the iowa city area, has organized monthly meetings with an international taskforce. That includes all of the cities, the downtown district, the chamber, the cvb, kirkwood, the university, diversity focus. Moreland says the group talks about International Residents and what can be done to be more welcoming. You may notice welcome signs in many languages in iowa city and the community id program which allows people to get a valid id card, even if they dont have a drivers license started in Johnson County this year. The icad group also launched a welcome iowa city area website just a week ago providing resources to the international community. And hopefully. Making them want to stay. Having a rich, diverse population just makes our community more desirable. The icad group says one thing they want to focus on in the next year is getting more boards and commissions. Covering the corridor in iowa city, Mellaney Moore, fox 28 news. Fighting for the middle class. Its a phrase uttered by nearly every politician in any party,. But now, that fight appears to be one the middle class is losing. Losing. Take a look at these figures from the pew research center. In 1970, the middle class made up nearly two thirds of all income in the u s. Far ahead of both the upper and lower classes. Classes. Now take a look at last year, from nearly two thirds of the economy to less than half. This marks the first time the middle class is in the financial minority. Minority. Experts say no matter what side of the debate you come down on, the us economy is not sustainable without a strong middle class. Those in the middle buy the most goods that drive Business Growth and job creation. Safe to say, this will become an increasinly important topic on the president ical campaign trial. And that brings us to coverage. Before the Republican Party can set their sights on next years election, they have a lot of infighting to tackle. Tackle. Today, doctor ben carson said he would consider a third party run for the white house. His threat comes after published reports about a secret meeting among Republican Leaders discussing a contested convention this summer. Its seen as a backup plan if a candidate wins the primary races but the party doesnt think they can win a National Vote in november. Doctor carson says meetings like this could destroy the Republican Party. These are the kinds of things that have resulted in the very corrupt and system that has no integrity in it and its why people dont trust government anymore. Anymore. Carson was briefly the front runner here in iowa for the republican nomination. But his support has eroded in recent weeks as senators ted cruz and marco rubio have made gains among republican voters. The threat to jump to a third party is front runner donald trump. The business mogul made a Campaign Stop in des moines tonight and stuck to his controversial stance on blocking muslims from entering the us. Trump also attacked europe for accepting refugees and said if nations really wanted to help, they would protect syrians, inside syria. We have to create a safe zone some place in syria, but i dont want them coming into this country, i dont want em, cause we dont know who they are. Are. Trump also predicted he would win the nomination if he wins iowa. And vowed to protect iowas first in the nation caucuses if hes in the white house in 2020. On the democatic side, vermont senator Bernie Sanders is holding on to his lead in a key state. A new poll out of New Hampshire shows sanders, leading National Front runner Hillary Clinton, 50 to 40percent. Clinton still holds a large lead in other key states like iowa and south carolina. New hampshire holds the first in the nation primary just eight days after the top two democrats have a lot of stops planned for iowa in the coming days. This weekend, senator sanders will campaign in anamosa, dubuque, waterloo and mount vernon. Then on wednesday, secretary clinton will hold town Hall Meetings in iowa city and mason city. The debate over how to combat terror is growing by the day. So much so that in recent polls, terrorism has surpassed the economy as the most important topic on voters minds. Fox 28 News National correspondent Kristine Frazao look. When voters head to the polls next year, there will be lots on their minds. But whats the most important issue . Its the decline of the middle classi have a bias, education . The economybut more think like the sullivan family. I think National Security, safety theres just so much going on and i think most people want to feel safe in this countrythe economy is certainly important but the this country comes under attack. In a recent New York Times cbs poll, when asked about the most important problem facing the country today, 14 percent of voters said terrorism. That may not seem like a lot but compare that to just last month when just two percent thought so. The same question last year garnered three percent. The economy came in second as a top problem with 8 percent, down from its first place position last month 12 and last year 19 . People in america are nervous about whats going to happen in their neighborhoods and communities given what happened in cawhen it comes to how this may translate to the election,the same poll found donald trump in the lead with republican primary voters. In a general election, doctor david rehr says it could benefit Hillary Clinton because she served as secretary of state and is probably the most experienced of all the candidates in foreign policy. But, he says, it could be a double edged republicans will be attacking her saying a lot of these problems started during the Obama Administration and when you were secretary of state historically in National Elections the economy is often the number one issue. Whether it will reemerge as such in 2016. Doctor rehr says that is unfortunately in the hands of the terrorists and whether they present another threat inside this country or now. In washington im kf rpeorting coming up in our next half hour, well introduce you to a man whos fighting the war on terror firsthand. His incredible story of saving his radicalized son, later on the fox 28 news at nine. But first, new hope for veterans in need. Need. The latest effort in the corridor Offering Services to those who served. How it all nine continues. Anncr when the attacks come here. The person behind this desk will have to protect your family. Will he be impulsive and reckless, like donald trump . Will he have voted to dramatically weaken counterterrorism surveillance, like ted cruz . Will he have skipped crucial National Security hearings and votes just to campaign, like marco rubio . 27 generals and admirals support jeb bush. Because jeb has the experience and knowledge to protect your family. Right to rise usa is responsible monday of to a great start with some fun throwback music music the oldies cover group divalicious will be here to perform for us the fun starts monday on fox28 at 7am. Join us monday cedar rapids say theres new hope tonight, and it comes in the form of a new home thats being built just for them. Today, Patriot Place was introduced to the community. Fox 28 News Reporter joy howe tells us more. More. Mayor nats for all of our veterans that are here today and those thahaarent, welcome home 18. 21. 24. 17inside the Veterans Memorial building, a small group gathered to hear about a big opportunity for cedar rapids veterans. Kelly ridenour founded the heroes and says she quickly realized one of the wounds needed immediate attention. Once i got started on the work that i was doing, the housing need in the community was brought to my attention 18. 37. 02. 21 because of the veterans i was working with, so incidentally the very first veteran i ever worked with, was living in his truck at the time 18. 37. 09. 25 the wife, daughter and granddaughter of veterans says, her dream is finally being realized, in Patriot Place. The 9million dollar facility is specifically for veterans and their families. It will have up to 50 lowincome apartments with Additional Space for veterans services, and be right next door to the va clinic in cedar rapids. So people will not only have the Supportive Services well have in house, theyll have immediate access to their Doctors Office 18. 38. 54. 05 mayor ron corbett noted that 16 of the men served at the willis dady shelter are homeless vets and with, pledged the citys support of the final 1point5 million dolars. Nothing like this happens unless theres a Community Behind it 18. 41. 14. 02 and this community has always been very supportive of their veterans, and of all veterans, and this is one more tangible demonstration of that. And with that support, veterans say, comes new hope. We have the opportunity, if we accept this mission and make it happen, that hope can be turned into a reality. 18. 34. 58. 10 for these families, our veterans, our comrades. Lets make it happen. 18. 35. 04. 15 covering the corridor in cedar rapids, joy howe, fox 28 news at 9. Healing our heroes plans to submit final financial paperwork for the project in march, and hopes to have everything in place to break ground next july. Heres a friendly reminder to get your Holiday Shopping wrapped up sooner rather than later. Monday marks the busiest day of the year for the us postal service. And thanks to more Online Shopping than years past, postal workers are bracing for a 75percent incerase in packages over last service expects to deliver nearly 16billion pieces of mail between thanksgiving and christmas. A car gives you freedom. Room to grow. And in time, room to grow up. Your dream car evolves, and protecting it takes committed support. Paris theres a lot to do on a dairy farm. Nobodys gonna do it for you. You have to get out there and do it yourself. Bernie sanders is a wellknown friend of family farms. Bernie cannot be bought out by big money. Bernies opinion cannot be purchased. Its time for our next president to get in there, roll up his sleeves, take off the gloves, and take on wall street, take on big business, take on big money, and get the working class back to where they should be. Hes a rock. Justin thanks. You might not need a snow blower now, but its only a matter of time. And you have a chance to win one just go to our sister stations facebook page, kgan cbs 2 and click on the link that sayaysnow blower giveaway. Then follow the instructions to enter you have until sunday to enter and well draw the winner monday. Still to come on the fox 28 news at nine. Nine. The newest members to the force. Well introduce you to the next generation of law but first. First. A new study finds stressed out seniors could be at greater risk for in new york with that story coming up. Ththholiday season can be a stressful time for many. Now a new study suggets that its even more important to reduce those stress levels among older explains why. Why. In tonights to your health report. Report. At 85, Frederick Schweitzer still rides a bike to keep fit and healthy. The first ttng i do in the morning is exercisethe retired history professor is taking part in an aging study at thalbert in the bronx. New research from the study has found a link between stress in the elderly and memory decline. Participants who had the highest levels of stress were about twice as likely to develop amnestic mild Cognitive Impairment this early stage of alzheimers dementiafor every 5 point increase in stress score, the risk of developing mild Cognitive Impairment increased by 30 percent. The past few years have been stressful for schweitzer. He was his wifes primary care taker before she passed away from dementia last year. I feel this besetting g sadness and lonlieness resarchers say if seniors can learn how to cope with their stress, they may be able to postpone or even prevent their cognitive decline. Stress management techniques which could include physical activity, meditation, yoga. Schweitzer is actively trying stress and grief get him down. We must make the best of this moment this day for him, that means doing the things he enjoys, such as getting back to his research and writing a memoir about him and his late wife. Marlie hall reporting. Researchers say about 15 percent of people with mild Cognitive Impairment go on to developing alzheimers dementia. Still to come the fox 28 news at nine. Nine. The incredible e stororof one man who pulled his son away from isis. Why his mission in the war zone isnt over yet. Yet. And later, well recap the latest chapter of hilton magic when the fox 28 news at when you think of extreme weather in are the pictures that come to mind. Heavy snow, difficult travel and a lot of cleaning up. But thats not what its store for eastern iowa this weekend. Instead of heavy snow its heavy rain that could complicate your weekend plans. So what can you expect and when . When . Justin roberts joins us justin thanks. Turning now to the university of iowa. Iowa. Right now, graduate students on campus want the school to help them fight rent increases. The students say rent at aspire at west campus is too high and accuse Property Managers of exploiting them. They say the cost is pushing them out of the oncampus housing option. The complex was built by a private company on University Land a one bedroom is listed at 9 hundred59dollars a month. University president Bruce Harreld urged the company to rent prices. The company says the prices are necessary citing utility and real estate costs. Also from the university, president harreld wants to work on his communication skills. Hes hiring a crisis communication consultant to improve his presentation in front of the public and in front of the cameras. In a statement, president harreld says several people recommended to him that he get help from outside the university culture, including his communications team. The cost of the consultant will be paid out of pocket by president harreld himself, and not by the school. The university of iowa is teaming up with the city of dubuque in an effort to improve air quality. Quality. The university will use a grant from the Environmental Protection agency to help dubuque raise awareness about the causes and Health Effects of air pollution. Pollution. The money will also go towards monitoring and training for local groups to conduct testing. Testing. Those involved hope more information and awareness will lead residents to take steps to curb the amount of pollution dubuque sends into the skies. Clappingright now, the cedar rapids Police Department is welcoming a dozen new officers to the force. The 43rd class of the rapids Regional Police academy graduated today at Veterans Memorial coliseum after 17weeks of training. Now, grads say theyre ready to help their communities. It is very surreal. It is gratifing knowing we made it to this point, but now the real journey begins. We are going to try and fill in those foot steps of all those officers who came before us, and i am really excited to get out on the street. Iowa city, university heights, vinton and west liberty also added new officers with todays graduation thousands of young men and women from the us and europe have migrated to iraq and syria to join isis. Its not only a nightmare scenario for western governments fearing homegrown terror, but its also the worst kind of nightmare for any parent. Tonight, in this fox 28 news exclusive, senior polictical reporter scott thuman shows you how one man managed to save his son from a life of terror. The man, is Dimitri Bontinckhes a former belgian soldier whose son, despite a catholic upbringing, was radicalized and joined an Islamic Terror Group in syria that is, until dimitri went to get him back. What did they do to you . Him well, they suspected me to be a spy they took all my clothes off beating me they put a cap above my head, handcuff me and took me upstairs in the place where they. And beating me. Theyre beating you . Theyre torturing you . Theyre questioning you . Yes yes yes me and all the time, youre saying im just trying to find my son . Him im not a spy, im just a father who is looking for his son. There were no boundaries, in the mind of Dimitri Bontinck when it came to saving his son. While his first trek inside of syria turned up nothing, on the second he and jejoen were reunited. The teenager turned jihadi, had a change of heartand was ready to return home. And after intense negotiations, dimitri the day that you got him out of syria and across the border and in safety, what is the feeling . The very first moment when i know we are 100 percent safe. I hold him like a small baby like a child you know . We were both crying, we were both crying it was an emotional long pause moment. pause yeah. But that was hardly the end. Dimitri was about to engage in a new life, providing new hope for parents of other foreign fighters. And he would risk it all, to help bring others, back home. You risk your life everytime . Him i risk my life everytime and believe me isis know who i am and they know when they see me with other parents by the border they know for what i am therethey know im trying to take kids out. How successful is he . How many young men and women has he brought back from the battlefield and how does he do it . Tune in to hear more of my interview and his capitvating measure, with Sharyl Attkisson. full measure with Sharyl Attkisson airs at 9am sunday only on fox 28. Its cyhawk basketball at hilton coliseum. Part two. Coming up in sports. The iowa women try to win at iowa state. For the first time in a long time. We have the highlights. And in high school basketball. Its the battle for 42nd street between xavier and kennedy. Find out who swept. Next on fox 28. Heart disease. Asthma. Diabetes. 7 out of 10 americans take prescription drugs. But in the last 7 years drugs prices have doubled. Hillarys going to take on the Drug Companies. Require medicare to negotiate lower drug prices. Let people buy their prescription drugs from countries like canada at half the price. And cap monthly prescription costs the Drug Companies have been over charging long enough. Its time to fight back. Im Hillary Clinton the iowa women won a coliseum. Was 26 years ago. And in 1989. None of the current hawkeyes were born yet. And lisa bluder was coaching at saint ambrose. The hawks tried to change the course of history tonight in ames. But the clones dont scare easily in their own gym. Shawna johnson. Gets right to business. Straight to the cup for the tough bucket. Hawkeyes try to strike back in the first half. Ali disterhoft. Shes played in this game before. The steal and the score at the other end. And then later it was alexa kastanek. Shes been shooting the lights out all year long. Gets the three to fall. But the hawks cant get it done at hilton on this night either. Nicole baskowsky lets it fly from the corner. The threeball is good. This one went all the way down to the wire. But iowa state wins this seasons cyhawk matchup. 69 to 66. Behind big nights from Shawna Johnson and jada buckley. Iowa had a chance last night. A chance to stun the numberfour team in the in ames for the First Time Since the nit in 2003. But hilton magic struck again. The hawkeyes were in full control for most of the game. Jarrod uthoff was unguardable in the first half. When he poured in thirty points. And iowa built a 20point lead early in the second. But the cyclones are comeback kids. And monte morris capped the furious rally with a goahead floater with ten seconds left. Giving iowa state the win in this tale of two halves. You gotta give them credit. They moved the ball. They pushed it. I think they did a really good job capitalizing on mistakes. When we turned it over. They scored. If you take a bad shot. And you turn it over. They score. We all played with a lot more poise in the second half. I thought we got into stuff better in the second half. And then we got stops. That was huge. We just had to stay the course. I tell our guys all the time. Just stay the course. Stay the course. Stay the course. And were gonna be fine. When schools are separated by just a few miles. It makes for a natural rivalry. When basketball programs. The stakes are even higher. Its the battle of 42nd street. Kennedy and xavier. Well start with the boys. And the home team came out firing. Heres mitchell burger. And hes cookin. Not too much mustard on the layup. Kisses it off the glass. Then later in the first. Matt mims fakes the pass. He puts it up. Mims buries the three ball. Saints feelin good. But the cougars were feeling better. Derek girling gets the steal. Races to the other end for an easy two points. And then in the half court. Just call derrick diggins. Reggie miller. He tickles the twine. Kennedy goes into xaviers gym and gets a win. 62 to 46. Now over to kennedy for the girls game. And the cougars jumped out to a large lead. Olivia hellweg does it all on this play. Passes it up. And after the miss. Cleans up the mess. Kennedy up 18 at half. Xavier tried to get something going in the second half. Good d here by jenny dix. And she finishes at the other end. Bucket and the kennedy had this one well in hand. Good passing leads to sydney hayden spotting up for three. All cougars in this one. 4725 kennedy is the final. Coming up in sports. Uni football hopes to keep their season alive. But theyll have their hands full in fargo. Your panther since october. Uni footlls been redhot. Steamrolling their way to seven straight wins. If the panthers can rattle off three more. Theyll be fcs champions. Their way tomorrow. When they return to the fargodome for a rematch against north dakota state. Uni lost to the bison in a wild backand forth game earlier in the season. But dont call this a revenge game or a rivalry. Its just a chance for the panthers to keep the ride going. If i had to pick anyone else. I think i would pick north dakota state. I know the guys are ready to go back there. Its not gonna take much motivation going back to that place. Im not into who were playing. I just know that this is a process right now. And the road that we were put on. Now takes us on the road again. And we have to find a way to put a good plan together against this particular team. And find a way to win. The vikings have had plenty of heartbreakers in their history. And they can add another one to the list after last night. Minnesota was in field goal position with 13 seconds left. But decided to run one more play. Big mistake. Dwight freeney came off the edge for a sack lose. So mike zimmer why not just kick the field goal . I thought about it. I thought about a lot of things. Throwing the ball in the end zone, throwing you know. But we were trying to get the ball out of bounds to get a little closer to kick thefield goal and go to overtime. Overtime. The play call was designed to get out ofbounds. So we didnt have any time outs. Couldnt afford to get tackled in bounds. But had that clock going off in my head. Got ready to throw the bounds and the guy just hit me from behind. Maybe the tide of the cubs cardinals rivalry is changing. In october. The cubbies knocked saint louis out of the playoffs. And today. They signed away one of their best players. Multiple outlets are reporting that Jason Heyward has agreed to an eightyear, 184million dollar deal with the cubs. The outfielder hit just 13 homers last season. But his defense and speed made him a hot commodity. He led the cardinals in wins above replacement last season. In the ushl. The roughriders and the steel went to battle at the stable. This one just went final. The riders get their 7th win tomorrow night the team will retire long time red wing Justin Abdelkaders number. Thats a check of sports justin has a last check of your forecast when the fox 28 i dont know how you did it . What . Riding our bikes across the state . Getting my masters . No paying off your house early oh that was easy awhile back we talked with Veridian Credit Union and they got us into a 10 and done Loan Refinancing lowered our rate and Closing Costs were only 200 yeah, it was really easy and we saved enough money to take this trip to europe veridians been great, helping us with all of our finances now if they could only teach us french tonight, you can help a local Animal Shelter this holiday season. Iowa city animal care hounds tomorrow from 10 to 2. Theyll have cookies, hot chocolate and a chance for you to meet plenty of furry friends. Guests are even welcome to bring gifts to the animals because theyre in need of washable pet beds and toys. Even if youre not ready to adopt right now, its a great time to come and visit, just to see the new facility the new facility if you havent yet, help us celebrate the season and to help us try to promote what we do, which wed really love to have every one of these animals in a real life home for the holiday. Holiday. The shelter says they will also take monetary donations to help them buy 28 news at coming at you on this weeks edition of panther sports talk. Its 7 wins in a row for the football team. Today we recap