Joining us on this friday morning. Im lukas voss. The Sioux City Catholic Diocese is planning major changes for siouxland parishioners. Dozens of churches will no longer host sunday mass. Its in response to a decline in people heading to church on sundays. And fewer priests trying to take care of more churches. Abc9 news anchor Jenna Rehnstrom has more about the potential impact. Father lingle says, simply put, we have too many sunday masses in too many places that are too sparcly attended. Father brent lingle tells me leading up to thursdays announcement, hes been praying for peace for the diocese he serves. But, he knows changes are neccessary to navigate the decreasing number of prits and also declining numbers of people theyre serving. Father lingle, i look at my brother priests who are facing retirement age and i know they work hard and i know were spending more time in our cars than we are doing ministry, so im about the process because as we look forward, i think its going to revitalize priests. Vibrant future has Catholic Diocese to formulate a proposal theyre 2025. In the next nine years, the diocese expects to have 31 available priests. To 60 today. In an effort to serve the people and not burn out clergy, the diocese is proposing the consolidation of sioux citys 108 parishes to 67. In sioux city, no churches will close. Heres a look at the four propsed sioux heart, holy cross, which would include blessed sacrament and st. Michael, the cathedral, including st. Boniface and st. Joseph, and mater dei, which would include immaculate nativity. Using mater dei as an example, both would with the same priest clergy serving both but, in the rural areas of the diocese, things different, with 40 parishes being oratory status. Would d t longer be available for wedding and father lingle hopes that will give priests more time with the congregations they serve. And also keep churches full. Father lingle says, if you look at the millenial generation, theyre not interested in walking into a church with empty pews. If they walklk into a parish and you see life, you see vibrant literagies, you see parish programs, theyre more likely to connect themselves with that parish and be part of it. Still he knows this will be hard, especially for some communities built around the church. Father brent lingle,e, director of pastoral planning, says, i know its not going to be easy for everyone to accept everything in that proposal, but i think if we look at it as people of faith and understand that our main priority is our relationship with christ and the plan would take effect as early as you cacasee the maps of the rural churches that would be moved to oratory on our website. Matters dot com. Lukas part of the problem is the priest shortage. Only nine priests have been ordained in the Sioux City Diocese in the last decade. Very simply. More clergy are retiring than joining the profession. But. The young clergy in the diocese have high hopes for the future. Abc9 News Reporter bria bell has more i love being a priest. I love being a priest. Would not trade one e day of the priesthood for the whole world, says father behm. Father patrick behm is the exception to the rule. As we learned with todaysannouncement,. Fewer and fewer young men are joining the preisthood. First of all its a calling. The priest hood isnt a job. I didit wake up one y and say, well i want to become a priest, or a doctor, or a lawyer, says father behm. Faer behm is in his mid 30s which is relatively young for but its that youthfull connection as a preist and teacher that is helping this parrish stay stable. I like movies, i like sports, im a big baseball fan. It always amazes my students when i go lift weights with them that i have the same music on my phone that they have on theirs, says father behm. Late last year he was one of 56 catholics from the diocese to attend the world meeting of families. Guiding several students on a pilgrimage to see pope francis in philadelphia. But as the numbers of those attending mass decline, father behm says attempting to connnnt with all members of the church in important even though everyone is at different stages in their lives. Ive just taken it as my own mission and thats my call, first as a baptist christian, but then as a priest. My call is to share the gospel of jesus with everyone that i meet. So the message itself never changes, but the mode of how we share it does, says father behm. As the catholic landscape in siouxland continues to change, finding new ways to fifi the pews will remain important. But in says it all comes back to a relationshiop with god. Whatever god is calling you to do, answer that call. s a beautiful gift and i said, i wouldnt trade one day of this for the whole world, says father behm. Lukas since 2008 sioux citys mass attendance has lowered by about 30 perecent lukas and now to the latest on the controversial transgender bathroom bill. All eyes in south dakota are pointed at the governors desk. A bill waiting for Dennis Daugaards signaturwould make south dakota the first state to pass a law requiring students to use locker rooms and restrooms based on their sex at birth. Not the gender they identify with. Governor daugaard says hes making sure to take his time considering the controversial bill. I would say i try to take information where i can get it. Im certainly most interested in what south dakotans think. If someone outside of south dakota can give me solid information. Daugaard s ss he hell veto or sign the bill if the governor does neither. The bill will become law without his signature when we come back. Ill tell you how to protect yourself from this device. That mht cash in on your credit card. The crime beat is up next. Scsct well have. Fantastic friday, near record warmth, and windy snow chances. Next. Youre watching abc9 news this morning. With. Lukas voss. And meteorologist scott larson. This is abc9 news this morning. Scott dont drown. Temperatures, not bad this mning, above nonoal. Temps to get warm the next two days, near 50 today, low 60s tomorrow then a cold front comes for us sunday, oler temps, light rain, and breezy winds gusting to 25 mph. Warm again monday before another, stronger windier front comes through tuesdada lukas scott the sioux city says theyve recoverd a skimming device grove. Turn around dont drown. Temperatures, not to get warm the next two days, near 50 today, low 60s tomorrow then a cold front comes rain, and breezy winds gusting to 25 mph. Warm again monday before another, stronger windier front comes through tuesday. Grove. Turn around dont drown. Teeratures, not bad th morning, above normal. Temps get warm the next two dayay near 50 today, low 60s tomorrow then a cold front comes for us sunday, cooler temps, light rain, and breezy winds gusting to 25 mph. Warm again monday before another, stronger windier front comes through tutuday. Grove. Turn around dont drown. Temperatures, not bad this morning, above normal. Temps to get warm the next two days, near 50 today, low 60s tomorrow then a cold front comes for us sunday, cooler temps, light rain, and breezy winds gusting to 25 mph. Warm again another, stronger windier front comes through tuesday. Lukas grove. Turn around dont drown. Temperatures, not bad this morning, above normal. Temps to get warm the next two days, near 50 today, low 60s tomorrow then a cold front comes for us sunday, cooler temps, light rain, and breezy winds guguing to 25 mph. Warm again monday before another, stronger windier front comes through tuesday. Lukas scott lukas the Sioux City PoliceDepartment Says theyy recoverd a skimming device from a local gas pump. The cubbys gas street is where the skimmer s been removed but police are warning anyone whos used the pay at the pump feature recently at any gas station to montior credit card or Bank Statements for fraudulent activity. And if youre not quite sure what a skimmer looks like. Well theyre easy to confuse with a normal credit card swiping machine because theyre made to look like a normal point of s ses system. You should report any suspicious activity involving card readers whether at the pump or an atm. Lukas a 30yeaeaold transient man has been arrested for climbing up a fire escape to commit burglary and assault. Authorties say adonis bess climbed up the fire escape of a 5plex in the 14 hundred block of summit street in sioux city. Hes accused of breaking out a bedroom window screen of an apartment. Bess allegedly grabbed a few items and then told twowoeople in the room he would return them in exchnage for cash. When they refused bess hit the victim several times. Bess is currently charged with 2nd degree burglary, 4th degree theft, simple assault and possession of drug hes being held in the Woodbury County jail on a 50,000 bond. Lukas and now to the latest on the fazzino murder trial. L. It was an emotional day as family members took the standnd to give their side of the story of emily fazzino. The prosecution witnesses to the the first time emily fazzinos family her sister, brother in law testified emilys sister ammie dighton. Started the day testifying about the couples rough relationship. Dighton told prosecutioioemily doesnt believe that she had a drug issue. Jeff dighton emilys brother in law told prosecution he helped the kids the night of emilys death and the only thing alex fazzino said to him was quote i never touched her kissed her, where was alex fazzino when you went to emiyl, he was running downstairs. Continued with an hour and half long video of fazzino being interviewed by dci and police the night of emilys death. Here is what fazzino had to say. I went upstairs to see what happened and the world ended. Its really not my wife that did it. Its the addiction zou know. Its e addiction 17 the testimony ended early and the world ended. Its really not my wife that did it. Its the addiction you know. Its the addiction 17 the testimony ended early yesterday. So attorneys could debate whether or notot emilys father isis healthy enough to take the stand or be in the court room. He may not be fit to stand trial due to heart issues. However, more prosecutionwitne sses are set to testify today. Including multiple doctors. Stay tuned to abab news this morning as we continue to follow the trial. Lukas a Council Bluffs man who tried to to rob a sioux city 24yearold joseph is facing felony burglary and for following a woman who they knew was a bank manager, to her home and trying open the vault. Separate incident a bandaid was left behind which allowed authorities to connect the dna to the sioux city case. Lank right is being held on a 100,000 bond. Lukas a man has been apprehended after escaping from a work release facility. 26 year old Jacob Michael petty went missing was placed on escape status after failing to out patient program. Petty was Second Degree robbery and sentenced to 1 1 2008. Transfered to work release in october of 2015. Lukas Jason Daltons up to that deadly rampage in week. Attorney is news. Saying uber driver Jason Daltons wife and parents are e ocked and offered sympathy to the victims dalton, a married father of two, began driving for uber just two weeks before the shootings. Hes now in jailfacing six counts of murderand his motive remains a mystery jason by all accounts was a fairly gregarious character. A good father. Well known in the community. Well liked. There was nothing to indicate that Something Like this would occur. Daltons wife says she did sense a change in the days prior to the attack. The attorney denied reports that the family was having financial troubles at the time of daltons arrest and is stressing the family is desperate to learn why this happened. Lukas coming up. Facebook hasadded a number of new features you might be seeing on your news feed. Ill tell you all about the new options. After the break. Culligan man the problem is your water anncr a culligan wholehouse water conditioning system gets rid of sediment or impurities. So keeping everything spotlele is effortless. Mom hey. Dad the culligan man. Culligan man the problem is your water anncr a culligan wholehouse water conditioning system gets rid of sediment or impurities. So keeping everything spotless is effortless. Dad spots. Culligan man the problem is your water competition. Facebook announced they were expanding its users ability to react to something on their news feeds. Heres abcs david wright with more. Facebook has long acknowledged the limitations of ke . Nats Mark Zuckerberg 1 40 there are more sentiments that people want to express than just positivity or that they like something. So as of today, theres more ways to react take that new game of thrones parody currently making the rounds . Natsot the greatest builder is me. And i would build the greatest wall you ve ever seen . Winter is trumping it was orignally produced for the Australian Broadcasting corporation. Well, instead of thumbs up, you could now give it a love. Or a wow. Or haha. Or even sad or angry. Natsot i dont think they like me very much. A feature that advertisers like chevy are already looking to exploit natsot introducing the all new chevrolet malibu. Start loving so far love is the whats not to like about that . Dw a a ny lukas elisa lukas and elisa are chatting about facebooks new features. Lukas and elisa are chatting about facebooks new features. Lukas and elisa are chatting about facebooks new features. Lukas and elisa are chatting about facebooks new fefeures. Scott Flood Warning in effect for the little features. Lukas and elisa are chatting about facebooks new features. Lukas and elisa are chatting about facebooks new features. Lukas and elisa are chatting about facebooks new dont drown. Temperatures, not bad this morning, above normal. Temps to get warm the next two days, near 50 today, low 60s tomorrow then a cold front comes for us sunday, winds gusting to 25 mph. Warm again monday before another, stronger windier front t mes through tuesday. Scott heres a quick chekc outside on one of our iowa dont drown. Temperatures, not bad this morning, dot traffic cams here at. Many folks still waking up and starting their workday. Please drive safely everyone. Scott now youllllant to watch your speed in these areas today . Police will be running radars, here. Riverside blvd. And on w. 19th street. So again. Mind that speed. Lukas still to come. This years swimming with the sharks winner was announced last night. Stay tuned to find out which project walked away with that already has 8 Million Dollars in state support. The Iowa Economic Development authority is looking to re distribute funds awarded to a davenport project after the development was shut down. Now the ieda is giving other participants including sioux city a Second Chance to gain additional funding. Sioux citys economic director Marty Dougherty says dollar project downtown scene they kind of work nicely in a district, i wish the district was bigger, were trying to fit everything in there, its kinda tight, um its really an opportunity for the community to tap into state resources as we have in the like the Tyson Event Center or the orpheum, thahahave been of lasting value. A new application for the citys development will be presented to the state board for approval at lukas seven finalists made their best pitches last night for a chance to win a 4 thousand dollar grant. The contest called swimming with the sharks was part the week long entrepalooza. Seven local businesses were selected for the opportunity to go swimming and tell the judges about their business and why they would like the money. Finalists were given 5 minunus to present ananthen 5 minutes to answer questions the judges my have. The question and answers they had alot of good questions. Nd its hard cause are business is a little esoteric, alot of people dont know the inneneworkings of theheonstruction ininstry and these guys every single judge seemed to get it and be able to ask poignant questions. Says finalist geoffrey arnold. Lien wavers an app based startup was announced as the winner of the 25 hundred dollar grand prize and flickboards, a game we featured last week got second place. Lukas over 17 hundred women will gather at sioux citys Convention Center in early coming up on thursday. April 7th. Mercy Medical Center is hosting its 15th annual womens night out event. Its the largest nual event for women in the siouxland region, the fun begins at 4 and includes shopping and free health screenings. Theres a meal included, door prizes and entertainment. Tickets are now on sale and are 40 for the full evening. You can get tickets at the Tyson Box Office or by going online to visit sioux city dot org lukas coming up. Last night marked the final gop debate before super tuesday and donald trump took center stage again. Ill bring g u a recap. After the break. Scott fantastic friday, near record warmth, but more snow chances. Next. Flood warning ingrove. Turn around dont drown. Temperatures, not bad this morning, above normal. Temps next two days, near 50 today, low 60s tomorrow then a cold front comes for us sunday, cooler temps, light rain, and breezy winds gusting to 25 mph. Warm again monday before another, stronger windier front comes through tuesday. Grove. Turn around dont drown. Temperatures, not bad this morning, above normal. Temps to get warm the next two dayay near 50 today, low 60s tomorrow then a cold front comes temperatures, not above normal. Mps to get warm the next two days, near 50 today, low 60s cold front comes for us sunday, cooler temps, light rain, and breezy winds gusting to 25 mph. Warm again monday before windier front comes Flood Warning in sioux river at linn dont drown. Temperatures, not bad this morning, above normal. Temps to get warm the next two days, near tomorrow then a cold front comes for us sunday,cooler temps, light rain, and breezy winds gusting to 25 mph. Warm again monday before another, stronger windier front comes through tuesday. Flood warning in effect for the Little Sioux River at linn gre. Turn around dont drown. Temperatures, not bad this morning, above normal. Temps to getarm the next two days, near 50 today, low 60s tomorrow then a cold front comes for us sunday, cooler te