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By: Hollie Hojek hhojek@kcautv.com As you may imagine, working in and responding to a natural disaster like the one in Oklahoma, takes a hefty psychological toll. On Tuesday, Channel 9 spoke with anMore>> First Responders Often Suffer From "Flashbacks" after traumatic experiences.More>> By: Channel 9 Eyewitness Sports (AP) Iowa State says that Northern Illinois transfer Abdel Nader has signed with the Cyclones. Nader, a 6-foot-7 forward from Skokie, Ill., averaged 13.1 points andMore>> Iowa State says that Northern Illinois transfer Abdel Nader has signed with the Cyclones. Nader, a 6-foot-7 forward from Skokie, Ill., averaged 13.1 points and 5.6 rebounds a game for the Huskies as a sophomore last season.More>> By: Hollie Hojek hhojek@kcautv.com There's been a surprising number of gas drive offs from one particular gas station in Sioux City. Police tell Channel 9 they're getting close to 300 calls from theMore>> Close to 300 Calls at Kum and Go on 14th Street in Sioux City, Police Say Majority are Gas Drive OffsMore>> By: Channel 9 Eyewitness News: Utility customers of MidAmerican Energy Company will get a chance next month to make comment concerning the companies proposed electric rate hike. According to the IowaMore>> MidAmerican is proposing a total base rate increase of approximately $135.6 million to be phased-in over three years.
MidAmerican provides electric service to approximately 641,000 customers in Iowa. Eight customer comment meetings are scheduled from mid-June into early July 2013.More>> By Staci DaSilva sdasilva@kcautv.com It was supposed to be a fun weekend trip with friends to Oklahoma City to take part in a rodeo, but for Cindy Berner-Schlite of Merrill, IA, that trip has now turnedMore>> Cindy Berner-Schlite was planning a trip to Oklahoma City this weekend, and is now bringing a trailer full of donations.More>> By: Channel 9 Eyewitness News (AP) A bill designed to attract large wind-energy farms to Nebraska is headed to a final vote in the Legislature. Lawmakers gave second-round approval Tuesday to theMore>> Lawmakers gave second-round approval Tuesday to the bill, which would extend sales tax exemptions to wind-energy companies.More>> By: Channel 9 Eyewitness News (AP) Oklahoma City area hospitals say they've treated more than 200 patients, including dozens of children, since yesterday's devastating tornado. Dozens remain hospitalizedMore>> At least 24 people, including nine children, were killed by what scientists have concluded was an EF5 tornado. That's the top of the scale for wind speed, breadth and damage.More>> By: Channel 9 Eyewitness News news@kcautv.com The Madison County Sheriff's Office is warning residents about home improvement scams happening in Northeast Nebraska. Out of state individuals do so byMore>> Madison County Sheriff's office warns residents about home improvement scams in Northeast Nebraska. More>> By: Channel 9 Eyewitness News news@kcautv.com STORM LAKE, IOWA -- Buena Vista University is partnering with Larson Oil in Storm Lake to collect bottled water to be taken to the Oklahoma City tornadoMore>> By: Channel 9 Eyewitness News news@kcautv.com STORM LAKE, IOWA -- Buena Vista University is partnering with Larson Oil in Storm Lake to collect bottled water to be taken to the Oklahoma City tornadoMore>> By: Jessica Rae jrae@kcautv.com This may come as a surprise, but several Siouxland area schools do not have an underground shelter. Remsen Union Schools are one of several in the area that don't haveMore>> By: Jessica Rae jrae@kcautv.com This may come as a surprise, but several Siouxland area schools do not have an underground shelter. Remsen Union Schools are one of several in the area that don't haveMore>>
By: Tim Seaman
tseaman@kcautv.com
With some polls showing a narrowing gap between Republican Representative Steve King and Democratic challenger Christie Vilsack Thursday's debate was perhaps more important than it might have been just a few weeks ago.
Both candidates provided voters with solid selling points as well as spicy sound bites. It's a battle between a seasoned politician and a former educator looking for change.
Both King and Vilsack hit hard on issues at the top of Siouxland voter's minds including the status of the farm bill, or lack of one.
"I have one question for Congressman King. Where's the farm bill ?, said Christie Vilsack. "This is the most important issue to people in Iowa, and rural America."
Steve King responded by saying, "The last farm bill was extended 6 times before it was finally done. This one will come up and I'm sitting in a position where I expect to be on the conference committee and will have a voice there when we hammer the last bill out."
In farm states like Iowa the farm bill and immigration run side by side. It's an especially hot topic when discussing undocumented immigrants who have been productive community members for many years.
According to Mrs. Vilsack, "They need a path to citizenship. We need a comprehensive immigration bill in this country and Congressman King has had the opportunity to do that in his last 10 years in Congress and he hasn't done that. I'm willing to get into a room and find compromise, I'm the kind of person that can do that and I think I'm willing to make those tough decisions when I go to Washington."
"When Congress doesn't do it's job. That's Barack Obama's statement Congress doesn't do it's job. He defies the constitution and does what he sees fit. We cant have that, it's the rule of law," said Mr. King.
Health care concerns also weigh heavily with voters. Both candidates agree the Affordable Health Care Act needs changes. But that's as close as the candidates got on the issue.
Congressman King said, "It has to be 100 percent repealed before there's anything to replace that's job one. We need to bring our solutions forward one at a time debate them before the public out in the open. First you win the debate then you win the vote single issue at a time."
Mrs. Vilsack countered by saying, "Well, Congressman King talks about pulling the Affordable Care Act out by it's roots but he doesn't have any seeds to put back into the hole. I think people in Iowa understand that you need a plan and you have to be able to get into a room and have the temperament to work out these issues."
The candidates will meet again October 9th in Sioux City. Channel 9 KCAU-TV will air the debate live from the campus of Morningside College beginning at 7PM.
