Gazette Daily News Briefing October 19

The USDA announces $1B debt relief for farmers

The federal government announced Tuesday a program that will provide $1.3 billion in debt relief for about 36,000 farmers who have fallen behind on loan payments or face foreclosure.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture announced the farm loan relief program funded from $3.1 billion set aside in the Inflation Reduction Act allocated toward assisting distressed borrowers of direct or guaranteed loans administered by USDA. The law was passed by Congress and signed in August by President Joe Biden.

A Coralville man charged in Taboo Nightclub’s deadly shooting wants to subpoena police records

During the investigation into the Taboo Nightclub & Lounge fatal shooting of Michael Valentine, 25, individuals told Cedar Rapids investigators that there had been previous shootings involving Dimione Jamal Walker, 29, and Valentine, according to a motion filed Tuesday in Linn County District Court.

The nightclub shooting early April 10 killed three people and injured 10, police said. Walker is charged with one of the murders and another man is charged with the other two.

The prosecution hasn’t yet responded to the motion.

Walker also filed a notice last week that he will claim the shooting was in self-defense or in defense of others.

Ashley Hinson released from Cedar Rapids hospital following treatment for kidney infection

Iowa U.S. Rep. Ashley Hinson of Marion was released from a Cedar Rapids hospital Tuesday after being admitted Sunday night for a kidney infection, days before early voting begins and a televised debate in the race for the 2nd Congressional District that was subsequently canceled.

In a statement, Hinson said she will continue resting at home, and looks forward to resuming campaigning soon.