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Study shows exercise in mice can help fight flu

October 29, 2009 By

A study by Iowa State University researchers shows a treadmill or running shoes might be something to add to your arsenal of weapons to fight the flu. Professor Marian Kohut studied the impact of the flu on mice who had been given regular exercise on a treadmill.

Kohut says moderate exercise performed for several months did end up reducing the amount of the virus in the lungs of the mice and those that exercised also had less of the “inflammatory factors” that caused inflammation in the lungs. Kohut, an associate professor of kinesiology, says the benefits of even a small amount of exercise were apparent in the mice.

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Filed Under: Health & Medicine Tagged With:

Congressman King defends Rush Limbaugh

October 29, 2009 By

Congressman Steve King defended radio talk show host Rush Limbaugh Wednesday during a congressional hearing in Washington, D.C.  King, a Republican from Kiron, Iowa, pressed National Football League commissioner Paul Goodell over the controversy surrounding Limbaugh’s now-abandoned bid to buy the St. Louis Rams.

“I would point out that you have a couple of owners that have performed lyrics in songs that are far more offensive — in fact, I don’t think anything that Rush Limbaugh said was offensive, but with Fergie and J-Lo — they have between the two of them — alleged that the CIA are terrorists and liars.  They’ve promoted the sexual abuse of women.  They’ve used the ‘N-word,’ verbal pornography, recreational drug use, etc.,” King said.  “And they are owners of the Dolphins.” 

After King spoke for about three minutes, Goodell responded.

“I’m not shining any kind of a light on Rush Limbaugh here.  I’m not an expert on all of his quotes…He was not even under active consideration as an NFL owner,” Goodell said.  “…I’ve stated this several times before that we had not started a process to review ownership groups. They had not even determined to sell the St. Louis Rams.” 

King interrupted Goodell at this point and their discussion turned to comments Limbaugh made a few years ago about Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Donovan McNabb.

“You were speaking directly of Rush Limbaugh.  You said the comments that Rush made specifically about Donovan I disagree with very strongly,” King said.  Goodell responded:  “I do, because I think that Donovan McNabb is an outstanding young man.  He’s an outstanding young quarterback. It has nothing to do with the color of his skin.” 

Earlier in the exchange, King read Limbaugh’s quotes about McNabb aloud.

“I would point out for the committee the statement that Rush Limbaugh made is this that it seems to be the one that survives the criticism and that is, ‘I think what we’ve had here is a little social concern in the NFL.  The media has been very desirous that a black quarterback do well.  They’re interested in black coaches and black quarterbacks doing well. McNabb got a lot of the credit for the performance of the team that he really didn’t deserve.’ Now, I’ve scoured this quote to try to find something that can be implied as racism on the part of Rush Limbaugh and I can’t find it,” King said.  “There is an implication of racism on the part of the media.”

Watch King’s five-minute discussion with Goodell during a House Judiciary Committee.

Filed Under: Politics & Government Tagged With: , ,

Program offers help paying rent

October 29, 2009 By

Iowans who are struggling to pay their rent could qualify help under a new program launched Wednesday. The effort, called Iowa Rental Help, is being financed by $11-million in federal funding. Ashley Jared is a spokesperson for the Iowa Finance Authority, the state agency administering the program.

“Basically, Iowa Rental Help can provide qualified Iowa renters with rent and utilities payments for a total of 18 months,” Jared said. “In addition to renters, the program can also help homeless individuals and families as well as current homeowners who need to get out of their homes and move into a rental.”

An individual or family can qualify for help if they earn less than half of their area’s median income. The assistance can include budget counseling, moving and storage cost assistance and help with security deposits. Jared believes the program could help ease overcrowding in homeless shelters.

“One of the goals of Iowa Rental Help is to get people out of homeless shelters and into permanent housing,” Jared said. Property managers and community service providers are also encouraged to get involved in the program. Jared says all the information they need is on the program’s website, www.IowaRentalHelp.com.

“They can download or order brochures to have available to their tenants. All payments from Iowa Rental Help are directly to the landlord, so it’s definitely a benefit for them to know about the service – as well as to their tenants to help them in a time of need,” Jared said. In addition to the website, Iowans can learn more about the program by calling (877) 386-9104 of texting ‘RENT’ to 30644.

Filed Under: Politics & Government

Iowa soldiers welcomed home from Iraq

October 28, 2009 By
Soldiers welcomed home in ceremony in Mason City.

Soldiers are welcomed home in ceremony at Mason City.

Thousands of Iowans attended homecoming ceremonies today for Iowa National Guard soldiers who spent the past year in Kuwait and Iraq. Around 300 soldiers with the 1133rd and 1168th

Transportation Companies were greeted by friends and family members at ceremonies in Audubon, Iowa City, Mason City, Perry and Marshalltown.

In Mason City, Iowa National Guard Adjutant General Timothy Orr addressed 130 members of the 1133rd. “Let me says first of all, thank you for your service and your dedication to not only our state, but to this nation,”Orr said, “you’ve made Iraq, and you’ve made Kuwait a better place.” Orr says the soldiers set the standard for the Army, and the standard for all services

This was the second tour of duty in Iraq for many of the troops. Both units were previously deployed to the region between 2003 and 2004. Soldier Peter Bieber of Nora Springs says it was a thrill to see so many people gathered on the North Iowa Fairgrounds.

“Incredible, incredible, we weren’t really sure what to expect with the weather and everything, but as soon as we got here and saw all the cars and people waving at us on the way in…it was a pretty incredible experience as always,” Bieber said.

The transportation companies traveled almost three-million miles over a 10-month period hauling equipment in and out of Iraq. Soldier Chad Holt of Northwood described the experience. “Hot, dusty, long drives…it wasn’t bad, but it’s good to be home,” Holt said.

Contributed by Bob Fisher, KRIB, Mason City

Filed Under: Military Tagged With:

Child’s death linked to whooping cough

October 28, 2009 By

Officials at the Iowa Department of Public Health have confirmed the death of a young child in southeast Iowa from pertussis or whooping cough. Department medical director, Patricia Quinlisk, says whooping cough is caused by bacteria and causes coughing spells so severe that it becomes difficult for children to eat, drink or breathe.

Quinlisk says it is fairly unusual, but “unfortunately we have had children die every couple of years from this disease.” She says it’s unfortunate because the disease is preventable by getting everyone vaccinated. Doctor Quinlisk says children under five are most susceptible to the disease.

Quinlisk says the vaccine is required for kids going to kindergarten, but she says the smallest kids are most vulnerable because they have smaller airways. She says kids need five doses of the vaccine, and because of that they have to be sure that all the people around the children are vaccinated. Quinlisk says the vaccine for adults is relatively new.

She says pertussis was added to the tetanus booster five or six years ago, so if you have had the tetanus booster, then you should also be immune to the disease and not spread it to young kids. Quinlisk says adults are the key to stopping the spread of the disease. Quinlisk says it’s particularly important for the parents of young children to get the tetanus booster is up to date, and other adults should too as adults can spread the disease with “fairly minor” interchange with a child.

Quinlisk says it can sometimes be confusing trying to keep up on all the shots a child needs, but your doctor should be able to give you a history. She also suggests you ask your doctor about your history too. She says when you go in to get your child vaccinated, ask the doctor about your vaccinations too.

Quinlisk says if you are a grandparent or someone who will watch a child, you should also check to see if you need to get your vaccinations updated. For more information about pertussis, visit the Iowa Department of Public Health’s website here.

Filed Under: Health & Medicine

Governor seeks union concessions, or layoffs loom in prisons, public safety

October 28, 2009 By
Governor Culver announces budget cut plans.

Governor Culver announces budget cut plans.

Governor Culver has delivered a sort of ultimatum to unionized workers in the Departments of Corrections and Public Safety:  agree to pay reductions or hundreds of employees in those departments will be laid off.

 ”We’re talking about keeping the roads safe.  We’re talking about keeping the general public safe with those correctional officers in our prisons,” Culver said during a news conference this afternoon.  “…I’m hopeful that we can find an alternative to laying off hundreds of those essential workers.”

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Filed Under: Business, Politics & Government Tagged With: , , ,

Jewell man pleads guilty in son’s death

October 28, 2009 By

A 30 year old Jewell man has pleaded guilty to murder in the death of his infant son. Michael Meeker Junior today entered a guilty plea to second-degree murder in Hamilton County District Court in connection with the death of 15-month-old Tanner Doran.

Officials said Doran was found dead at his home in Jewell on December 1st,2008. An autopsy showed that the cause of death was blunt force trauma to the head. Meeker is being held in the Hamilton County Jail awaiting sentencing with the date to be determined.

Contributed by Pat Powers, KQWC, Webster City

Filed Under: Crime & Courts
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