The Hinterland Music Festival has been canceled for this year. The sixth annual festival was to be held in St. Charles south of Des Moines beginning July 31st. But organizers say too much uncertainty with the COVID-19 outbreak remained to produce a festival that would be up to their standards. … [Read more...]
State program provides funding for disposing of hogs that can’t go to packing plants
The Iowa Department of Agriculture has launched a program to help pork producers deal with hogs they can't take to market after coronavirus shutdowns at packing plants. Ag Secretary Mike Naig says it's something no producer wants to deal with. "Farmers are doing everything they can to avoid … [Read more...]
Small increase reported in new unemployment claims last week
New unemployment claims moved up slightly last week. First-time claims were 14,586 which is up around 25,000 from the previous week. It is the first time in three weeks those claims have gone up. Manufacturing saw the most new claims with 3,835. Self-employed and independent contractors filed … [Read more...]
Casinos preparing to open at the beginning of June
The 19 state-licensed casinos are allowed to reopen on June 1st and are starting to release their plans for getting the slot machines working again. The manager of the state's largest facility, Gary Palmer of Prairie Meadows in Altoona, says they will wait until June 15th to open. "You know it's … [Read more...]
Planting season heading toward finish for corn and beans
The end of the planting season is getter closer. The latest U.S.D.A. crop report shows 97% of the corn is in the ground -- which is three weeks ahead of last year and two weeks ahead of the five-year average. Eighty-two percent of the corn has already emerged -- up by 20% from the previous week. … [Read more...]
Iowa theater chain starting slowly after getting okay to open
Movie theaters were allowed to reopen this past weekend after being closed since March 17th by the coronavirus pandemic. Fridley Theaters spokesman Russ Van Orsdel joined the governor Tuesday to talk about his chain's opening. He says they limited the opening to the five-screen theater in Carrol … [Read more...]
DNR studying population decline in wild turkeys
Iowa hunters reported a record number of wild turkeys taken in the just-ended season at the same time the Iowa Department of Natural Resources is studying the population decline of the birds. DNR wildlife research biologist Jim Coffey says they're researching a disease known as LPDV. "LPDVstands … [Read more...]
DNR expects exceptionally busy traffic on lakes and rivers this weekend
Lakes and rivers are often full on Memorial Day, as many people get their boats out for the first time. Iowa DNR boating law administrator Susan Stocker says the desire to get out on the water is probably going to be higher than normal this year. "And I do believe, based on what's been happening … [Read more...]
Supreme Court rules on requirements for clearing a criminal record
The Iowa Supreme Court says the debts from all crimes should not be linked together when it comes to clearing someone's record. The ruling involves a case where a woman paid off the debt associated with the unauthorized use of a credit card, and the case was dismissed. The woman is identified as … [Read more...]
Panorama Park in Scott County estimated to be fastest growing city in the state
A new estimate from the U.S. Census Bureau shows an eastern Iowa town is the fastest growing. "The fastest-growing city was Panorama Park -- it's a smaller town -- the current population is 319, according to Gary Krob, coordinator of the State Data Center at the State Library of Iowa. "It is a … [Read more...]