The administrator of the Iowa Racing and Gaming Commission says revenues for the fiscal year that ended in June are down about 20% after the shutdowns forced by the coronavirus epidemic. Brian Ohorilko says the governor ordered casinos closed March 17th and weren't allowed to open until May 31st. … [Read more...]
Casinos fined by state regulators for violations
The Iowa Racing and Gaming Commission issued fines to five casinos for violations of regulations at their meeting Thursday. The Hard Rock Casino in Sioux City was fined $20,000 for allowing a minor onto the gambling floor -- where he gambled and also consumed alcohol. Hard Rock General Manager … [Read more...]
Prairie Meadows sees increased offtrack betting on horses during pandemic
The director of racing at the Prairie Meadows Casino in Altoona says they have seen a big increase in offtrack betting on their races during the pandemic. Darron Heldt says the offtrack betting really took off as soon as they got the horses running again. "You know if we bet three million through … [Read more...]
Dubuque woman given probation in scam of nursing home resident
The manager of an eastern Iowa senior apartment complex is sentenced to five years probation for defrauding an elderly and disabled nursing home resident. Fifty-nine-year-old Janice Kay Schultz of Dubuque admitted in a plea agreement to a charge of wire fraud, that she met the victim at the … [Read more...]
More than two dozen communities win grants to improve buildings
Twenty-six Iowa communities have won $100,000 grants from the Iowa Economic Development Authority to improve buildings. Jim Thompson oversees what's called the Catalyst program. "Catalyst grants are primarily for buildings that are underutilized that need a new life," Thompson explains. "Usually … [Read more...]
First state prisoner death related to COVID-19 reported
The Iowa Department of Corrections is reporting the first coronavirus-related death of a prison inmate. Inmate Ray Allen Van Lengen died at the University of Iowa Hospitals Monday from what a review by the Johnson County Medical Examiner says are complications "likely related to COVID-19" and … [Read more...]
Iowa Lottery expected to hit budget goals, but not records
Iowa Lottery spokesperson, Mary Neubauer says they won't set another record for sales in the fiscal year that just ended June 30th. Neubauer says they won't match the $390.1 million record once all the numbers are totaled -- but they will meet some key marks. "In 2020 with COVID-19 and … [Read more...]
Crops in some areas of the state showing signs of stress
The new varieties of corn have made the old standard "knee-high" by the Fourth of July a thing of the past as corn in some areas is already five to six feet high. Iowa State University Field Agronomist, Angie Rieck-Hinz says the differences in rainfall are really starting to show in her … [Read more...]
Fire Marshal advises you to make safety plans before shooting off fireworks
Some fireworks outlets reporting increased sales as the number of community Independence Day celebrations and fireworks shows has dropped dramatically with concerns about the coronavirus pandemic. State Fire Marshal Dan Wood says if you decide to buy your own fireworks to celebrate -- you need to … [Read more...]
State sees increase in excessive speed on roadways during pandemic
Several state agencies are getting together to try and put the brakes on some of the drivers in the state who have been taking advantage of reduced traffic on the roadways to push the speed limit. State Patrol spokesman Sergeant Alex Dinkla says, "The big norm seems to be now since the COVID hit … [Read more...]