Iowa's senior senator took part in what he says was a "top secret" briefing in a congressional chamber this morning to discuss the impact of the coronavirus. In a conference call with Iowa reporters, Senator Chuck Grassley didn't want to reveal many details of the briefing but did say he met with … [Read more...]
Thousands of Iowa FFA members celebrate the organization
Thousands of FFA members in Iowa are celebrating with special events to mark National FFA Week. Kurt Veldhuizen is the advisor for the 92-year-old organization which teaches students about the agriculture industry. He says they'll be selling t-shirts and fruit baskets and some members will be … [Read more...]
Mason City native returns to Iowa for role in ‘Anastasia’
An Iowa native is returning to her home state to star in the touring Broadway musical "Anastasia" this week, the production's first-ever stop in Iowa. Alison Ewing, who grew up in Mason City, says the family show being staged at the Des Moines Civic Center features gorgeous sets and costuming, as … [Read more...]
Deere quarterly report sees signs of improving agriculture economy
Iowa's largest manufacturing employer reports its first-quarter income rose, while net sales fell. Officials with Quad Cities-based John Deere says the U.S. farm sector is beginning to recover as farmer confidence improves with a relaxation of trade tensions and higher ag exports. Brent Norwood, … [Read more...]
Wildlife Service taking comments on plans to help rusty patched bumblebee
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is asking for public comment from Iowans and others on a plan to save the rusty patched bumble bee, the first species of bee to be listed as endangered. Agency spokeswoman Georgia Parham says the restoration plan has three main parts, the first of which is to … [Read more...]
New type of stink bug is invading Iowa from China
The coronavirus isn't the only thing from China that's invading America this winter. An insect expert says people across Iowa and the Midwest are reporting they're finding droves of half-inch-long stink bugs in their houses. Creighton University Biology Professor Ted Burk says it's a species of … [Read more...]
Now is the time to prune your trees
It may be the dead of winter, but a tree expert from Iowa State University says now could be the best time of the year for homeowners to prune their trees. Professor Jeff Iles , chair of the ISU Department of Horticulture, says February into March is perfect for trimming those wayward limbs. … [Read more...]
New federal income tax form is designed to help older Iowans
The Internal Revenue Service is offering a new income tax form specifically for senior citizens, which could become popular in Iowa, as we have a greater percentage of older residents than almost every other state. Norman Penix, a spokesman for the AARP Tax Aid Foundation, says the new 1040 SR … [Read more...]
Amazon confirms plan to build warehouse in Bondurant
Online retail giant Amazon is announcing plans to build its first product warehouse in Iowa. The company is referring to the estimated 16-million-dollar warehouse as a "fulfillment center" and it will be built in the Des Moines suburb of Bondurant. Amazon says when the center opens late this … [Read more...]
Iowa moves up in rank for emergency preparedness
A report that ranks the states on how prepared they are for emergencies now places Iowa in the highest tier of the best-prepared states, up from the middle tier in 2019. Rhea Farberman, the spokeswoman for Trust for America’s Health, says Iowa is doing very well in the ten main categories, … [Read more...]