With the 4th of July weekend just ahead, many Iowans will be declaring their independence from the pandemic by taking vacations for the first time in many months. Meredith Mitts, spokeswoman for AAA Iowa, says people are packing up for road trips and jaunts via airplane. Nationwide, more than … [Read more...]
Senate Ag Committee hearing planned on cattle markets
Demand for beef is high in grocery stores in Iowa and across the U.S. as beef prices are sharply rising, but while there's plenty of supply, many cattle producers are struggling financially. The lack of transparency in cattle markets is the subject of a hearing tomorrow before the U.S. Senate … [Read more...]
Tornadoes reported in Pella and other cities Sunday
At least one -- and as many as four -- tornadoes touched down in Iowa last night, though the damage is limited to a few farmsteads, and no one is reported hurt. Meteorologist Allan Curtis, at the National Weather Service in Johnston, says a survey team is headed out this morning to assess the … [Read more...]
National Skillet Throwing Competition returns to Macksburg
Not far from the birthplace of actor John Wayne, the tiny southwest Iowa community of Macksburg is hosting its annual National Skillet Throwing Competition this weekend. Organizer Becky Faust says they have a pile of steel skillets of various sizes from which contestants may choose their weapons. … [Read more...]
Southeast Iowa only area without drought conditions
The new map from the U.S. Drought Monitor shows worsening conditions across Iowa. Only five percent of the state is shown as having normal conditions, all in the southeast, while drought gained more ground practically everywhere else. Parts of eastern and far southwestern Iowa are in the … [Read more...]
Sumner police investigate report of abduction attempt
Police in the northeast Iowa town of Sumner are looking for a blue-green Chevy extended cab pickup after the possible attempted abduction of a 14-year-old girl outside the town's public library. Sumner police chief Chad Koch says tips have flooded in since the incident on Tuesday morning. "We … [Read more...]
ISU specialist gives tips for lawncare in the drought
A lush, green lawn is a source of pride for many Iowans and this prolonged drought is forcing many of us to quit worrying about having the best lawn on the block -- and let the grass go dormant. Adam Thoms, a horticulture professor at Iowa State University and a turfgrass extension specialist, … [Read more...]
Eastern Iowa boy safe after Amber Alert
An eastern Iowa boy who was the subject of an Amber Alert last night is now reported safe. Authorities issued the alert about 9 PM saying the boy was abducted from the Jackson County town of Baldwin in the afternoon. Within two hours of the alert being issued, it was cancelled. The boy, … [Read more...]
Senator Grassley wants focus on ‘border crisis’ not amensty
An immigration amnesty bill is subject of a hearing before the U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee today but Iowa Senator Chuck Grassley says the panel is "focused on the wrong thing." Grassley, the committee's ranking Republican, says they instead should be concentrating on finding solutions to the … [Read more...]
U-I students sign film option on writing assignment turned novel
A writing assignment for a University of Iowa honors class turned into a novel that caught the attention of movie producers and resulted in all 19 students signing a film option with two Hollywood studios. U-I Professor Harry Stecopoulos says he's delighted by the development and while he … [Read more...]