Blood supplies in Iowa are at a critical low and donors are being urged to schedule immediate appointments or just walk in to the nearest blood center to donate. Hurricane Dorian is beginning its trek up the East Coast and Danielle West, spokeswoman for LifeServe Blood Center, says blood … [Read more...]
Iowa Red Cross workers getting ready for hurricane relief
At least 16 volunteers from multiple Iowa Red Cross chapters are already fanned out in the southern U.S., waiting for Hurricane Dorian to make landfall. Spokeswoman Caslon Hatch says emergency response vehicles from Burlington, Des Moines, Sioux City and Waterloo left Iowa for points south during … [Read more...]
Senator Grassley says stricter gun background checks in the works
With another mass shooting over the weekend, Iowa Senator Chuck Grassley says fellow Republican leaders in Congress are committed to fast-tracking some sort of gun safety legislation. Grassley blames the media for focusing on rampages like the one Saturday where a gunman killed seven people and … [Read more...]
Study: Agricultural lifestyle may be contributing to allergic reactions
Researchers are finding up to 30% of Midwestern farmers are suffering from an allergic disease that's linked to their agricultural lifestyle -- and rural residents who don't farm may also be at risk. Jill Poole, a professor of allergy and immunology at the University of Nebraska Medical Center, … [Read more...]
Lakes expected to be busy with boats this weekend
The last holiday weekend of summer is just ahead and tens of thousands of Iowans will be spending at least a portion of it on the water. Susan Stocker, the boating law administrator and education coordinator for the Iowa Department of Natural Resources, says flooding has been widespread in parts … [Read more...]
Senator Grassley: proposed Japanese deal will help in other trade issues
Iowa Senator Chuck Grassley is applauding the tentative trade deal reached between the U.S. and Japan, calling it a very "welcome development." Grassley says, "It arrives at a time when farmers are hurting, in need of new market access opportunities and a chance to compete on a level playing … [Read more...]
Farmers’ Almanac calling for extra snowy, cold midwest winter
The new edition of the Farmers' Almanac predicts a freezing, frosty winter is ahead for Iowa and the rest of the Midwest. Sandi Duncan, the publication's managing editor, says they're calling for above normal snowfall and below normal temperatures. Duncan says, "We're calling this winter a … [Read more...]
State vaccination rate for teens goes up
Vaccination rates in Iowa rose between 2017 and '18, according to a new report from the Iowa Department of Public Health. Don Callaghan, bureau chief of the state's immunization program, says the vaccination rates for Iowa teens exceeded regional and national averages. "It's definitely exciting … [Read more...]
Plans for Great American Rail-Trail include Iowa
A bold plan is being proposed to create a nationwide biking and hiking trail from Washington D.C. to Washington state that would also cut a path through the heart of Iowa. Lisa Hein, senior director of conservation programs for the Iowa Natural Heritage Foundation, says the route across Iowa … [Read more...]
Actors wanted for Iowa movie about 6-on-6 basketball’s final season
Open casting calls for actors and extras are being held in Des Moines this weekend and in Iowa Falls next weekend for a film to be shot in Iowa about the state's final season of girls' six-on-six basketball. Annette Duffy is the line director for the Fearless Cinema production of "New Providence" … [Read more...]