Research done in part at Iowa State University finds if we sit less and move more, it could improve our physical and mental health, while the same goes for getting more sleep. ISU kinesiology professor Jacob Meyer, the lead author of the study, says with so many disruptions to our daily work and … [Read more...]
Pandemic expected to keep Memorial Day travel down despite lower gas prices
Gasoline prices in Iowa are averaging almost a dollar lower than last year, but it won't be enough to lure most of us to take a road trip for Memorial Day weekend. Due to the coronavirus pandemic, Rose White, at AAA-Iowa, says the motor club isn't releasing a holiday weekend travel forecast for … [Read more...]
More retailers plan to close stores in wake of pandemic losses
More retailers and big box stores are permanently closing due to economic conditions worsened by the pandemic, bringing untold job losses in Iowa. JCPenney filed for bankruptcy protection last week and now says it will close more than 240 stores nationwide, though it's unclear how many, if any, … [Read more...]
Free financial consultations available through ISU Extension
Iowans who are facing financial hardship during the coronavirus pandemic have another place they can turn for some sound, free advice. Barb Wollan, of Webster City, is one of 11 family financial planners who work for the Iowa State University Extension and Outreach. Wollan says, "We realize that … [Read more...]
Senator Grassley seeking information on fired inspectors general
Iowa Senator Chuck Grassley is renewing his call for the Trump Administration to provide a detailed, written explanation for President Trump’s firing of two inspectors general. Grassley, a Republican, says he's been talking with White House lawyers who say he'll get a response this week. "So, I … [Read more...]
Census workers to start looking for people who haven’t gotten info
U.S. Census Bureau workers are shifting to a new phase this week in the effort to count how many people call Iowa home. Gary Krob, coordinator of the State of Iowa Data Center -- the lead state agency managing the state’s census data, says so far, so good for the once-a-decade census. … [Read more...]
NAACP says attack on Des Moines man was racially motivated
Des Moines police are being asked to investigate a weekend attack as a hate crime. The NAACP claims the assault on 22-year-old DaQuan Jones was racially motivated. Jones, who is black, tells police he was beaten by three white men while walking early Saturday on Des Moines' south side. Jones was … [Read more...]
ISU entomologist doubts murder hornets will make it to Iowa
An expert on insects says there's no evidence so-called "murder hornets" are in Iowa and it's entirely possible they'll never buzz this far inland. Donald Lewis, an extension entomologist at Iowa State University, prefers to use the wasp's proper name, Vespa mandarinia, or the Asian giant hornet. … [Read more...]
Severe weather season has been uneventful so far this year
This is May 15th, marking the halfway point in Iowa’s severe weather season, and it's almost like Mother Nature has decided to follow social distancing recommendations. Meteorologist Jeff Johnson, at the National Weather Service in metro Des Moines, says the season has been very quiet so far with … [Read more...]
Online city meeting in Des Moines hacked with offensive messages
An online meeting involving Des Moines city leaders had to be called off last night after what's described as an "offensive and derogatory cyber attack." It was a joint video-teleconference of the Des Moines City Council and the Des Moines Civil and Human Rights Commission. A news release from … [Read more...]