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Hot, humid temperatures are coming back to Iowa

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It’s been cooler-than-normal for summertime in Iowa but today and the next several days, the forecast is calling for hotter, steamier weather.

Meteorologist Andrew Ansorge , at the National Weather Service, says cities from Shenandoah to Lamoni to Des Moines may see highs of 95-degrees this afternoon.

“We’ll be flirting with mid-90s today in a few spots in Iowa but overall the next few days, we’re looking at high temperatures in the 80s to low 90s in general,” Ansorge says. “We’re also looking at dewpoints to increase into the 60s to near 70-degrees each day, so, it’ll feel a bit more humid than it has recently.”

These temperatures are relatively normal for early August, but it just seems hotter since we’ve had cooler weather for a while.

“We had a cool spell there, relatively speaking, in the latter part of July, which was much needed,” Ansorge says. “We’ve not seen much rainfall in the state so the cooler temperatures helped to ease the stress on crops. It’s still dry, but it could’ve been worse if it had been scorching hot the latter part of July.” Iowans who don’t use sprinklers or an irrigation system likely haven’t had to mow their lawns for a week or two and the grass is probably starting to get brown and crunchy. Relief may be coming soon.

“We’re looking at storm chances returning this weekend, northern Iowa moreso on Saturday and on Sunday into Sunday night, we’re looking at more statewide having a chance of rainfall,” Ansorge says. “Looks like the heaviest rainfall will probably not be where the drought conditions are over southern Iowa, but there still looks to be some rainfall down there.”

See more details on your forecast at weather.gov.

 

Creighton economic survey finds concern over tariffs

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Ernie Goss

A monthly economic survey of business leaders in Iowa and eight other Midwestern states predicts a slowdown is coming and Trump administration tariffs are to blame.

Creighton University economist Ernie Goss says the survey found nearly two-thirds of firms questioned reported recent tariffs and trade restrictions have had, or will have, a negative impact on their companies. “If President Trump keeps pushing on this trade, it’s going to push the economy into slower growth territory and inflation,” Goss says. “That’s going to push interest rates up.”

The survey found almost 47% of supply managers questioned said recent tariffs have had negative impacts on buying from abroad. While a U.S. Commerce Department report released Friday showed the country’s economic growth climbed above four-percent this spring for the first time in almost four years, Goss isn’t optimistic.

“Last week, the president talked a lot about the 4.1% growth, but I think we’ve reached the high water mark for the year,” Goss says. “It’s not going to come down much but we’re going to see slower growth. The second half is not going to be as strong as the second quarter we just saw, but it’s still going to be positive.” Jobs figures for the nine-state region in July fell from the June report. Goss says overall employment growth in the region in the past 12 months has been healthy but it’s expanding at a rate slower than the nation.

“Overall job growth in the region is about 1.2% year-over-year while the U.S. number is stronger than that at 1.6%,” Goss says. “I’m a little concerned about the job additions in the region, not as strong as we’d like to see. Manufacturing is doing better than the overall economy in the Mid-America region.” Goss says in the Midwest, trade tensions are “a clear and present danger” to the overall economy. The Creighton survey shows Iowa’s job numbers sank from June to July. Goss says U.S. Census data indicates Iowa exported $4.5 billion in agricultural and food products in 2017. This represented 34% of total 2017 state exports, or third highest in the nine-state region.

 

AAA Iowa warns about dangers of trying the ‘Shiggy Challenge’

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AAA is warning of the dangers of the “Shiggy Challenge.”

A viral video craze perhaps even more foolish than the “Tide Pod Challenge” is emerging which is making traffic safety experts cringe. It’s called the “Shiggy Challenge.”

People tape themselves hopping out of cars — while the vehicles are still moving — to dance beside the rolling car to a song by rapper Drake.

Nick Jarmusz, spokesman for AAA Iowa, was stunned to see the videos online. “This is one of those things where I can’t believe that we would have to tell people that this is dangerous,” Jarmusz says, “but at the same time, it’s also not completely surprising. We know that people regularly engage in all sorts of dangerous behavior behind the wheel.”

The videos feature both passengers and drivers jumping out the vehicle to dance, sometimes even splaying themselves across the hood, as the car careens down the road.

“You’re kind of torn between not wanting to give it more attention and put ideas in people’s heads if they haven’t already heard about this, but I think it is still important to stress just how dangerous this is,” Jarmusz says. “Anytime you’re talking about a moving vehicle, there is the potential for not just serious injury but death.”

One collection of Shiggy Challenge videos is entirely made up of people falling, getting caught on the open door are even slamming themselves into utility poles, as they’re more interested in mugging for the camera than paying attention to their surroundings.

“Certainly, if you’re the driver and you’re doing something like this, that’s unquestionably dangerous,” Jarmusz says. “Even if you’re the driver and you’re the one taking the video of your passenger getting out and doing this, that’s a dangerous distraction. You shouldn’t be using your phone for any purpose behind the wheel. You should be focused on the road and focused on the task of driving.” The craze is clearly leading to people injuring themselves but Jarmusz says it’s likely only a matter of time before someone is killed.

“When it comes to the passengers who are jumping out, you’re basically transitioning from being a passenger to a pedestrian and being a pedestrian is inherently dangerous,” Jarmusz says. “You’re putting yourself into a very risky situation by exiting the vehicle while it’s moving, especially right out into an active roadway.”

Police departments in some communities are posting warnings about the challenge, though there are no reports of any serious incidents in Iowa — yet.

 

Senator Grassley investigating alleged mistreatment of woman in Buffalo Center nursing home

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Senator Chuck Grassley. (file photo)

The death of an elderly nursing home resident from alleged abuse and neglect in northern Iowa is prompting U.S. Senator Chuck Grassley to investigate the case, which he calls “heartbreaking.”

Eighty-seven-year-old Virginia Olthoff died in February at the Timely Mission Nursing Home in Buffalo Center. Grassley says, “We want more information into what happened and what steps will be taken moving forward to stop it from happening to anyone else.”

A state inspection report says Olthoff was in severe pain for days before she died, and went several days without water, suffering from critical dehydration.  Grassley says the report is “very disturbing.” “Three things can make a difference between quality of life in a nursing home or a life that doesn’t have quality,” Grassley says. “One is not to have malnutrition. Number two is to not have a lack of water. The other one is, make sure you don’t have bedsores.”

The state had proposed fining the nursing home nearly $30,000 but did not do so in order for the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services or CMS, a federal agency, to investigate. As yet, no action has been taken by CMS against the home. Grassley is asking the center for answers.

“Nursing homes in Iowa and throughout our country need to be sure they do everything possible to prevent this sort of abuse,” Grassley says. “If they fail, they ought to face severe consequences.”

The CMS reportedly gave Timely Mission its highest five-star rating, despite the home being fined for multiple violations in 2017. At least eight residents at the Winnebago County facility claimed they were physically and verbally abused by staff.

 

Minnesota semi driver dies in I-35 accident

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The Iowa State Patrol says one person was killed when two trucks collided on Interstate 35 on Thursday, just north of the Iowa-Missouri border.

State troopers say the first truck was pulling a trailer carrying a directional arrow sign indicating drivers should merge into the left lane. A semi that was also traveling northbound on I-35 hit the truck from behind, spinning it 180 degrees, while sending the semi into the ditch, where it rolled.

The semi’s driver was killed. He’s identified as 62-year-old Charles Griebel of Savage, Minnesota. The other driver wasn’t hurt.

 

Opening the door for a woman, sexism or just being nice?

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Pelin Gul

An Iowa State University study finds if a man opens the door for a woman while on their first date or offers to pay for dinner, some women admire that behavior, while others find it insulting.

Pelin Gul, a social psychologist and postdoctoral researcher at ISU, is the study’s lead author. Gul says some women find men who make those gestures more attractive, even though their actions may also be seen as “benevolent sexism.”

“Women might perceive these men more likely to be patronizing and undermining,” Gul says, “however, because these behaviors imply willingness to protect, provide and commit, it is an important mate preference for women. That’s why they find these men more attractive.”

The results of the study may appear contradictory, Gul admits, and it sends a very mixed message to men about how they should behave.

“Men are kind of in confusion,” Gul says. “They want to appear polite. They want to appear benevolent to women, but at the same time they are worried that they are going to come at girls as sexist if they do those gestures.” Much of the research was done while Gul was studying at the University of Kent in England. She says the work confirmed women prefer men to be benevolent, but contradicting previous assumptions, they found women also recognized the potential harm.

“If men know that women desire these behaviors when they are searching for a mate, men acting out those gestures could increase their chances of finding a mate,” Gul says, “however, they should be aware they are likely to be perceived as undermining.” Gul is a native of Istanbul, Turkey, and has studied at several universities around the world. Being new to the United States and Iowa, Gul was asked what her perception is when people hold the door for her as she’s entering or exiting the buildings on the Ames campus.

“Honestly, I haven’t had much experience with doors held for me, not because people don’t hold the doors — they do — but I haven’t had much social interaction here, especially in summer, I don’t see many people around.” She says other studies have found that women tend to prefer men who make these gestures, and note that women aren’t aware of any negative consequences of men’s attempts at kindness.

 

Family of woman killed by driver in the country illegally to meet recipient of donated heart

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Sarah Root

It’s been two-and-a-half years since a young woman from Council Bluffs was killed in a car accident in Omaha, a crash caused by a man who was in the country illegally.

Twenty-one-year-old Sarah Root had been an organ donor since first getting her driver’s license at age 16. Now her mother, Michelle Root, says she’s in contact with the family of the person who received Sarah’s heart.

“The heart recipient’s wife had emailed me and stated that her husband’s birthday is coming up and they would love for us to meet,” Root says. The face-to-face meeting is to take place on Sunday, though the location is being kept secret.

“I get to hear my baby’s heartbeat again and that’s going to be very emotional but very rewarding in its own way as well,” Root says. Few details about the heart recipient are being released to maintain his privacy, but Root says all that really matters is he needed a heart and he got one.

“He’s full of energy and life now and he can keep up with his grandchildren,” Root says. “They just seem like a wonderful family.” Root says her daughter’s organs have saved several lives and knowing that Sarah helped so many helps to ease the pain of her death.

Sarah Root who was killed on January 31st of 2016, a matter of hours after she graduated with honors from Bellevue University. Omaha police say her SUV was hit by a drag-racing drunk driver who was in the country illegally. Nineteen-year-old Eswin Mejia, a native of the Honduras, was released on bail and disappeared. It’s presumed he left the country.

 

Better Business Bureau: your money could take off signing up for a ‘fun run’

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The Better Business Bureau is advising Iowans to be cautious when signing up for themed races or “fun runs” this summer.

Bureau spokesman Dan Hendrickson says most of the runs go off without a hitch, but in recent years, some have been rescheduled, postponed or even canceled.

“The problem with this is, many of these races — it’s right on the website when you sign up — there are no refunds or there’s a no-refund policy,” Hendrickson says. “So people really need to be aware that this is a thing and they need to do some research before signing up.” Hendrickson says don’t be fooled by a fancy website. Confirm with the local venue the event is on and pay by credit card.

He says, “You want to research them at bbb.org and then you also want to look at customer reviews and see if cancellations or postponed races have been an issue in the past.” Hendrickson also suggests you contact the city where the event is scheduled to make sure it has the required permits.

 

Altoona features print of Declaration of Independence during its 150th celebration

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A rare copy of one of the most important documents in American history will go on display in central Iowa this week.

The print of the Declaration of Independence will be shown in Altoona as part of the community’s 150th anniversary. Victoria Veatch, spokeswoman for the Altoona Area Historical Society, says the museum is borrowing the document from the State Historical Society of Iowa.

“They’ve had to go through and get a special casing just to bring it over for us,” Veatch says. “We do have to have a police presence for it. We had to go through and get a new security system and just make sure the museum is up-to-date and up to code on that kind of stuff.” This print was donated to the State Historical Society in 1947 by Altoona resident Mary Thornton Davenport. Her great-grandfather, Matthew Thornton, was a delegate to the Continental Congress from New Hampshire and he signed the original Declaration of Independence in 1776.

Veatch says the fact the document is coming back to Altoona for this limited showing is creating a real buzz. “We’re going to have a special night on Wednesday, for historical society members only,” Veatch says, “and then we’re going to have it on display Thursday from 5 to 8 p.m. for the general public and Friday from 10 to 5, Saturday 12 to 8 and Sunday 12 to 5.”

The declaration will be on display as part of an exhibit called, “Celebrate Community,” which showcases city celebrations and the documents that helped shape Altoona into what it is today.

“They are going to have copies of the declaration that people can buy and take home to hang on the wall,” Veatch says. “It will be a fun event for everybody and we hope people come out for that and also stay and see all of the fun things we have planned for our 150 year celebration.” The print measures about 24 by 30 inches and Veatch says it’s one of perhaps two dozen prints that survived the decades.

 

Senator Grassley says new Veterans Administration secretary supports whistleblowers

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After years of trying to fix critical problems in many of the nation’s Veterans Affairs hospitals, Iowa Senator Chuck Grassley says confirming Robert Wilkie on Monday as the new VA Secretary is a big plus.

Grassley, a Republican, says Wilkie has proven himself as being a supporter of whistleblowers and he doesn’t retaliate against those who speak out when there’s trouble. “Respect for whistleblowers, because we wouldn’t have known anything about everything that was happening that was so tragic down in Arizona four or five years ago if whistleblowers hadn’t of come forward.”

A report issued earlier this month found almost 700,000 veterans were waiting more than 30 days for appointments at VA facilities, while 76,000 veterans had waited more than six months. Only the Pentagon is larger than the VA, so in a bureaucracy of that size, Grassley says it can be a difficult process to identify and remove people who are part of the problem.

“When things are wrong, if heads don’t roll, nothing changes,” Grassley says. “It’s going to be easier under existing law for the VA to fire people, so when something’s wrong, you send a real strong signal if you fire people.” In a news release, Grassley says, “Wilkie has dedicated his life to defending and serving his nation as a member of the armed forces and a distinguished public servant.”

The Choice program that was set up in the VA in 2014 isn’t working the way it should, according to Grassley, and he trusts Wilkie to make the needed corrections. “Getting that straightened out so people can have access to private medical care when the VA can’t deliver it within 30 days for a non-emergency situation ought to be a top priority,” he says.

Wilkie becomes the fourth VA secretary in five years. The inspector general’s report found more than 23-hundred job openings in VA clinics nationwide. In recent years, some officials in VA hospitals were accused of falsifying wait times and at least 40 veterans died while waiting for care. A VA report released in June found the suicide rate among veterans in 2011 was 16 per day, while now, up to 20 veterans take their own lives each day.