A new report from the Iowa Association of Realtors shows the state's real estate market wrapped up 2019 with sales up, and prices up, compared to the year before. Association president Scott Wendl, a realtor in Clive, says more than 42,200 homes were sold statewide last year. That's up about 500 … [Read more...]
Survey finds low pay continues to be an issue for direct care workers
A new study of direct care workers in Iowa shows a continued problem with finding enough people to fill the jobs. The Executive Director of Iowa CareGivers, Di Findley says low wages are one factor. "The good news is -- yeah their wages have gone up a little bit -- but the median wage is still … [Read more...]
Large volunteer food packing effort underway on UNI campus
More than 1,500 volunteers are part of a project today in the UNI-Dome on the University of Northern Iowa campus to assemble food packages for needy children. Northeast Iowa Food Bank Executive Director Barb Prather says the goal is to pack 48,000 bags of food, a goal that will take a large … [Read more...]
Local committee stresses the importance of 2020 Census
The 2020 count by the U.S. Census hasn't started yet and Iowans are already being reminded how important it is on multiple levels to take part. Dozens of Iowa communities have launched what are called Complete Count Committees. Alex Hassel leads the panel in Des Moines and notes the population … [Read more...]
Free Iowa Concern Hotline available to help deal with stress of life
As the holiday bills are coming in and stress levels begin to rise, January and February are typically the busiest months of the year for counselors at the Iowa Concern Hotline. Tammy Jacobs, the hotlines coordinator with Iowa State University Extension and Outreach, says the free service is … [Read more...]
Food Bank of Iowa distributed a record amount in 2019
The Food Bank of Iowa reports it acquired and delivered more than 17 million pounds of food in 2019. Spokesman Dylan Lampe says the total gives them a mixed feeling. "It was a 30 percent increase from the highest total we had had previously. We were pretty excited to report those numbers -- but … [Read more...]
Iowan among new class of astronauts looking to the Moon and Mars
After two years of training, an Iowan will graduate today with NASA's first class of astronauts in the Artemis program, which aims to send humans back to the Moon and on to Mars. Forty-one-year-old Air Force Colonel Raja Chari grew up in Cedar Falls. In a 2017 interview with Radio Iowa, Chari … [Read more...]
Clinton County sees success in recruiting veterans through Home Base Iowa
At least 30 military veterans have moved to eastern Iowa's Clinton County in recent years, thanks in large part to incentives being offered through Home Base Iowa. The Clinton County board of supervisors recently approved $1,500 in closing costs so a retired veteran from southern California could … [Read more...]
Cremation continues to gain ground on burial as end of life choice (audio)
Researchers at Iowa State University say there's a national shift in how we want our bodies treated when we die -- and how our loved ones mark our passing. More of us are choosing cremation over burial, and celebration of life services over funerals. Professor Lee Cagley, chair of ISU's interior … [Read more...]
Busy holiday travel time expected with low gas prices
Forecasters say Iowa's weather will warm up and stay dry headed into the year-end holidays, making for easier travel by road and air. Rose White, at AAA-Iowa, says between this Saturday and New Year's Day, a record of 115-million people will take to the highways and skies, the eighth straight … [Read more...]