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...]
Thunderstorms bring little rain as heat increases
There was some thunder and lightning -- but the rain totals weren't that exciting as storms moved through parts of Iowa today. Jeff Zogg surveyed the totals at the National Weather Service office in central Iowa, and says the heavier amounts were isolated -- with about one-quarter of an inch at … [Read more...]
Two moves in 2021 legislative session to bolster volunteer firefighters
A bill that became law this week increases the state tax credit for volunteer firefighters from $100 to $250. Another approved by the governor last week will, for the first time, let voters approve a property tax levy to support the operations of a local fire department. About 90% of the … [Read more...]
Sergeant Bluff man fined thousands of dollars for railroad tie fire
A judge has ordered a Sergeant Bluff man to pay an $80,000 civil penalty for burning thousands of railroad ties on his property. State regulators say they warned John Goldsmith Goldsmith not to burn some 30,000 railroad ties after he called a DNR employee in 2018, and said he intended to burn … [Read more...]
Free state COVID-19 testing sites to close
The state's free COVID-19 testing sites launched last April at the height of the pandemic will shut down next month. The Iowa Department of Public Health says the Test Iowa sites will start closing in the next five weeks -- with the end of all operations by July 16th. The department says demand … [Read more...]
Reynolds signs ‘Back the Blue’ bill into law
Republican Governor Kim Reynolds has signed legislation that establishes tougher penalties for rioting and protests that block pedestrian or vehicle traffic. The law also provides new legal protection to police, so they cannot be sued for most on-duty actions. "Like so many Iowans, I was raised … [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...]
Congressman tries again to get derecho loss coverage
Iowa farmers who are still working to recover from losses caused by the derecho last August would likely see benefits in a bill being introduced by Iowa Congressman Randy Feenstra. The Republican from Hull says the legislation would bring derecho relief through an existing federal program that … [Read more...]
Reynolds rejects bill related to mortgage paperwork
Governor Kim Reynolds has vetoed a mortgage-related bill that sailed through the Iowa legislature this year without a single vote against it. During debate in the Iowa House and Senate, the bill was described as leveling the playing field for mortgage brokers like Rocket Mortgage and Quicken … [Read more...]
DMACC online classes resume after ransomware attack
Des Moines Area Community College on-line classes will resume today after a two-week hiatus caused by a ransomware attack. DMACC canceled online classes on June 3 and wound up closing the entire campus on June 4 due to the security breach. In-person classes resumed June 9. Governor Kim Reynolds … [Read more...]