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LATEST NEWS
State disaster declaration made following July storms, derecho
Counties in our area have officially been declared state disaster areas after the mid-July derecho that went across Illinois and Iowa, producing flooding rains and tornadoes. The Illinois Emergency Management Agency says Governor JB Pritzker has declared Henry and Fulton Counties — along with Cook, St. Clair, Washington, Winnebago, and Will Counties disaster areas with a proclamation issued Friday. A federal disaster declaration has been requested, but no word on when that might happen.
2024 Iowa State Fair Skillathon Contest Results Announced
AMES, Iowa – This year, 192 youth from 49 Iowa counties participated in Iowa State University Extension and Outreach skillathons for meat goats, sheep and swine at the Iowa State Fair. The swine and sheep skillathons took place on Aug. 11 and a goat skillathon was held on Aug. 14.
Biggest snowfalls recorded in Iowa history
Almost everyone who lives in areas prone to snow seems to have a legendary snowstorm story: the blizzard of '78, the Storm of the Century, any of the blizzards or bomb cyclones that have happened since then. And according to experts, historic snowstorms—the kind you measure all other snowy days against—are becoming more regular.
Iowa AEAs see 429 fewer staff as school year begins, Democratic lawmakers say
Iowa Democratic lawmakers released a report Thursday showing there has been a reduction of more than 400 staff at Iowa’s Area Education Agencies for this school year in the wake of a new law making changes to the system of agencies. AEAs are the entities that provide special education support and other services to Iowa’s […]
Kelly Osbourne says she loves living in Iowa with her boyfriend, Slipknot's Sid Wilson
Iowa is home to many of the greats. But did you know Kelly Osbourne lives here too? In a recent Instagram story, the singer, TV personality and daughter of rocker Ozzy Osbourne revealed that many people don't realize that she and her boyfriend, Slipknot's Sid Wilson, have a home right here in Iowa....
Speaker Grassley hosting Freedom in the Heartland event
Iowa House Speaker Pat Grassley will host an event called “Freedom in the Heartland” on Wednesday, September 4 at the Bremer County Fairgrounds in Waverly. Iowa GOP Chairman Jeff Kaufmann, Governor Kim Reynolds, Senator Chuck Grassley, and Congresswoman Ashley Hinson will be in attendance. The fundraising event will include food, speeches, and live music.
State conducts emergency evacuation of nursing home, but won’t say why
For the second time in two years, residents of the Aspire of Donnellson nursing home in Lee County have been relocated after an emergency evacuation at the facility. On Christmas Eve in 2022, the home’s 50 residents were evacuated with the assistance of the fire department and more than a dozen other agencies after a […]
Iowa Democrat running unopposed in GOP-held state legislative race
Iowa Democrats are sure to pick up at least one seat in the Iowa House this election cycle as there is no Republican candidate running in one GOP-held district. In Iowa’s 81st House District, Davenport School Board President Dan Gosa is the only Democratic candidate on the general election ballot. Democrats hold 36 of the […]
More than 80% of Iowa's eligible seniors don't receive SNAP food assistance
Data: National Council on Aging and Urban Institute; Map: Kavya Beheraj/AxiosMore than eight of 10 older Iowans who are eligible for food assistance aren't receiving it—the second-highest non-participation rate in the nation, a new report finds.Why it matters: The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) offers crucial support for eligible low-income Americans, especially with grocery prices rising nearly 21% since January 2021.By the numbers: The new report from the National Council on Aging (NCOA) and the Urban Institute reveals that 83% of eligible Iowans 65 and older are not participating in SNAP.This means nearly 91,000 older Iowans who may struggle to...
Veridian’s Racial Economic Equity Incubator receives national recognition
Veridian Credit Union was recently recognized for work leading a Racial Economic Equity (REE) Incubator with community partners in Waterloo. Veridian is one of nine credit unions across the U.S. leading REE Incubators designed to take a collaborative approach on efforts to close the racial wealth gap. A team of eight working on the incubator have focused on closing homeownership gaps and access to other consumer lending for African American households in Black Hawk County. Partners of the incubator include 24/7 BLAC, Iowa Heartland Habitat for Humanity, House of Hope, Try Pie and the city of Waterloo. Together, they created the Achieve Financial Empowerment Program to streamline and expand access to the customized programs offered by each partner, including greater access to mortgages and other consumer loans. Veridian was selected by Filene Research Institute to lead one of the REE incubators in 2023. In July, leaders of the nine REE incubators competed for Filene’s Catalyst Award at the Spark! Conference in Boston, Mass. Veridian was recognized in second place, winning $2,500 for the Waterloo-based REE Incubator.
Linn County casino: Vendors selected to complete market study on potential impacts
RIVERSIDE, Iowa — The Iowa Racing and Gaming Commission selected two vendors to complete market research studies on the economic impact a new casino in Cedar Rapids would bring to the state. The commission selected The Innovation Group and Marquette Advisorson Thursday in Riverside to start studying those estimated...
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