(Radio Iowa) – A new study suggests Iowa workers are underpaid by at least 900 million dollars a year. Common Good Iowa, the group issuing the report, calls that wage theft. Sean Finn, the report’s author, says an estimated 250-thousand Iowans are impacted. “That means that on average one in seven workers in Iowa are shorted $300 a week,” Finn says. Finn says some workers are not paid the overtime they’re owed or their employers fails to follow minimum wage laws. Other full-time workers are mis-classified as a independent contractor, which Finn says lets the employer avoid paying taxes and benefits.

“Theft in Iowa whether it’s larceny, robbery, burglary — all of those crimes, costs around $90 million a year according to the FBI,” Finn says. “We estimate wage theft being at least $900 million a year, so this problem is ten times greater than other theft and, at the same time, very little is being done to stop it.” Finn’s report is titled “A Heist in Plain Sight” and he argues businesses that are violating wage laws are hurting responsible employers who are following the rules.

“Businesses are using wage theft to cut costs and illegally cut corners,” Finn says. “They can artificially lower their costs and offer lower bids on projects or just run with lower operating costs, maybe keep their prices lower.”The Iowa Workforce Development agency is using part of a federal grant to investigate businesses that may be mis-classifying employees as independent contractors.

Last year the agency collected a quarter of a million dollars to settle 341 claims over unpaid or underpaid wages.

(Radio Iowa) – Low levels on the Mississippi River are leading to problems with commodity movements as barge traffic slows to a crawl. Flows from the Missouri River won’t be much help either, according to John Remus, chief of the U-S Army Corps of Engineers’ Missouri River Basin Water Management Office in Omaha. “The Missouri River mainstream reservoir system does not operate to support navigation on the Mississippi River,” Remus says. “We are not authorized to do that, so we do not make any release decisions from our system for the sole purpose of benefits on the Mississippi River, whether that’s navigation or flood control.”

Remus says the Corps has minimal options for flow control on the Mississippi River. “The Mississippi Valley Division districts have some capacity to provide some flow support, but not a lot,” Remus says, “and then the Ohio River system can supply some water for downstream of Cairo, Illinois, but in that stretch from St. Louis to Cairo, that’s really basically the Mississippi Valley Division.” Remus says the Missouri River does, at times, provide a good portion of the flow in the Mississippi above St Louis.

“It can vary anywhere from 10% to 80% depending on the time of year and how dry or how wet it is in the Mississippi River Basin,” Remus says. “It’s going to be a tough winter for them, just from a flow situation.” The 2022 calendar year runoff forecast for the upper basin is only 76% of average. The total system storage was 48.5 million acre feet, which is 7.6 million acre feet below the base of the flood control zone.

(Radio Iowa) – Tomorrow (Tuesday) marks 50 years since passage of the federal Clean Water Act, a landmark environmental law which created the first national standards for water quality. It stemmed from public outcry over widespread pollution from cities and industry. University of Iowa law professor Shannon Roesler says there have been legal battles over the scope of the law ever since. Earlier this month, the U-S Supreme Court heard arguments in a case challenging protections for wetlands.

“And that will affect permitting programs that regulate land development, by and large,” Roesler says, “so this is a major question.” Roesler says Iowa’s current water quality problems are tied to the original structure of the Clean Water Act. When it was passed in 1972, some cities and industrial plants were releasing raw sewage and untreated waste into lakes and rivers. Professor David Cwiertny, at the U-I’s Center for Health Effects of Environmental Contamination, says that kind of pollution is now largely under control. Instead, one of the main challenges for Iowa water is agricultural runoff, which was left out of the Clean Water Act.

“That’s the problem today is, it’s a law that has worked, but it was a law that was limited in scope to begin with,” Cwiertny says, “and as a result, most of our pollution struggles today are all things that are falling outside that scope.” Fertilizer runoff from farm fields is exempt under the law, and has become a major contributor to nutrient pollution in Iowa lakes and rivers. Cwiertny says legal battles over the reach of the Clean Water Act started as soon as it was passed.

(Grant Gerlock, Iowa Public Radio)

Officials with the Creston Police Department say no injuries were reported following a collision this morning, at the intersection of Highway 34 and S. Sumner Street. Authorities say a 2005 Chevy Impala driven by 82-year-old Elsie Shepherd, of Prescott, was making a left turn onto Highway 34, when her car was hit by a 2014 Ford Fusion driven by 56-year-old Steven Pettit, of Prescott. Both drivers claimed to have had the green light.

Damage from the collision amounted to $3,500. No citations were issued.

Officials with the Glenwood (Iowa) Police Department report three arrests. On Sunday, 25-year-old Kayla Yale, of Glenwood, was arrested for OWI/2nd offense ($2,000 cash or surety bond). And, there were two arrests last Friday, in Glenwood:

• 34-year-old Jessie Harman, of Glenwood, was arrested on a Mills County warrant for Probation Violation ($5,000 c/s bond)
• 30-year-old William Lewis, of Glenwood,was arrested for Driving Under Suspension ($300 c/s bond).

(Greenfield, Iowa) – The Adair County Sheriff’s Office released a very short report today (Monday). Sheriff’ Jeff Vandewater’s report showed one arrest took place last week: 38-year-old Luke Daniel Hommes, of Adair, was arrested in Adair Thursday night, on an Adair County warrant for Obstruction of Emergency Communications. Hommes was released from the Adair County Jail about 90-minutes later, on a $300 bond.

Atlantic, IA – SHIFT ATL, a 501(c)3 nonprofit, along with The Little Cobbler have announced the winners of their pumpkin painting contest that took place during the Fireman’s Parade Pre-Party on October 8th, 2022. There were five different age categories and participants were judged by a panel of four judges. The winners include:

• 6 & under – Lane Frederiksen
• 7 to 12 years old – Bryce Berg (pictured with his sister Jayden Franken who received 3rd place)
• 13 to 18 years old – Charli Goff
  19 to 59 years old – Ashley Kelly
  60+ – Nancy Fredrickson
  

  Ashley Kelly

  

  Bryce Berg

  

  Charli Goff

  

  Lane. Fredericksen

  

  Nancy Fredrickson

AMES, Iowa – Oct. 17, 2022 – There’s an unmistakable chill in the air as fall slowly creeps into winter. Keeping roads in their best shape to ensure you get where you want to go, no matter the season is the goal of employees with the Iowa Department of Transportation. As the weather changes, their focus is keeping the roads as clear as possible and giving you the information you need to make smarter, safer travel decisions.

What you can do to prepare for the months ahead:

Winterize your vehicle – To minimize the possibility of a breakdown, get your vehicle tuned up. Check your vehicle’s wipers, hoses, battery, alternator, belts, tires, brakes, exhaust system, lights, and fluid levels. Make sure your vehicle’s heater and defroster are in good working order and you travel with plenty of gas in your tank. A breakdown is frustrating on a good day but can be dangerous during wintry weather.

Place a winter survival kit in your vehicle – This kit should contain items to help sustain your life and the lives of your passengers should your vehicle become stranded during inclement weather. These items can include booster cables; a flashlight with fresh batteries; extra blankets and warm clothes; nonperishable, high-calorie food items; candles, matches, a can for melting snow for drinking water, and a snow shovel. Sufficient supplies should be in the kit for all persons traveling in the vehicle. Carrying a mobile phone and charger in your vehicle is also advised for use during an emergency.

DOT Snow plow cam on I-80 near Atlantic. (FILE PHOTO)

Use technology to help make better travel decisions – The winter road conditions layer is now visible on www.511ia.org. This layer, along with layers that show images directly from the windshields of our snowplows and stationary cameras along the roadside, can help you determine whether it is safe to travel now or if you should postpone your trip.

Kick your winter driving skills into gear – The first snowfall and slick roads are a quick reminder that it’s time to re-evaluate and adjust your driving behaviors.

1. Wear your seat belt. Every trip, every time.
2. Turn off the cruise control. Cruise control does not allow you to let off the accelerator if you hit a slick spot, making it more difficult to maintain control of your vehicle.
3. Adjust your speed for conditions. Speed limits are set for ideal driving conditions. Winter weather can create hazards that require slower speeds. Remember these simple slogans, “Ice and Snow … Take It Slow” and “Don’t Crowd the Plow.”
4. Take it easy. On slick pavements your driving maneuvers need to be gradual and smooth, so you do not skid or spin.  Change lanes or turn with graceful movements, begin braking sooner gently increasing pressure on the pedal, and give yourself more room around other cars to allow for everyone’s reduced ability to stop or maneuver.

How the Iowa DOT has prepared:

Our people and equipment – The department’s 101 maintenance garages employ 1,083 full-time equipment operators, mechanics, and supervisors, and are in the process of hiring up to 633 temporary employees this winter season, to keep the agency’s 902 trucks, 42 motor graders, 32 tow plows, and 10 heavy-duty, self-propelled snowblowers on the road during winter weather.

For those interested in temporary, part-time snowfighter positions, go to https://iowadot.gov/careers and click on the “seasonal/temp” tab.

The materials we use – The Iowa DOT has spent the warmer months stocking salt in our storage facilities for use during the winter. Buying during the spring and summer allows us to obtain better pricing because demand is low. On average, the Iowa DOT uses more than 144,00 tons of salt and nearly 33 million gallons of brine each year to help maintain safe travel on the primary highway system, consisting of interstate, U.S., and Iowa routes.

The Iowa DOT primarily uses salt brine, a simple solution of standard rock salt and water, to help with winter roadway maintenance. It can be used to pretreat roadways before a storm, thus preventing snow and ice from bonding to the pavement. Brine is also used to prewet salt before it leaves the truck, increasing its ability to melt snow and ice and helping keep it on the roadway surface.

You may wonder why Iowa DOT trucks sometimes spray brine on sunny days. Frost is a major safety factor this time of year. The Iowa DOT’s proactive approach of spraying brine on areas prone to frost prevents the formation of an icy layer, which typically occurs on cold, clear nights. Frost is hard to see on the road’s surface and most people don’t expect it. These unexpected encounters with a frost-covered bridge or roadway can be particularly treacherous when traveling at higher rates of speed, making it more difficult to maintain control of your vehicle.

For more information about winter preparedness and the Iowa DOT’s snow and ice control program, check the Iowa DOT’s winter safety website.

The Montgomery County (Iowa) Sheriff’s Department reports a man was arrested this (Monday) morning following an investigation into a property damage incident that happened at around 5:30-a.m., in Stanton. Authorities say 22-year-old Nicholas A. Foster, of Red Oak, was arrested at around 5:49-a.m., on a charge of Criminal Mischief in the 4th Degree (A Serious Misdemeanor).

Foster was found by Red Oak Police and detained for personnel from the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office, who were conducting the investigation. Foster was taken into custody without incident and was being held in the Montgomery County Jail on a $1,000 bond.

(DES MOINES, IA) – The Iowa Economic Development Authority (IEDA) has announced a $96 million investment in growing Iowa’s small businesses, including startups, manufacturers and businesses owned by veterans and individuals from diverse backgrounds. The funding is available through the U.S. Treasury Department’s State Small Business Credit Initiative (SSBCI), a small business aid program that was expanded through the federal American Rescue Plan Act.

The program, created during the 2021 legislative session to strengthen Iowa’s food supply chain and support rural development, was so successful legislators renewed it during the 2022 session. Grants of up to $100,000 will be awarded to eligible businesses, with a total of $1,000,000 available through the program in the current fiscal year.

“Small businesses and entrepreneurs dream big, drive Iowa’s economy and make our communities better places to live,” Gov. Kim Reynolds said. “Iowa had the fastest economic recovery through the pandemic in large part because of the creativity and resilience of our small businesses. This funding will build on the momentum by investing in our small businesses and entrepreneurs just as they have chosen to invest in Iowa.”

The Treasury Department approved Iowa’s amount based on a plan submitted by IEDA. Iowa’s SSBCI dollars will focus on encouraging venture capital and investment in scalable innovation companies through the following programs:

• Loan Participation Program for Manufacturing 4.0 Investments: $28 million to help Iowa manufacturers invest in the new technologies that are transforming the industry. The state will purchase part of the loan to help offset risk for lenders.
• Small Business Collateral Support Program: $15 million to help small businesses offset collateral shortfalls as they secure loans through commercial lenders. Eligible borrowers include small businesses that are 51% owned by women, individuals from diverse backgrounds, veterans, individuals with disabilities, and long-term rural residents; and small businesses that enhance arts and culture in Iowa.
• Venture Capital Innovation Fund Program: $22 million to increase funding opportunities across the state’s assistance programs for entrepreneurs. This fund also will provide more funding to address gaps in startup development phases as businesses work through concept, launch and expansion.
• Venture Capital Co-Investment Fund Program: $31 million to process and hold equity investments in private companies and ensure investments are qualified.

“Iowa’s small businesses have faced some of the biggest economic challenges of the last few years, but they also have some of the greatest success stories and we’ve seen a record-breaking surge in new businesses for two years in a row,” said Debi Durham, executive director of IEDA and the Iowa Finance Authority. “Our team looks forward to working with our small business and innovation partners to bring these new efforts to life.”

The SSBCI was established in 2010 to increase access to capital for traditionally underserved small businesses and entrepreneurs. It was reauthorized and expanded through the American Rescue Plan to build on that success as businesses emerge from the pandemic.

Planning for the SSBCI application process is underway. For more information, visit iowaeda.com/ssbci.