(Audubon, Iowa) – Officials in Audubon County, today (Thursday), said “Due to current water and drought conditions in our county, the four Fire Chiefs have made a decision to place Audubon County in a burn ban until further notice.” Authorities said also, “We appreciate your understanding and cooperation.” Details of the Burn Ban can be viewed in the documents below:

(Radio Iowa) – Inflation is keeping prices high on all sorts of goods, and a survey of business leaders in Iowa and eight other Midwestern states finds prices rose nearly six-percent in the past year, but may only rise three-percent in the year ahead. Creighton University economist Ernie Goss says the leading economic indicator for the region grew a modest amount during May compared to April on the zero-to-one-hundred scale, where 50 is growth neutral. “The overall rating remained above growth neutral for the fourth straight month, that’s the good news,” Goss says. “The bad news is, it’s still only slightly above growth neutral, down from 54.8 in April to 51.3 in May, so that’s still moving along, I’d call it very slow growth we’re looking at ahead.”

The overall index specifically for Iowa fell in May to 51.9, a drop from April’s 55.8. The survey found many employers in Iowa and the other states continue having trouble finding qualified workers to fill open positions, so they’re retaining workers, which Goss says is creating another sort of problem. “Lots of labor hoarding out there, and that’s causing productivity numbers to go down. In other words, we’re recording very low productivity readings for the region, and for the nation,” Goss says. “That’s because you’ve got these workers, the companies just fear letting those employees go. Thus, they retain them, even when there’s not sufficient work for them to do.”

Goss says the survey found only about one in six employers reported job gains during the past month, almost the same as during April. He says a couple of industries, in particular, are struggling.  “The outlook is still of slow growth, but there’s some sectors it’s going to be negative growth and that’s commercial real estate, that’s office space, and particularly in downtown areas of the region,” Goss says. “You’re going to see open spaces there, and un-rented office space.”

The banking and finance industry is also “having a tough go of it,” Goss says, with short-term interest rates very high compared to long-term rates. According to data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, manufacturing employment in Iowa expanded by 1.9% over the past 12 months, while manufacturing hourly wages climbed by 6.9% over the same period.

(Des Moines, IA) – Governor Kim Reynolds has proclaimed June 2023 as Iowa Craft Beer Month. The proclamation celebrates the impact and importance the craft brewing community is having in Iowa. The celebratory month kicks off June 3rd with the Iowa Craft Brew Festival. In the proclamation Gov. Reynolds states, “Iowa Craft Beer month is an opportunity to celebrate the State’s growing brewery businesses and craftsmanship and raise the profile of this outstanding Iowa product.”

The gubernatorial proclamation notes the industry’s impact on the state including manufacturing growth, tourism, and community revitalization. Iowa has over 115 breweries in 76 different communities who generate over $1.0 billion of economic impact annually.  Iowa breweries have received national recognition including medals at the Great American Beer Festival® and the World Beer Cup®.

“The Iowa craft brewing industry touches every corner of the state,” said Noreen Otto, executive director of the Iowa Brewers Guild. “Iowans should be proud to raise a glass of Iowa beer and celebrate all month long.”

For details on the June 3rd Iowa Craft Brew Festival, visit iowacraftbrewfestival.com. The Iowa Brewers Guild exists to unify craft brewing professionals, promote Iowa beer, and advocate for the industry’s growth.  For additional information on the Iowa Brewers Guild, visit iowabeer.org.

(Council Bluffs, Iowa) – June is Alzheimer’s and Brain Awareness Month, and officials with the Iowa Alzheimer’s Association Iowa Chapter in Council Bluffs, say it’s a good time to honor and spread awareness for the more than 6.7 million Americans living with Alzheimer’s, including 300,000 in Iowa and Illinois. As the size of the U.S. population age 65 and older continues to grow, so too will the number and proportion of Americans with Alzheimer’s or other dementias. By 2050, the number of seniors aged 65 and older with Alzheimer’s is projected to double to nearly 13 million. The City of Council Bluffs is showing their support by lighting the Bob Kerrey pedestrian bridge on June 23 and Pearl Street Park all of June.

Although there are no current medications to cure Alzheimer’s, there are two recently approved treatments by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) that can slow down the progression of the disease when taken in the early stages of Alzheimer’s. There are also several more promising treatments on the horizon, and after many decades without any treatment options, there is hope on the horizon in the era of new treatments.

During Alzheimer’s & Brain Awareness Month in June, the Alzheimer’s Association is encouraging individuals who are experiencing cognitive issues to schedule an appointment with their doctor. An early diagnosis of Alzheimer’s provides a range of benefits for the individuals, including access to new treatments. While new treatments are a critical benefit to an early diagnosis, there are other important benefits for individuals and their families including:

●      Medical benefits:

○      An opportunity to participate in clinical trials.

○      A chance to prioritize your health with lifestyle changes, like controlling blood pressure, stopping smoking, exercising, and staying mentally and socially active, may help preserve cognitive function longer and can improve your overall quality of life.

●      Emotional and social benefits:

○      Receiving an early Alzheimer’s diagnosis may help lessen anxieties about why you are experiencing symptoms.

○      You and your family also have the opportunity to maximize your time together and access resources and support programs.

●      More time to plan for the future:

○      Planning ahead allows you to express your wishes about legal, financial and end-of-life decisions. You and your family will be able to review and update legal documents, discuss finances and property, and identify your care preferences.

○      You can also address potential safety issues, such as driving or wandering, ahead of time.

●      Cost savings:

○      Early diagnosis saves costs of medical and long-term care for both families and the U.S. government.

The Alzheimer’s Association Iowa Chapter has local care and support resources to help Council Bluffs and Omaha area families facing the disease. Find out about local education programs, support groups, events and volunteer opportunities at alz.org/Iowa or call the Alzheimer’s Association 24/7 Helpline at 800.272.3900.