United Group Insurance

Clark, AP First Team All-America Honors and Czinano Honorable Mention

Sports

March 15th, 2023 by admin

IOWA CITY, Iowa — University of Iowa junior guard Caitlin Clark was named a unanimous First Team All-American by the Associated Press for the second consecutive year on Wednesday. Monika Czinano was named honorable mention by the AP as well, she earned the same honors in 2022.

This season, Clark is the only player in the nation with more than 860 points, 235 rebounds, 265 assists, and 45 steals. She has registered +25 points, +5 rebounds, and +5 assists in 16 games this year and 38 times in her career which is the most in NCAA women’s basketball history.

Against teams that are top 26 in the NET Rankings, Clark picks it up a notch averaging 29.6 ppg, 8.4 apg, and 7.1 rpg. Iowa leads the nation in AP Top 10 victories with five.

Most recently, she became the first player in Big Ten Tournament Championship history to record a triple-double. Clark finished with 30 points, 10 rebounds, and 17 assists, the latter figure is also a title-game record and second-most in any BTT game. Clark was subsequently voted the tournament’s Jim and Kitty Delany Most Outstanding Player by the media, becoming the third two-time recipient of the award.

Clark is leading the nation’s best offense with 27.0 ppg, 7.5 rpg, and 8.3 apg. She also paces the country with four triple-doubles this season. Clark accounts for 52% of Iowa’s offensive output in points and assists.

Clark carries a 3.60 GPA while majoring in marketing. She currently leads Division I in several statistical categories including assists per game, three pointers made (108), and triple doubles (4). She has scored 30 or more points in 10 games, including a pair of 40-point games.

The West Des Moines, Iowa, native also was recognized as Big Ten Player of the Year for the second consecutive season as well as The Athletic National Player of the Year. She was also a unanimous All-Big Ten First Teamer.

Czinano has been named to the honorable mention list in back-to-back seasons. She is the 15th Hawkeye in school history to earn All-American honors. Czinano averaged 17.3 ppg, 6.5 rpg, and made 67.4% of her field goals this season. She has been top four nationally in field goal percentage the last four years.

In Big Ten play, Czinano averaged 17.3 ppg, 6.2 rpg, and made 70.4% from the field. She was named to the Big Ten All-Tournament and was a First Team All-Big Ten selection by the coaches and media.

The 2-Seeded Hawkeyes are set to host 15-Seed SE Louisiana on Friday at 3 p.m. (CT) inside Carver-Hawkeye Arena in the First Round of the NCAA Tournament. The game will broadcast coast-to-coast on ESPN.

Posted in Sports |

Podiatry bill spurs pun-filled debate

News

March 15th, 2023 by Ric Hanson

(Radio Iowa)- It was an unusual feat — nineteen puns and corny references during three minutes of debate in the Iowa House. Representative Austin Harris of Moulton kicked it off on a bill dealing with the licensing of podiatrists. “To ensure podiatrists start off on the right foot, this bill would allow for podiatry students to apply for a license after two of their three years of residency,” Harris said. “This would put podiatry on the same standing as other medical doctors.” Representative Austin Baeth, a doctor from Des Moines, rattled off a dozen more puns. “This bill will ‘heel’ our lack of podiatric access in this state,” Baeth said. “In time of ‘calloused’ hyperpartisanship, just a real a good ‘midfit’ of the road legislation and I urge your ‘arch’ support,” Baeth said, as other members in the House laughed.

Speaker Pat Grassley jokingly intervened. “If they keep behaving like that, I believe Representative Windschitl is going to have a place for his foot moving forward,” Grassley said, prompting more laughter. Undeterred, Harris continued. “Thank you to my colleagues for not ‘de-feeting’ my amendment,” Harris said, to more laughter and some groans. “This is a terrific bill that gives podiatrists a foot in the door to starting their careers…I encourage my colleagues to follow in my foot steps in supporting House File 635.”

The bill passed the House unanimously.

Posted in News |

Vote for Your Favorites in Iowa’s Pulled Pork Madness Bracket

Ag/Outdoor, News

March 15th, 2023 by Ric Hanson

(Clive, Iowa) – March Madness tips off this week with college basketball teams battling for the No. 1 spot in the nation. But you don’t have to live and breathe hoops to cheer on restaurants vying for Iowa’s best pulled pork sandwich. Every March, the Iowa Pork Producers Association searches for Iowa’s best pulled pork sandwich. Nominations were accepted from March through the 10th. Voting is now open until 10-a.m. March 17th, for the “Elite 8,” from the “Sweet 16” nominations. A vote for the “Final 4” will be held from 5-p.m. March 17th until 10-a.m. March 22nd. The event wraps up with the “Final 2, and a vote for the Champion on March 31st.

The winning restaurant receives $250, a plaque, and the honor of being this year’s Pulled Pork Madness CHAMPION!!!  Past winners cannot be nominated. Pulled pork must be from a restaurant that is typically open year-round with regular hours. Food trucks, concession stands, seasonal establishments, and catering businesses are not eligible. No email or social media nominations will be counted.

Posted in Ag/Outdoor, News |

Secretary Pate sets Iowa High School Voter Registration Day on March 22

News

March 15th, 2023 by Ric Hanson

DES MOINES – Iowa Secretary of State Paul Pate is calling for every Iowa high school to conduct a voter registration drive on Wednesday, March 22.

Iowa law allows 17-year-olds to register to vote and there are currently more than 3,400 already registered. They can also participate in primary elections as long as they turn 18 prior to or on the day of the general election. Iowa law requires high schools to conduct two voter registration drives every school year.

“Voting is both a fundamental right and an important way for individuals to engage in their communities,” said Iowa Department of Education Director Ann Lebo. “When young people are registered, they are more likely to turn out to vote. Participating in high school voter registration day is a great opportunity to promote civic engagement and motivate young people to take part in shaping the world that we live in.”

To check your voter registration status, register to vote or update your information, visit VoterReady.Iowa.gov.

Posted in News |

Red Oak woman arrested on Felony Forgery charges

News

March 15th, 2023 by Ric Hanson

(Red Oak, Iowa) – Police in Red Oak, Tuesday afternoon, arrested a woman on Forgery and Theft charges. 36-year-old Alana Marie Johnson, of Red Oak, was arrested on four Felony counts of Forgery (Class-D Felony), and an Aggravated Misdemeanor charge of Theft in the 3rd Degree. Johnson was being held on a $5,000 cash bond.

Posted in News |

Ice-out channel catfish are biting

Ag/Outdoor, Sports

March 15th, 2023 by Ric Hanson

(Iowa DNR) – Channel catfish move close to shore and are eager to bite in many lakes and the large reservoirs across Iowa just after the ice is gone. The bite starts sooner in southern Iowa impoundments since they lose ice a week or two before northwest Iowa natural lakes.

After eating light during the winter, channel catfish put the feed bag on in early spring cleaning up small fish that died over the winter. Search for actively feeding fish on windblown shorelines and points where dead fish are piled up and the shallow water warms quickly. Keep the wind in your face and move often until you find actively feeding fish.

Use cut bait or shad sides fished on the bottom. To keep the bait on the hook, try using a 1/0 to 3/0 bait holder hook and enough weight (3/8- to 1/2-ounce) to cast into the wind. Bring along disposable latex gloves to handle the bait and help keep the smell off your hands.

Ice-out catfishing can be good in any lake that has an abundant catfish population.  Iowa’s flood control reservoirs, Rathbun, Red Rock, Coralville and Saylorville usually offer the best action. Try catfishing in the natural lakes, like Storm Lake, North Twin, Tuttle, East Okoboji, Little Wall Lake, or Black Hawk Lake in northwest Iowa soon after the ice is gone. Small impoundments, like Don Williams, Big Creek, Volga Lake, Diamond Lake, Mormon Trail Lake, Greenfield City Reservoir, or Lake Icaria, also offer good early spring catfishing.

Catfish can be found in almost every body of water across Iowa. Check the weekly fishing report to find out where catfish are biting.

Posted in Ag/Outdoor, Sports |

Annual Prairie Chicken Day Set for April 1, in Kellerton

Ag/Outdoor, News

March 15th, 2023 by Ric Hanson

Kellerton, Iowa – The first rhythmic and haunting cooing begins as the night sky fades and sunrise begins. The short grass prairie booming grounds prepares for a display found nowhere else in Iowa. This is prairie chicken country and April 1 will be Prairie Chicken Day at the Kellerton Wildlife Management Area, in Ringgold County. Activities originate from the viewing platform on 300th Avenue, southwest of Kellerton. The bird’s annual ritual begins as early as mid-March and lasts through April. Male prairie chickens meet at the booming grounds every morning to display, spar and fight with other males trying to catch the eye of the females watching nearby.

“They will be out there until 8 in the morning or so, when they begin to slow down,” said Stephanie Shepherd, wildlife biologist with the Iowa Department of Natural Resources’ Wildlife Diversity Program. Prairie chickens will display each morning regardless of the weather. The area has an elevated viewing platform to help see all the action. “Some mornings you can hear them and some you can’t. They are out there every day, but are less active if it’s raining or really cloudy,” Shepherd said.  While there will be some spotting scopes available to use, attendees are encouraged to bring their own or a set of binoculars.

The prairie chicken population at Kellerton has benefited from a collaboration between the states of Iowa, Missouri and Nebraska, and the Nature Conservancy, Blank Park Zoo and the Ringgold County Conservation Board. The collaboration extended to area producers who help to manage 30 percent of the grasslands through grazing. Some of the partners captured and relocated prairie chickens from Nebraska to the Kellerton area and the Dunn Ranch in northern Missouri to increase bird numbers and introduce new genetics to the population. While others worked to reestablish the rolling grasslands in the area.

From mid-March through the end of May, male prairie chickens meet at the booming grounds every morning to display, spar and fight with other males trying to catch the eye of the females watching nearby. Photo courtesy of the Iowa DNR.

“There has been a lot of collaboration to improve the landscape across the state line to recreate 160,000 acres of rolling hills of grass with few trees,” Shepherd said. “This partnership benefits not only the prairie chicken, but other grassland species as well.” This year, in addition to prairie-chicken viewing, the Iowa Ornithologist’s Union will lead a birding field trip, starting at 8 a.m. All birding experience levels are welcome and the plan will be to bird around Kellerton, Ringgold and Mount Ayr wildlife areas. Target birds include northern bobwhite, red-shouldered hawk, loggerhead shrike and northern mockingbird.

Participants can meet field trip leaders at the prairie chicken viewing platform area at 8 a.m. and can direct any questions to Dennis Thompson at cndthomps@gmail.com.

Posted in Ag/Outdoor, News |

Results from 2023 state archery tournament

Sports

March 15th, 2023 by Ric Hanson

DES MOINES, Iowa – The 2023 Iowa Archery in the Schools Program season culminated with the state tournament March 4-5 at the Iowa State Fairgrounds, where nearly 1,800 archers competed for scholarships and awards in bullseye targets and 780 archers competed for scholarships and awards 3D targets.

Nationals Competition: Male and female archers that placed in the top 10 within their division as individuals, receive a guaranteed spot to participate in one of the national tournaments. Information on nationals qualification can be found at NASPschools.org.

3D All-State Team (Highest League Score Combined with State Tournament Score)

Girls All-State

  • Lauren Miller, Independence Schools
  • Eastyn Petersen – West Fork Schools
  • Remingtyn Petersen – West Fork Schools
  • Shayla McDaniel – Prairie Schools
  • Erin Helmich – Spencer Schools
  • Sydney Nelson – Prairie Schools

Boys All-State

  • Trenton Abel- Alburnett Schools
  • Timm Chandonia – South Tama County Schools
  • Carson Bright – Anamosa Schools
  • Oliver Hansen – Spencer Schools
  • Grant Petty – Atlantic Schools
  • Cade Elsenbast – Spencer Schools

Complete Tournament Results

Bullseye: NASP Tournaments

3D:  NASP Tournaments

The state tournament was sponsored by the Iowa Bowhunters Association, Ducks Unlimited, Whitetails Unlimited, Safari Club International, Pheasants Forever/Quail Forever and the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation.

Posted in Sports |

Davenport begins prep work for major spring flooding

News, Weather

March 15th, 2023 by Ric Hanson

(Radio Iowa) – The National Weather Service predicts a wet spring in eastern Iowa and a rising Mississippi River, so the city of Davenport is preparing for the possibility of major flooding. In the Quad Cities, flood walls and levees hold the river back from Bettendorf, Rock Island and East Moline, but not Davenport. The city’s choice to live with the river means flooding and that requires preparation. Nicole Gleason is Davenport’s public works director. “Really, if you look at it on a large scale, we’re really flooding a minimal amount of time in the big picture,” Gleason says, “so, kind of balancing that long-term interaction with the short-term needs of flooding.”

The weather service says there’s a 50-percent chance of major flooding, which for Davenport is 18 feet. Gleason says that would require closing River Drive, diverting many commuters driving between Muscatine and Bettendorf. Gleason says the flooding is part of the balancing act for a town that chooses to live with the river, rather than walling it off.  “Any time you’re setting up a temporary measure as opposed to a permanent measure, the goal is to maintain the river views,” she says, “to make sure that when we’re not flooding — which is the majority of the time — people can see the river, interact with the river, as opposed to putting up a permanent flood structure.”

City staff are practicing the deployment of flood barriers and pump stations and the city is urging residents to visit the city’s website to sign up for alerts and get more information. Gleason says as waters rise, the city uses a combination of HESCO flood barriers and pump stations to limit damage.

(by Zachary Oren Smith, Iowa Public Radio)

Posted in News, Weather |

Kris Murray named NABC, USBWA All-District

Sports

March 15th, 2023 by admin

IOWA CITY, Iowa – University of Iowa men’s basketball junior Kris Murray is one of five players voted to the National Association of Basketball Coaches (NABC) All-District 7 First Team and United States Basketball Writers Association’s (USBWA) All-District VI squad on Tuesday. The all-district honors are voted on by NCAA Division I coaches and USBWA’s national membership.

Murray, who is a semifinalist for the Wooden, Oscar Robertson and Lute Olson national player of the year awards and a finalist for the Karl Malone Award, was last week recognized as a third team All-American by Sporting News and a first-team All-Big Ten honoree.

Murray is averaging a team-best 20.4 points and 7.9 rebounds per outing. He is the only Division I player to average 20+ points, 7.5+ rebounds, one block, and have made 60+ 3-pointers this season.

The Cedar Rapids, Iowa, native has scored 30+ points four times this season, 25+ points nine times, and 20+ points 15 times.

Murray and the Hawkeyes (19-13) return to action on Thursday in the first round of the NCAA Tournament. The game will be televised nationally on TNT and broadcast on the Hawkeye Radio Network.

Posted in Sports |