(Radio Iowa) – Sioux City police say seven men were charged in a recent prostitution sting. Sergeant Tom Gill says the Special Police Investigations Unit conducted the sting at a local hotel on two recent nights. Gill says prostitution has changed through the years and it is usually initiated online. “For most of the prostitution we’re seeing now along with the human trafficking and labor trafficking, exploitation of minors, that’s all done through social media and online,” he says. He says it is rare to see the crime start out in public. “I think you’ll still see sometimes some of the what they call the streetwalkers, prostitutes that are out on the street, but most of them are doing it more through social media and online, Gill says.

Gill says those who are charged are processed through the system. “The person is arrested or cited, They then have to appear in court where they’re looking at fine and short jail time,” Gill says.

The seven who were arrested ranged from a 17-year-old from South Sioux City, to a 59-year-old from Maquoketa. Two of the men were from Sioux City, one from Dakota Dunes, one from Orange City, and one from Dakota City, Nebraska.

(Des Moines, Iowa; via the Iowa Capital Dispatch) – Drought conditions in the state continue to retreat amid abundant rainfall, according to the U.S. Drought Monitor. A Thursday report shows the biggest moisture gains in western and southern Iowa. Less than half of the state now has drought for the first time since June 2023. That’s down from about 96% of the state in October.

Last week’s statewide precipitation averaged 1.32 inches, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture. That’s about 45% more than is normally expected. The highest reported rainfall was 4.72 inches in Little Sioux in far western Iowa, whereas the least was one-tenth of an inch near Guttenberg in far northeast Iowa.

A wide area of severe drought remains in eastern Iowa, although it has been shrinking. Much of that area had previously suffered from extreme drought — the second-to-worst classification issued by the Drought Monitor — but its presence has greatly diminished. About 2% of the state has extreme drought, down from 35% at the start of the year.

Drought conditions might lift from about a quarter of the state in the coming months, according to a recent report by the U.S. Climate Prediction Center. Drought is expected to remain, but improve, in the worst-affected areas. A USDA report on Monday said about 78% of cropland has adequate or surplus soil moisture, which is slightly better than a year ago.

Crop planting has been several days ahead of the five-year average. As of Sunday, about 39% of corn and 25% of soybeans had been planted.

(Ames, Iowa/via Iowa Capital Dispatch) – Dairy cattle infected by avian influenza in recent months have surprisingly large amounts of the virus in their milk but little in other bodily fluids, according to tests by the Iowa State University Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory. That makes it easy to confirm whether a lactating cow is infected but makes testing more difficult for other cattle as federal agriculture officials attempt to learn the extent of bovine infections across the nation.

In nasal secretions, blood, feces and urine, “we can find an occasional positive, but those positives are at levels that are almost undetectable,” said Dr. Drew Magstadt, a cattle disease researcher at the Ames lab. His comments were part of an online ISU Extension and Outreach discussion about the virus on Wednesday.

Magstadt discovered about six weeks ago that highly pathogenic avian influenza was the source of a mystery illness among dairy cattle in Texas. It had never been known to infect cattle in the United States before. Since then, the virus has been detected in herds in eight other states, most recently in Colorado. That spread has been caused by the movement of dairy cows from infected herds to previously unaffected herds.

Genetic testing revealed that wild birds initially infected cattle with the virus, but the USDA has found evidence that it has since spread from cow to cow and from cattle to poultry. At least one infected dairy cow had no symptoms of illness. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration announced last week that fragments of the virus have been detected in the nation’s commercial milk supply even though milk from sick cows is barred from distribution. On Wednesday, it said testing has confirmed that pasteurization — a process of heating milk to kill pathogens — inactivates the virus.

Tests of milk, cottage cheese and sour cream “did not detect any live, infectious virus,” the FDA said. FDA strongly warned against drinking raw milk. Some states, including Iowa, have sought in recent years to expand the unpasteurized milk’s availability for purchase. Also on Wednesday, the USDA said tests of ground beef in states where the virus has been detected showed no evidence of the virus. Dairy cattle are often slaughtered for their meat when their milk production drops.

The ISU Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory tests samples from animals for viruses such as avian influenza. (Photo courtesy of Iowa State University Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory)

Starting this week, the department requires most lactating dairy cattle to test negative for the virus before they can be transported to different states. Iowa will require labs to report all confirmations of the virus regardless of the animal species, said Dr. Jeff Kaisand, the state veterinarian and a bureau chief for the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship. For now, IDALS will not quarantine dairy farms if their cattle are infected, Kaisand said. Most states have taken a similar approach.

Dr. Yuko Sato, an ISU professor who has researched the virus in poultry, said dairy farmers should take more precautions than what might be required by government officials. She said a bird flu outbreak in 2015 was largely driven by farm-to-farm spread that was the result of insufficient biosecurity measures. About 33 million poultry were culled in Iowa that year. “We waited for the federal government to give us guidance, so we kind of sat on our hands a little bit,” she said. “I encourage the dairy industry to take a proactive stance and try to look at creative solutions, because we’re learning as we speak.”

Highly pathogenic avian influenza is often lethal to poultry — especially chickens — but infected cows usually recover in 10 to 14 days.

(Radio Iowa) – Governor Kim Reynolds says unlawful activity will not be tolerated during the three days of pro-Palestinian demonstrations planned on the University of Iowa campus. The group sponsoring the gatherings does not plan an encampment, but is calling for people to gather on the lawn around the Old Capitol Building from noon until 7 p.m. today (Friday) as well as Saturday and Sunday to call for an end to the war in Gaza. Governor Kim Reynolds says people have a first amendment right to protest.

“But they’re going to do it peacefully,” Reynolds said. “We’re not going to allow hate speech. We’re not going to allow destruction. We’re not going to allow what we see happening in some of the universities across this country. It’s ridiculous. It’s putting people at risk.” Reynolds was asked about pro-Palestinian protests in Iowa during a news conference in her statehouse office and she indicated law enforcement is prepared to respond, if needed.

“We’re going to be respectful and as long as they abide by the laws and do it peacefully, then great,” Reynolds said, “but if it crosses that line, we will be ready.” Reynolds cites a law passed in 2021 that increased the penalties for protest-related crimes like rioting, vandalism or blocking a highway. Reynolds says Columbia University officials in New York let the situation there go way too far, putting the entire student body at risk.  “There are students that paid tuition that may not even get to participate in a graduation,” Reynolds says, “and, oh by the way, these are the same students who didn’t get to participate in their high school graduation due to COVID.”

Iowa City’s “Students for Justice in Palestine” group is made up of students, faculty, staff and others in the community according to its online mission statement. The group says from sit-ins to educational sessions, it strives to support the liberation of Palestinians and all oppressed people across the world.

(Red Oak, Iowa) – Montgomery County Auditor Jill Ozuna, Thursday, issued a statement saying, ” Pursuant IA Code 52.35 Public Notice is hereby given that Election Equipment Public Testing for the Montgomery County Primary Election will be held on Thursday, May 9, 2024, at 8:30 A.M., at the Montgomery County Courthouse in Red Oak.

The Montgomery County Primary Election will be held on June 4, 2024.”

(Radio Iowa) – Earlier today Iowa Congressman Randy Feenstra had surgery to treat a blood clot in his leg.

According to a statement posted on social media, Feenstra had “a scheduled, outpatient surgery that successfully treated a blood clot in his leg.” The statement indicates Feenstra’s doctor has recommended that Feenstra stay in Washington and limit his travel until he’s fully recovered.

Iowa Congressman Randy Feenstra (R-Hull) (official photo)

Feenstra, who is 55, was a state senator for 12 years before winning a seat in the U.S. House in 2020.

May 2, 2024 (DES MOINES, IA) – The Iowa Economic Development Authority (IEDA) announced over $19 million in awards to help transform 12 historic buildings. The awards were made through the Historic Preservation Tax Credit program.

“By supporting the restoration and revitalization of historic buildings, we not only preserve the architectural heritage of our communities but also breathe new life into them, creating vibrant spaces for generations to come.” said Debi Durham, director of IEDA and the Iowa Finance Authority.

The Historic Preservation Tax Credit program provides a state income tax credit to projects that rehabilitate underused or vacant historic buildings while maintaining the historic character-defining features that enhance neighborhoods and communities. Work completed on buildings must meet the federal Secretary of Interior Standards.

The most recent application round opened in January with approximately $19 million available for awards. IEDA received 13 applications requesting over $37 million in tax credits. Projects are scored based on readiness, financing and local support and participation. This round of awards will help to enhance historic buildings across the state including:

• Ames: Rehabilitation of the Cranford Apartments. One of the few remaining historic structures in Campustown, this is a 1922 brick structure comprised of commercial space on the first floor and 30 apartments on the second through fourth floors. The project will upgrade mechanicals, re-establish original window openings, modify the apartments to provide new kitchens and bathroom and laundry in each unit, a workout room in the attic and renovate the first floor space for Jeff’s Pizza.
• Carroll: Restoration of the Anne-Mar Building – Carroll Medical Center. This 1929 southwest Mediterranean architecture designed building located in the downtown area formerly housed a doctors’ clinic that served citizens outside of the hospital setting. The project involves converting the building into 12 new apartments.
• Council Bluffs: Transformation of the Council Bluffs Federal Building and Post Office. Located at the west end of the downtown commercial corridor, this three-story building was completed in 1959. The project will convert the property into 53 apartments and helps with the city’s housing needs.
• Dubuque: Revitalization of the Farley & Loetscher building. This project involves two buildings that formerly served as a window wood mill and furniture manufacturing facility. The buildings will be transformed into 127 apartments and mixed-use commercial/office spaces.

Download a spreadsheet with today’s awards here.

The Historic Preservation Tax Credit program is administered by IEDA. The next application round for large projects opens June 2024, with applications due September 16.  For more information on the program, visit www.iowaeda.com/historic-preservation-tax-credit/.

(Radio Iowa)  – A major road upgrade in the Iowa Great Lakes region is ahead of schedule. Iowa D-O-T engineer Darwin Bishop says the goal is for out-of-town motorists on Highway 71 to think everything looks normal during tourism season. “We’re on schedule to be completed with our roadway paving May 24. We might be out there for a couple of weeks after that working on driveways and sprinkler systems and sod,” Bishop says. “We’re going to go through and repaint everything through town so it looks nice for vacation season and hopefully there’s very little interruption for anybody.”

The project began LAST spring, replacing Highway 71 pavement and some sidewalks in Okoboji and Arnolds Park. “The rain has slowed us down a little bit, but we had a great start and the contractor has been doing a real good job of moving his crew around to the work that the weather conditions allow,” Bishop says, “so if it’s a little muddy and dirty, they’ll work in an area where they’re not in the dirt and then when the weather’s good, they can pave away.”

Iowa DOT map of Highway 71 in Iowa Great Lakes region

All of the road construction in the area should be done by Labor Day. Bishop says they’ll replace the adjacent sod in the spring of 2025. Highway 71 is the main thoroughfare through the Great Lakes. According to Vacation Okoboji, cell phone data indicates over 180-thousand tourists visited the area last July – about a quarter of them stayed more than six days.

DES MOINES – Governor Kim Reynolds has requested an expedited Presidential Disaster Declaration for nine Iowa counties where significant damage was sustained from severe weather that occurred on April 26, 2024. The governor requested funding under the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) Individual Assistance Program and the activation of the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) Disaster Loan Program for Clarke, Crawford, Harrison, Mills, Polk, Pottawattamie, Ringgold, Shelby, and Union Counties.

Funding under the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) Individual Assistance Program provides disaster-affected homeowners, renters, and businesses access to programs and services to maximize recovery, including assistance with housing, personal property replacement, medical expenses, and legal services.

The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) Disaster Loan Program provides homeowners, renters, businesses, and most nonprofit organizations in the affected counties whose property was damaged or destroyed by this disaster, the ability to apply for low-interest disaster loans from the SBA.  In addition, the governor requested funding to conduct hazard mitigation activities for the entire state.

‘The letter can be read in its entirety here.