The broadcast news from 7:06-a.m., w/Ric Hanson.

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The latest version of the Iowa Drought Monitor (released June 24th), shows very little change in drought conditions across the State, despite rain last week and earlier this week. The data show last week, slightly more than 94.6% of Iowa is Abnormally dry (D-0 to D-4 rating). This week, the rate improved slightly, to about 92.5%. Three months ago, a little more than 41% of the State was Abnormally Dry.

Cass and many other counties across parts of western, southern and east central Iowa are in a Moderate Drought (D1-D4). The percentage (76.15%) is slightly higher than last week (76.04%), thanks to widely scattered rainfall. The worst (Severe) drought conditions (D2-D4) continue to impact a large area of central, north central, northwest and northeast Iowa, where nearly 44% of counties are affected. That’s up from 40.82% last week. The Severe drought expanded as well across southern and northwest Minnesota, due to worsening precipitation deficits and vegetation conditions.

(Ames, Iowa) – An investigation is underway into a train derailment that occurred Thursday, in Ames. KCCI reports Union Pacific Railroad officials confirmed that approximately 27 cars derailed in the area of Carnegie Avenue and Edison Street at approximately 1:45 p.m. Authorities called a hazmat team to the scene due to hazardous materials being present. Ames Fire Chief Rich Higgins said petroleum gas was leaking from some of the cars. Higgins said there were no injuries. However, he said 15 to 20 properties in the area were evacuated as a precaution.

Hazmat teams from Arkansas were traveling to Ames to assist with clean up, which was expected to take about 24 hours.

(Radio Iowa) – Enrollment at Iowa community colleges has been decreasing since 2011 and the decline accelerated during the pandemic. However, the leaders of two community college districts that operate nine campuses say the dip isn’t as deep here as it is in other states. Rob Densen is president of the Des Moines Area Community College which has six campuses in Ankeny, Boone, Carroll, Newton, Des Moines and West Des Moines. “The average community college nationally dropped 9.5%. At DMACC, we’ve been down 7% throughout the year,” Denson says. “We know that the largest single group of students who aren’t coming back are low income who were impacted by so many other things during the pandemic.”

A statewide report on community college enrollment in the current academic year isn’t available yet. In the previous 2019-2020 year, there was a 1.3% drop in students taking Iowa community college classes to earn credits for an associates degree. The number of students taking courses at an Iowa community college to earn professional certificates or licenses dropped 23% in the previous year. Densen says when classes resume in the fall, he expects an influx of students. “So far, our preliminary numbers — applications, registrations — look very good for the fall,” Denson says.

Kristie Fisher is chancellor of the Iowa Valley Community College District which operates Ellsworth Community College in Iowa Falls, Marshalltown Community College and Iowa Valley Grinnell. “When the economy is really strong, our enrollments drop and when it’s not as strong we have people coming back seeking retraining,” she says, “but with Covid-19, we were in an area we’ve never been before…Iowa’s enrollments didn’t drop as much as the rest of the country and we’re strongly positioned to come back really quickly and serve students in our communities.”

Iowa Valley classes moved online in March of last year, but Fisher says the campuses didn’t completely close at the beginning of the pandemic.
“We had computer labs open for our students with really strict protocols because we knew our students didn’t have internet at home,” she says. “…We opened up our theater to the Marshall County Judicial District because they didn’t have a place for trials. They’re still there. Our hospital up in Iowa Falls moved into our recreation center because they needed a place for physical therapy. We did mask distribution, a Test Iowa site, vaccination sites — so while we were managing our students, we also doing all our communities needed us to do.”

Fisher and Densen made their comments during taping of the “Iowa Press” program that airs tonight (Friday night) on Iowa PBS.

(Radio Iowa) – The former Iowan who pushed the Attorney General to investigate cases of priest abuse says the report just released by the A-G is another positive step forward. Tim Lennon was living in Sioux City when he got involved in the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests or SNAP. “I think it’s the voice of survivors have risen up. I was one of many who called for reform and change and investigation — because too many people had been harmed,” Lennon says. Lennon says things are much different now than they used to be. “Twenty years ago every victim of sexual abuse, especially child sexual abuse, would come forward as an individual. Now we come forward as organizations, as a movement,” Lennon says. “And I think politicians, society and culture have come to realize how much sexual abuse there is in society and has taken action.”

He says this report and Iowa’s recent change in the law that lifts the statute of limitations on child sex abuse charges are examples of the progress made. “These are all wonderful, wonderful steps — not only to give justice to people who have been harmed — but also serves to prevent future harm by taking strong action,” he says. Lennon says changing the inaction on abuse to action is key.”By taking aggressive action, you remove predators, you provide more prevention so that not another child is harmed, and that is incredibly important,” he says. “There’s justice for the past — but also prevention for the future.”

The four Catholic bishops in Iowa released a statement saying the Attorney General’s report will be studied for suggestions on how the Catholic Church’s efforts might be improved. Lennon says the church has not stepped up like others have. “I think the only reason that any reform is made within the church is that they’ve been compelled to by outside forces,” Lennon says. He cites the Boston newspaper series that exposed abuse as an example. He says the abuse was acknowledged because the church was compelled to from the outside, and says the same thing happened when a Pennsylvania grand jury found 300 cases and he says that has now compelled most of the diocese to release the names of predators.

Lennon says he was abused when he was 12, but it took until he was 63 to take action. He tells those who may not have come forward that they are not alone and can call SNAP to get help. “And also there’s help available through your local rape crisis center or any kind of coalition against sexual abuse will provide help. To know that they are not alone, that there is help and you can get better,” Lennon says.

SNAP responded to the A-G’s report calling for the Iowa Catholic Conference to take immediate action on predatory priests, first by sharing a complete look at clergy abuse in Iowa with parents and parish communities.

(Radio Iowa) – With the long pandemic coming to a gradual end, many Iowans are considering job changes — and even career changes — as we begin to emerge from the months of isolation. Stephen Courtright, a professor of management and entrepreneurship at the University of Iowa, says COVID-19 has forced many professionals to sit tight and ride it out but now, they’re getting the itch to make a move. “They’ve stayed put to reduce uncertainty but now that options are on the table, some of the uncertainty of the pandemic is reduced, people are looking for other options,” Courtright says.

Some economists are referring to this phenomenon as “The Great Resignation” as people decide to quit their jobs after assessing their situations and deciding they need something more out of life. “People do search for meaning and for purpose in their jobs and the pandemic has allowed us to some extent, or forced us perhaps, to really rethink what are our priorities? How do we find meaning? What is it that we really want to do?” Courtright says. “So as we get out of the post-pandemic, people may be seeking opportunities that align a little bit more with how they find meaning and purpose.”

It’s said that it’s always better to look for a job when you -have- a job, but Courtright says some workers are throwing caution to the wind and they’re giving their two-week notices with nothing else lined up. “The pandemic has also enabled people to save up a little bit more,” Courtright says. “We haven’t been traveling as much. We haven’t been eating out as much. We haven’t been doing a lot of the discretionary spending that certain people do and it may have enabled them to save up, have a little bit more in store and venture out and take a little bit of a risk.”

The pandemic has made remote working the norm and this summer, some employees are becoming anxious to return to a crowded workplace, while others have embraced working from home and want to stay.  “Some people are simply leaving the workforce, too,” Courtright says. “They’ve said, ‘I’m in a position to retire and I’m not going to go back,’ so we are seeing a little bit more of that but I also think that we’re in a position where a lot of people who are in their current jobs are definitely looking elsewhere.”

One report predicts companies in certain industries may see 25- to 40-percent of their employees quit in the coming months.

Officers with the Red Oak Police Department, Thursday, arrested 31-year-old Cody Thomas Thramer, of Red Oak. He was taken into custody on a valid Pottawattamie County warrant for Contempt of Court/ Failure to Pay Child Support.

Thramer was transported to the Pottawattamie County Jail where he was being held without bond.

(Radio Iowa) – Iowa’s current governor and South Carolina’s former governor railed at Biden Administration policies as they rallied with Iowa Republicans at a party fundraiser in West Des Moines last (Thursday) night.  Former South Carolina Governor Nikki Haley said at the event, “There are a lot of reasons why I love Iowa, but maybe the biggest reason is Iowa loves to elect bad ass Republican women.”

Haley, a potential 2024 Republican presidential candidate, resigned as South Carolina’s governor to serve as President Trump’s first United Nations Ambassador. Haley’s criticism of President Biden’s foreign policy and domestic agenda drew cheers and she mentioned Trump’s plan to visit the U-S/Mexican border next week.  “Thank goodness for Donald Trump or we would never have gotten Kamala to the border,” Haley said. “…If this is how she handles a crisis, God helps us if she ever becomes president.”

On Thursday afternoon, Governor Kim Reynolds announced she was sending up to 30 state troopers to Texas and Arizona to help with border security for two weeks. “Biden has failed America with the open border policy,” Reynolds said. “…He owns this. He can stop it tomorrow. Because he’s not, states are stepping up across this country to say: ‘Enough is enough. They’re not doing what they should be doing…and we’re all paying a price because of it.'”

Earlier this year, Haley said she was disgusted by the January 6th attack on the U-S Capitol and said Trump had gone down the wrong path in questioning the outcome of the 2020 election. Last (Thursday) night, Haley made no mention of those reservations and she praised Reynolds for signing election law changes.  “Real reforms that make Iowa’s elections safer and more secure. Every state should follow Iowa’s lead and they should do it before 2022,” Haley said, to applause.

Later, Iowa G-O-P chairman Jeff Kaufmann asked Haley whether the 2024 presidential nominating process should start in Iowa.  “I’m fine with Iowa being First in the Nation as long as you keep South Carolina First in the South Primary,” Haley said, adding: “You mess with us, we’ll mess with you.” Kaufmann replied: “Message received.” The annual spring fundraiser for the party was held as congress was in session, so the five Iowa Republicans serving in the U.S. House and Senate recorded video messages that were played for the crowd.

Senator Chuck Grassley, who has not yet announced whether he’ll seek reelection in 2022, said he’s visited 77 of Iowa’s 99 counties so far this year. “I’m working as hard as ever for the people of Iowa,” Grassley said. His grandson Pat Grassley, the speaker of the Iowa House, spoke in person to the crowd a few minutes later. “How many of you want to see Chuck Grassley reelected to the United States Senate?” Pat Grassley asked and the crowd reacted. “…I told him I’m going to be his number one cheerleader between now until his reelection.”

At the end of the evening, former Iowa Governor Terry Branstad scoffed at the idea Iowans would choose someone new rather than Grassley in 2022. “The people of Iowa know that Chuck Grassley is the hardest working, most conscientious senator,” Branstad said, to loud cheers from the crowd. About 500 people attended last night’s Iowa G-O-P fundraiser.

The Iowa Democratic Party held a virtual fundraiser earlier this month. .

DES MOINES, Iowa, June 24, 2021 – U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development Acting State Director in Iowa Darin Leach today (Thursday) announced that USDA is investing $413,200 to equip, rebuild, and modernize essential services in rural areas throughout Iowa. The investments will benefit nearly 30,000 rural residents.

USDA is investing in eight projects in Iowa through the Community Facilities Direct Loan and Grant Program to ensure residents in rural areas enjoy the same quality of life and services as those in urban areas. Among them:

• Southwest Iowa Families, Inc. is receiving a $50,000 grant to purchase furnishings and equipment for a public use facility that provides essential medical services for nearly 4,500 rural residents.
• The Corning Opera House Cultural Center is receiving a $24,900 grant to build gutters on the exterior of the building to ensure that the restored historical facility remains structurally sound for public use.
• The Shenandoah Medical Center is receiving a $50,000 grant to purchase a new four-wheel-drive ambulance to replace a vehicle in the existing fleet with high mileage.
• The City of Atlantic is receiving a $26,300 grant to purchase new flooring, computer tables, a standing computer table and new computers and printers for the public library.

Today’s investments are in coordination with USDA Deputy Under Secretary for Rural Development Justin Maxson’s recent announcement that USDA is investing $185 million to equip, rebuild, and modernize essential services in rural areas of 32 states, benefiting 3 million rural residents.  More than 100 types of projects are eligible for Community Facilities funding. Eligible applicants include municipalities, public bodies, nonprofit organizations and federally recognized Native American tribes. Projects must be in rural areas with a population of 20,000 or less.

For more information, visit www.rd.usda.gov/ia or call (515) 284-4663. Follow us on Twitter @RD_Iowa.

DES MOINES – Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds, Thursday (today) announced that Iowa State Patrol officers will be deployed to the U.S. Southern Border to aid law enforcement and border security efforts. The governor is responding to a request from Texas Governor Greg Abbott and Arizona Governor Doug Ducey under the Emergency Management Assistance Compact (EMAC).  She says “My first responsibility is to the health and safety of Iowans and the humanitarian crisis at our nation’s southern border is affecting all 50 states. The rise in drugs, human trafficking, and violent crime has become unsustainable. Iowa has no choice but to act, and it’s why I am honoring Texas’ Emergency Management Assistance Compact following assurances from the Iowa Department of Public Safety that it will not compromise our ability to provide all necessary public safety services to Iowans.”

In May, there were roughly 180,000 border encounters, a 20 year high. According to U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), in March of 2021 there was a 233% increase in fentanyl seizures from the previous year. In May, that year over year increase climbed to 300%. In Iowa, law enforcement officials are recovering drugs, illegal narcotics, and weapons being smuggled across the nation’s southern border by drug cartels.

According to the Iowa Department of Public Safety, in the first quarter of 2021, Iowa saw the highest amounts of methamphetamine seized in any one quarter since 2018. Compare that to May of 2020 when both the purity and seizure of methamphetamine dropped significantly when the border was completely closed during the COVID-19 pandemic. As for Fentanyl, Iowa saw 532 grams seized in January – May of 2020. Over that same time period in 2021, roughly 6,641 grams of Fentanyl was seized, an increase of roughly 1,148%.

The Iowa National Guard (ING) is also currently conducting a mission with 24 soldiers from the Unit 2/34 IBCT to assist law enforcement agencies at the southern border, per an October 2020 request from the federal government under Title 10 active duty mobilization orders.  On June 10, 2021, Texas Governor Greg Abbott and Arizona Governor Doug Ducey formally requested law enforcement support from all 50 states. This request was made through Iowa’s existing EMAC, a national interstate mutual aid agreement that enables states to share resources during a disaster. More information about EMAC can be found here.

The state of Iowa joins Florida, Nebraska, and Idaho, in sending law enforcement to the southern border to assist Texas and Arizona.