(Radio Iowa) – An attorney representing thousands of employees at the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics says the health system has agreed to pay 15 million dollars to settle a wage dispute. Earlier this year a federal judge ruled the health system owed as many as 11-thousand current and former employees of the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics for delaying overtime payments by more than a month. Iowa law requires all wages earned to be paid within 12 days of the end of the pay period.

Documents being filed in federal court indicate the university admits no wrongdoing, but is offering the 15 million dollar settlement to avoid additional litigation costs. The lawsuit was filed in 2019, on behalf of health care workers and support staff. Under the agreement, employees who may have been underpaid are to be contacted and given 45 days to opt out of the settlement. Then, the full list of employees who’ll be getting payments will be developed.

(Radio Iowa) – Iowa legal organizations are partnering to address the urgent need to secure a more permanent immigration status for Afghan arrivals. The Afghan Legal League of Iowa will use a federal grant to coordinate support for the around one-thousand Afghans in the state. The University of Iowa’s Center for Human Rights, the Iowa Migrant Movement for Justice and Drake University College of Law’s legal clinic will expand their capacity to take on more cases.

Drake University’s Suzie Pritchett says it’s a resource the state badly needs. “I think the community and networks that it’s going to create are going to benefit non citizens throughout Iowa beyond the length of this two year project,” she says. Many Afghans came to the U-S as parolees, which only guarantees a legal status for two years. Now, these evacuees need to apply for permanent residency.

The project will also help to establish a virtual help desk. Pritchett says it’s a way for unrepresented Afghans from across the state to call in for general legal advice.

(By Kendal Crawford, Iowa Public Radio)

(Radio Iowa) – Democratic Congresswoman Cindy Axne of West Des Moines says former President Trump needs to speak with the House panel investigating what happened on January 6th of 2021.  “I think we’ve seen from the January 6th commission and the hearings that they’ve been having that the president absolutely had a hand in this,” Axne says, “and we know from the tapes that he did not step in to keep people safe as the violent mob breached the capitol.”

Trump has called the commission a show trial and he’s unlikely to comply with the subpoena the commission issued yesterday (Thursday). Trump released a letter today (Friday), saying there were no real Republicans on the commission. Republicans Adam Kinzinger of Illinois and Liz Cheney of Wyoming are on the panel. Axne says the pair are patriots who are defending democracy.  “Our democracy and undermining it should not be something that’s political,” Axne says. But Axne acknowledges the subpoena could inflame partisan tensions in the country.

“Unfortunately it may,” Axne says, “but we have to get to the truth.” The January 6th Commission will be dissolved at the end of the year, just before the new congress that’s elected this November convenes in January. Axne is the only Democrat in Iowa’s congressional delegation. The five Republicans representing Iowa in the U.S. House and Senate have not commented on the January 6th Commission’s subpoena for Trump.

Tomorrow (Saturday), Republican Congresswoman Ashley Hinson of Marion will campaign in Iowa Falls with 2016 Iowa Caucus winner Ted Cruz. Cruz is on a bus tour through 17 states in support of Hinson and two dozen other G-O-P candidates.

(Western Iowa) – The Community Foundation for Western Iowa, formerly Pottawattamie County Community Foundation, has announced that the Community Foundation is currently accepting applications for their “Make It Happen” nonprofit training program sponsored by D.A. Davidson.

The Community Foundation for Western Iowa created the “Make It Happen” program after witnessing an increase in requests for consultation in the areas of nonprofit agency endowments and fundraising. The Community Foundation was awarded an initial grant from the Iowa Council of Foundations in April 2019 to establish the 18-month training program designed to assist nonprofit partners in establishing solid fundraising tactics, building long-term relationships, and growing their sustainability.

The program is unique, in that it expounds on emerging research from Dr. Jenni Frumer, PhD, and focuses on what motivates donors and stakeholders toward philanthropy. Additionally, the program leverages strengths-based management principles to build and solidify internal organizational strengths toward fund development success.

The Community Foundation is delighted to announce that D.A. Davidson is generously sponsoring the 2023 “Make It Happen” training program that will support nonprofit partners by increasing their ability to put a comprehensive plan in place that focuses on the benefits of a strong, endowed funding stream and will not only ensure the organization’s long-term viability and strength, but will also effectively create a widespread culture of philanthropy throughout the Community Foundation’s western Iowa service area.

The partnership with D.A. Davidson will enable the Community Foundation to deliver this comprehensive, full-service fund development learning program to western Iowa nonprofit and community partners in a cohort format, spanning an 18-month period starting in January 2023 at no-cost to the selected participants. The “Make It Happen” training program consists of six-monthly meetings from January to June, and then moves to quarterly “Continuing to Make It Happen” sessions where participants are able to learn from subject matter experts based on their personal feedback and needs.

The inaugural 2020 “Make It Happen” cohort consisted of eight area nonprofit organizations: Council Bluffs Schools Foundation, FAMILY Inc., Golden Hills RC&D, Habitat for Humanity of Council Bluffs, Historic General Dodge House, Midlands Humane Society, and Trivium.

Organizations will be selected through an application process and the second cohort will begin in January 2023. Information on the program and how to apply can be found at: www.givewesterniowa.org/impact/makeithappen.
Community Foundation for Western Iowa The Community Foundation for Western Iowa, formerly Pottawattamie County Community Foundation, is your connection to creating a lasting legacy and ensuring western Iowa is strong, vibrant, and attractive for years to come. The Community Foundation provides a highly personalized plan tailored to each individual or family’s charitable goals, financial interests, and desired impact.

The Community Foundation for Western Iowa is nationally accredited by the Council on Foundations (www.cfstandards.org), is overseen by a volunteer board of leading citizens, and run by professionals with expertise in identifying the needs of western Iowa. As a tax-exempt public charity, 501(c)(3), that serves thousands of people who share a common interest in improving the quality of life in western Iowa, the Community Foundation also offers a 10% match (up to $250,000 per fund) for the creation of a charitable endowment fund or donation to an existing eligible endowment fund.

(Atlantic, Iowa) – The Atlantic Chamber Ambassadors were hosted by Southwest Iowa Planning Council (SWIPCO) on Thursday, October 13th, 2022, to welcome new staff. The Ambassadors were introduced to three new staff members who have joined SWIPCO in recent months. Ashley Hayes is serving as a Community Development Specialist, helping communities improve through economic development activities and planning. Mindy Jensen joined SWIPCO in September and has been increasing awareness of public transit services as the Communications Coordinator. Aaron Koontz recently came on board as a Grant Specialist helping agencies and communities navigate applications and procedures for various housing programs.

Southwest Iowa Planning Council serves all of Cass County, along with Fremont, Harrison, Montgomery, Mills, Page, Pottawattamie, and Shelby County. SWIPCO promotes regional cooperation in Southwest Iowa by improving community assets and infrastructure, promoting and enhancing economic and business development, and maintaining and improving the quality of life for all residents.

Front Row: Pictured left to right: Leslie Wright, Ashley Hayes, John McCurdy, Mindy Jensen, Aaron Kootz, Tori Gibson, Dee Holtz, Kelsey Beschorner,
Back Row: Pictured left to right: Elaine Otte, Jennifer McEntaffer, Dolly Bergmann, Kathie Hockenberry, Jim Kickland, Julie Waters, Lana Westphalen, Alex McAfee, Abby Becker, Adriana Mendez, Steve Tjepkes, Graydon Schmidt, Dr. Keith Leonard, Krysta Hanson, Tim Marcsisak, Leah Muhlbaur, Bill Saluk, and Darrell Hockenberry (Photo/story submitted by Kelsey Beschorner)

For more information about Southwest Iowa Planning Council, contact 712-243-4196 or visit https://www.swipco.org/. SWIPCO is located at 1501 SW 7th Street, Atlantic.

Atlantic, IA — Officials at Cass Health, today (Friday), announced that the emergency driveway is now open to all traffic. The drive had been closed for several months as crews worked to completely replace the drive.

The Emergency Department entrance remains closed due to ongoing construction; all emergency patients should continue to use the Rehabilitation Services entrance. The entrance is expected to reopen later this year.

AMC Rapid Care is still temporarily located in Atlantic Medical Center also due to construction. All AMC Rapid Care patients should park in Lot A and use the Main Entrance. The completed AMC Rapid Care clinic is expected to open in early 2023.