DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — A state panel on Monday approved a settlement between Iowa State University and a former Iowa 4-H director who was fired after a dispute over a proposed policy he supported that discouraged discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender. The settlement with John-Paul Chaisson-Cárdenas calls for the state to pay out $550,000. Of that money, $60,000 will go to Chaisson-Cárdenas, $270,000 into an annuity for his benefit and $220,000 to his lawyer.

The settlement approved by the State Appeal Board also changes Chaisson-Cárdenas’ departure in university records from a termination to a voluntary resignation. Chaisson-Cárdenas was fired Aug. 2, 2018, months after conservative groups criticized and LGBT groups supported a suggested 4-H LGBTQ inclusion policy.

(Radio Iowa) – An actor from the movie “Field of Dreams” is buying a historic building in the northeast Iowa town where the 1989 film was shot.

Dwier Brown as John Kinsella in Field of Dreams

Dwier Brown, who played John Kinsela — the father of Kevin Costner’s character, is purchasing the former Tegeler Dairy in Dyersville. Jacque Rahe, director of Dyersville Economic Development, says she’s thrilled Brown is the buyer. “He was looking for a project to do here since he has planned to return here often,” Rahe says. “He’s a lover of old buildings and this building definitely caught his eye.”

Rahe says Brown and his business partner flew out from California to perform a detailed inspection of the two-story brick structure and its attached warehouse.  “They spent a long few days inside the building just freezing, planning how they would do things and what they were going to do to it,” Rahe says. “We’re excited to see what their vision is. They both have quite extensive experience in building renovation.” She says Brown wants to give back to the town by rescuing the aging relic, which was built in the late 1800s. “It’s such an iconic structure in our community,” Rahe says. “Everybody has a story about going to Tegeler Dairy for ice cream or getting treats for the baseball team there. It is one of those buildings in Dyersville that has a lot of history and we want to preserve some of that.”

The plan is to turn the building into three unique apartments, along with commercial and riverfront space to lease. Work is slated to begin yet this fall. Rahe says the project has landed a $100,000 grant from the state’s Community Catalyst Building Remediation Program to help with the renovation.

(Radio Iowa) – The Iowa Department of Natural Resources is offering a new online resource for beginning and experienced hunters. The series of “Let’s Go Hunting” videos is a clearinghouse of information for hunters, thanks to a partnership with Iowa Safari Club International and several other organizations. D-N-R hunter education coordinator Megan Wisecup says you can access the videos for free. “It’s definitely perfect timing with the way things are going right now this year,” Wisecup says. “We are excited to get this resource launched and out into folks’ hands.”

The series will feature 23 different videos on several hunting aspects such as location, how to call animals, types of weaponry and more. “The overall goal of our project is to create some resources out there that folks can navigate on their own time and from the comfort of their own home,” Wisecup says. “It’s really that next step after you get done with hunter education.” The videos can be a welcome plus for new hunters as well as seasoned veterans. “I think it will be a great addition and also a great refresher,” she says. “Even a lot of our own staff and officers enjoy having this as a refresher before going into the season.”

To check out the video series and find other resources to expand your hunting knowledge or even your first hunting experience, visit: www.iowadnr.gov/learntohunt.

Corning, IA  – Local farmer Marnie Cline recently directed a $2,500 America’s Farmers Grow Communities donation, sponsored by Bayer Fund, to Adams County 4-H Safety Education in Shooting Sports (SESS) project.

SESS will use the funds to purchase ammunition and supplies to maintain the low cost for 4-H members, and pay the fees. Evy Ganfield, Adams County ISU Extension and Outreach County Youth and Outreach Coordinator says “We are so grateful to Marnie for pursuing this grant for the SESS program and benefiting the kids – with this donation we can continue to offer an amazing Shooting Sports project with quality instructors that is available to all of our youth – the equipment is provided, so the financial commitment for families is extremely low.”

Since 2010, the America’s Farmers programs have awarded more than $57 million to nonprofits, aspiring Ag students and public schools across rural America. The Grow Communities program partners with farmers across the country to provide nonprofit organizations with resources to strengthen their local communities.

Each August, farmers can enter for the chance to direct a $2,500 Grow Communities donation to a local eligible nonprofit of their choice. Farmers have directed donations to food banks, emergency response organizations, schools, youth agriculture programs and many others that reflect the spirit and support the vibrancy of rural America.

To learn how you can be an America’s Farmers Grow Communities recipient, visit www.AmericasFarmers.com. The America’s Farmers Grow Communities 2021 program will kick off on August 1, 2020, and farmers will once again have the opportunity to enroll for a chance to direct a donation to a local eligible nonprofit of their choice.

(Atlantic) – Resuming her RV campaign tour, Democrat US Senate candidate Theresa Greenfield visited Rolling Acres Farm, north of Atlantic, Thursday afternoon. The organic farm is operated by husband & wife team Larry Harris and Denise O’Brien. Due to the COVID-19 threat, the event brought out a small crowd of supporters who toured the farm with Greenfield and O’Brien. Greenfield spoke positively about her campaign and her chances of winning the seat currently held by her Republican opponent.

(Information & photo courtesy Cass County Democratic Party Chair Sherry Toelle)

w/Brandon Schuering.

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(Radio Iowa) – The U.S. Secretary of the Interior used the Iowa Gold Star Military Museum as the backdrop to announce veterans and Gold Star families will be eligible for free admission to National Parks and Monuments, starting on November 11th — Veterans Day. David Bernhardt, the U.S. Secretary of the Interior, says his great uncle was killed when the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor, so his grandfather was part of a Gold Star family.

“So many American families have been impacted throughout our history in defending freedom,” he said. Disabled veterans have been eligible for free admission to National Parks. Bernhardt’s new order extends that to all veterans, as well as the immediate family members of soldiers who die in the line of duty. Key members of congress have indicated a bill will be passed to make this new administrative policy a federal law.

“We looked at it from an economic perspective. We think the economics are very, very manageable based on current utilization, ” Bernhardt says, “but it realy depends on how many people come to our parks on an annual basis and that visitation this year is very, very high, so we hope people get out and utilitize it.”

There are no National Parks in Iowa, but there’s a national monument and a wildlife area in Iowa under federal control, however neither charges entrance fees. The Effigy Mounds National Monument is in northeast Iowa, near Harpers Ferry. The Union Slough (SLEW) National Wildlife Refuge is in north central Iowa, near Titonka.

(Iowa News Service) IOWA CITY, Iowa — More than 4,000 medical professionals from across the country are demanding policy action on climate change. The coalition includes more than a dozen doctors and nurses from Iowa, who say the effects are visible in the patients they serve. They have signed a letter asking their patients to get behind political candidates willing to consider the issue. John Macatee, a retired doctor from Iowa City who practiced family medicine, said there are concerns within the medical community about climate change resulting in poorer health outcomes. In Iowa, he said, there’s a ripple effect within agriculture. “There’s ever increasing severity of weather changes causing flooding, which is decreasing crop yields, and depression and suicide,” he said.

In a 2019 report from the Iowa Policy Project, the authors predicted that the Midwest will see the biggest spike in premature deaths related to rising temperatures linked to climate change. While polls show more people, including younger conservatives, acknowledging the impact of a warming climate. many candidates still express support for the oil industry.  In asking patients to seek out politicians who support action on climate change, Macatee said it isn’t about partisanship. He called this a “human” issue. “Just like COVID, it’s affecting us all,” he said, “whether we’re Republicans or Democrats or Independents.”

One of the groups in the coalition is the Medical Society Consortium on Climate and Health. Some of the key demands include leaders who prioritize renewable energy over fossil fuels, and those who pay close attention to the science and medical communities. The letter is online at medsocietiesforclimatehealth.org, and the Iowa climate report is at iowapolicyproject.org.

Here’s a reminder, that on Saturday October 31st, 400 USDA Farmers to Families Food Boxes will be given away at the Cass County Community Center from 11:00 AM–2:00 PM, or as supplies last. There is no requirement to come in person to receive food. Community members are asked to slow the spread of COVID-19 by avoiding carpooling to this event with people from outside their household.

Cass County Wellness Coordinator Brigham Hoegh says “If you know someone who would benefit from a little extra food, simply ask for an extra box to share. We really appreciate folks looking out for each other right now—while taking precautions to slow the spread of COVID-19.”

Anyone in need is welcome to visit the drive-through food box pick-up, and no documentation or proof of need is required. Boxes will be given away at no cost. People from surrounding towns and communities are welcome.

The USDA Farmers to Families Food Boxes contain 20 pounds of food: 10 pounds of produce, 5 pounds of pre-cooked meat, and 5 pounds of dairy products, and come with a gallon of milk.Those picking up food boxes at the Community Center are asked to follow signage and volunteer directions to help the event run smoothly. Please don’t begin lining up before 10 AM.

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Cass County Farmers to Families Food Box Giveaway

What: Drive-through food distribution. Boxes of 10 lbs.produce, 5 lbs.meat, 5 lbs. dairy, and a gallon of milk.

Where: Cass County Community Center (805 W. 10th Street, Atlantic, 50022)

When: Saturday 10/31/20 Halloween 11 AM -2 PM (or as supplies last)

Who: Anyone in need is welcome.No documentation required.Cost: No cost!

Questions:Contact Brigham Hoegh, Cass County Wellness Coordinator, (712)249-5870, bhoegh@iastate.eduFor more information on local food, farmers markets, and food access, follow the Cass County Local Food Policy Council’s Facebook page @CassCountyLocalFood.

COUNCIL BLUFFS – The Pottawattamie County Open Burning Ban that was initiated in September has been lifted as of 11:00 a.m. today. Pott. County Emergency Management Coordinator Doug Reed says “With the observance of light precipitation in the past week, the observed snowfall accumulations, and fall harvest estimated at 95% completion throughout the county, fire officials have determined a continuing burn ban is no longer needed on a countywide basis.”

Officials encourage all residents to continue to use caution when conducting open burns and recreational fires. Always be aware of the daily conditions, your surroundings, never leave a fire
unattended, and always have an emergency plan. As drought conditions are forecast to persist into 2021, everyone needs to remain keenly aware of their environmental conditions prior to conducting any open burn.