(Radio Iowa)- This month’s updated voter registration data shows in two of Iowa’s new congressional districts, independent voters outnumber those who register as Democrats or Republicans. The new first congressional district which covers counties in southeast through central Iowa has more than 200,000 independent voters, about 195,000 Democrats and Republicans are the third voting block, with about 172,000 registered voters. Republican Congresswoman Mariannette Miller-Meeks of Ottumwa plans to run for reelection in the district.

Republican Congresswoman Ashley Hinson of Marion plans to seek reelection in the new second congressional district which sits in the northeast quadrant of the state. It has 197,000 registered independent voters as of December 1, 2021. The tally of Democrats is about 10,000 behind that and Republicans account for a little under a third of all voters in the district.

The new third district starts in central Iowa and flows down to the Missouri border. Democrats outnumber Republicans by about 17,000 in the new third district and it is the only district where independent voters are the third largest voting block. This is the district where Congresswoman Cindy Axne, a Democrat from West Des Moines, plans to seek reelection.

The new fourth district in western and northern Iowa has a large voter registration edge for Republicans and it’s where Republican Congressman Randy Feenstra of Hull is running for reelection. There are 87,000 more Republicans than Democrats and independent voters are the second largest group in the new fourth district.

National studies show up to three-quarters of voters who register as independents rarely split their ballots and routinely vote for candidates of one of the country’s two major political parties.

DES MOINES, Iowa (Dec. 2, 2021) — Officials with The Wellmark Foundation say they have provided 29 Iowa organizations with their Small Matching Assets to Community Health (MATCH) grant awards. Those organizations were notified in August of their pending awards, and had 12 weeks to secure the required matching funds. Small MATCH grant recipients were able to use a combination of in-kind donations, services, and cash in order to receive their award from The Wellmark Foundation. All the funded projects will help individuals, families and communities achieve better health through built environment initiatives that encourage physical activity or access to and consumption of nutritious foods. Mary Lawyer, The Wellmark Foundation executive director says “The projects these organizations are implementing will enhance the quality of life and the overall well-being of citizens in their communities for several generations.”

Among the organizations receiving a Small MATCH grant award, is:

• (In Ringgold County) – Diagonal Community Development Corporation, $25,000 for the Diagonal Walkable Community Initiative.
• (In Mills County) – The Glenwood Rams Parent Teacher Association, $25,000, for the NE Elementary Inclusive Playground Project.

To learn more about these and the other projects, visit Wellmark.com/Foundation. Since its inception in 1991, The Wellmark Foundation has provided more than $39 million in grant funding to communities across Iowa and South Dakota.

Police in Red Oak say the driver of a 2016 Chevy Equinox suffered suspected minor injuries, during a collision Wednesday, with a 2017 Chevy pickup. Authorities say the accident happened at around 4-p.m. at the intersection of U-S Highway 34 and N. 8th Street. According to the report, 74-year-old Dennis Dean Hartstack, of Clarinda, failed to yield the right-of-way from the stop sign, as he was southbound on N. 8th Street, crossing Highway 34 in his Chevy Silverado pickup. The vehicle was struck broadside by the Equinox, which was driven by 66-year-old Paul Henry Dumler, of Red Oak.

Dumler was injured, but was not transported to the hospital. His vehicle sustained $25,000 damage. Damage to the pickup was estimated at $50,000. Red Oak Police cited Hartstack for Failure to Yield. Both men were wearing their seat belts. Red Oak Police were assisted at the scene by Red Oak Fire & Rescue, and the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office.

(Radio Iowa) – Authorities are searching for a missing autistic teenager in northeast Iowa’s Fayette County. Sheriff’s officials are asking for the public’s help in locating 14-year-old Walker Richardson, of Arlington. They say he was last seen Wednesday around 2:30 p.m. wearing a blue shirt and blue jeans. According to authorities, Richardson is a highly-functioning autistic who they are actively trying to find. Sheriff’s officials began their search Wednesday afternoon. but suspended operations overnight over safety concerns. Authorities are organizing a search party and plan to resume search operations at 9:30 this morning.

Walker Richardson

Anyone wanting to assist in the search should report to the Arlington Fire Station.

The broadcast News at 7:07-a.m., with Ric Hanson.

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