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Keep up-to-date with Fox News Radio, Radio Iowa, Brownfield & the Iowa Agribusiness Networks!
KJAN News can be heard at five minutes after every hour right after Fox News 24 hours a day!
Keep up-to-date with Fox News Radio, Radio Iowa, Brownfield & the Iowa Agribusiness Networks!
The area’s latest and/or top news stories at 7:05-a.m. From KJAN News Director Ric Hanson.
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(Radio Iowa) — Some financial institutions were forced to close after the stock market crash in 1929 as panicked customers pulled out all of their money. While some Iowans are overreacting during this pandemic — snapping up and hoarding toilet paper, for example — Andrea Dose, director of member services at the Iowa Credit Union League, says most people are staying calm when it comes to their checking and savings accounts. “Have we heard of some folks taking some cash withdrawals, yes,” Dose says. “Have we heard that now that we’re entering a ‘new normal’ that that is lessening, yes.”
In addition to the stress it causes the financial institutions, she says it’s just not a wise practice to take out stacks of cash. If something should happen to that money, if it’s lost or stolen, it’s likely gone for good. “Every credit union in Iowa is insured so your deposits are safe. Your insurance goes up to $250,000 and even more for joint accounts,” Dose says. “If you have questions about your insurance, never hesitate to reach out to your credit union.”
In this era of social distancing, credit unions are still able to serve drive-up customers while meeting others at the door of the building. Online banking, she says, is flourishing as many people want to avoid leaving their homes. “While these times are extremely unsettling and everybody copes with stress differently, we have no reason to believe that this is going to impact our power or our connectivity to our credit unions,” Dose says. “You have access to your money in new ways that we hope consumers are getting familiar with.”
Interest rates have plummeted in recent weeks, making this an ideal time to buy a house, refinance your mortgage or buy a car. Dose says don’t let fears about COVID-19 keep you from pursuing those dreams. “Loan demand is high right now with the interest rates being so low,” Dose says. “There are several different channels in which you can do that, many of which are online. There are also some ways that credit unions are closing loans via social distancing measures, so, sitting across a long desk.”
More than one-point-three million people are Iowa credit union members.
On the web at https://www.iowacreditunions.com/
(Radio Iowa) — Officials with the Orange City Tulip Festival have decided to cancel this year’s event due to the spread of the COVID-19 virus. This is not the first time the tulip festival has been cancelled. Back during World War II, the event was also called off. Tulip officials say they want to pause to take care of each other, and find creative ways for the spirit of the festival to live on. In addition to celebrating the 80th annual tulip festival, the town of Orange City was also going to celebrate its Sesquicentennial. Both celebrations were scheduled for May 14th, 15th, and 16th.
(Radio Iowa) — The U-S-D-A recently approved the state’s plan for hemp production sand producers can now start applying for a hemp license. Robin Pruisner is overseeing the plan for the state Ag Department and says a public hearing Wednesday is the final step. “We have one more public hearing on this latest set of rules, and then they should go into effect April 8th without any more hiccups,” Pruisner says. The public hearing is set for 9-10 a-m central time via teleconference. You can participate by calling 866-685-1580 and entering code 0009990941#. Pruisner says the U-S-D-A approved the plan pretty much as presented. “There were some minor changes — I would call it wording changes — and they wanted us to carry over a few sentences that were actually in the statute and they also wanted them in the rules,” Pruisner says. “So those were our biggest changes. I think for someone looking at hemp, they are not going to see any major here that impacts them as they move forward with their plans.”
She says all the information to apply for a hemp license is online. “There will be an application form that can be downloaded from our website and they’ll need to fill that out. And then the key personnel and anybody with five percent or more legal or equitable interest will need to submit their official fingerprints to us — so that we can do the F-B-I background check that is required,” Pruisner explains. Governor Kim Reynolds signed the hemp bill into law around one year ago — and it has been touted as an alternative crop for Iowa farmers. Pruisner says a lot has changed in the time the rules have been developed since the bill was signed into law. “Nothing is ever simple I think this world, and there’s a lot of I don’t know if you call them urban myths or rural myths out there about the enormous amount of money that can be made growing hemp,” according to Pruisner. “And maybe that might have had a little tinge of truth to it a couple of years ago when not many people were growing it.”
But she says you really need to review the market before moving forward. “I think anybody who is considering getting into this business needs to take a hard look at some of the price reports and stock reports that are available out there. My number one piece of advice is that no one should plant hemp unless you already have a contract to sell it — because of the oversupply that has reared up here in the last year,” Pruisner says. She says she had a lot of calls when the bill was first signed into law, and still gets calls from people interested in growing hemp. But, she isn’t sure how many people will be willing to jump into the hemp market. “It’s too early to tell. And for several months I’ve answered that question the exact same way. I’m pretty sure it’s going to be more than three licenses — but less than three thousand,” Pruisner says.
Detailed instructions on how to apply for a hemp license are available at iowaagriculture.gov/hemp. This commercial hemp production program does not legalize the use of cannabidiol (CBD) for human consumption, extraction or processing in Iowa.
Latest Iowa news, sports, business and entertainment at 3:40 a.m. CDT
DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Iowa health officials said eight more people have died from COVID-19 in Iowa, and 83 new cases of the disease were reported Sunday. The Iowa Department of Public Health said Sunday that the statewide total of coronavirus cases grew to at least 868, and 22 people in Iowa have died from the virus since the outbreak began. The new deaths included three people in Polk County who were older than 61. The other deaths were reported in Appanoose, Johnson, Linn, Scott and Washington counties. Each of those counties reported one death of a person who was older than 61.
DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — A pedestrian and a dog were struck by a vehicle and killed in Des Moines on Sunday morning. Des Moines Police say the crash happened around 8 a.m. Sunday in the 1700 block of Beaver Avenue. Officers found the 38-year-old woman and a dog she was walking deceased at the scene. The 49-year-old driver of the vehicle that hit the pedestrian continued driving for several blocks before he abandoned his vehicle and fled. Police said it appeared that the driver intentionally hit the pedestrian after striking a utility pole and driving across several yards. He was arrested on suspicion of first-degree murder and animal neglect.
DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — The Iowa Supreme Court has issued an order suspending grand jury hearings and criminal jury trials until mid-July in an effort to slow the spread of COVID-19. Chief Justice Susan Christensen issued the order Thursday that says trials and hearings already in progress will continue. But those that have not begun and are scheduled to begin over the coming weeks have been postponed. Non-jury criminal trials, in which a judge issues a verdict, are scheduled to resume June 1 under the order. Grand juries and jury trials scheduled through June are now pushed back until at least July 13.
DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Police say a 33-year-old woman is Des Moines’ latest homicide victim. Police say officers were called Friday afternoon to an area just blocks southwest of the Drake University campus for reports of a shooting. Arriving officers found the woman unresponsive, suffering from a gunshot wound. The woman, later identified as 33-year-old Catherine Bobbitt, of Des Moines, was taken to an area hospital, where she died. Police say witnesses had been interviewed and investigators were following up on leads, but no arrests had been reported by Saturday morning. Police say Bobbitt’s death is the city’s eighth for 2020.
OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — Animal shelters across the U.S. say they’ve placed record numbers of dogs, cats and other animals as people suddenly find themselves stuck at home amid the coronavirus pandemic. If past trends hold, many of those who agree to temporarily care for a pet will ultimately decide they want to keep the animal. Amid an avalanche of bad news, stories of people fostering pets are prompting smiles. A shelter in Denver now says it has a waiting list of 2,000 people wanting to foster. When the Animal Rescue League of Iowa put out a call for temporary homes for 80 cats, it got 160 applications within 12 hours.
DUBUQUE, Iowa (AP) — An Iowa-based furniture manufacturer has laid off 40 workers at its Dubuque corporate location. The Telegraph Herald reports that a letter recently sent to Dubuque city officials from Flexsteel Industries says the temporary layoff was effective March 23 and is expected to last three months. The affected positions are primarily are in sales, customer service or other corporate functions. The letter says the layoff is “in direct response to the COVID-19 pandemic” and the outbreak’s effect on Flexsteel’s business. On March 24, the company announced it was shutting down its Dubuque manufacturing plant for two weeks. The company has about 150 production workers at that Dubuque plant.
The Iowa Department of Public Health reports eight deaths and 83 additional positive COVID-19 cases Sunday. That brings the statewide total to 868 positive cases and 22 deaths. There have been an additional 519 negative tests for a total of 9,973 negative tests to date, which includes testing reported by the State Hygienic Lab and other labs.
The IDPH reports more than 10% of all positive cases in Iowa are occurring among long term care staff and residents. More than 40% of all deaths in Iowa are associated with outbreaks in long-term care facilities. This statistic underscores that COVID-19 poses the most risk for older adults above the age of 60 with chronic health conditions, resulting in more severe illness and death.
NOTES: A case that was previously reported as a positive case in Pottawattamie County, upon further investigation, is a negative case and is removed from the case count.
On Sunday, April 5, Pottawattamie County Public Health indicated another presumptive positive COVID-19 case in Pottawattamie County. The total COVID-19 for Pottawattamie County is now eight, two of which have recovered. This case is a female between 18-40 years old and a resident of Council Bluffs. The individual has no pre-existing medical conditions, no recent travel, and no identifiable contact with an existing case. Pottawattamie County Public Health believes this case to be a result of community spread. The individual
is currently self-isolating at home and does not pose a risk to the public.
The Iowa Department of Public Health (IDPH) and Page county Public Health have identified an additional case of COVID-19 in the County, bringing the total number of Page County positive cases to three. This individual is a middle aged adult (41 – 60 years) and has transmitted the virus via community spread. This person is recovering at home in isolation.
Officials in Crawford County were notified today (Sunday), of three additional, positive cases of COVID-19 not included in the IDPH Press Release. The individuals are between the ages of 61-and 80. Community Spread of the virus is occurring in Crawford County.
The Iowa Department of Public Health and public health officials continue to work closely with Iowa’s long-term care associations and facilities, providing guidance for sick residents, transferring residents in need of care to hospitals, constantly monitoring the health of other residents and staff, and implementing additional infection prevention measures.
According to IDPH, an additional 8 deaths were also reported:
According to IDPH, the locations and age ranges of the 83 individuals include:
***70 of Linn County’s 161 positive cases (43%) can be attributed to an outbreak at a long-term care facility.
Gov. Reynolds will hold a press conference tomorrow at 11:00 a.m. Listen for it live, on KJAN.
(UPDATE) DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — A pedestrian was struck by a vehicle and killed in Des Moines on Sunday morning. Des Moines Police say the crash happened a little before 8:15-a.m. in the 1700 block of Beaver Avenue. Officers found the 38-year old victim deceased at the scene. The woman’s name has not yet been released. Her dog also died in the crash. The driver of the vehicle that hit the pedestrian abandoned his vehicle and fled the area, but police found him nearby and arrested him without incident. He was identified as 49-year-old Jason Robert Sassman, of Des Moines. Sassman faces charges of first-degree murder and animal neglect.
Authorities said Sassman was driving a pick-up truck northbound on Beaver Avenue at a high rate of speed, when the vehicle left the roadway, struck and severed a utility pole and continued driving through residential yards and onto the side walk, where it struck and killed the female pedestrian and her dog. The incident remains under investigation.
A motorcyclist being pursued by law enforcement died Saturday night, when the 2004 Honda he was riding collided with the rear of a 2012 Chevy K1500 pickup in Polk County. The Iowa State Patrol reports 21-year old Aaron Bjork, of Des Moines, died at the scene of the crash between Altoona and Mitchellville. He was not wearing a helmet. The accident happened on westbound Interstate 80 near mile marker 146, at around 8:23-p.m., Saturday.
When the cycle struck the rear of the pickup, the pickup rear ended a 2011 Jeep Wrangler. Neither driver, both of whom were from Colfax, was injured. The State Patrol was assisted at the scene by Mitchellville EMS and Altoona Fire and Rescue.
Here is the latest Iowa news from The Associated Press at 5:00 a.m. CDT
DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Iowa health officials say another three people in the state have died from COVID-19, and 87 new cases of the disease have been confirmed across the state. The Iowa Department of Public Health reported the new numbers Saturday, bringing the statewide total of novel coronavirus cases to 786. The department says that among the new deaths was a person between the ages of 61 and 80 from Linn County, which has been hard-hit by the outbreak. The other deaths were a person between 61 and 80 from Polk County and a person between the ages of 41 and 60 in Henry County. Fourteen people in Iowa have died since the outbreak began.
DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — The Iowa Supreme Court has issued an order suspending grand jury hearings and criminal jury trials until mid-July in an effort to slow the spread of COVID-19. Chief Justice Susan Christensen issued the order Thursday that says trials and hearings already in progress will continue. But those that have not begun and are scheduled to begin over the coming weeks have been postponed. Non-jury criminal trials, in which a judge issues a verdict, are scheduled to resume June 1 under the order. Grand juries and jury trials scheduled through June are now pushed back until at least July 13.
DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Police say a 33-year-old woman is Des Moines’ latest homicide victim. Police say officers were called Friday afternoon to an area just blocks southwest of the Drake University campus for reports of a shooting. Arriving officers found the woman unresponsive, suffering from a gunshot wound. The woman, later identified as 33-year-old Catherine Bobbitt, of Des Moines, was taken to an area hospital, where she died. Police say witnesses had been interviewed and investigators were following up on leads, but no arrests had been reported by Saturday morning. Police say Bobbitt’s death is the city’s eighth for 2020.
OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — Animal shelters across the U.S. say they’ve placed record numbers of dogs, cats and other animals as people suddenly find themselves stuck at home amid the coronavirus pandemic. If past trends hold, many of those who agree to temporarily care for a pet will ultimately decide they want to keep the animal. Amid an avalanche of bad news, stories of people fostering pets are prompting smiles. A shelter in Denver now says it has a waiting list of 2,000 people wanting to foster. When the Animal Rescue League of Iowa put out a call for temporary homes for 80 cats, it got 160 applications within 12 hours.
Sheriff’s officials in Adams County report that at around 12:38-p.m., Saturday, Deputies assisted the Department of Human Services in the 2000 block of Quincy Street, in Corning. Upon further investigation, Venessa Elizabeth Jennings, of Omaha, was arrested for Possession of a Controlled Substance/1st offense, Child Endangerment, and Gathering where controlled substance are unlawfully used.
A search was was subsequently conducted at the residence. The case remains under investigation, with additional criminal charges expected.
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