(Radio Iowa) – A north-central Iowa state representative is asking legislative leaders to review the performance of the Test Iowa program. The state entered into a no-bid, 26-million dollar contract with Nomi Health of Utah to provide expanded testing for the state. Mason City Democrat Sharon Steckman is asking that the legislature’s Government Oversight Committee be convened to look into the testing program. “The week of May 11th, Test Iowa processed 3,100 tests for the entire week,” she says. “We were promised 3,000 a day, and it’s been three weeks, and we’re not even getting close to that goal.”

Steckman wonders who Test Iowa is answering to and why there isn’t oversight when we’ve seen large outbreaks of COVID-19 at some of the state’s meatpacking plants.“Especially since the White House said Des Moines was one of ten hotspots in the nation for COVID-19, and Iowa’s ranked 14th highest of 50 states,” she says. “Environmental Working Group came out with a study they published yesterday that Iowa meatpacking plants rank number one in the nation for infections, and if you’re a county that has one near you, your rate for COVID is almost twice that of what the national average is.”

Governor Reynolds announced on Thursday that the State Hygienic Lab had validated the machines used for the Test Iowa program and they expect more tests will be processed quickly and results will be delivered on a more timely basis. Steckman says despite that, more oversight needs to take place. “It’s $26 million of taxpayers money. Whether it’s federal or state, someone should be watching over that money,” she says. “I know when they came to Black Hawk County, they used personnel in Black Hawk County, the National Guard also was helping, but they had to pull folks away, nurses and that, away from other things to implement the program. I just think it needs more scrutiny. Any time you have that much money, there’s always the chance for things to not go like you’d like them to.”

Steckman made the oversight request during Thursday’s meeting of the Legislative Council. House Speaker Pat Grassley said he would not rule out the request but he had not had any conversations about it with the chair of the oversight committee.

Jada Wilson

(Radio Iowa) — Governor Kim Reynolds says Iowa schools and students are getting creative about graduation ceremonies, with districts planning vehicle parades, virtual ceremonies, and other socially-distanced events to help the Class of 2020 celebrate. Reynolds invited Glenwood senior Jada Wilson to speak at her daily news conference, late Friday morning. “I know that it is definitely not what any of us expected and I wish that I had more words of comfort to offer — but I don’t know what is going to happen next,” Wilson says. “I don’t know when things will return to normal because nobody knows what normal is any more. The most that I can offer to myself, and to you all, is that every single person is experiencing the same feelings that we have right now.”

Jack Dray, a graduating senior from Dowling High School in West Des Moines, was also invited to deliver a mini-commencement address. “It has been easy to fall victim to the feelings of sadness and loss. To dwell on the moments and memories that might have been, and to fear the uncertainty that lies ahead. Yet, this pandemic has taught me the importance of having a good mindset, staying positive, and recognizing my blessings,” Dray says.

Jack Dray

Reynolds says the Class of 2020 has gained valuable perspective from living through a pandemic — learning what’s really important life and what they can do without.

(Radio Iowa) — Governor Kim Reynolds says she’s aware of reports the machine used for her daily COVID-19 test may produce a high percentage of inaccurate results. The Abbott machines, which are being used at the White House, are able to process tests in as little as 15 minutes. Reynolds started a modified self-quarantine after Vice President Pence’s press secretary tested positive for COVID-19. Reynolds visited to the White House last week and events with Pence May 8th, in Des Moines.

Police in Shenandoah report two men were arrested on separate charges, Friday. 40-year old Lorenzo Lawson was taken into custody at around 1:30-p.m., following a domestic disturbance.

Lawson

Lawson was charged with domestic assault by strangulation causing bodily injury, child endangerment, and second degree criminal mischief. He was being held without bond in the Page County Jail, pending further court proceedings.

And, 42-year old Larry Lee Hart was arrested twice, Friday. At around 1:15-a.m., Hart was arrested for possession of drug paraphernalia, consumption or intoxication in public places, and indecent exposure. The His arrest followed a report about a man causing a disturbance. Hart was released from the Page County Jail after posting $1,600 bond, but he was arrested less than 12 hours later (12:30-p.m., Friday), at the Shenandoah Medical Center.

Hart

Hart was charged with false reporting to public entities, indecent exposure, and interference with official acts. He was being held in the Page County Jail on $3,000 bond.

Here is the latest Iowa news from The Associated Press

IOWA CITY, Iowa (AP) — University of Iowa researchers privately warned that the coronavirus would continue spreading through the state even before Gov. Kim Reynolds relaxed social distancing policies, a move they said would exacerbate the problem. In a report to the Iowa Department of Public Health on April 27, the university experts said that Iowa had not reached a peak and reopening the state economy before then would “result in a rapid rise of cases.” In a paper dated May 4, they found that the virus was still likely growing. They said that Iowa’s school and business closures and other steps had strongly mitigated the spread of infection but nonetheless were not “sufficient to prevent uncontained spread.”

IOWA CITY, Iowa (AP) — In the days before his death, an Iowa meatpacking worker told his nephew that the coronavirus was spreading through his plant due to crowded spaces and a lack of personal protective equipment. Husen Jagir died on May 1, about a week after he fell ill following a shift at the Seaboard Triumph Foods plant in Sioux City. The plant, which is one of the nation’s largest pork processing facilities, announced this week that 59 of its workers had tested positive for COVID-19 and that it had taken several safety precautions. Jagir’s nephew, Shila Dide, says his uncle told him last month that the virus was “everywhere” at the plant.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — A Des Moines commission dedicated to protecting human rights is among the latest to endure racist and sexist messages from cyber attackers. The Des Moines Civil and Human Rights Commission says it was forced to cancel a video-conference meeting with the Des Moines City Council on Thursday night when the meeting was disrupted by racist, sexist and pornographic messages. Commission Chairman Kameron Middlebrooks says the messages were directed at members of the commission, proving that “hate and ignorance is alive and well.” Officials say the meeting will be rescheduled.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Iowa Public Radio said Friday that the state Board of Regents has pulled its funding amid decreased revenues as a result of the coronavirus pandemic. The Des Moines Register reports the statewide radio network will lose $875,000 because of the regents’ decision. IPR executive director Myrna Johnson says that is 10% of the revenue it expected to receive for the fiscal year that begins July 1. Johnson says they are exploring fundraising options to offset the cut. IPR operates 26 stations across Iowa, reaching about 250,000 listeners.

DES MOINES, Iowa (The Des Moines Register) — Iowa Public Radio said Friday that the state Board of Regents has pulled its funding amid decreased revenues as a result of the coronavirus pandemic. The Des Moines Register reports the statewide radio network will lose $875,000 because of the regents’ decision.

IPR executive director Myrna Johnson says that is 10% of the revenue it expected to receive for the fiscal year that begins July 1. Johnson says they are exploring fundraising options to offset the cut. IPR operates 26 stations across Iowa, reaching about 250,000 listeners.

COUNCIL BLUFFS, Iowa – May 15, 2020 – Officials with the Iowa Department of Transportation, today (Friday), said the Interstate 80 Westbound Express lanes are expected to be closed for five days beginning Monday, May 18, at 8 a.m., weather permitting. All traffic will use northbound I-29/westbound I-80 local during the closure. The Iowa DOT expects to reopen the I-80 Westbound Express by noon on Friday, May 22.

The Iowa DOT reminds motorists to drive with caution, obey the posted speed limit and other signs in the work area, and be aware that traffic fines for moving violations are at least double in work zones. As in all work zones, drivers should stay alert, allow ample space between vehicles, and wear seat belts.

IOWA CITY, Iowa (AP) — University of Iowa researchers privately warned that the coronavirus would continue spreading through the state even before Gov. Kim Reynolds relaxed social distancing policies, a move they said would exacerbate the problem. In a report to the Iowa Department of Public Health on April 27, the university experts said that Iowa had not reached a peak and reopening the state economy before then would “result in a rapid rise of cases.”

In a paper dated May 4, they found that the virus was still likely growing. They said that Iowa’s school and business closures and other steps had strongly mitigated the spread of infection but nonetheless were not “sufficient to prevent uncontained spread.”

The Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office reports two arrests Friday afternoon following a traffic stop. Deputies initially responded to a call of a domestic altercation at 1:33 p.m. and that led to a traffic stop at O Avenue and 190th Street. The Sheriff’s Office arrested the driver, 34-year-old Linda Sue Sitzman of Corning, on a valid Adams County Warrant for Contempt of Court. She was turned over to Adams County authorities. The passenger in the vehicle, 38-year-old Robert Dean Surrell of Corning, was arrested for Violation of a No Contact Order. He was taken to the Montgomery County Jail and held on $300 bond.

The Sheriff’s Office was assisted by the Red Oak Police Department.

The Pottawattamie County Public Health Department today (Friday), reported 18 more positive cases of COVID-19. Sixteen of the new cases are residents of Council Bluffs, one is from Carter Lake, and one is from Oakland. One case is a child (a person between 0 and 18 years of age), six persons are 18-to 40, five are from 41-to 60 years of age, and six are 80 years of age or older. Those persons were tested between May 9th and 14th.

As of this latest report, 1,919 Pottawattamie County residents have been tested for COVID-19, and a total of 149 individuals have tested positive. One is currently hospitalized, 90 are self-isolating; 55 have fully recovered, one moved out-of-state, and there have been two deaths. Officials say the vast majority of positive cases have NOT required hospitalization, and have been able to fully recover at home.

Based on PCPH contract tracing investigations, 52 Pot. County COVID-19 cases are the result of “Community Spread.” A Community re-opening reference guide was created by the Pott. County COVID-19 Response Task Force, that provides local businesses, organizations, and residents with information regarding openings, closures, and restrictions, related to Gov. Reynolds’ proclamations. The guide can be found on the Pottawattamie County EMA COVID-19 website.