One weather expert says continued heat with little rainfall now in late summer could be a contributing factor to an early frost. Meteorologist Dennis Todey (TODD-ee), director of the U-S-D-A’s Midwest Climate Hub in Ames, says the long-running drought could prompt a potential crop-damaging frost sooner than expected.
“If we get some more moisture in the air, that could delay some of our frost potential,” Todey says. “When you have very dry air, very dry conditions, you can cool down a bit more quickly at night and maybe instead of getting to 35 or 34, we get down to 31 or 30 degrees.” Todey says early dry down of crops could also contribute to the frost risk.
“Dry conditions are a potential risk because the soils are dry,” Todey says. “If the crops dry down sooner, they’re not transpiring much more moisture, so it could be a risk, but if crops are mainly past their potential for damage, it may not be a big issue overall.” Normal frost dates over the northern plains become a factor in late September and into October. Fall arrives September 22nd.

Nicole Poole Franklin attempted to kill two children because of their race and national origin
DES MOINES, IA – Nicole Poole Franklin, age 43, of Des Moines, was sentenced to 304 months in prison by United States District Court Judge Stephanie M. Rose after pleading guilty to two hate crime charges for attempting to kill two minors because of their race and national origin. The federal sentence will run concurrently with the 25-year sentence imposed in the Iowa District Court for Polk County on May 28, 2021, for two counts of attempted murder. Poole Franklin was ordered to serve five years of supervised release to follow her prison term and pay a $200 special assessment to the Crime Victims’ Fund.
On the afternoon of December 9, 2019, Poole Franklin drove her Jeep Grand Cherokee on Creston Avenue in Des Moines, where the first child-victim and a minor family member were walking on the sidewalk. Upon seeing the children and believing the victim was of Middle Eastern or African descent, Poole Franklin intentionally drove her vehicle over the curb, striking one of them. She then drove away from the scene. The child victim suffered cuts, bruising, and swelling. Poole Franklin later stated she believed the child was “ISIS” and was going to take her out. Approximately 30 minutes later, Poole Franklin drove her vehicle near Indian Hills Junior High School in Clive, where the second child-victim was walking on the sidewalk. Poole Franklin, drove her Jeep over the curb and struck the victim, causing serious injury, including a concussion, bruises, and cuts. Poole Franklin later told law enforcement that she believed the minor victim was Hispanic, and was “takin over . . . our homes, and our jobs,” and “wasn’t supposed to be in our country.” Poole Franklin again left the scene but was apprehended by law enforcement later that day.
Acting Southern District of Iowa United States Attorney Richard D. Westphal wrote in his sentencing memorandum to the district court, “Nothing can be more devastating to the American dream of equal rights than the actions of Poole Franklin on a hate filled December 9,
2019, as she callously attempted to run over and kill a 12 year old boy, and a 14 year old girl. Two minors who had done nothing wrong other than innocently walk on a street, and happen to be of a different race and skin color from Poole Franklin. Her actions temporarily shattered, but did not permanently defeat this dream. Because these two courageous victims, and their amazing families, continue to epitomize the hopes of what our society can be. Holding Poole Franklin accountable, not only for her intentional actions, but for the malicious beliefs behind them, is what our justice system should be, and a must to provide just punishment, afford adequate deterrence, and protect the public from further crimes by this defendant.”
Following today’s sentencing, FBI Omaha Special Agent in Charge Eugene Kowel stated, “Nicole Poole Franklin committed a despicable crime. She targeted and seriously injured two children because of the color of their skin. FBI Omaha will continue to work closely with our law enforcement partners to investigate hate crimes and seek justice for the victims. We encourage everyone to report such crimes to the FBI.”
This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Des Moines Police Department, the Clive Police Department, the West Des Moines Police Department, and the Polk County Attorney’s Office. The United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Iowa, in conjunction with the Department of Justice-Civil Rights Division prosecuted the case.

St. Charles, Ill. – Aug. 20, 2021 – A new 10-minute video featuring ag editors Willie Vogt, Farm Progress editorial director, and Holly Spangler, executive editor of Prairie Farmer, offers an editorial perspective on can’t-miss moments and hot topics at this year’s Farm Progress Show 2021. Vogt and Spangler discuss the stories and news they are watching and covering, as well as share the new product introductions, technology features, demos and other solutions they anticipate making the biggest impact with farmers when the show reconvenes in-person in Decatur, Ill., Aug. 31-Sept. 2.

“Farmers come to Farm Progress Show to get answers to the burning questions that are bugging them about their operations,” said Vogt. “They’re facing any number of challenges on the farm, but there are tons of opportunities for them in the coming year, too.”

“There will be something – probably a few things – at the Farm Progress Show that farmers have never seen before,” said Spangler. “The show exists for farmers to get a look at new solutions, technology and products, and consider what could work well for their operation. Farmers have an opportunity to see just about everything they might think of adding to the farm next year.”

Vogt and Spangler also discuss a likely hot topic at this year’s show – supply chain challenges and related pricing impacts.
“It seems that every company is scrambling to address these issues,” said Vogt. “If farmers have questions about the supply chain or product availability – whether crop protection or equipment – this is the place to ask tough questions to your suppliers.”

“It’s time to be planning for planting,” said Spangler. “It’s not too early to be asking questions about available planter parts, or working with your dealer. This is the place to come get those answers.”

Watch the video online to hear more from Vogt and Spangler, including their discussion around ethanol uses, farm data and supply chain shortages. Stop by the ADM Stage, Prairie Farmer Hospitality Building, Lot 643, at Farm Progress Show, either day from 11-11:30 a.m. CT, to meet the Farm Progress editors. From Tech to Food Policy, Willie Vogt covers a wide range of ag topics as editorial director at Farm Progress. As editor of Prairie Farmer magazine, Holly Spangler brings meaningful production agriculture experience to the topics she covers, including a variety of production, management and issue-oriented stories.

There are many more must-see moments at Farm Progress Show 2021. Check out the detailed show scheduleand be sure to mark your calendar for:

• ​​5:30 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 1: Case IH presents Lee Brice in concert
• 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. Tuesday & Wednesday, 10 a.m. on Thursday: Friendly Competition at the Bags Tournament!
• 10-11 a.m. both days, FBi Buildings Qlyft system demonstration

About Farm Progress

As part of Informa Markets, Farm Progress is the largest, most diversified agriculture information business in North America. Through a robust network of live events, digital products, data, marketing services, broadcasting and local and national publications, Farm Progress enables the nation’s most economically significant farmers, growers and ranchers to connect and do business. It serves 80% of the 2 million farms and ranches in the U.S., and an estimated 85% of the nation’s annual agricultural gross domestic product. Visit our website at https://Marketing.FarmProgress.com.

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Joni Ernst (R-Iowa), a veteran of the Global War on Terror and member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, is urging President Joe Biden to fulfill his “solemn responsibility to evacuate all American citizens and Afghan partners without respect to arbitrary timelines dictated by the Taliban.” Ernst joined 15 of her Republican colleagues on a letter to the president.

 “We are extremely concerned that, despite our recommendations, your administration failed to establish a coherent plan to get all American civilians and Afghans who have aided us out of the country as quickly and safely as possible. This must be our top priority,” the senators wrote. “Not only should we protect American citizens in Afghanistan, we must also uphold our promise to the thousands of Afghans who put their lives on the line to work with us to advance our shared security goals.”

 “You must devote all means necessary to ensure every American citizen and all eligible Afghan partners are successfully evacuated. In addition, you must make it clear to the Taliban and every other terrorist group that they will face severe consequences if they attempt to interfere with this process,” the senators continued.

 Background:

This letter reinforces Ernst’s call for the Biden Administration to authorize the U.S. military to guarantee safe passage for Americans to Hamid Karzai International Airport, and commit to evacuating every American from the country before again withdrawing U.S. forces from Afghanistan at or beyond the end of August.

 In May, Ernst teamed up with Senator Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.) to lead a bipartisan bill to express widespread support in the Senate for the Special Immigrant Visa (SIV) program for Afghans, and to urge continued support from the administration to uphold the integrity of the program. Their bipartisan bill to provide immediate improvements to and strengthen the efficiency of the Afghan Special Immigrant Visa (SIV) program was signed into law.

Earlier today Ernst and Shaheen led 53 of their colleagues in urging the administration to address the quickly deteriorating situation in Afghanistan and implement the Ernst-Shaheen SIV bill.