DES MOINES – Gov. Kim Reynolds, Friday, announced appointments to Iowa’s boards and commissions.

The following appointments (featuring area residents) are subject to Senate confirmation (Name/County):

• Board of Nursing Home Administrators:  Cindy Dozark, Crawford
• State Board of Education: Rod Bradley, Crawford

The following appointments are not subject to Senate confirmation:

• Advisory Council on Brain Injuries: Andrea Gomez, Page
• Iowa Developmental Disabilities Council: Roxanne Cogil, Guthrie
• Iowa Council on Homelessness: Brandy Wallar, Pottawattamie
• Juvenile Justice Advisory Council: Patrick Garcia, Pottawattamie
• Missouri River Recovery Implementation Committee: Chris Larson, Cass
• State Historical Society of Iowa Board of Trustees: Dawn Meyer, Carroll
• State Soil Conservation and Water Quality Committee: Judy Loonan, Adams
• Vocational Rehabilitation Council: Daryn Richardson, Pottawattamie.

DES MOINES - Iowa Governor Reynolds, Friday, announced members of the Agriculture and Energy Working Groups of the Carbon Sequestration Task Force.  On June 22^nd, Governor Reynolds signed Executive Order 9 launching a task force to explore carbon sequestration and the opportunities it presents for further economic development in the state of Iowa. 

“Iowa is a recognized leader in renewable fuel and food production, making us a natural place to capitalize on the growing nationwide demand for a more carbon free economy,” said Gov. Reynolds. “I’m proud to expand our carbon sequestration task force with additional members centered around two main working groups. I know they will hit the ground running and I look forward to working alongside them to drive economic growth and sustainability in energy and agriculture production.”  

The Carbon Sequestration Task Force, chaired by Gov. Reynolds, will be supported by two working groups focused on Agriculture and Energy. Members of the working groups are comprised of diverse subject matter experts and stakeholders representing industries and interests integral to the carbon sequestration supply chain in the state of Iowa.  

ALTOONA, Iowa — Prairie Meadows in Altoona announced Friday it is resuming its mask mandate. The casino and race track facility said effective Aug. 1 at 8 a.m., all guests and employees must wear a face mask or covering while on property.“Prairie Meadows will continue to do their part to help slow the spread of COVID-19 in our community,” the casino said through a news release. Prairie Meadows said 100% of the indoor air is exchanged every 15 minutes through a two-stage filtration process that includes an anti-microbial treatment.

High-grade disinfectants and electrostatic sprayers are used on a rigorous cleaning schedule to sanitize the property daily. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention updated its mask guidance on Tuesday to recommend that fully vaccinated people wear masks indoors when in areas with “substantial” and “high” transmission of COVID-19, which includes nearly two-thirds of all U.S. counties.

DES MOINES, Iowa — Gov. Kim Reynolds has ordered flags to be lowered to half-staff in honor of a fallen Pearl Harbor sailor being returned home. U.S. Navy Hospital Apprentice First Class John Mulick was killed at Pearl Harbor during World War II. After 80 years, he will return home to Elma to be laid to rest. Reynolds has ordered flags be lowered to half staff today (Saturday), from sunrise to sunset. The graveside service is being held at 11 a.m. today (Saturday) at Calvary Cemetery in Elma.

Firefighters from Cumberland and Massena were paged-out to a residence in Massena early this (Saturday) morning, after the home was struck by lightning. The first page went out at around 2:45-a.m., after the house at 88 E. Cedar Street was hit. The residents reported smoke, but no flames.

Additional information is currently not available.