(Radio Iowa) – We’re now in what are considered the one-hundred deadliest days of the year for teen drivers, the roughly three months between Memorial Day and Labor Day. Brian Ortner, a spokesman for Triple-A Iowa, says the dangers of a teen dying or being critically hurt in a crash rise exponentially during this season. “The risk is higher during the summer for teen drivers and everyone else they share the road with,” Ortner says, “because school is either out or out very soon and these young — and unfortunately inexperienced — drivers will spend more time on the road with their friends.”

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration says nearly half of teen driver-related deaths occur during these 100 days. In 2022, more than 700 people were killed in crashes involving teen drivers, a ten-percent increase over pre-pandemic 2019.  “Distracted driving plays a role in nearly six out of ten of those teen crashes,” Ortner says. “Cell phones, in-vehicle entertainment systems are considered the second biggest distraction for teen drivers. The biggest distractions are other teen passengers. Other passengers in the car contribute to peer pressure, and the impulse to engage in dangerous driving habits, like speeding.”

Parents should lead by example when they’re behind the wheel, Ortner says. That includes minimizing risky behavior when driving, don’t drive aggressively, avoid distractions, and always wear your seatbelt. “The most important thing parents can do to help their teens become safe drivers is to be involved in the learning-to-drive process,” Ortner says. “Spend time coaching your teen when they’re behind the wheel, and have that serious discussion about safety. It’s also good to maybe seek out professional training courses.”

Studies show crashes are the leading cause of death for teens between the ages of 16 and 19. For every mile driven, new teen drivers are three times more likely to be involved in a deadly crash compared to adults.

GREENFIELD, Iowa [KCCI] — The Greenfield Volunteer Fire Department has been forced out of its station after the building suffered extensive damage from an EF-4 tornado on May 21. Interim fire chief Brett Stender told KCCI-TV that they can’t operate out of their current building. Wooden boards now act as garage doors there and insulation is bursting at the seams. Three of the department’s fire trucks were in the station at the time of the storm and suffered minor damage. Twelve sets of gear were damaged, too.

Four of their 21 firefighters, including the chief, lost their homes, but the crew has remained on the ground day in and day out. A local family farm offered up its warehouse for the department to store its six trucks and equipment. Clay Hohertz said he got the call the day after the storm. He and his family opened up the doors to the building without hesitation. Stender and his crew were moved in that night.

Stender said having everything in one place is crucial. Local fire departments have also helped by donating time and resources to the station. The people who are used to helping others are now the ones receiving help.

A GoFundMe has been started for the fire department. Click this link for the fundraiser.

(Radio Iowa) – Both Congressman Randy Feenstra and Kevin Virgil, the Republican challenging Feenstra in next week’s Primary Election, agree sustainable jet fuel made from corn or soybeans could be a huge boost to Iowa’s economy. The candidates answered questions at a forum in Cherokee yesterday (Thursday) that was sponsored by the Iowa Renewable Fuels Association and broadcast by K-T-I-V T-V. Feenstra told the group boosting production of sustainable jet fuel could quadruple the output from Iowa ethanol and biodiesel plants.

“If we say, ‘No, we’re not going to do it,’ I know California will. I know Texas will,” Feenstra said. “…We’ve got to think long term. We can’t put our head in the sand. That’s easy to do. ‘Oh, we don’t want to do that.’ Oh, really? Do you want to grow Iowa? We’ve got the opportunity. It’s a massive opportunity.”

Virgil says the fuel has great potential for Iowa, but the federal tax credits being made available require the grain to come from fields with cover crops and other conservation measures. “People in this room probably think the carbon capture pipeline might be a great opportunity for us to qualify,” Virgil said. “…Let me tell you something about Bruce Rastetter — the guy behind Summit Carbon Solutions and…one of (my opponent’s) biggest donors — Rastetter has a contract with Honeywell to build a sustainable aviation fuel plant in Louisiana.”

Virgil says he’s generally against government intervention in free markets and the Renewable Fuels Standard that mandates ethanol and biodiesel production should be phased out.  “As hard as it is for people to hear, we need to let the market do what the market does,” Virgil said. “…It maintains too significant of an impact on our market at the moment and it’s creating a lot of distortions that are creating a lot of pain for farmers.”

Feenstra says the Renewable Fuels Standard needs to be expanded, not ended. “No one should get tax credits, right? But if electric vehicles are getting them and the petroleum industry is getting them, but we shouldn’t?” Feenstra asked rhetorically. Feenstra says ending the ethanol production mandate would destroy the ag industry. “Either you like ag or you don’t,” Feenstra said. “…We’re either going to grow Iowa or we’re not.”

Feenstra, a former state senator from Hull, is seeking a third term in the U-S House. Virgil is an Army veteran and former C-I-A officer who owns a software company. In December, he moved back to the farm near Sutherland where he grew up and in early January announced he was challenging Feenstra in this year’s G-O-P Primary.

(Radio Iowa) – Two Democrats are running in Tuesday’s third district primary for the chance to challenge Republican Congressman Zach Nunn of Bondurant in the General Election. Lanon Baccam (luh-NON buh-KAHM) of Des Moines and Melissa Vine of West Des Moines are both first time candidates. Baccom, who was born and raised in Mount Pleasant, served in the Iowa National Guard for eight years. He’s also worked 10 years at positions within the U-S-D-A for former Iowa Governor and current U-S Ag Secretary Tom Vilsack, who has endorsed Baccam.

“I think I have a level of experience right now…to leverage the incredible resources and programs all across the federal government and to bring those resources back to the third district,” Baccam says. “That’s really important.”

Vine, a recent law school graduate, is executive director of a non-profit that provides services to women recovering from a traumatic experience. She’s also a single mother to four boys. “About 10 years ago I got out of an abusive marriage and overnight I went from being a wealthy small business owner to having zero dollars to my name,” Vine says. “I was checking groceries for $8.50 an hour to make ends meet.”

Both candidates say the number one issue for Democrats in 2024 is to respond to the Supreme Court ruling that overturned Roe v Wade. Baccam says politicians should let women, the families and doctors make decisions about abortion. “Zach Nunn holds an extreme position when it comes to abortion. People see that. They know it,” Baccam says. “It is completely out of step where Iowans are on this issue.”

Vine also supports a federal law to legalize abortion. “I really think it’s important in light of abortion being a top issue to get me into the General Election to take on Zach Nunn and flip the House,” Vine says. Vine fired her campaign manager and recently paid a state fine after the Iowa Ethics Board found her campaign made contributions to a political action committee as it was deciding who to endorse in this race. Vine says the incident is not an issue with the voters she’s talking to. “They are more interested in the issues like abortion, our economy and moving away from extremism,” Vine says, “so that’s what our campaign is focused on.”

Baccam says voters bring up the same issues to him. “People are concerned about our democracy,” Baccam says. “They see and sense people are moving apart and they just really want a sense of community again.”

There are 21 counties in Iowa’s third congressional district, including the cities of Red Oak, Atlantic Osceola and Ottumwa as well as the Des Moines metro.

(Radio Iowa) – Iowa politicians are issuing written statements this afternoon following a New York jury’s verdict that found former President Donald Trump guilty of falsifying business records.

Congresswoman Ashley Hinson of Marion was the first Republican up for election in November to issue a statement. Hinson said Trump will fight the verdict and Iowa Republicans must fight alongside him. Congressman Zach Nunn, a Republican from Bondurant, said the justice system was used to target Trump and the American people will have the final say on Election Day.

Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds, who endorsed Trump in early March, said in her statement that the only verdict that matters is the one at the ballot box in November. Senator Joni Ernst, who endorsed Trump on the same day Reynolds did, said in her statement that Iowans are sick of the political perfection of Trump. The chairman of the Iowa Republican Party called the trial a political show put on by Democrats to take out a political rival.

Iowa Attorney General Brenna Bird was in New York for Trump’s trial earlier this month.

State Auditor Rob Sand, the only Democrat serving in statewide office, says as a former prosecutor, he found juries in both liberal and conservative Iowa counties took the work seriously and Sand says the jurors in Trump’s New York trial deserve both thanks and respect.

Republican Congresswoman Mariannette Miller-Meeks of Davenport and Republican Congressman Randy Feenstra of Hull have not yet issued statements reacting to today’s verdict. Miller-Meeks did post a message on social media yesterday calling the trial a sham.

DES MOINES – Today, Gov. Kim Reynolds sent United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Secretary Tom Vilsack a letter urging the USDA to prioritize and expedite the approval process for animal vaccines designed to combat foreign animal diseases and other diseases threatening the U.S agriculture industry.  

The letter reads in part:  

“Animal diseases pose significant threats to the agricultural industry, jeopardizing animal health, food security, and economic stability. The recent outbreaks of diseases such as highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) in dairy cattle and poultry, as well as the recent outbreak of Avian Metapneumovirus (aMPV) in Iowa turkey farms, underscores the need for proactive measures to prevent and control future outbreaks. Vaccine development and approvals are critical to ensure the health and safety of our nation’s livestock and poultry operations.  

“I urge the USDA and the USDA Center for Veterinary Biologics (CVB) located in Ames, Iowa, to expedite the review and approval process for animal vaccines, prioritizing those that have demonstrated safety, efficacy, and feasibility. Additionally, I encourage the USDA to allocate resources and support research efforts aimed at developing innovative vaccines and vaccination strategies.” 

You can read the full letter here. 

DES MOINES, Iowa, May 30, 2024 – Agricultural operations in Iowa have been significantly impacted by recent tornados and flooding. The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has technical and financial assistance available to help farmers and livestock producers recover from these adverse weather events. Impacted producers should contact their local USDA Service Center to report losses and learn more about program options available to assist in their recovery from crop, land, infrastructure, and livestock losses and damages.

USDA Disaster Assistance 

Producers who experience livestock deaths in excess of normal mortality or sell injured livestock at a reduced price may be eligible for the Livestock Indemnity Program (LIP). To participate in LIP, producers will have to provide acceptable documentation of death losses or evidence of reduced sales resulting from an eligible adverse weather event and must submit a notice of loss to the USDA Farm Service Agency (FSA) no later than the annual program payment application date, which is 60 calendar days following the calendar year in which the loss occurred.  The LIP payment application and notice of loss deadline is March 3, 2025, for 2024 calendar year losses. Livestock producers who experience losses related to tornadoes should check with their local FSA office for LIP eligibility criteria.

Meanwhile, the Emergency Assistance for Livestock, Honeybees, and Farm-Raised Fish Program (ELAP) provides eligible producers with compensation for feed and grazing losses. For ELAP, producers are required to complete a notice of loss and a payment application to their local FSA office no later than the annual program application deadline, Jan. 30, 2025, for 2024 calendar year losses.

Additionally, eligible orchardists and nursery tree growers may be eligible for cost-share assistance through the Tree Assistance Program (TAP) to replant or rehabilitate eligible trees, bushes or vines. TAP complements the Noninsured Crop Disaster Assistance Program (NAP) or crop insurance coverage, which covers the crop but not the plants or trees in all cases. For TAP, a program application must be filed within 90 days of the disaster event or the date when the loss of the trees, bushes or vines is apparent.

“Once you are able to evaluate the impact on your operation, be sure to contact your local FSA county office to timely report all crop, livestock and farm infrastructure damages and losses,” said Matt Russell, State Executive Director for FSA in Iowa. “To expedite FSA disaster assistance, you will likely need to provide documents, such as farm records, herd inventory, receipts and pictures of damages or losses.”

FSA also offers a variety of direct and guaranteed farm loans, including operating and emergency farm loans, to producers unable to secure commercial financing. Producers in counties with a primary or contiguous disaster designation may be eligible for low interest emergency loans to help them recover from production and physical losses. Loans can help producers replace essential property, purchase inputs like livestock, equipment, feed and seed, cover family living expenses or refinance farm-related debts and other needs. On May 24, 2024, FSA Administrator Zach Ducheneaux signed an Administrator’s Physical Loss Notification (APLN) making 29 counties in Iowa – eight primary and 21 contiguous – eligible for FSA emergency loans for physical damages and loss caused by thunderstorms and tornadoes that occurred April 26 through April 27, 2024. Contiguous counties in Missouri and Nebraska are also eligible for APLN emergency loan assistance.

Additionally, FSA offers several loan servicing options available for borrowers who are unable to make scheduled payments on their farm loan programs debt to the agency because of reasons beyond their control.

The Farm Storage Facility Loan Program (FSFL) provides low-interest financing so producers can build, repair, replace or upgrade facilities to store commodities. Loan terms vary from three to 12 years. Producers who incurred damage to or loss of their equipment or infrastructure funded by the FSFL program should contact their insurance agent and their local USDA Service Center. Producers in need of on-farm storage should also contact USDA.

Risk Management

Producers who have risk protection through Federal Crop Insurance or FSA’s NAP should report crop damage to their crop insurance agent or FSA office. If they have crop insurance, producers should provide a notice of loss to their agent within 72 hours of initial discovery of damage and follow up in writing within 15 days.

For NAP covered crops, a Notice of Loss (CCC-576) must be filed within 15 days of the loss becoming apparent, except for hand-harvested crops, which should be reported within 72 hours.

“Crop insurance and other USDA risk management options are offered to help producers manage risk because we never know what nature has in store for the future,” said Pamela Stahlke, Director of USDA’s Risk Management Agency (RMA) Regional Office that covers Iowa. “The Approved Insurance Providers, loss adjusters and agents are experienced and well-trained in handling these types of events.”

Conservation

FSA’s Emergency Conservation Program (ECP) and Emergency Forest Restoration Program (EFRP) can assist landowners and forest stewards with financial and technical assistance to restore fencing, damaged farmland or forests, and remove debris from feed stocks, water supplies and feeding areas.

USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) is always available to provide technical assistance during the recovery process by assisting producers to plan and implement conservation practices on farms and working forests impacted by natural disasters. The Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) can help producers plan and implement conservation practices on land impacted by natural disasters.

“The Natural Resources Conservation Service can be a very valuable partner to help landowners with their recovery and resiliency efforts,” said Jon Hubbert, NRCS State Conservationist in Iowa. “Our staff will work one-on-one with landowners to make assessments of the damages and develop approaches that focus on effective recovery of the land.”

Assistance for Communities

Additional NRCS programs include the Emergency Watershed Protection (EWP) program, which assists local government sponsors with the cost of addressing watershed impairments or hazards such as debris removal and streambank stabilization.

The EWP Program is a recovery effort aimed at relieving imminent hazards to life and property caused by floods, fires, windstorms and other natural disasters. All projects must have an eligible project sponsor. NRCS may bear up to 75% of the eligible construction cost of emergency measures (90% within county-wide limited-resource areas as identified by the U.S. Census data). The remaining costs must come from local sources and can be in the form of cash or in-kind services.

EWP is designed for installation of recovery measures to safeguard life and property as a result of a natural disaster. Threats that the EWP Program addresses are termed watershed impairments. These include, but are not limited to:

• Debris-clogged waterways.
• Unstable streambanks.
• Severe erosion jeopardizing public infrastructure.
• Wind-borne debris removal.

Eligible sponsors include cities, counties, towns or any federally recognized Native American tribe or tribal organization. Sponsors must submit a formal request (by mail or email) to the NRCS state conservationist for assistance within 60 days of the natural disaster occurrence or 60 days from the date when access to the sites become available. For more information, please contact your local NRCS office.

(Radio Iowa) – State officials say phone and internet services provided by Lumen Technologies have been disrupted in Iowa due to a water line break at the company’s hub in Des Moines this (Thursday) morning. CenturyLink changed its name to Lumen in 2020 and the extent of the company’s outage is unclear. A spokesperson for Lumen says central and eastern Iowa customers are affected.

According to the Iowa Department of Homeland Security, some Lumen customers may not be able to call 9-1-1 with their landline phone, so the agency is recommending emergency calls be made from a cell phone if a landline call doesn’t go through.

An advisory from Polk County Emergency Management indicates Lumen has brought in generators to try to stabilize the situation at its hub in downtown Des Moines.

(Radio Iowa) – Cherokee County Sheriff Derek Scott has adopted a critically injured dog he helped rescue in late March. A woman called the sheriff’s office for help after spotting the injured dog in a ditch on a county road near Quimby. The dog was taken to a vet clinic in Cherokee, then transferred to an animal rescue service in Sioux City called Noah’s Hope.

“Initially, it kind of looked like he got hit by a car. He was laying in the ditch on his side. He looked in bad shape,” Scott says. “After we got him to Sioux City and Noah’s Hope did some examining and got him to a vet, they found he was actually shot in the front leg.” The dog’s leg had to be amputated. Animal shelter staff decided to name the dog Derek in honor of the sheriff who drove him to Sioux City for treatment, then the sheriff and his wife decided to adopt the dog.

“We had two other dogs in our house and he gets along with everybody,” he says. That includes Sheriff Scott, his wife, his kids — and even the cats.