More area and State news from KJAN News Director Ric Hanson.

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A new study finds almost one in every three Iowans is obese, a number that’s bounded from about one in five at the start of the new millennium. John Auerbach, president and C-E-O of Trust for America’s Health, says more Iowans need to get serious about their diet and exercise. “The Hawkeye State is more or less where it was last year, which is 13th from the bottom,” Auerbach says. “It’s not a good ranking. It represents a percentage of about 32% of the population in Iowa who are overweight or obese.”

Kansas was the only state on this year’s report that saw a decrease in its obesity rate while five states had an increase. The rest, like Iowa, remained steady. Over the 14 years of these reports, Iowa’s numbers have continued to inch upward, like our waistline measurements. “It is concerning. By comparison, Iowa’s obesity rate in 2000 was 21% of the adult population and now it’s at 32%,” Auerbach says. “We haven’t really turned the corner yet.”

On the optimistic side, Auerbach says Iowa’s numbers may finally be stabilizing as we’ve been hovering around 32-percent for a couple of years now. “The fact that Iowa is leveling off now in terms of its obesity rate is encouraging,” Auerbach says. “We need to see additional progress in terms of programs and policies in the state in order for us to reverse the upward trends we’ve seen since 2000.”

Auerbach’s list of recommendations includes: investing in prevention at the federal, state and local levels; prioritizing early childhood policies and programs like Head Start; maintaining progress on school-based policies and programs, including full implementation of nutrition standards for school foods; and expanding health care coverage and care, including a full range of obesity prevention, treatment and management services.

The top-ranking states, those with the lowest obesity levels, are Hawaii, Massachusetts and -tops- Colorado, where the obesity rate is 22-percent. The lowest-ranking states on the list are: Alabama, Mississippi and -last- West Virginia, with an obesity rate of almost 38-percent. See the full report at: http://stateofobesity.org.

(Radio Iowa)

The area’s latest and/or top news stories at 7:06-a.m., w/KJAN News Director Ric Hanson

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Special Weather Statement for the following area counties: Sac-Crawford-Carroll-Audubon-Guthrie-Dallas-Cass-Adair-Madison-Adams-Union-Taylor-Ringgold…

Officials with the National Weather Service in Des Moines report smoke from Canadian forest fires is moving across Iowa. National Weather Service meteorologist Dave Cousins said the fires in the Canadian provinces of Manitoba and Saskatchewan likely were supplying the majority of the smoky haze. He said also, the haze had cut visibility at the Davenport Municipal Airport to 2 1/2 miles.

In Addition, the latest Air Quality Index provided by the Iowa DNR suggests unhealthy conditions for parts of Iowa. In western Iowa, some people may experience unusual sensitivity to air pollution created by the smoke. In Central and north central Iowa, where the effects are more moderate, persons may realize more serious health effects, especially those who already have breathing issues.

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) – A monthly survey of business leaders suggests more economic growth lies ahead for nine Midwest and Plains states. A report released Friday says the Mid-America Business Conditions Index rose to 57.5 in August from 56.1 in July. Creighton University economist Ernie Goss oversees the survey, and he says it “points to solid growth for both manufacturing and nonmanufacturing for the rest of 2017.”

The survey results are compiled into a collection of indexes ranging from zero to 100. Survey organizers say any score above 50 suggests growth in that factor. A score below that suggests decline. The survey covers Arkansas, Iowa, Kansas, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, Oklahoma and South Dakota.

Four people were arrested in Adams County over the past week on drug-related charges. Sheriff’s officials say one of the arrests took place this (Friday) morning. Deputies pulled over a vehicle traveling 82 miles per hour in a 55 mph zone at around 12:45-a.m., and as they approached the vehicle, detected a strong odor of marijuana. When asked about the odor, the driver, Holly Shumaker, of Roscoe, IL., handed deputies a small baggie containing marijuana.

A subsequent search of the vehicle resulted in the recovery of marijuana, two marijuana grinders, two smoking devices and rolling papers. Shumaker was arrested for Possession of a Controlled Substance/1st offense, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, and Interference with Official Acts. A passenger in the vehicle, Ashley DePursia, was arrested for Possession of a Controlled Substance/1st offense.

An investigation into a vehicle on the shoulder of the road near Highway 34 and Notchwood Avenue at around 10:11-p.m. on Aug. 26th, resulted in the arrest of 18-year old Brandon Logan, Jr., of Clarinda, and the referral of a 15-year old to Juvenile Court. Authorities say when deputies approached Logan, Jr., who was the driver of the vehicle, they detected the odor of alcohol and marijuana coming from the vehicle. They also observed pieces of marijuana on Logan’s pants and a marijuana grinder in plain view.

Logan consented to but failed, Standardized Field Sobriety Tests, and was placed under arrest for OWI/1st offense, Possession of a Controlled Substance/1st offense, and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. The 15-year old was referred to Juvenile court for Possession of a Controlled Substance, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, and Minor in Possession of Alcohol.

And, at around 3:30-p.m. Aug. 24th. Sheriff’s Deputies in Adams County conducted a traffic stop for speeding on Highway 34 at Fig Avenue, on a vehicle driven by Trevor Gray, of Blanchard. Upon establishing Probable Cause, they searched his vehicle and recovered numerous baggies of marijuana, drug paraphernalia, and a digital scale. Gray was arrested for Possession of a Controlled Substance with the Intent to Deliver, and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. He was also cited for Excessive Speed, and Towing an Unsafe vehicle. A warning was issued as well, for Improper rear tail lamps.

The Cass County Auditor’s Office, Thursday afternoon, reported long-time businessman Gerald Brink, who serves in an At-Large capacity on the Atlantic City Council, has submitted nomination papers to retain his seat in the November 7th election, and will now be included on the ballot.

Brink was appointed last September by the Atlantic City Council, to fill a vacancy on the Council that was created by the departure of Bob Cord, who moved out the area. Also on the ballot for the City Elections in November, are previously announced candidates, Incumbent Mayor – Dave Jones, and Incumbent Parks and Rec Board Member – Jolene Smith.

Persons wishing to file nomination papers for the City elections may do so at the Auditor’s Office weekdays until 5-p.m., Sept. 21st.

The Labor Day weekend is typically one of the most dangerous holiday periods of the year on Iowa roads. Patrick Hoye, chief of the Governor’s Traffic Safety Bureau, says traffic crashes over this last holiday weekend of the summer often involve drunk drivers. “For example, in 2016 over the Labor Day holiday, we had three traffic fatalities and two of them involved alcohol-impaired drivers,” Hoye said.

Nationally, statistics show around 40-percent of crash fatalities over this holiday involve an impaired driver. Police across Iowa have pledged to step-up enforcement efforts through Monday.”You’ll see additional officers out,” Hoye said. “Through the Governor’s Traffic Safety Bureau, we provide funding to make sure that there are additional officers out during this high travel, high crash time.”

Hoye says they’ll place an emphasis on impaired driving. He pleads with Iowans to plan ahead – and avoid getting behind the wheel after drinking. While there were just three fatalities on Iowa roadways over the Labor Day holiday last year, Hoye noted there were seven people killed in crashes in Iowa over the same period in 2015.

(Radio Iowa)

A car rear-ended a motorcycle Thursday night in central Iowa’s Warren County, leaving the operator of cycle dead. The Iowa State Patrol reports 56-year old James Dugan, of Indianola, died at the scene of the accident, which took place at around 8:30-p.m. on Highway 65, near the intersection with Nevada Street, in Indianola.

Officials say Dugan was southbound on Highway 65 and preparing to turn east onto Nevada Street, when the 1986 Harley Davidson FX-RT he was riding was hit from behind by a southbound 2011 Hyundai Sonata. The driver of the car, 18-year old Austin Beener, of New Virginia, was not injured.

The State Patrol was assisted at the scene by the Warren County Sheriff’s Office, Indianola Police and other emergency personnel.

Here is the latest Iowa news from The Associated Press at 3:40 a.m. CDT

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Iowa’s treasurer is warning that the state should borrow money to ensure it can pay its bills on time amid a potential budget shortfall, but Gov. Kim Reynolds argues the move is politically driven. Fitzgerald, a Democrat, announced Thursday that he had asked the Republican governor to authorize borrowing. He argues it would be a “sensible way” to manage “uncertainties.” Brenna Smith, Reynolds’ press secretary, says Fitzgerald is engaging in “headline-grabbing scare tactics.”

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Iowa is seeking federal approval to cut a key Medicaid health care benefit for the elderly and poor in an effort to save money. The state has asked the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services to eliminate a provision that allows a person to get Medicaid coverage three months before he or she submits an application to join the program. DHS estimates $36.7 million would be saved, including $9.7 million for the state. The policy would impact new Medicaid patients.

DAVENPORT, Iowa (AP) — A 51-year-old Clinton gun shop owner has been sentenced to federal prison after pleading guilty earlier this year to federal firearms violations. The Quad-City Times reports that Brad Ries was sentenced Wednesday in Davenport to two six-month prison sentences _ to be served at the same time _ for knowingly transferring a firearm without a background check and making a false statement to an ATF agent.

MASON CITY, Iowa (AP) — A northern Iowa hospital plans to construct a $9.78 million building that will be able to serve more behavioral health patients. The Globe Gazette reports that officials from Mercy Medical Center-North Iowa in Mason announced details about the 27,200 square-foot facility Wednesday. The project will be funded by donations from the Jan Again Foundation and through a reinvestment of the hospital’s funds and capital. The hospital is expected to be completed by 2019.