(Radio Iowa) – Feeding America’s latest annual study shows that the hunger problem in Iowa is getting worse. Food Bank of Iowa CEO Michelle Book says the new “Map the Meal Gap” report covers 2022.

“Twenty-22 is higher, the highest it’s been since 2017, food insecurity in the state of Iowa. But we also know that in addition to what these numbers reflect with 2022 that we’ve seen a 30 percent increase year over year in ’23 and ’24,” Book says. The report shows nearly 11 percent of Iowans and 15 percent of Iowa children aren’t getting enough food.

“Appanoose County is the highest level of food insecurity according to the Map the Meal Gap at nearly 15 percent of the population. Wappello County, where Ottumwa is, comes in a near second at about 14.2% or 5,000 residents in Wappello County being deemed in need of food assistance,” she says. Other counties facing food insecurity issues are Crawford, Lucas, Clarke and Des Moines counties.

Book says Iowa’s wages are not keeping up with the cost of living. “The last thing they spend money on is food at the grocery store, they’ve got to keep a roof over their head. They’ve got to keep an operating vehicle. They’ve got to pay the utilities at the end of the day there’s just not enough money for food,” Book says. The complete report can be found on line at FeedingAmerica.org

(Atlantic, Iowa) – Atlantic firefighters were dispatched at around 4:17-p.m, to a garage fire at 1310 Poplar Street. Atlantic Police reported the structure, which is detached from a residence, was fully engulfed in flames. Residents of the home were safely evacuated. A vehicle was said to be inside the garage.

Cass EMS was sent to the scene as a precautionary measure. Cass County EMA Coordinator Mike Kennon was also on the scene.

Additional information was not immediately available.

DES MOINES – Today, Gov. Kim Reynolds signed HF 2545 into law, a bill which improves educational standards and requires teaching on: World War I, World War II, the Holocaust, Cold War, 9/11, the Declaration of Independence, the Constitution and amendments, the Emancipation proclamation, and more. 

Gov. Reynolds signed the bill at Beit Shalom Jewish Community alongside leaders from around the state and members of the Jewish Federation of the Quad Cities. Gov. Reynolds released the following quote in response to signing HF 2545:  

“As part of a broader update to our educational standards designed to promote a deeper understanding of both American civics and Western history, this bill specifically requires that students be taught about the Holocaust. It also requires instruction on the broader context of World War II, as well as the significance of ancient Israel.

“At a time when so many young people today fail to learn the lessons of history, this legislation will help to keep Iowa on a different and better path. It will also ensure we provide our students with the foundation necessary to be active participants in our democracy – the best form of government in the world.” 

(Greenfield, Iowa) – The Adair County Board of Supervisors, today (Wednesday), awarded a bid from Hilltop Securities from Dallas, TX, for the sale of $5-million dollars in General Obligation Urban Renewal Bonds, Series 2024. Maggie Burger, with Speer Financial, said the last bond offering was in 2022. The interest rate at that time was 2.55%. There were five bidders for the bonds.

Hilltop Securities, she said, offered an interest rate of 3.3620%, which was lower than anticipated, and comes with a premium.

Burger had some great news for the County Board, with regard to the County’s Bond Rating. She said Moody’s Ratings and Investor Services, rated Adair County as Double-A three (AA3).

Moody’s said Adair County is doing well with regard to its fund balance.

She went on to describe more details with regard to the bond.

In other business, the Adair County Supervisors approved an Attorney Engagement Agreement for Commercial & Industrial Development Regulations. County Conservation Director Dominic Johnson updated the Board on equipment and maintenance activities. County Engineer Nick Kauffman presented a Resolution set May 29th at 9:30-a.m., as the date & time for a Public Hearing to vacate a portion of 277th Lane. The proposal includes about 187-feet of the lane, west of Vinton Avenue, in the southeast part of the County, south of Hebron.

And, the Board authorized Chair Jerry Walker to sign the final vouchers for the N24 Prussia (Township) Reinforced Box Culvert (RCB) Project (in the amount of $214,228), as well as the N26 Lincoln (Township) RCB Project (in the amount of $314,704).