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Survey finds politics & cell phones are not welcome at Thanksgiving table

News

November 28th, 2019 by Ric Hanson

(Radio Iowa) — Smart phones and politics are two things Iowans should -not- bring to the Thanksgiving table today (Thursday). A national survey conducted by a West Des Moines branding and marketing agency finds certain topics should remain off-limits, and electronic gadgets should be switched off. Doug Jeske, president of Meyocks, says the survey found Thanksgiving is a time for family, not Facebook. “About 70% of Americans say they find the use of mobile phones and other devices at the Thanksgiving table annoying,” Jeske says, “yet 43% still allow it and about a third of us admit to using or checking our smartphones ourselves.”

It’s suggested the Thanksgiving dinner hosts make a rule before the feast begins that anyone caught using their phone during the meal has to wash all of the dishes. “I think that would be a great idea,” Jeske says. “We as Americans profess to wanting to be with our families at Thanksgiving yet some of us find ways to disconnect from them when we’re together. Maybe if there was a disincentive of having to help with cleanup, it might keep us focused on the conversation at hand.” It’s long been said that polite conversation should not include politics or religion. The survey found politics is declining as a popular topic on Turkey Day.

“Four years ago, one in four Americans said that politics typically came up at the Thanksgiving table,” Jeske says. “This year, it’s down to one in six. We’re a little divided as a nation, perhaps a lot divided, so it’s easier to talk about the good things that are going on or how good mom’s pecan pie is, rather than talk about things like impeachment.” As for religion, one in five of those surveyed say they never say a prayer at the Thanksgiving table. That’s up slightly from 17% in 2016. While mashed potatoes, pumpkin pie and cranberry sauce remain a constant on the Thanksgiving menu, the latest survey found one change from tradition. “Turkey still dominates as a Thanksgiving dinner item, but mac and cheese, for the first time since we’ve been doing the survey, made the top ten list of dishes,” Jeske says. “It looks like it displaced boxed stuffing from last year’s results.”

Three in ten Americans say macaroni and cheese is typically served as their primary Thanksgiving meal. Also this year, nearly one in five surveyed say they’ll have groceries delivered for Thanksgiving.
www.meyocks.com/thanksgiving

Skyscan Forecast – Thanksgiving Day – Nov. 28, 2019 –

Weather

November 28th, 2019 by Ric Hanson

Today: Cloudy w/light snow, freezing rain & rain, this afternoon. High 34. SE @ 10.

Tonight: Winter Weather Advisory for freezing, mixed precip. Low 10. SE @ 10.

Tomorrow: Cldy w/mixed precip. Becoming rain. High 45. SE @ 10-20.

Saturday: Light rain ending early. High 50.

Sunday: Mostly cloudy w/flurries. High 36.

Wednesday’s High in Atlantic, was 35 Our Low this morning 26. Last year on this date, the High in Atlantic was 32 and the Low was 17. The record High for Nov. 28th in Atlantic, was 63 in 1941. The Record Low was -16 in 1952.

 

Winter Weather Advisory for the western 1/2 of Iowa from tonight until Noon, Friday

Weather

November 28th, 2019 by Ric Hanson

The National Weather Service has issued a Winter Weather Advisory for the western half of Iowa, from 10-p.m. tonight until Noon Friday, except for the far west/southwest counties, where the advisory in effect until 9-a.m., Friday.

Winter Weather Advisory for counties shaded in purple.

* WHAT…Freezing drizzle expected. Total ice accumulations less than one tenth of an inch.

* WHERE…Mainly West of Interstate 35.

* WHEN…From 10 PM this evening to noon CST Friday.

* IMPACTS…Difficult travel conditions are possible. The hazardous conditions could impact the morning commute.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS…

Slow down and use caution while traveling. Prepare for possible power outages. The latest road conditions for the state you are calling from can
be obtained by calling 5 1 1.

Iowa early News Headlines: 11/28/19

News

November 28th, 2019 by Ric Hanson

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

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — The Iowa Court of Appeals has upheld a $4.9 million jury verdict awarded to a Texas woman after she fell outside a hotel on an icy sidewalk. The court in its ruling Wednesday rejected arguments by Marriott International that the jury’s 2018 verdict was excessive and the result of jury prejudice against the corporation. Brenda Alcala, a software consultant, filed the lawsuit. She was staying at the Bettendorf Courtyard by Marriott in January 2010 when she slipped on ice and broke an ankle.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds says she has appointed a northwest Iowa judge to the Iowa Court of Appeals. Reynolds says in a statement that Paul Ahlers, of Fort Dodge, will succeed Judge Amanda Potterfield, who is retiring from the bench on December 25. She was appointed by Democratic Gov. Chet Culver in 2008. Ahlers is Reynolds’ fourth appointment to the nine-member court.

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Two powerful storms threatened to scramble Thanksgiving plans for millions of people during one of the year’s busiest travel weeks. A winter-like storm blamed for one death rolled into the Midwest on Wednesday, dropping heavy snow in parts of Minnesota and Wisconsin. Meanwhile, a so-called bomb cyclone brought snow, wind and rain to the California and Oregon coasts, snarling traffic for hours. In New York, a windy forecast could mean disappointment for fans of the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade.

SIOUX CITY, Iowa (AP) — A former care provider in Sioux City has been sentenced to 10 years in prison for stealing from her clients. The Sioux City Journal reports that 50-year-old Lisa Sembach-Preston was sentenced Tuesday. The judge also ordered her to repay nearly $85,000 to Crossroads of Western Iowa, a Council Bluffs-based nonprofit that provides services to adults with disabilities and mental illnesses.

Midwest Sports Headlines: 11/28/19

Sports

November 28th, 2019 by Ric Hanson

Here is the latest Mid-America sports news from The Associated Press

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — Iowa’s run of success against Nebraska has been predicated on its ground game. Recently it has not been working so well. The 19th-ranked Hawkeyes have rolled up more than 260 yards rushing in each of the last three meetings with Nebraska and have had a running back go for more than 100 four straight years. The Cornhuskers need a win to become bowl eligible for the first time since 2016.

LAHAINA, Hawaii (AP) — Devon Dotson scored 31 points, Udoka Azubuike had seven of his 29 in overtime and No. 4 Kansas outlasted Dayton 90-84 to win its third Maui Invitational title. The Flyers and Jayhawks spent much of the afternoon trading leads and highlight-reel plays in a bleacher-shaking atmosphere inside the bandbox Lahaina Civic Center.

CANCUN, Mexico (AP) — AJ Green scored 26 points, including Northern Iowa’s last 10 points, leading the Panthers to a 78-72 win over South Carolina in the third-place game at the Cancun Challenge. Trae Berhow had five 3-pointers and 15 points for the Panthers (7-1), who bounced back after a heart-breaking five-point loss to West Virginia a night earlier.

GEORGE TOWN, Cayman Islands (AP) — Haanif Cheatham scored a career-high 26 points, Dachon Burke Jr. added a career-best 19 and Nebraska got rolling with 61% shooting in the second half for a 74-67 victory over South Florida in the third-place game of the Cayman Islands Classic. Nebraska (4-3) shot 55% overall to conclude the tournament with two wins sandwiched around an 85-66 loss to George Mason.

Green clutch as N Iowa knocks off South Carolina 78-72

Sports

November 27th, 2019 by Ric Hanson

CANCUN, Mexico (AP) — AJ Green scored 26 points, including Northern Iowa’s last 10 points, leading the Panthers to a 78-72 win over South Carolina in the third-place game at the Cancun Challenge on Wednesday night. Trae Berhow had five 3-pointers and 15 points for the Panthers (7-1), who bounced back after a heart-breaking five-point loss to West Virginia a night earlier. A.J. Lawson had 20 points to lead the Gamecocks (4-3).

The Panthers lost to West Virginia in their opener, 60-55, squandering a 15-point lead in the last 10 minutes. They made just 3 of 20 3-pointers in the loss but bounced back to make 8 of 20 against the Gamecocks. Green was 10 of 10 from the foul line.
UP NEXT
Northern Iowa heads home to face Luther College on Monday.

Iowa Women top Cincinnati at Puerto Rico Challenge

Sports

November 27th, 2019 by admin

Final Score: Iowa 69, Cincinnati 61

Game Notes:

  • Sophomore Monika Czinano scored a career-high 16 points
  • Ollinger led the Hawkeyes with 13 rebounds, recording a career high.
  • Three Hawkeyes scored in double figures: Monika Czinano (16), Kathleen Doyle (13), and Amanda Ollinger (10)
  • Freshman Gabbie Marshall made three 3-pointers in the second half — tying her season best.
  • Doyle pulled in nine rebounds, tying her career best, and added six assists, leading the Hawkeyes in both.

Up Next: Iowa continues play at the Puerto Rico Clasico. The Hawkeyes will take on Towson (Nov. 28) and Washington (Nov. 30).

Wilkins scores 18 to lead Drake over Murray St. 63-53

Sports

November 27th, 2019 by admin

ESTERO, Fla. (AP) — D.J. Wilkins had 18 points as Drake topped Murray State 63-53 in the Gulf Coast Showcase on Wednesday.

Anthony Murphy had 13 points for Drake (6-2). Tremell Murphy added 11 points. Roman Penn had six rebounds and six assists.

Liam Robbins, whose 11 points per game coming into the contest was second on the Bulldogs, shot only 20 percent in the game (1 of 5).

Tevin Brown had 15 points and six rebounds for the Racers (4-3). Anthony Smith added nine rebounds and KJ Williams had eight.

Drake matches up against Milwaukee at home on Tuesday. Murray State takes on Missouri State on the road on Tuesday.

ERIK “COOP” MARDESEN, 43, of DeSoto, formerly of Anita (11-30-2019)

Obituaries

November 27th, 2019 by Jim Field

ERIK “COOP” MARDESEN, 43, of DeSoto (formerly of Anita) died Tuesday, November 26th at his home.  A visitation with the family of ERIK “COOP” MARDESEN will be held on Saturday, November 30th from 4:00 pm to 6:00 pm at the Hockenberry Funeral Home in Anita.

————————————————————————————-

Burial in the Evergreen Cemetery in Anita at a later date.

Memorials may be directed to the family’s wishes.

ERIK “COOP” MARDESEN is survived by:

Wife:  Theresa Mardesen of DeSoto.

Father:  Curt (Denise) Mardesen of Elk Horn.

Mother:  Peggy (Joel) Berg of Anita.

Son:  Cooper Mardesen of Waukee.

Step-Brothers:  Nathan (Amanda) Berg of Atlantic; Nathan (Jessica) Phippen of Coon Rapids; Tyler (Raquel) Phippen of Garner; Tony (Michelle) Phippen of Exira.

Michigan beats Iowa State 83-76 in Battle 4 Atlantis

Sports

November 27th, 2019 by Ric Hanson

PARADISE ISLAND, Bahamas (AP) — Isaiah Livers had 17 points and Michigan shot 58% for the game to overcome a turnover-heavy performance and beat Iowa State 83-76 in Wednesday’s opening game at the Battle 4 Atlantis. The Wolverines (5-0) committed 22 turnovers, including several coming down the stretch as the Cyclones (3-2) tried to claw their way back from a 15-point deficit in the final 8 minutes.

David DeJulius had a career-high 14 points for Michigan, while Zavier Simpson finished with 10 points, a tournament-record 13 assists and seven rebounds. Iowa State pulled to within 80-74 in the final minute, but got no closer. Still, it wasn’t the first time Michigan has had trouble closing out a game with a big lead; the Wolverines let a 30-point margin slip all the way to five in the final minute against Appalachian State in the season opener.

The Cyclones converted those turnovers into 29 points but couldn’t keep up as the Wolverines’ offense kept knocking down shots. Iowa State’s Tyrese Haliburton entered the game as the nation’s assists leader, but this time the pass-first point guard carried the offense for the Cyclones with a career-high 25 points to go with nine rebounds and five assists.

The Cyclones are off to a bad start from 3-point range this season. They’ve made just 28 of 103 (27.2%) through their first four games, then got off to another bad start from outside in this one. Iowa State missed eight of its first 10 tries from behind the arc, and those were magnified as Michigan’s offense hummed right along. Iowa State trailed by 14 by the time they started knocking a few down midway through the second half. They made just 5 of 21 for the game.
UP NEXT
Iowa State: The Cyclones moved to the losers’ bracket to face the Alabama-North Carolina loser on Thursday.