(Radio Iowa) – Republicans in Iowa’s U-S House delegation are denouncing President Biden’s decision to deny offensive weapons to Israel. Biden says the U-S will continue to supply defensive weapons to Israel, but not bombs and other weapons that could be used in an all-out assault on Rafah, a city in Gaza where an estimated one million people are living.

Congressman Zach Nunn says Israel is our strongest ally in the Middle East and the President must stop caving to extremists. Congresswoman Ashley Hinson says Israel has every right to defend itself against terrorists who seek to destroy it and withholding weapons from Israel is foolish and wrong. Congressman Randy Feenstra says Israel deserves our full and unwavering support.

The four Republicans who represent Iowa in the U-S House voted to reject a move to oust the Republican who’s been speaker of the House for the past six months. Only 10 Republicans joined a Georgia congresswoman’s bid to remove House Speaker Mike Johnson yesterday. Congresswoman Ashley Hinson of Marion says the episode was ridiculous and embarrassing. Congresswoman Mariannette Miller-Meeks of LeClaire says it was an unnecessary distraction from the work the House should be doing.

(Radio Iowa) – Truckers from across Iowa are asked to take part in a convoy for a western Iowa trucker whose body was found last month in a field. Mitchel Riesgraf, the Iowa Chairman of C-D-L Drivers Unlimited organized the event to remember David Schultz, who disappeared in late November. “This convoy is to add pressure that people want answers. There’s been a lot of rise around this subject and around David Schultz case. We just hope that people actually care about the men and women that serve this country and keep everything supplied so we all can live nice lives,” he says.

Truckers plan to drive a continuous loop along Highway 20 from Early to Rockwell City for five hours Friday starting at 3 p-m on the route that was last taken by Schultz. Riesgraf says he hopes Schultz’s family receives the answers they need. “Our hearts really go out to the Schultz family and all those directly affected.” Special prayers out there for those that were, you know, part of the search efforts,” Riesgraf says.

David Schultz

The state says a preliminary autopsy indicated no foul play in his Schultz’s death. Schultz’s family says a second autopsy is planned after his funeral on Friday morning in his hometown of Wall Lake.

(Red Oak, Iowa) – Montgomery County Memorial Hospital + Clinics (MCMH + Clinics) has been named one of the Best Hospitals for Emergency Care and Emergency Timeliness by the Women’s Choice Award®, America’s trusted referral source for the best in healthcare. The award signifies that MCMH + Clinics is in the top 5% in Emergency Care and top 9% in Emergency Timeliness and out of 4,642 U.S. hospitals offering emergency care services.

Emergency departments (ED) are an essential part of the healthcare system as they provide fast, life- saving care to millions each year. Unlike other hospital departments that interact with the same patient and families for an extended period, ED staff typically has one patient encounter, often when anxiety and fear is at its peak, making time of the essence. Delia Passi, founder and CEO of the Women’s Choice Award“Emergency departments can be very stressful environments, particularly for the elderly or a mother with a sick or injured child. When an emergency strikes, time becomes more precious than gold. The ER is a symphony of urgency, where every second counts and quick decisions can mean the difference between life and death. In this high-stakes environment, ‘Less is More’ isn’t just a catchy phrase – it’s a crucial strategy for saving lives and improving outcomes. That’s why we are recognizing those hospitals that have the shortest ER wait times and high recommendation scores for their exceptional commitment for timely care, when it matters most.”

The methodology for Best Hospitals for Emergency Care and Emergency Timeliness awards is unique in that it combines Hospital Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems (HCAHPS) survey recommendation results with process of care measures focused on time patients spent in the emergency department , including: Emergency Care:  Average time patients spent in the ED before leaving from the visit  Average time patients spent in the ED before admitted to the hospital as an inpatient Emergency Timeliness:

• Total Time Spent in the Emergency Department
• Percent of Emergency Patients Who Left Without Being Seen

The awards are especially significant given that long waits and high crowding can negatively impact patient outcomes, including patients leaving without receiving medical treatment, longer overall length of hospital stay and an increase in mortality rates. MCMH + Clinics is one of 606 award recipients representing the hospitals that have met the highest standards for emergency care and timeliness in the U.S. by the Women’s Choice Award.

Krystalle Fada, MCMH + Clinics Chief Nurse Executive, expresses her gratitude and community commitment, “Winning the Women’s Choice Award for Emergency Care and Emergency Timeliness is a testament to our unwavering commitment to providing exceptional healthcare services. This recognition underscores our dedication to prioritizing timely and compassionate emergency care, ensuring that patient’s feel safe, respected, and empowered during their healthcare journey. It serves as a reaffirmation of our mission to deliver excellence in emergency services, fostering trust and confidence within the communities we serve.”

In August of 2023 MCMH + Clinics announced its decision to bring all Emergency Department providers under its direct employment. In a significant move, the hospital on boarded six new providers, comprising of medical doctors and advanced practice providers. This move assembles an eight-member team of experienced emergency medicine providers. These providers are seamlessly integrated into the MCMH Medical staff, embodying a dedication to providing top-tier care to our patients. Under the leadership of Dr. Angela Kerchner, Medical Director of Inpatient & Emergency Medicine, the newly formed team comprises both familiar faces and new faces, all of who bring a wealth of experience and expertise to the ED.

CEO Ron Kloewer “We are thrilled about the addition of MCMH employed providers in our Emergency Department. Dr. Kerchner has done a wonderful job assembling a team of dedicated physicians and advanced practice providers. This marks an important step in our continued commitment to our patients and community.”

The Women’s Choice Award for Best Hospitals™ is a trusted referral source and coveted credential that identifies the nation’s best hospitals based on robust criteria that includes relevant clinical performance, patient satisfaction and appropriate accreditation’s. The Best Hospitals demonstrate exceptional ratings, providing the highest level of care and commitment to their patients’ health and well-being. The Women’s Choice Award is the only designation that takes into consideration the preferences of women when selecting a hospital. Visit http://www.womenschoiceaward.com/ to learn more.

WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S./Iowa 3rd District Representative Zach Nunn, Wednesday, a introduced bipartisan legislation to bolster safety at schools within our communities. The Safe Schools and Communities Act, which is co-led by U.S. Representative Eric Sorensen (IL-17), would provide competitive grants to public schools to prevent human trafficking, improve drug abuse awareness, reduce gang activity, and end violence within our communities.

“As a dad of six, nothing is more important than keeping our kids safe,” said Rep. Nunn. “Dangerous drugs, human trafficking, and violence are pouring over our Southern Border into our communities, and there’s no doubt that the solution to this crisis starts with securing our border. At the same time, we can also protect our kids and save lives with commonsense solutions that address rising crime in our communities.”

Gangs are a serious, persistent problem and public concern over violent juvenile behavior has intensified in recent years, especially regarding safety at schools. Gang-involved youth are more likely to engage in substance abuse and experience a wide range of potentially long-term consequences including school dropout, teen parenthood, family problems, and unstable employment. According to the U.S. Department of Justice, it’s common for crimes like human trafficking and drug use to relate to gang activity.

“The Safe Schools and Communities Act gives educators the tools they need to keep our kids safe from drugs and violence,” said Rep. Sorensen. “Too many of our neighbors across Central and Northwestern Illinois have an empty seat at their dinner table because they lost a loved one to fentanyl. I am proud to introduce this bipartisan bill with Congressman Nunn to promote fentanyl awareness, prevent drug abuse, and keep our communities safe.”

More than 70,000 drug overdose deaths in 2021 were attributed to synthetic opioids other than methadone—primarily fentanyl. Fentanyl poisoning is now the leading cause of death for Americans between the ages of 18-45.

After drug dealing, human trafficking is the second-largest criminal industry in the world, generating $32 billion each year. According to the U.S. Department of Justice, approximately 83% of human trafficking victims are U.S. citizens. In Iowa alone, it is estimated that there are 320 trafficking victims at any given time.

The bipartisan Safe Schools and Communities Act would authorize the U.S. Department of Education to award competitive grants to public schools for the development and implementation of training and curriculum to:

• Prevent human trafficking
• Promote fentanyl awareness
• Reduce gang activity and violence.

Text of the bill can be found here.

(Radio Iowa) – Iowa’s Meskwaki Nation is getting National Park Service assistance in preserving its artifacts and history. Johnathon Buffalo, the tribe’s Historical Preservation Director, says before the agreement, the State of Iowa had primary responsibility on the Meskwaki settlement for preserving the tribe’s history. That responsibility now rest with the Meskwaki Tribal Council. “We have been trying since, officially, 2014, I think,” Buffalo says. “We failed three times. This time, the tribe succeeded.” An office is being set up to govern how Meskwaki artifacts, culture and history are handled.

“It’s a very important job, you know,” Buffalo says. “And I think we will succeed.” Buffalo says one of his first projects as an official Tribal Historical Officer will be hiring an archaeologist. The Meskwaki Nation is now among the 222 tribes that are part of the Tribal Historic Preservation Program administered by the National Park Service.

Historic Preservation Offices survey tribal lands, nominate properties for the National Register of Historic Places and host educational programs. U-S officials combined in the Sac and Fox tribes after the Black Hawk War in 1832 and they were transferred to land in Kansas, but some remained in Iowa. In 1856, Iowa lawmakers voted to let the tribal members remain in the state. A year later, the Meskwaki bought 80 acres of land in Tama County.

May 9, 2024 (DES MOINES) – The Iowa Economic Development Authority (IEDA) announced $250,000 in Inspire Iowa grants to projects in Linn, Polk, Scott, Shelby and Woodbury counties. Included among the project awards was the Museum of Danish America, in Elk Horn (Shelby County). Their Danish Ceramics: Beyond Blue and White Exhibition project was awarded $25,000 towards the total project cost of $84,000. The grant funds will support the costs of presenting a major exhibition featuring three centuries of Danish ceramic art and attracting new visitors to Elk Horn before the exhibit travels outside of the Midwest.

Elsewhere in western Iowa, the Sioux City Art Center / Art Center Association of Sioux City (Woodbury County), was awarded $40,000 toward the $140,475 cost of their project: Razzle Dazzle building art wraps for ArtSplash anniversary. This project supports costs and promotion of Razzle Dazzle, a site-specific textile sculpture on the Art Center’s building that coincides with the 30th annual ArtSplash, the Art Center’s signature annual outdoor art festival. See a list of the other projects receiving Inspire Iowa grants, HERE.

The Inspire Iowa program was launched by the Iowa Tourism Office and Iowa Arts Council, both divisions of the IEDA, to elevate the perception of Iowa as a cultural destination and promote out-of-state visits and extended stays, which in turn can generate additional local spending and support economic growth. A total of $250,000 in program funding was available for Fiscal Year 2024.

Officials say the Iowa Tourism Office works closely with community partners, attractions and events, to promote the state’s beautifully vast scenery and unique history. Tourism in Iowa generated $6.9 billion in expenditures in 2022, with more than $1.1 billion supporting state and local governments, while employing a total of 68,607 people statewide. Iowa nonprofit arts and cultural organizations generate more than $750 million of economic impact annually, while supporting the broader hospitality industry and attracting new visitors to our state.

For more information on tourism or arts and culture in Iowa, visit traveliowa.com or culture.iowaeda.com