(Radio Iowa) – Governor Reynolds says there’s a possibility India may be a market for Iowa-made ethanol. Reynolds has recently returned from a trade mission to India, which is the world’s third largest ethanol producer. However, the country has set the goal of having a 20 percent blend of ethanol in all gasoline sold in India — by next year — and eliminating all carbon emissions by 2070. Reynolds says not only does that mean Iowa-made ethanol may have a new market, but the ban on imports of Iowa corn — because it’s grown from genetically-modified seeds — might be lifted if that corn is used to produce ethanol.

Reynolds says another idea would be finding plots of land in rural India to grow genetically-modified corn that would be used to make ethanol. She says that could lead to acceptance of G-M-O corn in India for food production.

Reynolds stressed the work of Iowa native Norman Borlaug (BOR-log) as she met with officials in India last month. Borlaug developed a strain of high-yielding wheat in Mexico, took it to India in the 1960s and was credited with saving hundreds of millions in Pakistan and India from starvation.

(Radio Iowa) – The latest U-S Drought Monitor shows nearly all of Iowa in abnormally dry or drought conditions, with portions of Monona and Harrison counties in western Iowa in severe drought. It is the first time since May that any area of the state has carried a severe drought designation. Glenwood Fire Chief Matt Gray says the dry weather made conditions ripe for grass and field fires, and fire departments don’t have as many firefighters as they used to.

Gray says the cooperation among departments has helped everyone deal with a tough situation.

Shenandoah Fire Chief Justin Marshall says farmers need to be working in the fields to bring in the crops and that increases the fire danger.

Marshall says there’s no rain in the forecast, so the risk will stay high into next week.

The number of burn bans has more than doubled this week and now includes 35 counties.

(Atlantic, Iowa) – A pedestrian trail bridge located just west of the KJAN studios, crossing the East Nishnabotna River, was damaged recently by graffiti. The bridge connects the AMU Well head trail with the Schildberg Recreational Trail.

Atlantic Parks and Recreation Coordinator Jeff Christensen said in a video posted online, that crews were spending the morning today (Friday), power washing the bridge to clean up the mess. (Photos courtesy of Jeff Christensen)

If you have any information on this incident, contact Jeff Christensen or the Atlantic Police Department.

[Red Oak, Iowa] – An open burn ban is now in effect for all areas and jurisdictions within Montgomery County. The ban prohibits all open and controlled burning in Montgomery County, including all incorporated city limits within the county.

Montgomery County Emergency Management Coordinator Brian Hamman says record high temperatures, limited to no moisture and continued drought conditions have created dangerous fire conditions throughout the entire area. The extended forecast outlooks show well above normal temperatures as well as extremely windy conditions causing concern that any outdoor fire will become large and out of control in a very short amount of time.

Citizens are reminded to not throw out cigarettes from moving vehicles and to discontinue burning yard waste, piled tree debris, grass/agricultural ground and set asides or other items during this ban. Small recreational campfires are permitted only if they are conducted in a fireplace of brick, metal or heavy one-inch wire mesh, however extreme caution should be
taken. Any campfire not in an outdoor fireplace is prohibited.

Violation of a burn ban can subject a person to criminal charges as well as civil liabilities for any damages, losses or injuries resulting from the fire. The open burn ban is anticipated to remain in effect until the county receives substantial precipitation alleviating the increased fire danger risk.

Burn bans are also in effect for the following area counties: Cass, Adair, Audubon, Guthrie, Harrison, Mills, Shelby, Monona, Crawford and Carroll.

(Creston, Iowa) – Police in Creston report the arrest at around 11:55-p.m., Thursday, of 38-year-old Daniel Buck Busenbarrick, of Creston. He was charged with Operating While Under the Influence 3rd Offense, Possession of Controlled Substance 1st Offense, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, and Possession of Controlled Substance – Methamphetamine.

Busenbarrick was taken to Union County Jail, where his bond was set at $7,000.

Montgomery County Sheriff’s deputies arrested 38 year old Roberto Alvarado-Garcia of Omaha just before 11:00 pm Thursday during a traffic stop near Highway 34 and G Avenue west of Red Oak.  Alvarado-Garcia was charged with driving under suspension and is being held in the Montgomery County Jail on $491.25 bond.

(Jackson County, Iowa) – One person is dead following a collision late Thursday evening south of Zwingle, in eastern Iowa. According to the Iowa State Patrol, a 2023 International semi driven by a 35-year-old, was traveling south in the outside lane on Highway 61 at around 7:30-p.m.  When the semi attempted to pass a southbound John Deere tractor that was partially in the outside lane and west shoulder, the vehicle collided with the tractor and entered the west ditch where it rolled over and came to rest upright. The accident happened near the intersection of Highway 61 and 196th Street.

The driver of the semi died from their injuries. Two others were injured in the crash. One was flown to IUHC by helicopter. The other was transported by ambulance to a hospital in Dubuque. No names have been released as of the latest State Patrol report.

The driver of the semi and one of the other victims were wearing seat belts. The third victim was not.

(Radio Iowa)- Developers of a casino proposed for Cedar Rapids are making their presentation to state regulators today Thursday). The presentation was streamed by K-C-R-G T-V, and Suzanne Leckert, a consultant with Convergence Strategy Group says cellphone tracking data shows a need for a new casino.

Peninsula Pacific Entertainment is proposing spend 275 million dollars to develop a casino called Cedar Crossings on the river in Cedar Rapids. Leckert talked about the economic impact of the casino.

She told the Racing and Gaming Commission the new casino would generate 80 million new gaming dollars, and more taxes for the state.

Cedar Rapids has been denied a gambling license in the past after studies showed a casino there would take money from existing casinos. Leckert says their study shows that impact has been overstated at other casinos in the state and they believe that is the case here as well.

The I-R-G-C has hired firms to conduct its own market study of the gambling industry it will use in deciding on a license for Cedar Rapids. Regulators will visit the proposed Cedar Rapids site on November 20th review the proposal and make public comments. The I-R-G-C expects to make a decision on a gaming license at its meeting in February.