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New Gambling Study Underway

News

September 3rd, 2024 by Ric Hanson

(Radio Iowa) – State Regulators have hired two companies to conduct a study of the state’s gaming industry that could play a key role in the decision to award a new casino license. Racing and Gaming Administrator, Tina Eick) says the studies are due December 30th, and the two companies will make a presentation to the Commission on their findings at their meeting in January.

The move comes after the Iowa Legislature’s two-year moratorium on new gambling licenses expired. The Linn County Gaming Association has a proposal for a casino on the Cedar River in Cedar Rapids if the I-R-G-C decides to award a new gambling license after reviewing the study and getting other input.

BREAKING NEWS UPDATE: Adam Gregg resigns as Lt. Gov., named president & CEO of Iowa Bankers

News

September 3rd, 2024 by Ric Hanson

(Radio Iowa) – Lieutenant Governor Adam Gregg has resigned today (Tuesday) and has been named President and CEO of the Iowa Bankers Association. In a written statement, Gregg said his kids are growing up too fast and statewide office forces him to miss more of their lives than he can accept — so his time in public service must come to a close.

Gregg, a lawyer who grew up in Hawarden, was the Republican Party’s nominee for attorney general in 2014. He served as the state’s public defender for the next three years — until Kim Reynolds chose him to be lieutenant governor. That was in the spring of 2017, when Governor Terry Branstad resigned and Reynolds was sworn in as lieutenant governor.

Reynolds says Gregg has been a tremendous partner and it comes as no surprise that he prioritizing his personal life.

Iowa State’s Matt Campbell previews Iowa

Sports

September 3rd, 2024 by Ric Hanson

Iowa State coach Matt Campbell says linebacker Caleb Bacon will miss Saturday’s game at Iowa with a lower leg injury. Bacon was injured in a season opening win over North Dakota and underwent surgery.

Campbell says Bacon could return at some point this season.

Campbell says limiting mistakes against the Iowa defense will be a key. Turnover margin has been a key in Iowa winning seven of the last eight games in the series.

Campbell says Iowa’s defense can make adjustments and takes advantage of mistakes.

In the rapidly changing world of college football Campbell hopes there will still be a place for this series.

Iowa’s Kirk Ferentz previews Iowa State

Sports

September 3rd, 2024 by Ric Hanson

Iowa coach Kirk Ferentz says watching Saturday’s season opening win over Illinois State from home was a helpless feeling. Ferentz was suspended for the season opener for a recruiting violation.

Saturday’s game will be the 34th time Ferentz has been involved in this series.

Ferentz says Matt Campbell has built an outstanding program and the series has featured a bunch of close games.

The Hawkeyes have been bottled up by the Iowa State defense in recent years and Ferentz says the Cyclone defense has been tough on a lot of foes.

Ferentz says he was encouraged by the play of the Iowa offense in the second half against Illinois State as well as the play of quarterback Cade McNamara. After battling injury the past couple of years McNamara finished with 251 yards of passing and three touchdowns.

Northern Iowa’s Mark Farley previews St. Thomas of Minnesota

Sports

September 3rd, 2024 by Ric Hanson

Northern Iowa coach Mark Farley was pleased with the way his team performed in the season opener. The Panthers cruised to a 35-7 win over Valparaiso.

After installing the “air raid” offense in the off season the Panthers rushed the ball for 365 yards.

The Panthers hit the road this week to take on a St. Thomas of Minnesota team that had a lengthy home winning streak snapped with a loss to the University of Sioux Falls.

BREAKING NEWS: Lt. Gov. Adam Gregg resigns

News

September 3rd, 2024 by Ric Hanson

(Radio Iowa) – Lieutenant Governor Adam Gregg has resigned today (Tuesday) after serving in the role for seven years. According to a news release from the governor’s office, Gregg is stepping down to pursue a career opportunity that allows him to focus more on his family. In a written statement, Gregg said his kids are growing up too fast and statewide office forces him to miss more of their lives than he can accept — so his time in public service must come to a close.

Gregg, a lawyer who grew up in Hawarden, was the Republican Party’s nominee for attorney general in 2014. He served as the state’s public defender for the next three years — until Kim Reynolds chose him to be lieutenant governor. That was in the spring of 2017, when Governor Terry Branstad resigned and Reynolds was sworn in as lieutenant governor.

Reynolds says Gregg has been a tremendous partner and it comes as no surprise that he prioritizing his personal life.

Ruland Wins U20 World Championship

Sports

September 3rd, 2024 by Asa Lucas

LIMA, Peru – University of Iowa freshman thrower Bryce Ruland claimed the U20 World Championships discus title on Saturday.

The Waterford, Wisconsin, native set a personal record of 62.59 meters to win gold. Ruland’s mark, which was achieved on his first throw of the finals, was the sixth-best throw in 2024.

Ruland held off silver medalist Jarno Van Daalen (62.22 meters) of the Netherlands and Mico Lampinen (62.20 meters) of Finland.

On the track, sophomore Luke Knepp placed 29th in the 3,000-meter steeplechase, crossing the line in 9:33.17.

 

Mid-America Business Index shows slowdown in Iowa’s manufacturing sector

News

September 3rd, 2024 by Ric Hanson

(Radio Iowa) – The Mid-America Business Index for August shows Iowa’s manufacturing sector is being hit by a sales slowdown. Creighton University economist Ernie Goss checks in each month with manufacturing supply managers in nine states, including Iowa.

“What we’re seeing in our survey for Iowa, for the region and for the nation is the manufacturing sector is bumping along,” Goss told Radio Iowa. “I won’t call it in a recession…(but) it’s certainly a slowdown and we’re seeing the pinch in the streets as we’re seeing pull backs in employment.”

The state’s overall Business Conditions rating for August marks a fourth month of decline from what Goss calls “growth neutral.” New orders and production were down among Iowa manufacturers in the August report, with an overall decline in hiring. “The national number came out this morning and also showing that employment in the manufactuing sector remains weak and declining and job losses there,” Goss said. “And certainly again, in terms of Iowa, you can trace that back to the agricultural equipment manufacturing, but also to those related industries.”

Ernie Goss

Goss cited a pull-back in facilities that produce fabricated metal. According to the latest data from the U.S. International Trade Administration, exports from Iowa’s manufacturing sector through August are down nearly 6% when compared to the first eight months of last year. “At least going forward, that’s going to unfortunately continue,” Goss said. “…And of course it’s slowing down the Iowa economy and the regional economy.”

Goss has a separate survey that focuses exclusively on what’s happening the agricultural sector. “Those who sell directly to the farmers are having a real downturns in overall sales as the farmers cut back on their purchases,” Goss said, “and we’re seeing some of those impacts.”

In a news release issued this morning by Creighton, Goss said the supply managers he surveys for the monthly Mid-America Business Index are “pessimistic” and 35% of them say a recession is “a real threat.”

LYNNETTE (HANSEN) HARVEY, 78 of Adel, Ia. (Funeral Service 9/5/2024)

Obituaries

September 3rd, 2024 by Lori Murphy

LYNNETTE (HANSEN) HARVEY, 78 of Adel, died Saturday, August 31 at the Iowa Methodist Hospital in Des Moines. Funeral service for LYNNETTE HARVEY will be held 10:30-a.m. Thursday, September 5 at Caldwell Parrish Funeral Home , Adel Chapel.

Family will greet friends at 9:30am on Thursday at the funeral home in Adel.

Burial will take place in the Exira Cemetery.

Memorials can be made to the AHeinz 57 Pet Rescue, in De Soto, Ia.

Lynnette Harvey is survived by:

Her Husband: Dan Harvey

Her Sons: Matthew (Angela) Immel; Michael (Teresa) Immel and Mark (Elizabeth) Downing

Her Sister: Sharon Vonesh

9 Grandchildren and 7 Great Grandchildren

Online condolences can be left at www.caldwellparrish.com

Atlantic Police investigate reported shooting incident – 1 person arrested

News

September 3rd, 2024 by Ric Hanson

(Atlantic, Iowa) – Police in Atlantic investigated, but found no credible evidence of a shooting, Sunday night. According to a press release, the Cass County Communications Center received a 911 call Sunday from a person who said an individual had been shot behind the apartments in the 1300 block of E. 10th Street, in Atlantic. When officers arrived on the scene, they found no one in the area had any injuries, and that there had NOT been any altercations that occurred.

An investigation into the situation resulted in the arrest of 33-year-old Samantha Wehrli, of Atlantic, for False Reports of an Indictable Offense to a Public Entity, and Public Intoxication. Wehrli was booked into the Cass County Jail.

No other details are being released at this time. If you have any information with regard to the incident, please call the Atlantic Police Department at 712-243-3512.

A criminal charges is merely an accusation, and the defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty.”