Here is the latest Iowa news from The Associated Press at 3:30 a.m. CDT

A report issued today (Tuesday) shows nearly a quarter of Iowa employers plan to hire workers in the coming months. The Manpower survey for the third quarter of the year places Iowa’s “net employment outlook” at 19-percent. Manpower spokesperson Kathy Joblinske says business leaders in the state aren’t as optimistic about their hiring intentions as they were earlier this year.

“That is a little softer than the second quarter survey results, when we were at 25-percent, but still strong,” Joblinske says. The new survey shows 24-percent of Iowa employers expect to add workers between July and September. “For the upcoming quarter, job prospects (in Iowa) appear best in construction, non-durable goods manufacturing, transportation and utilities, warehouse and retail trade, and leisure and hospitality services,” Joblinske says. Seventy-percent of the employers surveyed plan to maintain staff levels in the third quarter, while five-percent expect to reduce their payrolls.

(Radio Iowa)

The Cass County Memorial Hospital’s Board of Trustees, Monday, unanimously voted to invite former CEO Pat Markham to step in and serve as the Interim CEO until a permanent leader can be found for the hospital. Markham retired two-years ago, and even though she will have a bit of learning to catch-up on as far as how the hospital has progressed since her departure, the Board felt she was the best qualified to assume the role. The matter of her compensation, should she accept the position, will be discussed and acted on during the Board’s regular meeting on June 22nd.

Markham served the hospital for 29-years. She left in Jan. 2014, and was succeeded by Todd Hudspeth, who was fired last week after he agreed to an Alford Plea with regard to a check forgery case in Buena Vista County. Board President Ned Brown said he has spoken with Markham about coming back, and she tentatively agreed to do so. Quoting Markham, Brown told the Board she “Loves the hospital and will do whatever..” is needed to keep it on track.

CCMH Board of Trustees (Ric Hanson – photo)

The Board had discussed the possibility of having one of the current members of the hospital’s administrative team stepping-up to the plate to take over for a while, and while they had no doubt in the abilities of those individuals to do so, they didn’t want to put that heavy of a load on them.

On a related note, Denise Coder, Chief Human Resources Officer, told the Board she has received seven external applications for the CEO’s position since the position became open. The last time the Board went through the process of hiring a CEO, they went through a “Head hunting” firm. There were hundreds of applications at that time, with the final candidates being narrowed down to four.

The Board was not so hot on the idea of hiring another firm to duplicate the process because of their experience with Hudspeth. Instead, a committee will be appointed to make the final selections for interviews, once the administrative team narrows down the potential field of candidates. They will also seek guidance from the Hospital Association with regard to the best method of recruiting candidates.

The Silver Cord Program is a graduation incentive program to promote volunteerism in the Atlantic Area. Atlantic High School seniors who volunteered a minimum of 200 hours throughout their high school career graduated this year with a silver cord and were eligible for a $500 scholarship provided by the Atlantic Area Chamber of Commerce. The program encourages volunteer opportunities with all Civic Organizations and benefits the entire community.

Chamber Programs Director Kate Christensen said “The Silver Cord program was started as a way to educate students about the importance of community service. It gives students the opportunity to see firsthand how investing their time can enhance and grow their community.”

Pictured: Ouida Hargens, Atlantic Area Chamber Executive Director; Madison Helvie;
Lori Reid, Atlantic Area Chamber Board President.

The 2016 Silver Cord scholarship recipient is Madison Helvie. Madison volunteered 52 hours over the course of the school year spending time volunteering at the Nishna Valley Family YMCA after school programs and tutoring elementary students. She also volunteers at cheer camp, soccer camp and National Honor Society. The Atlantic High School Senior  said “I’ve always loved volunteering. It’s something that is super easy to do to give back to the community in a positive way.”

Madison will be attending the University of Northern Iowa in the fall to study Nursing. Her goal is to practice nursing in a larger city after graduation before settling down in a smaller community. She hopes to continue volunteering and being active wherever she goes. Chamber Executive Director Ouida Hargens said “We are looking forward to building the relationship between the community and the student body. More students will create a stronger program and have a stronger overall impact on the community.”

If you are interested in learning more about the Silver Cord Program, please visit www.atlanticiowa.com. If you would like to volunteer, please visit www.volunteerspot.com to learn about opportunities in the community or call the Atlantic Area Chamber at 712.243.3017.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – Gov. Terry Branstad says he wants the board that governs Iowa’s three public universities to consider a compromise pitched by student leaders that would lower some proposed tuition increases. Branstad told reporters Monday that student leaders at the University of Iowa offered a “reasonable compromise” to what has been discussed by the Iowa Board of Regents.

The board is considering a $300 increase for resident undergraduate students at the University of Iowa, Iowa State University and the University of Northern Iowa after receiving less-than-requested funding from the Iowa Legislature. University of Iowa students recently proposed reducing the increases to $200 for all students on that campus. Branstad has said the board’s proposed tuition increases would be burdensome on students. The regents are scheduled to vote in July on any increases.