(Radio Iowa) – The Register’s Annual Great Bike Ride Across Iowa is still over a month away, but a group of riders will make an early trek along the entire route beginning this weekend in Sioux City, the starting point for this year’s event. Sergeant Mark Huberty, of the Sioux City Police Department, says a group of riders will begin a preview ride of the RAGBRAI route on Sunday morning that will be used by thousands of riders in July.

Those riders will pedal the entire RAGBRAI route in the upcoming week, checking it out ahead of the annual bike ride across Iowa.

RAGBRAI begins its 50th anniversary in Sioux City on July 23rd and ends the following Saturday in Davenport.

DES MOINES— Iowa DNR officials are asking for the public’s help in determining the cause of a fish kill yesterday (Thursday), along Squaw Creek in the Franklin County town of Hampton.

Thursday afternoon, a local angler reported dead fish in Squaw Creek in East Park in Hampton. The DNR investigated and found that the fish kill extended approximately 1.5 miles upstream through the town of Hampton.

No definitive source of the kill has been identified at this time, though the DNR is continuing to investigate. Any information or tips from the public with knowledge of a possible cause are requested to contact the DNR’s environmental field office in Mason City at 641-424-4073

(Radio Iowa) – Some of the world’s most recognized voice actors will be in central Iowa this weekend as Des Moines Con opens on Saturday. Event creator Ben Penrod says many fans will be coming to the convention in elaborate costumes, but that’s not a requirement. “We are a sort of non-specific fan event,” Penrod says, “so if you’re a fan of comic books, superheroes, sci-fi, Marvel films, cartoons — especially cartoons and anime this year. We’ve got so many amazing voice actors.”Penrod says Tom Kenny, the voice actor who gives life to Spongebob Squarepants — in addition to many other familiar cartoon characters — will be greeting the crowds in Des Moines.

“He’s going to be at the con on Saturday only,” Penrod says. “If you want to meet Tom Kenny, your options are that he’s going to be signing autographs all day, and then he’s got a few photo-op sessions where you can get your picture taken with him also.” A woman who is billed as -the- most famous anime voice actor in the world will appear at the event, Sarah Natochenny. She is the voice of Ash Ketchum, the main character in Pokemon. “Everybody who’s between the ages of 20 and 35 grew up watching Pokemon,” Penrod says. “It’s a very big deal to have Sarah at the con and to have somebody that iconic, because Pokemon is the absolute biggest media brand in the world. You know, it’s bigger than Star Wars. It’s bigger than Marvel. There’s just nothing bigger than Pokemon out there.”

The list of celebrities also includes actor Ross Marquand, known for “The Walking Dead” and “Avengers: Endgame,” pro wrestler Kevin Nash, and Jim Cummings who voiced Winnie The Pooh. “Amy Jo Johnson and David Yost are two of the original Power Rangers and that’s a really, really big deal,” Penrod says. “Power Rangers just had their 30th anniversary special which David was part of, and Amy Jo doesn’t do a whole lot of events like this.”

Yost is a Council Bluffs native. Des Moines Con runs Saturday and Sunday at the Iowa Events Center.

(Atlantic, Iowa) – The Atlantic Chamber Ambassadors welcomed a new business to the community, Own Today Better Tomorrow, on Thursday, June 2^nd, 2023, during a ribbon-cutting at their office in Downtown Atlantic.

Own Today Better Tomorrow is a life coaching service located at 314 Chestnut Street in Atlantic. The business was started in mid-2022 by Atlantic native, Christina Bateman, as personal development has always been a passion of hers. As a life coach, Bateman helps empower others by working with them to strategically transform their lives to reach future goals. Her services differ from others, as she offers a physical business space for clients to meet with her. The space also offers a unique children’s corner, which allows busy parents to truly focus in on coaching sessions.

(photo submitted)

Own Today Better Tomorrow currently offers many different types of general sessions that can be done either in person or through Zoom. These sessions range from 1:1 Personalized Life Coaching, Small Group Coaching, 1:1 Accountability Coaching, 1:1 Kids Life Coaching, and Kids Small Group Coaching. In the future, Bateman plans to add structured networking events for individuals and groups. Bateman offers a free consultation to determine what coaching service is best for each client. After the initial consultation, she provides sessions once a week for three months at a time.

To book her services, call (615) 612-9730 or email owntodaybettertomorrow@gmail.com. More information is also available on the Facebook page, Own Today Better Tomorrow.

(Omaha, Nebraska) – June is National Safety Month, which is an important time for people to assess how they stay safe online when using cellphones. With nearly 7 billion smartphone users across the world and mobile devices accounting for almost 60% of online traffic, fraudsters can take advantage of our reliance on constant connectivity. More than 60% of fraud originated from cellphones, according to RSA Security. Nira.com reports that 70% of internet fraud is committed via mobile devices.

Here are six tips (courtesy U.S. Cellular) to help reduce exposure to mobile security threats.

• Be smart on open Wi-Fi networks: When consumers use a Wi-Fi network that is open to the public, their phone can be an easy target for cybercriminals. Try to limit the use of public hotspots in favor of a secure network from a trusted network operator or mobile wireless connection to minimize the risk of exposure, especially when personal or sensitive information is accessed.
• Don’t forget the family’s safety: With more children online than ever before, it’s important for parents to know their child is protected. Establish boundaries for families as they better understand how to be safe when using technology in their everyday life.
• Install apps from trusted sources: Before an app is downloaded, be sure to conduct research to ensure it is legitimate and trustworthy. An app’s legitimacy could be checked by reading reviews and confirming the app store’s origin. Many apps from untrusted sources can contain viruses that can steal information, install malware and cause harm to a phone’s contents.
• Lock it up: The most secure way to lock a smartphone is to use a password and biometric authentication process. Android and iOS users can set or change their screen lock preferences on their phone to secure their devices.
• Online privacy apps: DuckDuckGo, ExpressVPN, LastPass, ProtonMail and Signal are Android and iOS apps that can help consumers protect their online privacy.
• Regularly accept updates and patches to your smartphone’s software: A device’s operating system should be updated regularly by enabling automatic updates or accepting them when prompted from a service provider. Up-to-date operating systems can help reduce the risk of cyber threats.

CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa (June 2, 2023) — Officials with the USS IOWA Commissioning Committee have announced a charitable contribution of $50,000 from Iowa-based grocer Hy-Vee, Inc. The donation will help support the submarine christening and commissioning of the USS IOWA SSN 797, submarine amenities to improve crew member’s morale and wellness, and the Family Readiness Support Group for families while crew members are working on submarine construction or at sea. The USS IOWA, also known as the SSN 797, is the fourth U.S. Navy vessel named after the State of Iowa. When commissioned, the USS IOWA will join the nation’s fleet of nearly 50 submarines to ensure the country’s safety through strategic deterrence and undersea warfare programs.

Fred Dorr, a representative of the USS Iowa Commissioning Committee, said “Hy-Vee is the first major company in Iowa to step up and support the efforts of the crew on the USS IOWA submarine. With a goal of raising $300,000, we hope other companies will follow their example of supporting those who are protecting our freedom and keeping our country safe with all the turmoil we are seeing across the world right now. The company has had an amazing track record for making sure our country’s heroes are taken care of and we are encouraged that others will do the same with a donation of their own.”

The USS Iowa (SSN 797) is a Virginia Class nuclear submarine.

Click on these images to enlarge

Hy-Vee has long supported active-duty military members and veterans through monetary support and employment opportunities through its Hy-Vee Homefront program. Every November, Hy-Vee holds it’s annual Hy-Vee Homefront Register Round Up and hosts a free breakfast for more than 90,000 veterans and active military members. Hy-Vee has also received numerous awards and recognition for supporting veteran and active-duty military member employees. In addition, Hy-Vee has received the Disabled American Veterans (DAV) Patriot Award for recruiting, retainment and career-building efforts for disabled veterans, active-duty and veteran employees. The retailer also received the Chairman’s Award of Corporate Excellence from the national nonprofit Hope for the Warriors. In 2022, Hy-Vee was named to Forbes’ list of America’s Best Employers for Veterans.

To learn more about the USS Iowa or ways your business or organization can donate to the USS Iowa Commissioning Committee, visit https://www.ssn797.com/about/commissioning-committee.

The USS Iowa (SSN 797) commissioning committee is a national network of strong supporters aligned with a common vision and goal: To raise broad awareness and generate deep support for the commissioning of the nuclear submarine bearing the proud name IOWA. The mission of the commissioning committee is to generate the funds necessary to provide amenities, equipment and celebration not funded by Congress. Learn more at www.SSN797.com

(Radio Iowa) – The more than eight-and-a-half BILLION dollar state budget Governor Reynolds has approved represents a three-point-seven percent increase in spending.  Here are some of the areas where state spending is increasing: lawmakers expect to spend nearly 107-and-a-half MILLION dollars on the new state-funded accounts for low income parents who enroll their kids in private school. Public K-through-12 schools will get a three percent increase in state funding.

Attorneys who represent indigent clients will get 35 dollars an hour for travel for the first time along with a five dollar per hour increase in attorneys’ fees — an effort to get more attorneys to represent low income clients declared indigent by the courts. Lawmakers have the authority to spend up a 99 percent of expected state tax revenue. The budget Reynolds gave final approval to this week spends 88 percent. All taxes above that paid during the next state fiscal year will be deposited in reserves and the Taxpayer Relief Fund. By this time next year, the state is projected to have three-and-a-half BILLION dollars in the Taxpayer Relief Fund along with a two BILLION dollar surplus.

Democrats say Republicans are hoarding money that would could be spent on priorities like public education. Republicans say it’s a responsible budget plan, with extra cash to cushion the state if there’s a recession or if tax cuts depress state revenue below expectations.

(Atlantic, Iowa) – A reminder from The Station Where Your Friends Are: An event taking place this Saturday, June 3rd, “Truckin’ on the Trails,” will showcase various cycling opportunities and trails fun in Cass County. All Truckin’ on the Trails activities will take place at the Schildberg Recreation Area West Rotary Shelter (102 Buck Creek Rd. Atlantic, IA 50022).

At 10:30 AM, the event will kick off with the “Nishna Valley Trails Gravel Sampler” ride led by Jon Jordan. This ten-mile ride will visit both trails and gravel. Gravel riding has become
increasingly popular in the last few years, and those interested in learning about this sport are encouraged to attend. Prior to the ride, Jordan will give a primer on gravel skills vs. road skills.
Any “non-skinny” tire bikes will work for this ride. Participants will ride from Schildberg Rotary Shelter (West parking lot) to South T-Bone Trailhead (63395 Dunbar Rd. Atlantic) and back.

Then from 11:00 AM to 2:00 PM, Truckin’ on the Trails is hosting food trucks and live music at the Schildberg Rotary Shelter. Master Griller Catering, Atlantic Kiwanis, and Louie’s Shaved Ice will be selling food, and Sarah Selders will be singing live. Cass County Conservation and Nishna Valley Trails, a tax-emempt local nonprofit that promotes the development of recreational trails and cycling, will be sharing information on their organizations, and Bike Farm will be offering minor bike maintenance and door prizes.

At 1:00 PM a 1.5-mile kids ride will take off from the West Rotary Shelter. This ride will be a loop that will end back with the food trucks and music.

Whether cycling or walking, pushing strollers, or riding trikes, all people are welcome at Truckin’ on the Trails. Truckin’ on the Trails is just one of many events taking place across the nation on National Trails Day, the first Saturday in June. National Trails Day is an annual event hosted by the American Hiking Society that encourages support of the nation’s public trails. Trails have positive impacts on mental and physical health, and National Trails Day is a day of public events that invites thousands of trail users to participate.

A Cass County trails map can be found online at:
https://www.atlanticiowa.com/experience/cass-county-trails-map-2/. Hard copies of the map will be available at the event and are always available at the Atlantic Area Chamber of Commerce.

(Ames, Iowa) – The latest Iowa Drought Monitor (Released Thursday, June 1) indicated a continued trend toward dryness across the State. Only the north-central & northeast counties are free of drought conditions.The report is released every Thursday, and does not take into account rain received since the report was issued. Atlantic finally received some decent rain Thursday, at slightly more than nine-tenths of an inch. The last time we received over nine-tenths of an inch, was May 5th (.94″).  The National Weather Service says a high-pressure system parked over the Great Lakes continues to block any organized weather system from entering the state.

White-No drought; Yellow-Abnormally dry; Tan-Moderate drought; Orange-Severe drought; Red-extreme drought; dark red-Exceptional drought.

Drought areas are categorized from D-O (no drought) to D-4 (Exceptional Drought). The Drought Monitor shows drought conditions continued expanding across the region, from D-O to D-1 (Abnormally Dry) in parts of Illinois, Iowa and Missouri. D-2 soil/drought conditions expanded in Iowa and Missouri, while D-3 (Extreme Drought) conditions grew in Missouri. As of May 28th, USDA data revealed more than half of the topsoil moisture was short or very short in Iowa (50%), Missouri (62%), and Michigan (68%), and 40% or more was short or very short in Wisconsin (45%), Ohio (45%), Illinois (42%), and Indiana (40%).

The story for the Midwest was continued drying of soils, low streamflows, and mounting precipitation deficits over the last 1 to 3 months.