United Group Insurance

EPA nixes approval of new weed killer for engineered crops

Ag/Outdoor

November 25th, 2015 by Ric Hanson

WASHINGTON (AP) – The Environmental Protection Agency has withdrawn approval of a controversial new weed killer to be used on genetically modified corn and soybeans. The EPA announced the decision after receiving new information from manufacturer Dow AgroSciences that a weed killer called Enlist Duo, a combination of two popular older herbicides, is probably more toxic to other plants than previously thought.

It was originally approved a year ago and is designed to be used with new strains of genetically modified corn and soybeans. The agency says it needs to study whether wider buffer zones will be required to protect non-target plants. The seeds are engineered to resist the herbicide, so farmers can spray the fields after the plants emerge and kill the weeds while leaving crops unharmed.

Sioux City-area families host students for the holidays

News

November 25th, 2015 by Ric Hanson

SIOUX CITY, Iowa (AP) – Several northwest Iowa colleges have turned to their communities to find families offering seats at their dinner tables for international students who can’t make it home for the holidays. The Sioux City Journal reports that students are frequently able to find a home away from home through a host-family program, a campus-sponsored dinner or local students offering a seat at their own table.

Briar Cliff University has offered the “Friend Family” program, which matches international students with a local family. Buena Vista University in Storm Lake, Iowa, also offers a host family program, so students can stay overnight with families while the university is closed for the holidays. Some students, including those who are not international students, stay on campus, organize their own festivities and share customs and cuisines.

Denison couple recognized for helping accident victim

News

November 25th, 2015 by Ric Hanson

The Denison Police Department, today (Wednesday), issued a public THANK YOU  to a couple from Denison who aided and comforted an accident victim. Authorities say Mr. and Mrs. Larry Goering stopped to render aid during an accident that happened near the intersection of Highways 39/141 and 59.

Officers responding at around 10-a.m. Saturday discovered that an occupant of one of the vehicles in the accident had been injured. According to their report, the Goering’s stopped to render aid and were tending to the injured woman. The couple wrapped the woman in a blanket and were attempting to comfort her until help arrived.

Denison police say “It is people like Mr. and Mrs. Larry Goering that make Denison a great place to live. They had absolutely no obligation to stop at this scene and probably had other matters to attend to, but instead they stopped to help a complete stranger in their time of need.”

Icy weather forecast for southeast Nebraska, southwest Iowa

News

November 25th, 2015 by Ric Hanson

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) – The National Weather Service says dangerous traveling conditions are likely to develop over southeast Nebraska and southwest Iowa on Thanksgiving Day.

On Wednesday the service issued a winter storm watch. The service says a mix of freezing rain and sleet will move across the area late Thursday morning into Thursday evening. Any accumulation of snow likely will occur north of Interstate 80.

The service says up to a quarter inch of ice could mount from the freezing rain.

(Podcast) KJAN 8-a.m. News, 11/25/2015

News, Podcasts

November 25th, 2015 by Ric Hanson

More area and State news from KJAN News Director Ric Hanson.

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Make Your Holiday Shopping and Charitable Giving Safe and Successful With These Tips from BBB

News

November 25th, 2015 by Ric Hanson

Thanksgiving is quickly approaching, and some retailers have already announced several of their deals. Though more and more stores are opening their doors to shoppers on Thanksgiving Day, Black Friday will remain one of the biggest shopping days of the year, both online and in stores. BBB offers advice for consumers who plan to shop on Black Friday, Small Business Saturday, Cyber Monday and intend to make charitable donations on Giving Tuesday.

BBB President and CEO Jim Hegarty says “Falling between Black Friday and Cyber Monday, Small Business Saturday, on November 28th, can be a fun part of your holiday weekend. By staying local, you’ll support the small businesses that helped create the identity of your community. This annual event is a great way to show your support for these local shops.”

As always, retailers will compete feverishly to get shoppers to visit their stores and their websites! The National Retail Federation (NRF) “expects sales in November and December (excluding autos, gas and restaurant sales) to increase a solid 3.7 percent to $630.5 billion – significantly higher than the 10-year average of 2.5 percent. Holiday sales in 2015 are expected to represent approximately 19 percent of the retail industry’s annual sales of $3.2 trillion. Additionally, NRF is forecasting online sales to increase between 6 and 8 percent to as much as $105 billion.”

BBB Tips for shopping on Black Friday, Cyber Monday, or Small Business Saturday to help ensure a satisfactory experience:

  • Beware of pop-up shops that show up around the holidays, as these stores can disappear before you know it. Also, before you decide to purchase products online, visit bbbinc.org to check out a business. Make sure the website you’re browsing is reputable.
  • When making an online purchase, look for the SSL encryption. You can recognize it by the “s” in https:// of the URL or the lock symbol; both ensure that the information you’re about to give out is encrypted for your safety.
  • When shopping online and in stores, be sure to make purchases with your credit card, not a debit card. Credit cards give you significant protection against fraud, and even if your information falls into the wrong hands, you’ll be more likely to get all of your money back with your credit card company. If using a debit card, once the funds are drawn, they’re gone.
  • Gift cards can be tricky purchases when bought online. Sometimes, gift cards purchased from a third-party seller can turn out to be used or missing the correct amount of funds. If you’re interested in buying a gift card, order it from a verified store or seller.
  • Be sure to review all refund policies and warranty information. In the event that something goes wrong with your purchase, you’ll also want to have proof of your transaction. Save all receipts, email confirmations, or invoices you receive from retailers and if shopping online, be sure to screenshot the final confirmation screen as proof.
  • When you’ve finished shopping both in store and online, you should remain vigilant. Stay updated on your accounts and statements, as well as any orders you completed online. Make sure only the charges you’ve approved appear on your statement, and if you see something suspicious, contact your financial institution.

Charities will also be seeking to capitalize on the holiday spirit by promoting “Giving Tuesday” on Dec. 1st as an opportune time to make donations. For many Americans, giving to charities is almost as important during the holidays as celebrating with family. As a result, mailboxes often are stuffed with charitable solicitations as well as catalogs this time of year. Whether you celebrate or not, giving before Jan. 1st means your gifts will be deductible on your 2015 tax return.

Giving Tuesday is an idea that began three years ago with the 92nd Street Y in New York. Since then, it has grown to include more than 27,000 partners nationwide. Last year, more than $26.1 million was given online through Blackbaud, a company that processes online donations of charities listed on the Giving Tuesday website.

BBB tips to increase your confidence that your donation will be used wisely:

  • If you are unfamiliar with an organization, don’t hesitate to ask the charity for written information about its programs and finances.
  • Don’t succumb to pressure to give money on the spot. A charity that can use your money today will welcome it just as much tomorrow. Watch out for appeals that bring tears to your eyes, but tell you nothing about how your donation will be used.
  • Before making online donations, determine whether the charity’s website is secure and that it has a privacy policy concerning the use of your name, email address or other personal facts. (Secure site URLs begin with https://.)
  • When considering support for a cause-related marketing campaign, find the answers to these questions: What portion of the purchase price will benefit the charity? What is the duration of the campaign? What is the maximum or minimum total contribution? If the information is not on the item, check the organization’s website.
  • Before donating used items, make sure they are in good shape to reuse. Donating junk puts an undue burden on the charity and could do more harm than good. You may want to consider selling the item and donating the proceeds to a charity.
  • Seek professional advice if you are in doubt about the deductibility of contributions.

Other helpful tips for making donations are posted on give.org. The IRS website at irs.gov has information on the deductibility of donations on tax returns.

(Podcast) KJAN Morning Sports report, 11/25/2015

Podcasts, Sports

November 25th, 2015 by Ric Hanson

The 7:20-a.m. Sportscast w/Chris Parks.

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(Podcast) KJAN Morning News & funeral report, 11/25/2015

News, Podcasts

November 25th, 2015 by Ric Hanson

The area’s top news at 7:06-a.m., w/KJAN News Director Ric Hanson

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Skyscan forecast & weather data for Atlantic, 11/25/15

Weather

November 25th, 2015 by Ric Hanson

Today: Cloudy w/areas of drizzle, fog & a chance of rain. High near 54. S @ 10-20.
Tonight: Fog and rain. Low around 38.
Thanksgiving Day: **Winter Storm Watch 6-am Thu. to 6-am Friday**
Rain thru early afternoon, then rain-freezing-rain-snow mixed. High early around 38 w/temps falling to around 32 by 5pm. N @ 10-20. Little or no ice accumulation expected. Little or no snow accumulation expected.
Thursday Night: Snow & a chance of freezing rain. Low around 24. N @ 20-30. New snow accumulation of less than a half inch possible.
Friday: Mostly cloudy & breezy w/flurries in the morning. High near 34. N/NE @ 15-25.
Saturday: Mostly cloudy, with a high near 39.

Tuesday’s High in Atlantic was 54. Our 24-hour low ending today at 7-a.m. was 30. Last year on this date we reached 32 for a High and 4 was the low. The All-time Record High in Atlantic on this date was 71 in 1960, while the Record Low was -6 in 1991.
Sunrise is at 7:20-a.m.. Sunset is 4:53-p.m.

Atlantic Girls hoops takes down Denison, improve to 2-0

Sports

November 25th, 2015 by admin

The Atlantic Girls Basketball team opened up their home schedule with a win over Denison-Schleswig on Tuesday night 66-55. The win moved the Trojans to 2-0 on the young season after a road win against Carroll on Monday night. Coach Kelly Juhl was pleased that a number of different players stepped up to contribute after the Trojans got in some early foul trouble.

The Trojans jumped out to a 16-7 lead after the first quarter and maintained a nine point lead at halftime at 26-17.  The Lady Monarchs didn’t go away though and fought back to tie the game on a 3-pointer from Freshman Guard Alex Mohr at the end of the third quarter.  That knotted the game up at 42 heading to the final quarter.  The Trojans responded well going on a late run led by Senior Erin Olsen who hit a three out of a timeout and followed that up with a layup after a steal and pushed the lead back to a comfortable margin.

Olsen finished with 25 points to lead the Trojans while McKenna DenBeste added 14 points off the bench and Tiffany Williams finished with 12 points.

Coach Juhl said he’s happy with where the team is at at this point in the season and said they are still feeling each other out due to some injuries to players during summer work.  He hopes the 10 day period before their next game against St. Albert will help them continue to gel as a team.