The Biden administration announced plans Tuesday to negotiate Medicare drug prices for ten medications, including treatments for diabetes. Iowa Senator Chuck Grassley has worked on legislation to fight escalating drug prices, and says the government should not dictate payments.

The Republican says says taking decision making away from pharmaceutical companies will result in less money going into the research to develop new drugs.

The plan faces legal action from pharmaceutical companies. The negotiated prices are expected to start in 2026.

The Des Moines Register is reporting Fareway plans to move its corporate headquarters from Boone to the Des Moines metro.

Fareway C-E-O Reynolds Cramer told The Register he didn’t make the decision lightly as it was his great grandparents who opened Fareway’s first store in Boone in 1938. Cramer said Fareway’s headquarters in Boone is out of space and many of the people who work there live in the Des Moines metro. According to the newspaper, Fareway is buying a building in Johnston that had been the Iowa Bankers Association headquarters and 100 employees will move into that building next spring.

In a statement provided to K-W-B-G Radio, Boone Mayor John Slight said Fareway will remain a vital corporate citizen of the city and 600 Fareway employees will still work in Boone. Slight said while disappointing, moving Fareway’s corporate headquarters to Johnston is important to Fareway’s continued expansion and that’s beneficial to Boone.

According to the company’s website, Fareway operates more than 130 stores in Iowa and six other states and has over 12-thousand employees.

Lieutenant Governor Adam Gregg says a pilot project in three Iowa counties may be a way to provide quicker emergency responses in rural areas.

Beyond the ambulance crews and E-M-Ts already in place around the state, the “Iowa United First Aid” program will train new groups of volunteers in Cass, Calhoun and Van Buren Counties in what Gregg describes as “C-P-R Plus.”

Gregg got the idea for the program when he visited Israel last year and learned about a smart phone app that alerts medical professionals if there’s an emergency nearby. Earlier this week Gregg was in Keosauqua to meet with over 30 people who’re starting volunteer orientation for the program in Van Buren County.

Gregg is also urging the group to provide feedback about how the program works and if changes may be needed.

The three counties involved in the pilot program have each gotten a 50-thousand dollar state grant, which is being matched with 25-thousand dollars in local resources. Nearly all that money is being used to buy the bags and medical equipment for each of the volunteers.

(Atlantic, Iowa) – If you have ever wondered about running for and serving on a City Council or School Board, you can learn more about the responsibilities and what those positions entail, by attending “Local Office 101: Panel and Q&A,” hosted by the Cass County Democrats. The session takes place September 9th, from 9:00-until 11:00-a.m., at the Atlantic Public Library (507 Poplar Street, Atlantic, IA 50022).

Panelists sharing their personal experiences will include Atlantic City Councilmember Elaine Otte, Atlantic School Board Member Jenny Williams, and Atlantic Parks & Rec Board Member Shirley Jensen. LaVon Eblen will serve as the panel moderator.

Area residents are welcome to attend the free event to learn more about participating in local politics. Light breakfast refreshments will be provided.

(Atlantic, Iowa) – The Cass County Auditor’s Office, late this (Tuesday) afternoon, updated the list of candidates who have filed nomination papers for the November 7, 2023 Cass County City/School Elections.

On Tuesday, incumbent Elaine Otte filed papers to run for one At Large seat on the Atlantic City Council. Three candidates filed on Monday (8/28):

Incumbent Pat McCurdy for Atlantic City Council – Ward 3

Incumbent Linda Hartkopf, Atlantic City Council – Ward 4

Incumbent Mary Strong, Parks and Recreation Board. (2 seats open on the Board).

The filing period for the November 7^th City and School Elections continues through September 21^st.