(Radio Iowa) – The new Farm Bill that has been delayed multiple times is one of the key topics of discussion at the Iowa Farm Progress Show that’s going on in Boone.

U.S. Ag Secretary Tom Vilsack says he still feels it can get done yet this year. “Here’s what I’m optimistic about. I’m optimistic about the people who are involved in this process understanding the importance of it, of getting it done, certainly before the end of the year,” Vilsack says. “That’s important, because if it doesn’t get done before the end of the year, or if there’s not an extension before the end of the year, then there’s some ramifications that are pretty dire.”

The former Iowa Governor says both sides have to take the same approach. “To get it done, I think everyone in the process needs to be practical. And by that, I mean you have to take a look at what actual resources are indeed available for any new programs or expansions of existing programs, and try to fit whatever you’re proposing within the real cost,” he says.

Iowa Fourth District Congressman Randy Feenstra says increasing prices paid under crop insurance is a key reason to get the bill done this year. “You’ve got corn at three-dollars and 60 cents, you got soybeans at nine dollars and 40 or 50 cents, whatever it might be. I mean, it’s the killer,” he says. “We’ve got to increase those revenue prices, and we got to make sure that crop insurance is there and available, because we know it’s going to be used this year.”

Ag Secretary Tom Vilsack (photo from Ag Secretary’s office)

House Ag Committee Chairman Glenn “GT” Thompson of Pennsylvania also discussed the Farm Bill in Boone. “I think it’s urgent that we do that this year. I to me, I have an urgency. I want to do it before the election. I think would that that’s really important. It’s important for our farm families,” Thompson says. He says the bill is being held up in the Senate. “Well, part of it is, you know, the Senate just has 90 pages of ideas. Some of them are great ideas, and they dovetail nicely with what we pass. Some of them are not so good ideas,” Thompson says. He says with only ideas, the lead senator is unsure if there are 60 votes to bring the bill forward.

(Thanks to Brent Barnett of the Brownfield Network.)

(Denison, Iowa) – Firefighters in Denison responded a little before 1-a.m. today (Thursday), to a structure fire at Boysen Laundromat, in Denison. No injuries were reported. The flames were contained primarily to the east interior end of the building, with smoke damage throughout the rest of the structure. Officials estimate the blaze caused $40-to $50-thousand dollars damage to the building and $100-to 150-thousand dollars damage to the building’s contents.

Photo from our sister station KDSN in Denison.

The cause and origin of the flames were not immediately clear. The blaze remains under investigation. Denison Fire received mutual aid from the Dow City, Vail, and Manilla Fire Departments. The Crawford County Memorial Hospital provided an ambulance on stand-by. Denison Police were also on the scene.

SACRAMENTO, Calif. – The Office of Disaster Recovery and Resilience at the Small Business Administration has announced that SBA will close its Minden Business Recovery Center at 4-p.m. Friday, Aug. 30th. The SBA opened the center to provide personalized assistance to businesses that were affected by the severe storms and tornadoes that occurred April 26th and 27th.

Until the center closes, SBA customer service representatives will continue to meet with business owners to answer questions about SBA’s disaster loan program, explain the application process, help each individual complete their electronic loan application and close their approved loans. No appointment is necessary.

POTTAWATTAMIE COUNTY
Business Recovery Center
Minden Fire Station
Meeting Room
205-207 Main St.
Minden, IA 51553
Monday – Friday, 8 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Closes at 4 p.m. Friday, Aug. 30

SBA representatives will also continue to be available at the following federal-state Disaster Recovery Center to meet with businesses and residents. The center is open on the days and times indicated. No appointment is necessary.

POTTAWATTAMIE COUNTY
Disaster Recovery Center
Veterans Affairs Building
623 Sixth Ave.
Council Bluffs, IA 51501
Mondays – Saturdays, 8 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Closed on Saturday, Aug. 31 – Monday, Sept. 2 for Labor Day

Businesses of all sizes and private nonprofit organizations may borrow up to $2 million to repair or replace damaged or destroyed real estate, machinery and equipment, inventory and other business assets. SBA can also lend additional funds to help with the cost of improvements to protect, prevent or minimize disaster damage from occurring in the future. For small businesses, small agricultural cooperatives, small businesses engaged in aquaculture and most private nonprofit organizations of any size, SBA offers Economic Injury Disaster Loans to help meet working capital needs caused by the disaster. Economic injury assistance is available regardless of whether the business suffered any property damage.

Disaster loans up to $500,000 are available to homeowners to repair or replace damaged or destroyed real estate. Homeowners and renters are eligible for up to $100,000 to repair or replace damaged or destroyed personal property, including personal vehicles. Interest rates can be as low as 4 percent for businesses, 3.25 percent for private nonprofit organizations and 2.688 percent for homeowners and renters with terms up to 30 years. Loan amounts and terms are set by SBA and are based on each applicant’s financial condition. Interest does not begin to accrue until 12 months from the date of the first disaster loan disbursement. SBA disaster loan repayment begins 12 months from the date of the first disbursement.

Applicants may apply online and receive additional disaster assistance information at SBA.gov/disaster. Applicants may also call SBA’s Customer Service Center at (800) 659-2955 or email disastercustomerservice@sba.gov for more information on SBA disaster assistance. For people who are deaf, hard of hearing, or have a speech disability, please dial 7-1-1 to access telecommunications relay services.

For SBA declaration 20318 for severe storms, and tornadoes that occurred April 26 – 27, 2024, the deadline to apply for economic injury is Feb. 14, 2025. For SBA declaration 20415 for severe storms, flooding, straight-line winds and tornadoes that occurred June 16 – July 23, 2024, the deadline to apply for property damage is Oct. 22, 2024. The deadline for economic injury is Mar. 24, 2025.

(Radio Iowa) – Forecasters say Iowa should see ideal weather for the Labor Day weekend, but things may get steamy and stormy before the holiday arrives. Meteorologist Craig Cogil, at the National Weather Service, says thundershowers moved across upper Iowa this (Thursday) morning. “We’ve seen some storms develop in northern Iowa, and they’re currently moving into southern Minnesota, as we see warmer and more humid air move back into the state,” Cogil says, “and it’s certainly going to push highs up to around 90 this afternoon with the humid conditions continuing.”

NWS graphic

Wide areas of the state may see heat indices back into triple digits today, but Cogil says another round of showers tonight should bring cooler air with it. “We’re going to see a cold front move down through the state into the overnight period, with showers and thunderstorms developing this evening,” Cogil says. “There may be the potential for some severe storms right now, looking at the main threat from damaging winds and large hail.” Once tonight’s storms are past, Cogil says it should be smooth sailing into Labor Day, as well as into next week.  “It looks like the holiday weekend should be rather pleasant, particularly Sunday and Monday,” Cogil says, “with highs mainly in the 70s and very little humidity and no threat of precipitation.”

Waterloo and Davenport both set record high temperatures of 98 degrees earlier this week, with some communities seeing heat indices as high as 117.

(Atlantic, Iowa) – The Atlantic School Board, Wednesday evening, discussed the District’s Attendance Policy. Superintendent Dr. Beth Johnsen said school officials in Atlantic and across Iowa are trying to work through the new rules established by the Iowa legislature, to make sure they are in compliance, but is still a lot of confusion on, and misinterpretation of the law, as Johnson found out earlier in the day, Wednesday.

Johnsen said the administration understood that chronic absenteeism meant for 10-percent of the school year, or 18 school days. That, as it turns out, is not the case.

Kathy Hanafan, Green Hills AEA School-based Interventionist, told Dr. Johnsen she would look more into the matter, including what other school district’s are doing across the State, but it’s clear – and the board agreed – that no one district is following the law entirely, based on its interpretation.

Right now, Dr. Johnsen says, the Atlantic School District may-or-may not be in compliance with the law.

She says she thinks the District will be held accountable by the County Attorney. Board member Josh McLaren said he doubts Cass County Attorney Vanessa Strazdas will act quickly to act on a case or cases of chronic absenteeism.

Other board members said it’s not something the public should get “worked-up about” right now, because there are still so many legal unknowns and the need for further clarification, but the policy currently in-place, stands. Board member Laura McLean said the main thing for parents to know, is that the Atlantic School District wants to your children to be in school as much as possible, and to communicate the effect chronic absenteeism has on a students’ ability to learn and keep-up with their classmates.

Work Session Minutes 08282024

(Atlantic, Iowa) – An official with Vision Atlantic reports local business, Camblin Mechanical, Inc., has pledged a generous donation of $250,000 to Vision Atlantic’s transformative project, which officials say will bring a housing development, new childcare center, and YMCA expansion to Atlantic. Christina Bateman, Vision Atlantic President says “Camblin Mechanical has been serving our community for decades. Bob Camblin worked tirelessly to create positive economic changes for Atlantic throughout his lifetime. Randy Watts and Andy Elings have continued on and grown Camblin Mechanical’s forward-thinking vision and mission to better Atlantic and the surrounding areas. Vision Atlantic appreciates their generous support of our once in a lifetime project. Camblin Mechanical’s gift will positively impact our community for generations to come.”

Bateman notes Camblin Mechanical has been instrumental in getting Vision Atlantic’s project off the ground, volunteering a substantial amount of time and expertise to make this once-in-a-lifetime project a reality. Randy Watts, owner & President of Camblin Mechanical, said “For years, Bob Camblin, Andy Elings and I have been working on the housing, jobs and childcare crisis in Atlantic. The creation of Vision Atlantic was the result of all of Bob’s hard work. Camblin Mechanical is proud to get behind this comprehensive project that addresses all three issues. We encourage all to join us in this exciting adventure”

Vision Atlantic, through extensive research and surveying of the community and surrounding region, identified three areas that will help increase Atlantic’s population: expanded childcare, quality housing and quality of life amenities. Bid letting for land infrastructure will begin this fall, with construction of all three projects slated to begin late spring of 2025. With substantial monetary support from the Charles E. Lakin Foundation and local donors, $17.4 million has been raised in the past 10 months, over 57% of a $30 million goal.

Photo courtesy Atlantic Area Chamber of Commerce.

Atlantic’s Project Committee is actively working to secure the remaining $13 million needed to meet the fundraising goal. If you are interested in helping transform Atlantic, whether it’s through monetary donations or acts of volunteerism, please contact Vision Atlantic at visionatlanticiowa@gmail.com. Follow Vision Atlantic on Facebook for behind-the-scenes access to project updates, or visit www.visionatlantic.org.

Vision Atlantic is a 501(c)(3) non-profit whose mission is to empower growth, enhance lives, and build a thriving community together through the economic development of Atlantic, Iowa

(Radio Iowa) – Governor Kim Reynolds issued a disaster proclamation for Des Moines County in response to severe storms that occurred on August 27 and continuing. The governor’s proclamation allows state resources to be utilized to respond to and recover from the effects of this severe weather and activates the Iowa Individual Assistance Grant Program and Disaster Case Advocacy Program.

The Governor also announced the approval of Scott County for Individual Assistance, and Dubuque and Jackson Counties for Public Assistance for the previously approved Major Disaster Declaration from severe storms, flooding, straight-line winds, and tornadoes that first hit on June 16th

(Radio Iowa) – In an unusual twist, a former Republican congressional candidate from western Iowa is endorsing a Democrat in the November election. Kevin Virgil lost the June primary to incumbent Randy Feenstra in the 4th District. Now, Virgil says voters should consider splitting their tickets to support former President Donald Trump for the White House -and- Democrat Ryan Melton for Congress.

“I’d rather have somebody who’s intellectually honest about what they stand for,” Virgil says, “rather than somebody like Feenstra who doesn’t really meet with the public and then just votes the way his corporate donors tell him to.” Even though they disagree on issues like abortion and government spending, Virgil says he and Melton have the same viewpoint on fighting carbon capture pipelines, lowering high cancer rates, and improving rural Iowa.

Virgil says, “I think it’s time for people to start deprioritizing party loyalty and think about electing the leaders that actually want to solve the problems.” Melton says it’s unprecedented that Virgil would back him over Feenstra. He’s surprised, but Melton says he understands, based on what he says voters tell him on the campaign trail. “There’s a lot of anger right now among Republicans against their party leadership,” Melton says, “and that anger is justified because their party leadership continues to sell them out to their donors.”

Virgil, who moved to rural Sutherland in O’Brien County last year, says blind party loyalty has not helped Iowa in terms of education, poverty, mental health, and support for family farms. Feenstra released a statement calling Virgil an “East Coast liberal” who chooses to endorse a Democrat who will block Trump’s agenda.

(Radio Iowa) – State Auditor Rob Sand, the only Iowa Democrat who holds a statewide office, says the state-funded Education Savings Accounts for private school students is a big worry for Iowans. During a town hall meeting in Delaware County this week, Sand told residents he’s carefully following the program’s progress, what Republican Governor Kim Reynolds calls one of her greatest achievements. “The vouchers program really is a very consistent concern for people, and that makes sense. We are sending all of this money, hundreds of millions of dollars, to these private schools with no audit obligation, no rules, really, for how they spend it,” Sand says. “There’s only one thing they can’t do. They can’t give a rebate to parents, but anything else on God’s green earth that they want to do with that money, they can do with it.”

As he travels the state on his 100 Town Hall Tour, Sand says this is a topic he’s hearing about frequently, related to his role in serving Iowans as the “taxpayers’ watchdog.”  “I think that most Iowans expect rules for how their tax dollars are handled. We have lots of rules for what public schools can do and can’t do with tax dollars,” Sand says. “It doesn’t make any sense to me nor to most people that we don’t have those same rules apply to private schools who are taking tax dollars through the vouchers program.”

State Auditor Rob Sand, (RI file photo)

Over 30-thousand private school students in Iowa have qualified for E-S-As this year. When fully implemented, Iowa will be among eight states where all private school students are eligible for state funding to cover tuition and other expenses. Sand says if any Iowans notice something suspicious or have concerns about financial irregularities in their local governments and entities, they can submit a confidential tip to his office online.

“Auditor.iowa.gov is our website. We have a button on there that says, ‘Send us a confidential tip.’ We always want to learn if people think that something’s going wrong, right?” Sand says. “If you see something, say something, and learning about a possible issue is the first step in getting on the road to addressing it.” Sand made his comments Tuesday in Manchester.

(Red Oak, Iowa) – Police in Red Oak report a woman was taken into custody today (Thursday), at around 12:36-a.m., on a Taylor County warrant. 44-year-old Heidi Suesan DeJongh, of Red Oak, was arrested in the 400 block of S. 2nd Street in Red Oak, on warrants for Accessory After the Fact, and Interference with Official Acts. DeJongh was being held in the Montgomery County Jail on a $2,000 cash-only bond, while awaiting transfer to Taylor County.