(Radio Iowa) – A report from the Iowa Tourism Office finds visitors spent seven-point-three BILLION dollars in Iowa during 2023, a new all-time record. The report says tourists shelled out an average of 20-million dollars — per day — experiencing all that Iowa has to offer. Chelsea Lerud, executive director of Iowa Travel Industry Partners, says the figures represent an increase from the year before of better than five-percent. “Usually, it’s in that 2-to-3% increase range,” Lerud says. “That 5% increase this year was a pleasant surprise, and it’s great to see the numbers well surpassing 2019. We’re out of that COVID downfall that the state felt in 2020.” She says tourism is all about importing dollars from outside the state so local residents don’t have to pay for all of the services we enjoy and need.

“Visitors are contributing over $800 per home to the state, to the tax base,” Lerud says. “That means that those dollars are then filtered to the municipalities to pay for our police force and our fire and things that we love as residents that we’re not having to rely on higher property taxes to support.” The study found travel-generated state and local tax receipts exceeded one-billion dollars last year, enough to pay the salaries of more than 19-thousand public school teachers. Iowa has many hidden gems for tourists, in addition to a host of attractions that are well advertised.

“The Iowa State Fair had record numbers this last year,” Lerud says, “so we’ll see that reflected in the 2024 economic impact when those numbers come out. Outdoor recreation is huge for us in the state, and so we’re seeing more people come to experience our bike trails and our waterways for canoeing and kayaking and white water and enjoying the great outdoors.” Tourism isn’t just a weekend draw, either. Larud says Iowa’s visitor economy is taking place seven days a week. “Our partners around the state are doing a fantastic job at recruiting those regional and national-level sporting events and conferences,” she says, “which are bringing in the travelers during the week as well, not just the families jumping in the car or the retired couple coming for a weekend getaway.”

The report says tourism plays a crucial role in Iowa’s job market, supporting nearly 71-thousand jobs, which accounts for more than five-percent of all employment in the state.

(Glenwood, Iowa) – Police in Glenwood report a man was arrested this (Friday) morning on an OWI charge. 24-year-old Tyler Bascue, of Glenwood, was charged with OWI/2nd offense, and driving under suspension. He posted a $2,300 bond, and was released from the Mills County Jail.

(Midwest News) – The National Corn Growers Association and the American Soybean Association found a tariff-induced trade war with China would “hurt” U.S. farmers, based on a jointly released study that pulled from 2018 tariffs data and GOP presidential nominee Donald Trump’s economic plans. The study, reported by the Iowa Capital Dispatch, shows worse-case scenario figures in the study show that soybean exports to China would have an average decline of nearly 52% below baseline expected levels, and corn exports would have an average decline of 84% below baseline.

Agricultural representatives, including folks from Farmers Unions in Minnesota and Wisconsin, the Minnesota Soybean Growers Association and Iowa former Secretary of Agriculture and former Lt. Gov. Patty Judge among others met Wednesday for a webinar in response to the study.  Many in the webinar urged farmers and rural voters not to vote for former President Trump because of his proposed tariffs. “We know that elections have consequences, and unfortunately, this one could leave us in a very precarious position (for) those of us here in the heartland that try to make a living on the great soil,” Judge, a Democrat, said.

The study, released Oct. 15, was conducted by the World Agricultural Economic and Environmental Services and projected a new trade war would cause “immediate” drops in corn and soybean exports, which would quickly be filled by exports from Argentina and Brazil. According to the trade study, many of the tariffs from the 2018 U.S.-China trade war are still in place, but China has granted annual waivers to the U.S. to reduce the tariff costs. This has worked to quell the trade war in recent years, but the study says the existing tariffs from China could “easily be reinstated.”

(Photo by Jared Strong/Iowa Capital Dispatch)

The study pulls from two scenarios, one where China fully reinstates the 2018 tariffs, and another where China applies a 60% tariff on U.S. goods, based on Trump’s proposal to place a 60% tariff on Chinese goods. According to the study, that could lead to an average loss for U.S. soybean farmers of $3.6 billion to $5.9 billion and $0.9 billion to $1.4 billion for corn farmers in annual production value. The agricultural representatives on the Wednesday webinar spoke frequently of the 2018 trade war and the “devastating effects” it had on farmers and rural economies. The effect was acknowledged by the former administration, which issued $23 million in relief to farmers who suffered a loss of trade because of the high tariffs.

Patty Judge said the tariffs could be “catastrophic” to Iowa because of its large agricultural production compared to its relatively small land mass and population. “We saw what happened in 2018 and we simply cannot do it again,” Judge said. According to the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative, Iowa is the second largest agricultural export state, and shipped $16.5 billion of domestic agricultural exports in 2022. Brent Swart, the president of Iowa Soybean association, noted the importance of trade to Iowa soybean farmers in an emailed statement to Iowa Capital Dispatch. “Many farmers could share a similar story of depressed commodity prices and sustained financial squeeze following the start of the U.S.-China trade dispute,” Swart said. “Trade remains a top priority for U.S. soybean farmers, and this study only underscores its importance.”

SIOUX CITY, Iowa – Oct. 18, 2024 – If you travel on Interstate 29 near Iowa 141 (exit 127) at Sloan you need to be aware of an upcoming ramp paving project that may slow down your trip, according to the Iowa Department of Transportation’s Sioux City construction office. The southbound I-29 on-ramp and the northbound I-29 off-ramp at Iowa 141 (exit 127) at Sloan will be closed beginning at noon on Monday, Oct. 21. The ramps will reopen at 3 p.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 12, weather permitting. During the ramp closures, oversize loads will not be permitted through the cities of Whiting or Sloan and the following marked detours will be in place:

Southbound Detour: From I-29 at the Iowa 141 interchange (exit 127), you will travel east on Iowa 141, travel south on Woodbury/Monona County Road K-45/Old Highway 75, travel west on Monona County E-24 near Whiting, and then south on I-29 (exit 120).
Northbound Detour: You will exit at the interchange with Monona County Road E-24 (exit 120), travel east on Monona County Road E-24, travel north on Woodbury/Monona County Road K-45/Old Highway 75 to Sloan and Iowa 141.

The Iowa DOT reminds motorists to drive with caution, obey the posted speed limit and other signs in the work area, and be aware that traffic fines for moving violations are at least double in work zones. As in all work zones, drivers should stay alert, allow ample space between vehicles, and wear seat belts.

RED OAK, Iowa – U.S. Senator Joni Ernst (R-Iowa), Ranking Member of the Senate Small Business Committee, Thursday, announced her Small Business of the Week: Greenfield Dental of Adair County. Throughout this Congress, Ranking Member Ernst plans to recognize a small business in every one of Iowa’s 99 counties. “While you may think you know the drill with dentists, Greenfield Dental is putting a smile on every face,” said Ranking Member Ernst. “You would think Dr. Frost is as popular as the tooth fairy given all of the rave reviews. The Greenfield Dental team really knows how to fill a need in our community!”

In 2018, Dr. Ryan Frost graduated from the University of Iowa’s College of Dentistry. Following graduation, Dr. Frost moved to work at Greenfield Family Dentistry. In 2020, he became the owner and merged with Nodaway Valley Dental to establish Greenfield Dental. Dr. Frost expanded from four workspaces to eleven and further invested in 3D X-ray imaging technology, which enabled Greenfield Dental to provide same-day emergency care, in-office root canals, and dental implant procedures.

In addition to his role at the practice, Dr. Frost is the treasurer for the Greenfield Main Street Chamber Board and aided in the community’s tornado clean-up and recovery this past spring. This fall, Greenfield Dental will celebrate its fourth business anniversary.

(Radio Iowa) – Court records show a 58-year-old northern Iowa man has agreed to plead guilty to second degree murder for killing a nurse who worked in Mason City. Sixty-two-year-old Leallen Bergman of Ventura was stabbed to death at a home in Britt last year. Police responding to a disturbance at the address encountered Monte Eckels before they entered the home and found Bergman’s body. Eckels was charged with first degree murder, but earlier this year he was found mentally incompetent to stand trial.

After receiving treatment, a judge ruled he was mentally fit for a trial, which had been scheduled in December. By pleading guilty to second degree murder, Eckels will be eligible for parole after serving 35 years in prison.

The Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation news release identified Eckels as being from Britt, where the murder happened, but Iowa D-O-T records show Eckels has a Titonka address.

(Des Moines, Iowa; DNR News) – The Iowa Department of Natural Resources reports success during the 2023 pheasant season has Iowa hunters eagerly awaiting this year’s opening day and with bird population estimates similar to two years ago, hunters are expecting another great fall afield. The DNR’s annual August roadside survey found the statewide pheasant population to be 19 birds per 30-mile route, down from 23 birds per route last year. The decline was likely due to a wetter than normal spring that coincided with the nesting season. Based on the results, hunters can expect a harvest between 350,000 and 400,000 roosters.

This year’s hunting excitement comes on the heels of a successful 2023 season that had a jump in harvest to 590,000 roosters, the most since 2007, thanks to roughly 20,000 additional pheasant hunters returning to the field. An estimated 83,600 pheasant hunters participated in 2023, and many of those came from out of state. Iowa has been attracting pheasant hunters from Minnesota, Michigan, Wisconsin, Illinois, Missouri, Ohio, Nebraska and from as far away as Georgia, North Carolina and Alabama. Hunters can expect to find higher populations in west central and northwest regions, followed by central and north central Iowa.

Pheasant hunting has been an Iowa tradition spanning generations. This year, it starts with the resident youth-only pheasant season Oct. 19-20 that is only open to Iowa youths aged 15 and younger. Iowa’s regular pheasant season is Oct. 26-Jan. 10, 2025. For decades, Iowa was a pheasant hunting destination and the 2024 season marks the end of the first century of pheasant hunting in the Hawkeye State.

Pheasant hunting (IA DNR photo)

The Iowa DNR and Pheasants Forever are partnering to celebrate Iowa’s 100-year tradition of pheasant hunting beginning this fall, and running through October 2025. History, news stories, population surveys, places to hunt, classes and events, links to other resources and more is all available on a new webpage at https://info.gooutdoorsiowa.com/100-year-pheasant-anniversary/ marking the 100-year anniversary. The page will be updated throughout the year.

Iowa hunters have been using the interactive Iowa hunting atlas to find new places to go hunting. The hunting atlas features more than 680,000 acres of public hunting land that is owned by the state, county or federal governments. It’s available online at www.iowadnr.gov/hunting. The tool allows hunters to see which zone the public area is in, type of shot allowed, wildlife likely to be found and get an overhead look at the terrain. The mobile version of the atlas will show hunter location on the area if granted permission. The atlas view from above allows hunters to zoom in on an area, see how to get there, the lay of the land and where one parcel of public hunting land is in relation to others and print off maps. Information is updated as public hunting lands are acquired.

The hunting atlas also includes 33,000 acres of private land enrolled in the Iowa Habitat and Access Program (IHAP) where private landowners receive assistance to improve habitat on their land in exchange for opening the property for hunter access. Site maps are available at www.iowadnr.gov/ihap showing boundaries and which species would be most likely attracted to the habitat. Walk-in public hunting through IHAP is available between September 1 and May 31.

DES MOINES—Iowa Attorney General Brenna Bird warns Iowans to be on high alert for government imposter scams. Her warning, Thursday, follows an instance last on Oct. 10th, where a scammer attempted to defraud a woman by calling from what appeared to be the Iowa Attorney General’s office’s phone number. Government imposter scams occur when a scammer pretends to be affiliated with a government agency to trick Iowans into sending money. Scammers often claim to be from agencies such as the Iowa Department of Revenue, Social Security Administration, or law enforcement.

“Scammers are master manipulators who will lie and scare people to get their way,” said Attorney General Bird. “I am warning Iowans to be on the lookout because these scammers will stop at nothing to steal from you, even if it means impersonating my office or law enforcement. If you or someone you know is suspicious of a call, please hang up and call my office at 888-777-4590.”

On Oct. 10th, the Iowa Attorney General’s office was alerted of a scammer who was spoofing the Iowa Attorney General office’s phone number to deceive people. A scammer, using an Iowa phone number, called a woman in Oregon and left a voicemail claiming to be a special agent with the Department of Justice. The concerned woman immediately forwarded a transcript of the voicemail to her husband. He returned the scammer’s call and asked for proof of identification or government affiliation. The scammer refused and instead insisted on calling back from a “main line” to prove they were a special agent. As the scammer called back from a different Iowa phone number, the husband found online that the number appearing on the caller ID was associated with the Iowa Attorney General’s office. The husband then confronted the scammer, but the scammer evaded questions and abruptly ended the call. The husband immediately reported the scam to the Iowa Attorney General’s office.

Iowa Attorney General Brenna Bird (file photo)

How to Spot a Government Imposter Scam:

• Unexpected Contact: Scammers call out of the blue and claim to be affiliated with a government agency.
• Threats: They use scare tactics, including threats of arrest, deportation, or fines.
• Demands for Immediate Payment: Scammers ask for money to solve a problem, such as paying taxes, fines, or fees. They also ask for the money to be sent via gift cards, wire transfer, or cryptocurrency—all methods where it is near impossible to retrieve the stolen money.
• Flawed Emails or Letters: They send fake letters or emails that look like they are from a legitimate agency but contain spelling errors or mismatched logos.

How to Protect Yourself:

• Verify the Source: If suspicious of someone claiming to be from a government agency, hang up or ignore the message. Use a verified phone number to directly call the agency.
• Use Official Channels: Always check the official website of the government agency for communication, guidelines, or instructions.
• Be Skeptical of Threats: Government agencies and law enforcement will not make threats of immediate arrest or ask for payment over the phone.
• Protect Your Pocketbook: Never provide personal or financial information over the phone, text, or email.

If you or someone you know has been targeted by a government imposter scam, contact the Iowa Attorney General’s office at 888-777-4590 or file a complaint online: https://www.iowaattorneygeneral.gov/for-consumers/file-a-consumer-complaint.

(Creston, Iowa) –  Police in Creston, Thursday night, arrested a woman on an OWI charge. Authorities report 31-year-old Paige Nicole Ruggle, of Creston, was arrested at around 11:20-p.m. at McKinley Lake. Ruggle was charged with Operating While Under the Influence – 1st Offense. She was taken to Union County Jail and later released after posting a $1,000 bond.

(Western Iowa) – Firefighters across western and southwest Iowa battled large field/grass fires Thursday afternoon. According to a social media post by Portsmouth Fire Chief Mike Leinen, crews fought a blaze that was three-miles long and about one-half mile wide. The cause of the fire is not known. Portsmouth firefighters received assistance from multiple area fire departments inside and adjacent to Shelby County. Their efforts were aided by at least two-dozen farmers who used their disc implements to cover over 400-acres in less than 30-minutes, in order to prevent the fire from spreading even more.