(Radio Iowa) – The state teachers union is calling on superintendents and school boards to include teachers and other school staff in discussions about how districts plan to use the latest batch of 770 MILLION dollars in federal pandemic relief. State law limits teacher contract negotiations to a discussion of salaries, but I-S-E-A president Mike Beranek says U.S. Department of Education guidelines require all school employees to be engaged in meaningful consultation in how federal funds approved in March are used. “There is no ambiguity about this direction and we want to want to make it perfectly clear that Iowa’s educators who bravely and consistently worked on the front lines of the pandemic, who understand first hand what their students need will be at the table when the ideas for use are discussed and the final decisions are made.”

Allison Grier, a Spanish teacher at Newton High School, says this new batch of federal funds can be used in creative ways to address student needs and learning loss. “These funds offer a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for innovation and for remediation,” she says. Kelly McMahon, a kindergarten teacher at Hoover Elementary in Cedar Rapipds, says the money can help address barriers to student success. “This historic influx of money in our school communities can be a game-changer for so many students, families and educators — if done right,” she says.

“Now more than ever,” McMahon says, “educators, parents, administrators and other stakeholders absolutely must be at the table when discussions and decisions are being made about these funds. We can rise above the effects of this pandemic in ways we’ve never dreamed of.” The latest round of pandemic relief funds from the federal government can be used to do things like hire new teachers, mental health counselors and school nurses or to finance summer school programs.

(Boone, IA) – Fareway Stores, Inc. will showcase its appreciation of essential healthcare workers with a special offer. In honor of International Nurses Day on Wednesday, May 12, all medical professionals are eligible to receive a 10 percent discount at the register. Fareway Executive Vice President of Merchandising, Mike McCormick, says “We are proud to celebrate our essential healthcare workers. They continue to rise above the challenges, and we hope this discount shows our appreciation for their continuous efforts.”

Healthcare workers are asked to show a work badge or medical ID at the time of purchase. The offer is available in-store only on Wednesday, May 12, 2021, at all 128 Fareway locations. Tobacco, lottery tickets, and gift cards are not eligible for discount.

Iowa State Patrol Trooper/District 3 Public Information Officer Ryan Devault, Tuesday (Today), mentioned on social media that another triple-digit speeder was caught. It’s the second Monday in a row someone has been clocked and ticketed for exceeding the speed limit by 100 miles per hour or more. In a Tweet, Trooper Devault said “We will see you at 102!!!!! District 3 troopers on I-80 Monday stop this motorist who “ Didn’t realize I was going that fast.” Do you believe you wouldn’t realize 32 MPH over the posted speed limit?”

Devault emphasized “We need to get back to paying attention to DRIVING!!!

(George, Iowa) – The body of an Iowa soldier missing in action for over 70 years is finally coming home. Army Cpl. Eldert John Beek fought during the Korean War, and was presumed Killed In Action/Missing In Action (KIA/MIA) Dec. 1, 1950 following a battle in the Chosin Reservoir Eastern Shore in North Korea. His remains, were finally accounted for in April, 2020.

In 2018, North Korea delivered 55 boxes of human remains as part of a deal with the Trump administration. Beek will be buried June 14 in George, Iowa.

CPL. Eldert J. Beek. KIA 12 Dec. 1950, North Korea.

(Radio Iowa) – A Waterloo man is a millionaire after winning the second-largest Powerball prize of the year, so far. Anton Garrett bought five plays on one ticket for Saturday evening’s Powerball drawing and ended up winning over two million dollars. Garrett corrected picked the first five numbers but missed the Powerball, which made his ticket worth one million dollars. However, Garrett purchased the Power Play, which doubled his winnings. Garrett also had a second winning ticket that was worth 21 dollars.

The Tyson Foods forklift operator says he picked his own numbers, which were a combination of several of his most different important dates. Garrett bought his winning ticket last week at a Waterloo convenience store and claimed his prize Monday at the Iowa Lottery headquarters in Clive.

The winning numbers for Saturday’s Powerball drawing were 12-17-20-21-26 and Powerball 8. The Power Play number was 3. Since no one matched all six numbers, the jackpot for Wednesday’s drawing climbs to an estimate 168-million dollars.

(Radio Iowa) – Iowa City leaders will meet today (Tuesday) at 3 P-M to consider restructuring the city’s police department and one councilmember is calling for a serious discussion about -abolishing- the police department. In an opinion piece published in The Cedar Rapids Gazette, Councilmember Laura Bergus wrote that policing relies on a system of force and violence, which she says cannot be undone. “I just want to start the conversation, as I said in the piece, about imagining a future where public safety isn’t provided by armed police,” Bergus says. “I believe that modern policing isn’t a sustainable model.”

A different policing system can replace the current one, she says, built on addressing basic human needs and diverting calls for service to other unarmed professionals. The opinion piece has already drawn backlash from the right and the left, but Bergus hopes a good faith, big-picture discussion is possible. “I guess I just hope that anyone who sees and hears this conversation approaches it with an open mind and an open heart and a consideration for what’s possible in our community in the future,” she says.

In the article, Bergus says, “Nearly every level of police violence is enshrined in the law. If an officer oversteps, accountability is rare.”

(reporting by Kate Payne, Iowa Public Radio)

DES MOINES, IA – Today (Tuesday) Governor Kim Reynolds announced new measures to address the State of Iowa’s severe workforce shortage. Effective June 12, 2021, the State of Iowa will end its participation in federal pandemic-related unemployment benefit programs. Iowa will continue to provide regular state unemployment insurance benefits to those eligible under the applicable state code.

“Federal pandemic-related unemployment benefit programs initially provided displaced Iowans with crucial assistance when the pandemic began,” said Gov. Reynolds. “But now that our businesses and schools have reopened, these payments are discouraging people from returning to work. Our unemployment rate is at 3.7 percent, vaccines are available to anyone who wants one, and we have more jobs available than unemployed people.”

The week ending June 12, 2021 will be the last week that the following federal pandemic-related unemployment benefit programs are available in Iowa:

• Federal Pandemic Unemployment Compensation (FPUC)
• Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA)
• Pandemic Emergency Unemployment Compensation (PEUC)
• Mixed Earners Unemployment Compensation (MEUC)

Additionally, effective June 13, 2021, Iowa will no longer waive employer charges for COVID-related unemployment insurance claims.

“Regular unemployment benefits will remain available, as they did before the pandemic, but it’s time for everyone who can to get back to work,” Gov. Reynolds continued. “This country needs to look to the future, and Iowa intends to lead the way.”

In addition to the information included in a memorandum to Governor Reynolds, Iowa Workforce Development will provide further details in conjunction with this announcement.

The 8:05-a.m. newscast with Ric Hanson.

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The Griswold School Board held a special session Monday evening, to hold separate interviews with three candidates for the Middle School/High School Principal’s position. Superintendent Dave Henrichs said the candidates they’ve interviewed to-date, are all well qualified for the job.

He says making a choice won’t be easy to make.

He said the Board hopes to announce a decision on who they’ve selected, during their regular monthly meeting next Monday, May 17^th. The May 17^th meeting will be held in the High School Conference Room, beginning at 5:30-p.m. Henrichs says once a Principal is in place, they can concentrate more on preparing for the next school year.