(Radio Iowa) – The University of Northern Iowa is implementing a new curriculum for its teaching students this fall. Associate Dean Benjamin Forsyth says the curriculum is designed to better prepare students to teach in a changing classroom. One of the biggest changes will be improving teaching programs for English language learners .

Forsyth says the changes could also anticipate how students and educators are using A-I in the classroom.

More than 25-hundred undergrad and graduate students at U-N-I, or about one quarter of them, are studying education.

(Radio Iowa) -Nearly 80-thousand Iowans have become active registered voters in the past month. As of today, Republicans have a 173-thousand voter registration edge over Democrats in Iowa, a slight increase from October 1st. The number of independent voters in Iowa grew by 25-thousand over the past month — with half a MILLION Iowans registered as independent or “no party” voters.

The latest data from county auditors and the Iowa Secretary of State’s office shows Republicans outnumber Democrats in each of Iowa’s four congressional districts. As of Thursday night, over 556-thousand Iowans had already voted by mail or in person at an early voting site in their county.

(Ames, Iowa) – A head-on crash Thursday night in Ames claimed the life of one person and left another person injured. The Iowa State Patrol reports the crash happened in the westbound lanes of 13th Street in Ames, at around 11:57-p.m., Thursday.

The Patrol says a 2003 Buick SUV driven by 67-year-old John Husted Berg, of Ames, was traveling the wrong way on 13th Street just east of Hyland, when his vehicle struck a 2019 Honda Fit driven by 28-year-old Kari Rachelle Storjohann, also of Ames. Husted was not wearing a seat belt and died from his injuries at Mary Greeley Hospital in Ames.

Storjohann was transported to the same hospital. The crash remains under investigation. The Patrol was assisted at the scene by Story County EMS.

(Radio Iowa) – Emmet County — the 99th and final county in Iowa to have a confirmed case of Emerald Ash Borer — will be the site of a mid-November meeting about what’s next for ash trees in the county. Sue Boettcher of the Iowa State University Extension Office in Emmet County says residents will learn how to diagnose an affected tree. “Some ash trees will survive and some will not and this will give you an idea of what to look for, ” Boettcher says. “…What is Emerald Ash Borer? How to identify it, signs of infestation, if the tree is safe or if it’s a candidate for treatment and then we’ll give some different treatment options.”

Boettcher says they’ll also provide a list of different tree species that would be good replacements if an ash tree is failing and must be cut down. The urban forestry specialist for the Iowa Department of Natural Resources and entomologists from Iowa State University and the Iowa Department of Agriculture will be in Emmetsburg for the event. “We’ll have some great people speaking and really be able to answer some questions,” Boettcher says. The meeting is scheduled for the evening of Wednesday, November 13th at the Estherville Public Library.

Emerald Ash Borer (Iowa Dept. of Natural Resources photo)

State officials recently announced an emerald ash borer infestation had been confirmed in an ash tree about 20 miles east of Estherville — in the small town of Armstrong. According to the U-S-D-A, the insect has killed about 15 million trees in the United States.

(Atlantic, Iowa) – The Atlantic Chamber Ambassadors were hosted by United Group Insurance on Thursday, October 31st. The Ambassadors were on hand to welcome the newest agent, Tyler Comes, to their Downtown Atlantic office.

Tyler was born and raised in Atlantic and graduated from Atlantic High School in 2019. After graduating college, Tyler returned to help operate the family farm, until he was approached by a family friend asking if he ever thought about going to insurance. Tyler jumped into the industry with both feet and feels that it all has come very naturally. “I’ve been a farm kid all my life, and being passionate about the people and the ag industry has made insurance a natural fit.”

Ambassador’s Pictured Left to Right: Tresa Comes, Kathie Hockenberry, Lori Johnson, Kaylee Doty, Jim Kickland, Lana Westphalen, Ann Johnk, Colt Doherty, Elaine Otte, Dolly Bergmann, Sue Liston, Randy Spangenberg Chris Parks, Carol Beebe, Megan Sramek, Tyler Comes, Dr. Keith Leonard, DeeDee Kalny, Alissa McGinnis, Bill Saluk, Anne Quist, Nick Bosley, Jeff Christensen, Krysta Hanson, Alden Harriman, Kelsey Beschorner

United Group Insurance has been in Southwest Iowa for over 60 years. With Carol Beebe and Tyler Comes serving the Atlantic office, the company also has offices in Griswold, Shenandoah and Red Oak. United Group Insurance takes pride in offering all forms of insurance including auto, home, farm, business, personal, commercial, life, health and crop insurance.

United Group Insurance is located at 303 Chestnut Street, Atlantic. For a quote, contact 712-243-6557 or visit http://www.unitedgroupins.com.

BOONE, Iowa — A central Iowa woman will avoid prison after admitting to shooting her husband in Madrid last year. Court records show Miranda Schaumburg shot her husband in the back in September of 2023. Schaumburg claimed self-defense at the time, but investigators rejected that claim. Schaumburg was also accused of deleting security camera video that would have shown the shooting.

She faced several charges, including attempted murder. KCCI reports last month, Schaumburg took an Alford Plea to domestic abuse with a firearm. The plea means she maintains her innocence, but agreed there would be enough evidence for a conviction.

She also pleaded guilty to being a convicted domestic abuser in possession of a firearm.

Schaumburg received a suspended sentence and credit for time served. She will spend two days in jail and two years on probation.

MARENGO, Iowa [KCCI] — The Environmental Protection Agency says the owner of C-6 Zero could face criminal charges. C-6 Zero is the company that owned the plant in Marengo that exploded in December 2022. Around a dozen people were injured in the explosion.

Last week, the EPA sent a letter to the company’s lawyers. It lists multiple incidents where the company failed to comply with environmental and safety regulations, before and after the explosion. Some of the infractions include failure to have electrical up to code, improper labeling of hazardous chemicals and inadequate operating procedures.

The documents allege C-6 Zero may be trying to open a similar plant in Idaho.

The company has been fined over $1.6 million by multiple agencies. They also face lawsuits filed by former employees and investors for damages.

(Radio Iowa) – As we head into the final two months of 2024, typically the busiest months of the year for many retailers, a survey of business leaders in Iowa and eight other Midwestern states points to a looming economic downturn. Creighton University economist Ernie Goss says the Business Conditions Index grades the region’s economy on a zero-to-100 scale, with 50 being growth neutral. It’s risen slightly from around 48 in September to 51 in October, just barely into growth territory.

“The overall reading, and that’s true for the national number and that’s true for our regional number, vacillating up and down, below and above growth neutral,” Goss says. “That’s the fifth time this year, and of course, that’s 10 months, the fifth time this year the index has been above growth neutral. Of course, that means five times -below- growth neutral as well.” Goss says supply managers remain pessimistic about the economic outlook, with many expecting a recession, or a sharp dropoff in the next six months. He says the region’s employment index slumped below growth neutral for the 10th straight month in October.

“The U.S. manufacturing sector has lost 43,000 jobs this year alone, that’s three-tenths of one-percent, five out of the last nine months we’ve lost jobs, the U.S. has lost jobs,” Goss says. “The region is down 3,700 jobs, which is also identically three-tenths of one-percent. We lost jobs for four of the last five months.”  The Creighton survey found four in ten Midwestern supply managers named supply chain disruptions as the top challenge to their firm over the next year, and Goss says interest rates are a key factor.

Ernie Goss (Creighton University photo)

“Long-term interest rates are rising, even though the Federal Reserve is cutting rates, they’re cutting short-term rates at the same time long-term rates are going up,” Goss says. “I expect those long-term rates to continue to move higher, and we’re going to see mortgage rates approach 7% and of course, that’s going to put a little dent in housing and we’ll see that in housing sales, home sales.”

Iowa’s overall number fell from around 43 in September to 48 in October, still below growth neutral and still “weak,” according to Goss.

The latest U.S. International Trade Administration data finds Iowa’s manufacturing sector saw a drop in 2024 year-to-date exports of 954-million dollars from the same period in 2023, a drop of more than eight-percent.

(Atlantic, Iowa) – The Atlantic Area Chamber’s Annual Scrooge Contest is underway during the month of November. The contest was created by Eleanor Hoover in 2002. Jackie Sampson and Karen Miller took over the reins in 2019 following Hoover’s passing. Over the last 22 years, the contest has generated substantial monetary and canned good donations for the Atlantic Food Pantry. Bailey Smith, Executive Director at the Atlantic Area Chamber of Commerce says “Every year, I ask myself how the community can one up themselves and, every year, I’m always impressed that they manage to do just that. Last year, our contestants had a record year, raising $29,723 and 1876 food items. This benefits a growing number of individuals and families in our community.”

“Our food pantry continues to see an increase of individuals and families in need of food assistance. We have such a great group of candidates this year and I’m grateful to Jackie and Karen for volunteering a lot of their time to make this contest happen. I have no doubt this will be another successful year for the pantry and our community,” Smith said.

The Scrooge contestants raise money and collect non-perishable food items for the Atlantic Food Pantry. The 2024 candidates include: Randy & Michelle Roy, Randy’s Computer, Graydon Schmidt, Schmidt Family Funeral Homes, Jeremiah Thompson, Landus & Atlantic Fire Department, and Ben Winford, New Life Church. The contest will run from November 1st to November 26th at noon. The contestant with the most points will be named Scrooge, and all proceeds will benefit the Atlantic Food Pantry. Winner of the Scrooge Contest serves as the Grand Marshal in the Lighted Parade on December 7th at 6 PM in Downtown Atlantic. Cash donations are worth 5 points on the dollar and one non-perishable item earns the contestants one point.

Left to right: Graydon Schmidt, Randy & Michelle Roy, Jeremiah Thompsen, and Ben Winford.

The Atlantic Food Pantry is asking for a specific list of food items, with a focus on monetary donations to help purchase other food items that are needed, including meat and refrigerated items. The list of needed food items includes:

Cream of Chicken/Mushroom Soup
Tomato/Chicken Noodle Soup
Ramen Noodles
Hamburger Helper
Canned Beef Ravioli/Spaghetti O’s
Instant Sides (Packages) – Pasta, Sauce or Potato
Boxed Cereal
Jiffy Corn Muffin Mix
Saltine Crackers
Canned Fruit
Canned Tuna/Chicken
Macaroni & Cheese
Canned Vegetables
18 oz. Creamy Peanut Butter
Quick Oats (no milk needed)
Pancake/Waffle Mix (no milk needed)
Pancake/Waffle Syrup
Boxed Noodles
Pasta Sauce
Chili Beans
Diced Tomatoes
Canned Manwich or Sloppy Joe

Donations to a contestant can be made by delivering food or funds to their drop-off locations. For more information, please call the Chamber at 712.243.3017 or email chamber@atlanticiowa.com. The contest will run November 1st – November 26th. Christmas in Atlantic is presented by Gregg Young of Atlantic.

Past Scrooge titles have been awarded to: Mary Ann Moorman 2007, Dana Halder 2008, Tammy Wise & Janet Huey 2009, Ritchie Anderson 2010, Janet Cappel 2011, Melanie Petty 2012, David Miller 2013, Mark McNees 2014, Ted Robinson 2015, Jon Johnson 2016, Rob Stamp 2017, Rob & Sonya Clausen 2018, Billie Hoover, Jackie Sampson & Lori Christianson 2019, Brain Ruge 2020, Ray Paulin 2021, Dr. Matt Weresh, 2022, and Sheryl Dusenberry 2023.

CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa (KCRG) – Four organizations have formed a an advocacy group calling for reform in the way utility companies set rate increases. The entities that make up the group are Iowa Business Energy Coalition, Iowa Economic Alliance, Iowa Business for Clean Energy, and Large Energy Group. Although the coalition doesn’t have a group name. The group cited Alliant Energy’s most recent rate increase as a concern for both residents and businesses. Alliant’s increase was approved by the Iowa Utilities Commission back in Sept. In a news release, the group called Alliant a monopoly.

According to the U-S Energy Information Administration, Alliant had the highest electric rates in all of Iowa in 2023. And Iowa’s average rate was higher than 37 other states.

The advocate group said the cost of electricity is making it harder to operate a business in Iowa. It said the larger companies in Cedar Rapids like Quaker Oats and the hospitals already have expensive electric bills every month and the increase has added to that. The business group also suggested changing how Iowa utilities can charge customers for future projects. Right now, electric companies can charge customers before they start a new project. Ultimately, the group said it is pushing for legislation changes that would allow the Iowa Utilities Commission to regulate the way utility companies increase their rates, serving as a check of sorts.

Alliant Energy said they “Remain committed to cost-effectively meeting customers’ energy supply needs. Investing in a diverse energy mix and modernizing the energy grid delivers a more reliable, sustainable, resilient and secure energy future. The IUC’s decision positions us to accomplish this as we continue planning ahead, acting on behalf of our customers to ensure we’re ready to manage the rapidly changing energy landscape.”