(Des Moines, Iowa) – Officials with the Iowa Department of Education say a newly released national report has Iowa named as one of the top 10 states for computer science education. Code.org, the leading provider of K-12 computer science curriculum in the United States, has ranked Iowa as seventh in the nation for providing high-quality computer science education in public schools. Iowa’s ranking is tied with Connecticut and is the first time the state has jumped in the top 10 for computer science. During the 2022-23 school year, Iowa saw a significant increase from 71 percent to 83 percent of high schools providing foundational computer science opportunities.

Justin Lewis, computer science education consultant at the Iowa Department of Education, says “We are proud to be recognized by a computer science leader like Code.org. The ranking is a reflection of the collaborative work within our state to ensure students receive high-quality computer science education.”

State rankings are identified by the implementation of 10 recommended policies that make computer science education foundational. These policies include the following initiatives:

• Create a statewide plan for K-12 computer science
• Define computer science and establish standards for K-12 computer science
• Allocate funding for rigorous professional learning for computer science teachers
• Implement clear certification pathways for computer science teachers at elementary and secondary levels
• Create programs at institutions of higher education for preservice teachers
• Establish dedicated computer science positions at state education agencies
• Require that schools offer computer science with appropriate implementation timelines
• Allow computer science to count towards core graduation requirement
• Allow computer science to satisfy an admission requirement at higher education institutions
• Require that all students take computer science to earn a high school diploma

Iowa scored highly in seven of the 10 categories and received recommendations for improvement in two areas: creating programs for preservice teachers and implementing a computer science requirement for graduation. Lewis noted that these two areas are anticipated to be addressed over the next year.

“In just a few short years, we have significantly moved computer science education forward in Iowa,” he said. “Through several intensive professional development opportunities, grant funding, STEM education priorities and, of course, the implementation of the computer science requirement at all grade levels, we have seen tremendous success. We will continue this important work to fill other gaps to ensure Iowa is at the top for computer science education.”

Initiatives such as the STEM Scale-Up program and Teacher Externships program through the Governor’s STEM Advisory Council at the Department have brought high-quality resources to computer science classrooms and have contributed to the state’s impact. Additionally, immersive professional development opportunities like Computer Science Professional Development Week have been a priority for Iowa. Funded by the Department, Computer Science Professional Development Week has offered Iowa teachers a week-long opportunity to learn directly from computer science experts and leading teachers in the field.

In 2020, House File 2629 established that all accredited Iowa high schools provide at least one computer science course by the 2022-23 school year. Middle schools also must now offer computer science instruction in either seventh or eighth grade, and elementary schools must offer it in at least one grade.

(Radio Iowa) – A Waterloo clinic was swamped with calls in recent weeks after opening the rental application process for its apartments that are designed for rehabilitating Iowans with mental illnesses. It’s only the third such intensive residential support home in Iowa. Elevate Behavioral Health Clinic has a two-unit, five-bedroom apartment complex providing short-term care for residents with intellectual disabilities. Apartment director Paige Smith says the response was overwhelming, even before the apartments were available to lease.

The apartment complex is next door to the clinic, which Smith says goes a long way to providing an exceptional level of support to residents.

The first tenants are scheduled to move in this week. The clinic plans to turn over rooms every three months to a year.

Des Moines, IA – Rural communities continue to face hazards associated with working in and around grain structures. In 2022 alone, there were at least 42 grain entrapments – the highest number in over a decade – resulting in 15 fatalities¹. To help prevent tragic accidents and deaths, Nationwide and its partners are providing life-saving grain rescue tubes and training to 60 fire departments across rural America through its 2023 Grain Bin Safety campaign.

Locally, the Minden, IA, fire department – Minden Volunteer Fire & Rescue  – was one of the winners that was awarded a grain rescue tube and training this year. These resources are being brought to the community thanks to donations from HTS Ag. In addition, the Guthrie Center Fire Department received grain bin rescue training through the program.

Grain bin rescue tube/training (Nationwide Insurance photo)

In partnership with the National Education Center for Agricultural Safety (NECAS), Nationwide and its partners have now supplied grain rescue equipment and training to 332 first responders across 32 states to help prepare them when local grain entrapments occur.

After receiving thousands of nominations in the 2023 Nominate Your Fire Department Contest, an annual component of Nationwide’s Grain Bin Safety advocacy campaign, the insurer and its partners are proud to have awarded grain rescue tubes and training to the following fire departments in Iowa, this year (in addition to the Minden and Guthrie Center Fire Departments):

Center Point Fire Department, Center Point, IA

Hudson Volunteer Fire & Rescue, Hudson, IA

North Liberty Fire Department, North Liberty, IA

(Atlantic, Iowa) – Atlantic Rising, in partnership with Hy-Vee, will continue to lead the Christmas Box Program this holiday season. The program was originally started by West Central Community Action over 20 years ago. The Jaycees took the program over soon after it started and then passed the program to Atlantic Rising in 2018.

“This program helps families and individuals in need of a Christmas dinner,” Kelsey Beschorner, Programs Director at the Atlantic Area Chamber of Commerce said.

“Atlantic Rising members, along with community volunteers, delivered boxes to 180 individuals and families last year. With today’s continued challenges, we expect to see a continued increase in nominations this year,” Beschorner adds.

Atlantic Rising is preparing for the 7th Annual Trivia Night that will take place early next year. The event will include eight rounds of ten questions each. Categories range from math to music to Saturday Night Live and everything in between. There is a prize awarded to the winning team. Teams are also encouraged to create team themes to add to the fun of the evening.

“Trivia Night is the organization’s main fundraising event for Christmas Boxes, and year after year participants enjoy a fun night while raising money for an impactful project. With the projected numbers of families served, we will also be reaching out to businesses and community members asking for donations and volunteers to help serve as many families as possible. Any time our community needs us, we are there to put in the work,” added Beschorner.

On December 14th, members of Atlantic Rising and local volunteers will fill and deliver boxes of food items to families and individuals who can then use them to cook Christmas dinner.

“Atlantic Rising is proud to carry on this tradition of the Christmas Box program, and we are thankful that we are able to partner with Hy-Vee and give back to the community in such a great way,” Beschorner stated.

To nominate a family or individual, or if you are interested in volunteering, contact Atlantic Rising at 712.243.3017 or chamber@atlanticiowa.com.

(Radio Iowa) [CORRECTION TO ORIGINAL REPORT] – Iowa’s attorney general has filed a legal brief asking the state’s Supreme Court to let a so-called “fetal heartbeat” law go into effect. Wednesday’s filing comes a day after voters in Republican-leaning Ohio ratified a constitutional amendment to guarantee abortion access. Governor Kim Reynolds says she won her 2018 race after signing the bill to ban most abortions after the sixth week of a pregnancy when fetal activity typically can be detected. The governor’s legal counsel worked with the attorney general on the brief that argues the law should go into effect.

In 2019, the Iowa Supreme Court ruled the bill was unconstitutional. Since then, Reynolds has appointed five of the court’s seven justices. After the U-S Supreme Court’s ruling that overturned Roe v Wade, Reynolds asked the Iowa Supreme Court to let that 2018 law go into effect, but the Iowa court, in a tie vote, kept an injunction in place preventing the six-week abortion ban from going into effect. Reynolds says it’s time for the court to uphold the law once and for all.

Iowa Democratic Party chair Rita Hart says a law banning abortion at six weeks is not what a rapidly growing majority of Iowans want and Democrats will stand up to Republicans on the abortion issue.

Radio Iowa reports on Wednesday mistakenly suggested the Iowa Supreme Court agreed just yesterday to hear legal arguments over the Fetal Heartbeat Act. The court made that announcement in late July and it was Attorney General Bird’s legal brief that was filed yesterday (Wednesday).

(Radio Iowa) – The Iowa Utilities Board hearing on Summit Carbon Solutions proposed pipeline has resumed this week. A schedule on the board’s website indicates that tomorrow (Thursday), the company will start offering its rebuttal to dozens of landowners who’ve testified they do not want the pipeline on their property. Neil Dahlquist, who owns land in Palo Alto County, testified this (Wednesday) morning. Dahlquist says he’s been unable to get confirmation that his insurance company would provide liability coverage if the pipeline ruptured.

Dahlquist, who is a neurologist in Minnesota, suggests if the pipeline is built, it will shut down when federal tax credits for carbon capture expire.

A bill President Biden signed last year establishes a tax credit worth 60 dollars for every metric ton of sequestered carbon. The U-S Treasury Department estimates two-point-three BILLION dollars in carbon tax credits will be claimed between now and 2029. Ethanol plants have signed up to connect to Summit’s proposed pipeline, expecting to market carbon neutral ethanol as a result. Groups like the Iowa Renewable Fuels Association and the Iowa Corn Growers say capturing carbon from ethanol plants is key to the industry’s long term survival. Last month, Navigator cancelled its carbon pipeline project. The company cited unpredictable regulatory processes in states along the proposed pipeline route.

(Greenfield, Iowa) – The Adair County Board of Supervisors breezed through their short agenda this (Wednesday) morning. During their meeting, the Board approved a courtyard use request for carriage rides. Gina School with Greenfield Chamber/Main Street organization requested the courtyard use for the evening of Saturday, November 25^th.

She noted also, that the lighted parade and other festivities will take place in Greenfield Friday, November 24^th.

(Red Oak, Iowa) – The Board of Supervisors in Montgomery County, today (Wednesday), received numerous comments with regard to a wind turbine moratorium, carbon capture (CO2) pipelines, and closure/replacement of railroad bridges, prior to discussing and/or acting on those issues. In her report to the Board, Montgomery County Engineer Karen Albert discussed ongoing road maintenance projects.

The Board then opened sealed bids for property forfeited to the Sheriff’s Department**, and awarded the vehicles to the highest bidders. Supervisor Donna Robinson….

The Board also received a lengthy report by Jan Norris from West Township in Montgomery County, with regard to the status of carbon capture pipelines in Iowa and surrounding States.

In other business, the Montgomery County Supervisors heard from Zoning Administrator Barry Byers, who said the Zoning Commission recommends the Board pass an indefinite moratorium on wind turbine energy conversion system construction. Byers said on Tuesday, the Pottawattamie County Supervisors passed a one-year moratorium on wind turbine and solar power projects. Their moratorium will last up to 365 days, or when the board approves an updated set of rules and regulations, whichever comes first. The moratorium will give the county time to revise its current set of rules and regulations for wind farms and create a set for solar farms. Currently, the county does not have a set of regulations for solar farms.

After hearing from MidAmerican Energy/wind turbine spokesman Will Dougherty, and subsequent lengthy discussion, Supervisor Mark Peterson read a motion to extend the moratorium. Here’s a portion of the resolution….

Following a second on the motion, a Resolution to that effect was passed by a vote of 4-to-1. With Supervisor Randy Cooper voting no. In other action, the Board voted purchase a new laptop computer for the Maintenance Director, since the old one is no longer functional, and to accept a recommendation from the County’s IT Director, to purchase a Sennheiser microphone kit/audio equipment for the Board of Supervisor’s meetings, in the amount of $3,433.02.

**The property included a 2008 Ford F-450 Super Duty King ranch pickup; a 2007 AWD Saturn Vue; a 2003 Audi A4 and a 2008 Harley Davidson Soft Tail.

(Atlantic, Iowa) – In conjunction with the 2023 Festival of Trees in downtown Atlantic, the festival committee is offering a unique Iowa Hawkeye basketball raffle opportunity to support the fundraising effort for the American Cancer Society. The raffle is taking place now through the end of Festival of Trees on December 3rd. The raffle winner will receive two tickets to the Iowa Hawkeye men’s and women’s basketball doubleheader at Wells Fargo Arena in Des Moines on December 16, 2023.

The men play Florida A&M at 3:30 p.m. followed by the women playing Cleveland State at 6:00 p.m. that day. In addition to the tickets the winner will receive a personalized autographed item from the University of Iowa women’s basketball coaching staff. Tickets for the raffle are $10 for one entry or $20 for three entries. Tickets can be purchased at Festival of Trees or enter through Venmo @CassRelay2023. If entering through Venmo please put your contact information in the payment notes.

Flyers with details about the raffle are located at several area businesses including Brown’s Shoe Fit in Atlantic and Rolling Hills Bank and Trust locations. Don’t miss out on an opportunity to enjoy a great event and support the great cause of battling cancer in Cass County.

The 2023 Cass County Festival of Trees will be held November 30th through December 3rd at 410 Chestnut Street in Downtown Atlantic. This is the former Aunt B’s and Bonneson’s location. Hours will be 10:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. Thursday and Friday, 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Saturday (closing early to enjoy the lighted parade), and 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. on Sunday.

Brown’s Shoe Fit Atlantic Manager Austin Renfro and Cass County Festival of Trees Representative Carole Schuler show off raffle details.

You can also listen to the Radio Luminary show from 5:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. on December 3rd on KJAN Radio in conjunction with the Anita Winter Walk.

(Atlantic, Iowa) – Cass County Auditor Kathy Somers reports a meeting between the Board of Supervisors and AFSCME officials, representing the Sheriff’s Union, will exchange Initial Bargaining Proposals. The session takes place 9-a.m. Thursday, in the Supervisor’s Board Room inside the Cass County Courthouse, in Atlantic. No action will be taken other than the exchange of proposals.