(Omaha, NE) –  This past Saturday (Oct. 7, 2023), Hamas militants from Gaza launched a surprise attack against towns in southern Israel, including a music festival. Media sources report there were over 900 deaths, over a thousand wounded and more than 100 Israeli hostages being taken. In response, Israel declared war on Hamas, sent airstrikes into Gaza on Sunday, over 600 Palestinians were killed.

For those seeking to help victims and families impacted by this crisis, BBB Wise Giving Alliance offers the following giving tips and a list of BBB Accredited Charities soliciting for relief efforts:

• Can the charity get to the impacted area? Not all relief organizations will be positioned to provide relief quickly. See if the charity already has a presence in Israel or Gaza.
• Are you alert to possible social media scams? Scammers recognize the emotional motivation to help in response to emergency situations. Be wary of responding to appeals without taking the opportunity to verify the trustworthiness of the social media source or the specified charity.
• Should you send clothing and food? Local drives to collect clothing and food to send overseas may not be practical as the logistics and timing to deliver and disperse such items will be challenging. Relief organizations are better equipped to obtain what is needed, distribute it effectively and avoid duplication of effort.
• Is the charity experienced in providing emergency relief? Experienced disaster relief charities are the best bet to help deliver aid as soon as possible. New entrants may have difficulty in following through even if they have the best of intentions.
• Are you considering crowdfunding appeals? If engaging in crowdfunding, it is safest to give to someone you personally know and trust, keeping in mind that some crowdfunding sites take measures to vet posts, others don’t. If the poster claims they will forward funds to a specified charity, consider visiting the charity’s website on your own and giving to them directly after having checked them out.
• Are you cautious about “100%” claims in appeals? Charities have fundraising and administrative expenses. If a charity promotion claims that all funds collected will be used for relief, see if there is an explanation about how they are able to do this. Even a credit card donation will have a processing fee. For more on this topic, click HERE.

  For more information:

  To report a scam, go to BBB Scam Tracker. Learn more about how to give wisely.

(Radio Iowa) – More than 500 people were lined up this (Friday) morning as the annual free dental clinic known as the Iowa Mission of Merch opened its doors in Waterloo. Iraq War Army veteran and Independence resident Cassidy Collins says he’s had trouble getting into a dentist.

Collins says it’s been eight years since his last dental checkup.

The 100 volunteer dentists and hygienists anticipate providing all levels of dental care. The clinic is on a first-come first-severed basis and runs today until everyone it taken care of and then will open again Saturday at 6 a-m.

(Radio Iowa) – U-S Ag Secretary Tom Vilsack says if congress fails to at least extend the current Farm Bill by year’s end, key programs — including one for dairy farmers — expire.

The Dairy Margin Protection Program was created in the 2018 Farm Bill. It provides payments to farmers when the cost of the milk they sell falls below the cost of production. There are over 800 dairy farms operating in Iowa today. Vilsack says the likely scenario is that the House and Senate will eventually vote to keep the 2018 Farm Bill policies in place until a new Farm Bill is developed.

Vilsack says the big stumbling block in negotiations on the 2023 Farm Bill has been whether to raise what are called “reference prices” for corn, soybeans, wheat and cotton to account for rising production costs. Those reference prices are used to calculate federal crop subsidies. Vilsack says it would cost 20 BILLION dollars over the next decade if those reference prices for corn and other commodities are hiked in the next Farm Bill.

Police are releasing few details about how a man was killed in southwest Cedar Rapids Thursday, but do say it’s a homicide. Radio Iowa’s O. Kay Henderson reports.

The man was found in a parking lot near a Cedar Rapids liquor store shortly after 5 p.m. A news release from Cedar Rapids Police does not indicate if there are suspects. Investigators are asking witnesses who may have information about the man’s death to call police. ANNOUNCER OUT: Two people were killed and one person was seriously injured last week in a shooting on the northeast side of Cedar Rapids.

(Radio Iowa) – In an update to our earlier report, the state’s first Safe Haven Baby Box is now available on the north side of the Fort Dodge Fire Department. The box was christened Thursday with a blessing and ribbon cutting ceremony. The founder and C-E-O of the company that makes the boxes, Monica Kelsey, is a retired firefighter medic, ex military and says she has always been on the frontlines of trying to protect something.

Kelsey says she was abandoned by her 17 year old mother who had been sexually assaulted in 1972 and sees the mission of bringing baby box’s to communities across the country as a calling.

Monica Kelsey (Ft.Dodge FD photo)

The box comes to Fort Dodge after a case where a mother and father drowned their newborn in the bathtub. The next closest baby box to Fort Dodge is in St. Louis, Missouri.

(Atlantic, Iowa) – Local community members are invited to attend a free Mental Wellness Fair on Tuesday, October 17th at the Atlantic High School (1201 E. 14th Street, Atlantic, IA). The event takes place from 4-until 7-p.m., and is being co-organized by Cass Health Senior Life Solutions and Zion Integrated Behavioral Health Services, and is open to anyone who wants to learn more about community resources and building a supportive community atmosphere.

Participants will be able to explore a resource fair and meet representatives from local community organizations serving Cass County, including Zion Integrated Behavioral Health Services, Cass Health Senior Life Solutions, Family Connections Inc, Cass County Public Health, Family Crisis Centers, Healthy Cass County and Cass County ISU Extension.

Throughout the night, a series of short presentations will be taking place in the high school media center, including education from Zion Integrated Behavioral Health Services on Stress Management, Sleep Hygiene, and Coping Skills, a Connections Matter presentation by Nancy Gibson, Cass County Public Health Parents As Teachers Coordinator, and a Talk Saves Lives presentation by Joani Wolfe from the Iowa Chapter of the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention.

The evening will be offered as a come-and-go event, and the public is invited to stop by at their convenience to learn all about local resources and make connections. Mental health was identified as the top health need in Cass County in the 2021 Cass County Community Health Needs Assessment, and these local presenters and partners are excited to share the many resources and programs they offer to address this important topic. With questions on the Mental Wellness Fair, please contact Karmen Roland, Senior Life Solutions Program Director at (712) 250-8215 or Amanda McCall, ZION Integrated Behavioral Health Services, Inc. at (712)-254-3415.

Healthy Cass County is a community-focused volunteer network formed to promote the health and well-being of Cass County residents. For information on community wellness events or resources, follow Healthy Cass County on Facebook @HealthyCassCounty.

(Atlantic, Iowa)- A reminder from Cass County Assessor Mary Anstey: The Family Farm sign-up deadline is November 1, 2023. If you have purchased a farm or made any changes of ownership, you need to complete a new application. If you have are any questions, call the Assessor’s office at 712-243-2005. Hours are Monday through Friday, from 8-a.m. until 4:30-p.m.

(Glenwood, Iowa) – Police in Glenwood report a man from Nebraska was arrested Thursday, on drug charges. Authorities say 54-year-old David Hert, of Valley, NE, was charged with Possession of a Controlled Substance and Poss. of Drug Paraphernalia. His total cash or surety bond was set at $1,300.

(Radio Iowa) – Republican presidential candidate Tim Scott says U-S special forces should be sent to Israel to rescue Americans being held hostage by Hamas. “If you take an American, it should cost you your life,” Scott says. “…I’m willing to send an American to bring an American back.” Scott, a South Carolina senator, campaigned in Newton yesterday (Thursday). Scott told the crowd he’s been to Israel four times. “The one thing I can tell you is they have the fire power and the manpower to wipe Hamas off the face of the earth,” Scott said, “and I hope they do. The wrath of God with a feeling.”

Scott describes Israel’s Iron Dome defense system as a partnership between the U-S and Israel that’s working effectively, but must be restocked. “We should be in a position where our resources and our military weaponry is available and accessible to refill and replenish Israel as the need arises over the next several months, I assume,” Scott says.

Scott says the U-S must always be prepared for conflicts on three continents at once. America’s support of Ukraine is degrading the Russian military, according to Scott, and he says another priority should be shoring up the U-S/Mexico border.