(Radio Iowa) – The Iowa chapter of the American Red Cross is wrapping up 2023 much as it always does, with a critical need for blood donors as supplies are dangerously low during the holidays. Agency spokeswoman Sue Thesenga (thee-SING-guh) says she’s hoping the blood shortage in the new year makes people stop and think about what they can do to help year-round.

The Red Cross is in need of all blood types, especially those with type O, which is considered a universal type for transfusions.

To find a place to donate, visit redcrossblood.org.

DES MOINES – Gov. Reynolds will be holding a public budget hearing Wednesday, January 3, 2024 at 2:00 p.m. This meeting will serve as the annual open forum on the state budget and Iowans will have the opportunity to participate virtually. Details below:

Wednesday, January 3, 2024 
Gov. Reynolds to hold virtual public budget hearing
2:00 p.m.

***Members of the public should RSVP with Molly Severn by 12:00 p.m. on Wednesday to receive information on how to participate, Molly.Severn@governor.iowa.gov***

(Radio Iowa) – Pottawattamie County officials have hired a private firm to inspect areas where the proposed Summit Carbon Solutions pipeline would pass through eastern parts of the county. The contract calls for the county-hired inspectors to make sure land is restored to its prior condition and drainage tile systems are repaired and maintained. Supervisor Susan Miller of Carson voted to approve the contract, but suggests it may not go far enough.

Pottawattamie County’s planning and development director says there’s nothing the county can do after recent court decisions blocked other counties’ pipeline ordinances. County Engineer John Rasmussen says he can’t make an estimate on how much wear and tear county roads may sustain during pipeline construction.

Summit has applied for a state permit to build and operate the pipeline, but the Iowa Utilities Board has not indicated when it may decide on the application. The board hosted a public hearing about the project this summer. The hearing started in August and ended in November.

(Des Moines, Iowa) – Iowa state parks and forests invite you to enjoy the outdoors and take a hike on January 1, 2024! Visit state parks on your own, or join a guided hike at several parks and forests.  Hikers can expect to be surrounded by the quiet beauty of nature in winter, and experience spectacular views, beautiful settings and the cultural treasures offered by Iowa’s state parks.  Find a First Day Hike near you!

Get 20% off your stay with Promo Code Cabin2024 when you book now for the months of January or February 2024. Enjoy the pristine beauty and outdoor fun of winter in an Iowa state park.

This promo applies to the year-round cabins at:

• Backbone State Park (16 cabins, max occupancy from 4 to 9)
• Black Hawk State Park (1 cabin, max occupancy 11)
• Lake Darling State Park (6 cabins, max occupancy 6)
• Lake Wapello State Park (2 cabins, max occupancy from 6 to 10)
• Pine Lake State Park (4 cabins, max occupancy from 4 to 6)
• Springbrook State Park (1 cabin, max occupancy 14)
• Union Grove State Park (2 cabins, max occupancy 4 )
• Waubonsie State Park (2 cabins, max occupancy from 6 to 12)

Promo code only can be applied for online reservations for January 1 through February 29, 2024. Note that January 1, 2024 is not an allowed arrival date; reservations may have an arrival date before or after that day. Promo code is good only for the state parks listed. Two-night minimum. Last day to make a reservations is February 21, 2024. Rules and fees apply.

West Des Moines, Iowa (KCCI) –  Owners of Danish toy company Lego say they’re opening Iowa’s first Lego store next year. It’ll be inside West Des Moines’ Jordan Creek Town Center, near the Lululemon store. Currently, the closest one is at the Mall of America in Minnesota. Iowa’s location should be ready for shoppers sometime in the second half of 2024.

Headquartered in Billund, Denmark, Lego has factories on three continents, including what it says is a new carbon-neutral factory in Vietnam. There are plans for another carbon-neutral factory in Richmond, Virginia.

Lego was founded in 1932 by Ole Kirk Kristiansen, and its name is derived from the Danish words “leg godt,” or “play well.” The company opened 155 stores worldwide in 2022 and now has more than 900 locations across more than 130 countries.

AMES, Iowa (KCAU) — One of the Democratic candidates vying for the party’s nomination to go up against Republican incumbent Randy Feenstra for Iowa’s 4th congressional district has dropped out of the race. KCAU says Jay Brown announced on his Facebook page that he’s withdrawing from the race.

“I whole heartedly [sic] endorse Ryan Melton, with whom I feel great commonality on issues,” Brown said. “The decision was difficult, but I didn’t make a very good candidate.”

The only Democratic candidate in the race is Melton. Representative Feenstra announced last week that he’s running for re-election for a third term in the U.S. House of Representatives.

CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa (KCRG) – A national survey found that the restaurant industry saw a healthy jump in sales in 2023. But that didn’t help some places that were forced to close their doors in the past year. KCRG says MasterCard found that the retail sales grew over 3% this holiday season, and that includes restaurant industry sales. That same study found the Restaurant sector was up 7.8% year over year. So why are some places closing so soon?

Jessica Dunker with the Iowa Restaurant Association says the profits in the business still aren’t quite at the levels they were pre-pandemic. The establishment may look busy, she said, by when all is said and done, some restaurants simply aren’t profitable.

The reason for that can range from restaurant to restaurant, but it typically has to with increased prices to compensate for the cost of labor. And a huge part of that is tips. Dunker says servers and bartenders still depend on tips as a large part of their income.

She said also, one way to help with the overall success of the restaurant industry is to pay with cash. Dunker said, on average, these businesses will pay between 1.5 and 3 percent in card processing fees.

(Radio Iowa) – Republican presidential candidate Ron DeSantis says rival Nikki Haley gave a word salad answer when she made no reference to slavery after someone in New Hampshire asked her what caused the Civil War. DeSantis says it shows Haley isn’t ready for prime time. DeSantis, who’s campaigning in Iowa, spoke with reporters here yesterday (Thursday).

He called the abolition of slavery is the Republican Party’s top achievement. DeSantis, who opposes the removal of a Confederate monument in Jacksonville, Florida, told reporters you can’t erase history.

(Atlantic, Iowa) – Florida First Lady Casey DeSantis, the wife of Florida Governor and Republican Presidential candidate Ron DeSantis, will be in Atlantic this (Friday) afternoon, as part of a conversation on the campaigns “Never Back Down” tour. The “Atlantic Conversations” event takes place at the Family Table Restaurant (609 W 7th St.). Doors open at 2-p.m., with Mrs. DeSantis scheduled to speak from 2:30-to 3:30-p.m. Register for the event HERE.

Florida’s First Lady Casey DeSantis at the Governor’s Mansion in Tallahassee. (Official photo) – Colin Hackley photo credit

Her other stops in Iowa today include: The Waukee IHOP, Three C’s Diner in Corning, and Barley’s in Council Bluffs.

(Crescent, Iowa/KETV) –  The Mt. Crescent Ski Area in Pottawattamie County is pushing back its opening day due to warmer-than-expected temperatures. The ski resort says its snowmaking team is doing everything they can to open as soon as possible, but they “need a little help from Mother Nature.” The Mt. Crescent Ski Area is located 15-miles northeast of Omaha, in the Loess Hills. The ski area originally planned a potential opening on December 30. It is now looking at the possibility of opening on Jan. 3, but expects it will be later.

The Mt. Crescent Ski Patrol squeezed in some lift evacuation training in preparation for the upcoming season earlier this week. (Image from the the resort’s Facebook page)

Mt. Crescent thanks visitors for their support and understanding. They tell season pass holders that, despite the weather delay, it still expects an 8 to 10-week season. The lodge is open Thursday and Friday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. for pass holders to pick up their pass before the season begins.