(Radio Iowa) – The governors of Iowa, Missouri, Nebraska and Kansas are assessing flood prevention efforts in the Missouri River corridor — and finding progress. Governor Kim Reynolds says levee maintenance and making structures as flood resilient as possible are key. “Instead of waiting for that disaster to hit like in 2019, and then we have no money…and then we have a bunch of money come in and then we’re fixing the same highway structures, the same ag impact that we did prior to that.” Reynolds and the governors of the other three states met yesterday (Thursday) in Omaha. Reynolds says the design and structural performance of 900 miles of Missouri River levees are being evaluated.

“Then grants will be available to the different levee districts to get the levees where they need to be,” Reynolds says. Reynolds says nearly all the levee districts lack the resources to make significant improvements and government funding is necessary. Reynolds and the other Missouri River governors began meeting in the midst of the devastating floods of 2019 and Reynolds says their main frustration at the time was the pace of the response from federal agencies.

“We tend to study things to death instead of moving forward and getting things done,” Reynolds says, “and we’ve seen a lot of progress since that first meeting in 2019 and the way that we’re doing things.” In the spring of 2019, melting snow and rainfall combined to cause the Missouri River to jump its banks and quickly flood vast swaths of western Iowa.

(Radio Iowa) – The head of a conservative law firm is asking the Iowa Supreme Court to find that State Auditor Rob Sand, a Democrat, has violated the state’s public records law. Alan Ostergren, chief counsel of the Kirkwood Institute, asked the auditor for emails related to Sand’s since discredited claim that the governor improperly used federal COVID-19 funds for a public service announcement. Ostergren appeared before the Iowa Supreme Court yesterday (Thursday).  “Who audits the auditor?” Ostergren asked. “Do we have in our law that the auditor is just above examination to make sure he is discharging his duties correctly?”

A district court judge dismissed the case last year, saying the emails could be kept confidential because they’re part of an audit or examination. Iowa Supreme Court Justice Dana Oxley says state law protects information received in an audit.  “For me, that’s really the issue, is how do we decide whether or not something is within an audit when we’ve got an affidavit from the auditor that says this information was received, they identify the dates, they identify specific audit reports and audits that are ongoing,” Oxley said.

Ostergren has been seeking an email chain that includes comments from State Auditor Sand, an Associated Press reporter and a blogger. Sand has said he denied the request because it would chip away at his ability to protect whistleblowers and save taxpayers money.

(Radio Iowa) – The number of international students attending the University of Iowa has fallen for eight straight years, only in part due to the pandemic. Russell Ganim, the U-I’s dean of international programs, tells KCRG-TV the trend really comes from changes other countries are making in higher education. ”If you look at China, the country has invested a lot in higher education. They built many colleges and universities,” Ganim says, “so they no longer needed to outsource higher ed to countries like the U.S. or the U.K. or Australia or western Europe.”

One of the largest international student groups at the U-I is China, which had roughly 25-hundred international students in Iowa City in 2015. Now, that number has dwindled to just 432, a drop of 83-percent. The New York Times reports American students looking to study in China may be hesitant because of the relationship between the two countries, something Ganim says students from China consider, too.

“Students still want to come here,” Ganim says. “They are concerned about world events but in many instances, it doesn’t necessarily affect their plans to study at Iowa or elsewhere in the United States or anywhere in Western Europe.” Instead of seeing a major drop in all international students, the U-I is seeing a shift in which countries are sending students. “It’s true that the Chinese contingent has decreased,” Ganim says, “but now we’re seeing more countries than ever represented among our international student body.” China, along with India, still sends more international students to the university than any other country.

“India is trying to build education infrastructure the way China did say 15-20 years ago, but it’s having trouble keeping up,” Ganim says. “As a result, it is outsourcing at least some of its higher education needs to the West.” Ganim says the U-I has increased recruiting efforts in India and the Middle East to lure more international students.

The overall number of international students has dropped 56% since 2015, but Ganim says the numbers are now moving in the right direction.

(Radio Iowa) – A spokesman for the Iowa DNR says hunters are on pace for a good season harvest as the end of the second deer gun season approaches Sunday. Pete Hildreth talked about the numbers at the Natural Resources Commission meeting today.

“Just under 80,000 deer have been reported through our harvest reporting system,” Hildreth says. The DNR report shows hunters in Clayton County have taken the most deer thus far at 3,390, followed by Allamakee County at 2,589. No other counties have topped 2,000 deer taken, but a few are very close, including Winnesheik 1,943, Jackson, 1,941, Warren 1,814, Madison 1,888, and Dubuque 1,881.

(Iowa DNR photo)

“So based on this year’s harvest, we’re right on track for our typical annual harvest of 100 to 110-thousand deer statewide,” Hildreth says. He says the only downside is three hunting accidents last weekend. “That does serve as a reminder for hunters to review safety measures before heading out. Overall, there have been 12 hunting incidences and again sadly two fatalities across all hunting seasons this fall,” he says.

There were two separate deer hunting incidents that involved shooting at deer that were running between two hunters and one hunter was struck by a wayward shot from another in their party. The other incident involved a self-inflicted injury due to what the DNR calls “carelessly handling a firearm and lack of muzzle control.”

(Radio Iowa) – Democrats in the Iowa Senate say there’s a nursing home crisis in Iowa and the Senate Oversight Committee should launch a bipartisan investigation.

Senator Claire Celsi, a Democrat from West Des Moines, said some facilities are not being properly managed and it’s “a life and death issue” for some nursing home residents. “Our state’s current nursing home system is fundamentally broken and failing to protect Iowans,” Celsi says.

There are over 400 nursing homes in Iowa and Celsi said the state should be employing far more than 49 nursing home inspectors. She points to Michigan, which has a similar number of nursing homes and 47% more inspectors. “We need accountability in our nursing homes,” Celsi said. “…We need the help of our Republican colleagues to make these changes and to make any new laws.”

Republicans hold the majority of seats in the Iowa Senate and control the debate agenda, including what gets committee review. A spokesperson for Senate Republicans was not immediately available for comment.

Senate Democrats hosted a statehouse news conference this morning that included retired state employees who worked as nursing home inspectors. Mary Weaver of Rippey is a retired registered nurse who worked in the Iowa Department of Inspections and Appeals. She’s concerned about a friend in an eastern Iowa nursing home who isn’t being bathed regularly and recently waited 90 minutes for assistance in getting to the rest room. “This is not the kind of treatment we want for our older Iowans,” she said. “This is inhumane. This is neglect.”

Dean Lerner was director of the Iowa Department of Inspections and Appeals for a decade. “I don’t know whether to cry or scream about these horrific events that are going on in our nursing homes,” Lerner said.

John Hale, a long term care advocate, spoke during a news conference in the Iowa Capitol on Dec. 14, 2023. (RI photo)

John Hale, a consultant who focuses on long term care issues, said there aretoo many “head-shaking instances” of abuse and neglect in Iowa nursing homes. “Where’s the outrage from legislators?” Hale asked. “Where’s the outrage from the governor, from leaders of state agencies, from prosecutors or from the good apples in the nursing home industry that are tarred by the bad apples?”

Hale estimates $800 million in state tax money will go to Iowa nursing homes this year and he said there must be more accountability.

(Atlantic, Iowa) – Atlantic Police Chief Devin Hogue reports that between November 27th and December 13th, the Atlantic Police Department (APD) held its 11th annual canned food drive to benefit the local food pantry. The event is a grade level competition for students attending the Atlantic Early Learning Center through 5th grade.

This year the groups collected a grand total of 3,949 items that were donated to the Atlantic food pantry. In the 11 years of this program a total of 45,228 items have been collected and donated.

1st grade Hogue

2nd grade Johnson

3rd grade Benning

3rd grade Smith

4th grade Johnson

5th grade Mattson

Kindergarten Rasmussen

Chief Hogue said “We would like to congratulate the following classes on winning the competition this year:

Kindergarten – Mrs. Rasmussen’s class – 258 items

1st grade – Mrs. Hogue’s class – 240 items

2nd grade- Mrs. Johnson’s class – 222 items

3rd grade – Mrs. Benning’s class – 96 items

3rd grade – Mrs. Smith’s class – 96 items

4th grade – Mrs. Johnson’s class – 217 items

5th grade – Mrs. Mattson’s class – 158 items

(Not Pictured** the 3 year old pre-school winners.)

“The Preschool students will receive snacks and drinks for a class room party and the elementary students will receive a pizza party. These parties will be sponsored by The Atlantic Police Community Charitable Organization. Thank you to all of the parents and grandparents who help support the children in this effort. It is a great benefit each year to our local food pantry and a great representation of how wonderful our community is!!”

ATLANTIC, IOWA – Officials with Cass Health have announced CCHS has been recognized with two 2023 Performance Leadership Awards for excellence in both Quality and Patient Outcomes. Compiled by the Chartis Center for Rural Health, the Performance Leadership Awards honor top quartile performance (i.e., 75th percentile or above) among rural hospitals.

“For seven consecutive years, Cass Health has achieved these two awards. It’s particularly meaningful to us to be recognized for excellence in the areas of quality and positive patient outcomes. What better to be known for than quality and outcomes in healthcare? As a rural hospital, we are deeply connected to this community and our patients—many of whom are neighbors, family, or friends. We strive to do our very best for every patient, every time, and awards like this reflect how we truly care for each individual and their improved health,” noted Brett Altman, CEO.

The Performance Leadership Awards are based on the results of the Chartis Rural Hospital Performance INDEX®, the industry’s most comprehensive and objective assessment of rural hospital performance. INDEX data is relied upon by rural hospitals, health systems with rural footprints, hospital associations and state offices of rural health around the country to measure and monitor performance across several areas impacting hospital operations and finance.

“Wherever we go in rural America, we witness first-hand the commitment, determination, and compassion with which rural hospitals serve their communities. Rural healthcare truly is mission-driven,” said Michael Topchik, National Leader, The Chartis Center for Rural Health. “Let us recognize the efforts of this year’s Performance Leadership Award winners and all those driven to deliver high quality care throughout rural communities.”

(Radio Iowa) – The Iowa Lottery is on a pace to surpass the record for sales set last year. Lottery C-E-O Matt Strawn detailed the numbers through November today (Thursday) for the Lottery Board. “Two-hundred-14 million, 532-thousand-943 dollars. That represents a five-point-one-four percent year over year increase in sales,” Strawn says. The record for sales in the last fiscal year was 481-point-five million dollars. He says the proceeds to the state are also on a pace to beat last year’s record. “The lottery proceeds through November, again the first five months of fiscal ’24, proceeds of 49-million-416-thousand-943 dollars. This represents a three-point-one percent year over year increase in proceeds,” Strawn says.

The record for proceeds set in the last fiscal year was a little more than 108 million dollars. Lottery retailers are also looking at another record for commissions. “Retail partners did earn a record 31-point-three million in sales commissions during the last fiscal year, and then turning to this year through November, fiscal year ’24. Sales commissions paid to retailers exceed that pace and five-point-seven percent year over year,” Strawn says.

The increase in sales is due in part to large lotto jackpots. There’s also been an impact from the economy, including increase in scratch ticket sales as gas prices have come down.

(Radio Iowa) – The four Republicans who represent Iowa in the U-S House have voted to launch an impeachment inquiry into President Joe Biden. Second district Congresswoman Ashley Hinson of Marion says there are credible allegations that may connect Biden to his son Hunter’s business dealings. “We have been able to trace through numerous shell companies many of the transactions that funnel dollars directly from the Chinese Communist Party through the Biden family,” Hinson says. “That to me is significant, in terms of following the money.” Hinson says the impeachment inquiry gives the House Judiciary Committee a stronger legal position as it seeks access to some materials.

“It makes it so that we can actually force compliance with our subpoenas and it’s our solemn duty to get the facts the American people,” Hinson says, “especially as the White House continues to stonewall congressional oversight.” Third district Congressman Zach Nunn of Bondurant says the inquiry gives congress the power to effectively conduct oversight of the Executive Branch. “I think anybody right now would say there are a lot of questions when it comes to the president’s actions,” Nunn says. “When we look back at just what’s been presented to us through public information, we know that the president has received money from his son, Hunter Biden, in situations that absolutely bear greater scrutiny.” Nunn says he went to congress to hold D-C politicians accountable and the inquiry will show whether the president’s conduct merits impeachment.

“I’m going to be impartial on this going forward, but I want to make sure that congress and the American people have the facts presented to them,” Nunn says, “and simply burying our heads in the sand here is the simply the same kind of soft on crime, defund the police kind of attitude that has made other communities less safe.” Fourth district Congressman Randy Feenstra of Hull says Biden has been uncooperative and evasive with congressional committees and the impeachment inquiry brings congress one step closer to uncovering the facts about the Biden family’s foreign business dealings. First district Congresswoman Mariannette Miller-Meeks says she was proud to support the impeachment inquiry, which she says it the next necessary step in the methodical process Republicans have taken to investigating the president.

Biden says Republicans are choosing to waste time on a baseless political stunt rather than focusing on the urgent work that congress needs to get done.

(Radio Iowa) – Iowa Senator Chuck Grassley is criticizing the U-S Department of Education for delays in releasing the new Free Application for Federal Student Aid, or FAFSA. Grassley, a Republican, says bureaucrats at the ed department have failed to offer clear guidance to students, families and universities on how to navigate the application form, which he says could impact access to aid for many thousands of students, while also penalizing farm families. “Farmers may, because of inflation of land prices, may have a lot of wealth, but they may not have the income to send their kids to school,” Grassley says, “and particularly if they’ve got more than one kid in college, then maybe they won’t qualify for Pell Grants and guaranteed student loans.”

Grassley says the redesigned FAFSA was supposed to streamline the federal financial aid process and help one-and-a-half million more students, including over 13-thousand-500 Iowans, to access the maximum Pell Grant award. The new FAFSA was made possible through bipartisan legislation Congress passed in 2020. He says that was three years ago and we’re still waiting. “This is an effort to socialize aid to colleges for the first time since the 1960s. We can’t penalize small business and farmers because they might have a lot of wealth,” Grassley says. “You’ve got to base it on the income because if the families don’t have an income, then their kids aren’t going to go to school.”

Federal education officials announced earlier this month the new FAFSA would be available by December 31st, but Grassley says they neglected to specify a date and warned of processing delays in the coming months, escalating uncertainty for students and their families.  “Usually that’s done by October 1st and so it’s going to take these colleges a long time to get on top of it,” Grassley says, “and so you aren’t going to be able to know whether you’re going to be able to afford to go to college just because of the slowness of the bureaucracy.”

Grassley is calling on the department to focus on implementing the simplified FAFSA process, rather than transferring student loan debt to the taxpayers.