DES MOINES, Iowa  – Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds ordered all flags in the state to be flown at half-staff on Monday, to honor the lives lost in the Oct. 7, 2023 attack on Israel by the terrorist organization Hamas. In the attack, 1,200 lives were lost, including at least 40 Americans, and at least seven American hostages are still being held by the Iran-backed terrorist group.

“The hearts of Iowans go out to the innocent Israeli families and American citizens killed by Hamas. Iran and its terrorist proxies continue to attack as Israeli forces fight to protect their people against the forces of evil,” Gov. Reynolds said. “Iowa stands, as it always has, with Israel.” 

On Monday, flags will be flown at half-staff at the State Capitol Building and on all public buildings and grounds across the state until sunset. Residents, businesses, schools, municipalities and other government subdivisions are encouraged to do the same.

(Red Oak, Iowa) — Two people were arrested late Friday morning in Red Oak, on animal neglect and other charges. According to Red Oak Police, 57-year-old Kelly Kay Wilcoxon and 21-year-old Spencer Fred Lee Wilcoxon, both of Red Oak, were face charges that include animal neglect with injury, and allowing a dog to run at large.

The couple was later released from the Montgomery County Jail after posting $1,000 bond’s, each.

(Radio Iowa) -The Butler County Sheriff says what’s known as the “Grandparent Scam” is starting to show up more and more. Chief Deputy Mike Lammers says scammers target older people by calling and claiming to be a grandchild with an emergency need for cash. He says they use a lot of personal information they get online.

Lammers says if someone calls you and says your family member has been arrested you need to check it out. You can get help from local law enforcement.

Reports says Americans older than 60 lost three-point-four-billion dollars to scams in 2023.

(Radio Iowa) – The Democrat running against Republican Congressman Randy Feenstra in Iowa’s fourth congressional district says rank-and-file voters in the district have massive public health concerns that aren’t being addressed. Iowa is the only state where cancer rates are increasing and Ryan Melton says Iowans want answers.

Melton cites Palo Alto County, which has a cancer rate 50 percent higher than the national average. There’s just one other county in the country that has a higher incidence of cancer among its residents. Melton says more robust action is needed to encourage farmers to reduce the amount of fertilizer that winds up in Iowa waterways.

Melton says policymakers should explore limiting the amount of nitrogen applied to farm fields.

Melton says the added cost of treating drinking water to reduce contaminants and the sheer number of “swimming not advised” warnings this summer at state owned parks are concerning to Iowans, regardless of party.

Ryan Melton, the Democratic Party’s nominee in Iowa’s fourth congressional district, on the “Iowa Press” set on Oct. 4, 2024. (Iowa PBS photo)

And Melton says there need to be increased protections for public health and water due to the increase in large-scale hog operations in Iowa.

Melton made his comments during today’s (Friday’s) taping of “Iowa Press” which airs tonight on Iowa P-B-S. Congressman Feenstra did not accept the invitation from Iowa P-B-S to debate Melton before this year’s election. Melton is running against Feenstra for a second time. Melton works for a major insurance company. Melton and his family recently moved from Nevada (nuh-VAY-duh) to Webster City.

(Elk Horn, Iowa) – The Danish Ambassador to the United States visited Elk Horn (IA) this (Friday) afternoon. Ambassador Jesper Møller Sørensen (Yesper mOH’lur S’OH-rensen), Chief of Mission at the Royal Danish Embassy in Washington, D-C, was the featured guest at a “Kaffe og kringler” (Coffee and pastry) reception at the Museum of Danish America. In Elk Horn, Ambassador Sorensen toured the Museum, and then spoke about the relationship Denmark has with the U-S and Iowa, in particular.

He spoke also about our two countries sharing agricultural and technological advancements.

Ambassador Jesper Møller Sørensen speaks at the Museum of Danish America on Oct. 4th, 2024. (Ric Hanson/photo)

Ambassador Sorenson and his trade delegation of wind energy suppliers and sub-suppliers stopped in Des Moines Thursday, and visited with Governor Kim Reynolds.

He spoke Friday morning with students and toured the private, Grand View University, which was founded in 1896 by the Danish Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. In Elk Horn, the Ambassador discussed the importance of security and collective defense, and Denmark’s partnership with NATO, especially in light of the threat coming from Russia.

Ambassador Sorensen said the United States is Denmark’s most important ally. The strength of that relationship, he said, is the basis for continued economic and commercial ties between the two countries.

He said one particular area that is very strong, and Denmark has been a front-runner for decades, is in the renewable energy sector. The country includes wind energy, bioreactors, life sciences and Quantum Technology. The relationship Denmark has with the U-S and Iowa, is a “Truly special one…We are looking to continue to build these bridges between companies, research institutions, capital [investments] and between the people of our two countries.”