(Atlantic, Iowa) – Officials with the Atlantic Area Chamber of Commerce say they are pleased to announce Atlantic has been recognized as a Neighborhood Champion for the 10th year in a row by American Express. Atlantic will participate in the 13th Annual Small Business Saturday to support small businesses. Bailey Smith, Executive Director at the Atlantic Area Chamber of Commerce says “We’re excited to partner with local businesses to create shopping incentives and activities to celebrate Small Business Saturday.”

Founded by American Express in 2010, Small Business Saturday® is a day to celebrate the small businesses that help support our community. American Express created the Neighborhood Champion Program to help rally communities around Small Business Saturday and is working alongside numerous business organizations to support local Small Business Saturday celebrations throughout the country. American Express recognizes communities that have strong participation. The on-going Shop Local Initiative, presented by First Whitney Bank & Trust, and overall community support has helped Atlantic achieve this national recognition.

Smith says “It’s a great opportunity for Atlantic to receive positive, national exposure. Atlantic is very fortunate to have the business community that we do, and this day is an added bonus for residents to remember how important their support and participation in shopping local is to keeping Atlantic a vibrant place to live.”

November 25th marks Small Business Saturday, a day dedicated to supporting the local businesses that create jobs, boost the economy and preserve neighborhoods around the country. New this year, the Chamber has partnered with retailers to launch the ‘Holiday Punch Card’. Now – December 18th, when you spend $20 at a participating business, you’ll receive a custom punch on your card. Once it’s filled, turn it into the Atlantic Area Chamber for your chance to win $50 in AtlantiCash, which will be drawn every Friday. A grand prize drawing, valued at over $1,000, will be drawn December 18th. For a list of participating businesses, visit www.atlanticiowa.com.

Small business owners can learn more about taking part in Small Business Saturday and download free marketing materials on www.shopsmall.com. Consumers can visit www.atlanticiowa.com to find deals and merchants to shop at on Small Business Saturday. Small Business Saturday is presented by First Whitney Bank & Trust.

DES MOINES, Iowa [KCCI] – Nearly five dozen more Iowa United Methodist Churches are leaving the denomination. Fifty-nine Iowa churches disagreed and will no longer be a part of the UMC. Earlier this year, 83 other Iowa churches disaffiliated themselves. The change comes amid a disagreement over the role of LGBTQ members in the church. The United Methodist Church continues to ban the marriage or ordination of “self-avowed, practicing homosexuals.” However, according to the United Methodist Church, it will discuss the issue when its next General Conference convenes next year. It’s not clear what comes next for the disaffiliating Iowa churches.

Among the Churches in this area that leaving the denomination this month, is:

*Blanchard United Methodist Church
*Braddyville United Methodist Church
*Carbon United Methodist Church
*Clearfield United Methodist Church
*Macedonia United Methodist Church
*Maple Grove Church — Villisca
*Stratton United Methodist Church of Red Oak

Area churches that left the denomination last May, include:

*Clarinda First United Methodist Church
*Fifth Avenue United Methodist Church — Council Bluffs
*Elliott United Methodist Church
*Hillsdale United Methodist Church
*Harlan First United Methodist Church
*Lenox United Methodist Church
*Monroe Chapel — Harlan
* Silver City United Methodist Church

(Red Oak, Iowa) – Counties in Iowa, including Montgomery County, are being informed they face a massive insurance rate hike for county-owned facilities. Rick Taylor, of Davis-Taylor Insurance, is Montgomery County’s appointed representative to ICAP, the Iowa Communities Assurance Pool. He told the Supervisors during their meeting Tuesday morning, that the County faces an increase of up to 35% in insurance rates in 2024, which could impact the County’s budget by $200-thousand dollars or more.

The rate hike includes a 2% deductible for wind and hail coverage, as opposed to a $5,000 deductible in previous years. Taylor told the Board a series of derechos the State experienced over the past several years is the primary reason for the spike in reinsurance costs.

Rick Taylor said even counties that haven’t seen a high loss ratio, are facing a 30-to 35-percent increase in insurance rates. Montgomery County was hit by storms in 2020 and 2021. The damage included to the courthouse cupola.  He told the Board he hopes to have more specific cost information for their meeting in December.

(Red Oak, Iowa) – Police in Red Oak report a man faces an assault charge, following an incident in the 400 block of N. 7^th Street. Authorities say 25-year-old Travis M. Marx, of Red Oak,  was arrested Tuesday and charged with Criminal Mischief in the 5^th Degree and Simple Assault. His bond was set at $300.

(Radio Iowa) – The end of 2023 is just over a month away and some Iowans may want to make use of their time off over the next few days by getting their financial picture in order, before the flurry of December activities start to pile up. I-R-S spokesman Christopher Miller says if you get the bulk of your tax documents organized over the Thanksgiving holiday, it could save you some headaches in the new year.

Miller says to gather tax forms from your bank or broker, like 10-99 forms that show interest or earnings, and your W-2 forms. While some important forms won’t be coming in the mail until late January, Miller says you’ll want to make sure everything else is in line as far as your income.

Miller says Iowans should also consider what, if any, deductions they’re going to claim, which can make it easier if you want to go over the standard deductions with charitable donations or other claims.

(Radio Iowa) – Governor Kim Reynolds says she’s not surprised that former President Donald Trump has been criticizing her for endorsing Florida Governor Ron DeSantis. Reynolds says the election is not about Trump, it’s about who’s best equipped to turn the country around. “I need somebody that can serve more than eight years,” Reynolds says. “I’m concerned that on day one, President Trump will be a lame duck. Unfortunately, that’s just the way politics works, especially out in Washington, D.C.”

Trump slammed Reynolds yesterday (Tuesday), calling her the most unpopular governor in America and Trump suggested DeSantis promised Reynolds something in return for her endorsement. During an interview a few hours BEFORE Trump’s latest barbs, Reynolds said her answer to that is absolutely not. “I have not asked for anything. I have not been promised anything,” Reynolds says. “It is not about anything other than…the future of our country and getting it back on track and I need somebody that understands the bureaucracy. I need somebody that on day one can get in there and lead, that can bring new people to the party, that can provide hope and that can serve eight years.”

Trump has accused Reynolds of being disloyal. Reynolds has said Trump can’t win the General Election and she made that case again yesterday (Tuesday). “We don’t get a redo on this and we have to make sure that we can elect a candidate that can win,” Reynolds says, “…somebody that’s focused on the future and not the past.”

AFTER Trump’s latest slam of her endorsement of DeSantis, Reynolds posted a message on social media calling DeSantis the most effective leader she’s ever seen.

(Radio Iowa) – Republican presidential candidate Ron DeSantis now has the public support of a well-known voice in Iowa’s evangelical community. Bob Vander Plaats, president and C-E-O of The Family Leader, endorsed DeSantis late yesterday (Tuesday) during an appearance on the Fox News Channel.

Vander Plaats says DeSantis is the candidate best positioned to win the presidency in 2024. Vander Plaats personally endorsed Mike Huckabee in 2008, Rick Santorum in 2012 and Ted Cruz in 2016 before those candidates won the last three competitive Iowa Caucus campaigns.

Former President Donald Trump’s campaign points to a pollster’s memo suggesting Vander Plaats’ endorsement would have no significant impact on the 2024 Iowa Caucus race.

Polls show Trump has a significant lead among likely Iowa Caucus goers, with DeSantis and former South Carolina Governor Nikki Haley battling for a second place finish.