(Radio Iowa) — An Iowa State University study finds Iowa’s job rate grew by more than seven-percent in the decade since the Great Recession, but that growth was very lopsided. I-S-U economist Dave Swenson says between 2007 and 2018, jobs in Iowa’s metro areas grew by nine-percent, while the state’s rural areas saw jobs fall by two-percent.

“Iowa recovered a little bit more rapidly from the Great Recession than the nation,” Swenson says. “We didn’t contract as much as they did nationally and we recovered back to our pre-recession level of employment about a year before the nation did, but growth at the national level had a much sharper slope.” Compared to the national average at just over 16-percent, and job growth in surrounding states which averaged more than nine-percent, Iowa’s recovery was not nearly as strong.

“We rank this decade alone just 6th worst in growth,” Swenson says. “Among our neighbors, we rank worst and among all of the Plains states, we’re growing at a slower pace than all of the Plains states as well.” Swenson notes that Iowa’s jobless rate didn’t take as great of hit during the recession, falling just over two-percent compared to a five-and-a-half-percent drop nationally. Using federal data, Swenson found the state’s strongest job gains were in real estate and rental or leasing, which includes farmland rentals, while the greatest loss was in durable goods manufacturing.

“The growth in the metropolitan economies is relatively strong, but our economy is being dragged down somewhat because we’re populated with a lot of industries, agriculture, manufacturing, and industries that depend on agriculture and manufacturing that aren’t growing very fast,” Swenson says. “Our industrial mix is somewhat unfavorable towards growth.”

During the past decade, Swenson says Iowa’s metro areas added more than 30-thousand jobs in areas like health care and social assistance, while smaller communities lost nearly 13-thousand jobs. The shift makes it harder for people in rural communities, he says, as they have to travel farther for health care. In the future, Swenson says, rural areas may have to rely more on technology for those services.

(Radio Iowa) — A Spencer man is facing several charges after a domestic disturbance call turned into a standoff at a home Sunday. Upon arrival, officers determined the suspect 21-year-old Dawson Walker had threatened the occupants of the home with a gun and was keeping them locked inside. Officers made entry into the house and evacuated the occupants safely, along with removing the firearm.

Police say Walker armed himself with a butcher knife, and a standoff ensued. Walker eventually gave up and exited the home, where police took him into custody without further incident. Walker was charged with felon in possession of a firearm, domestic abuse assault while displaying a dangerous weapon, operation without owner’s consent, false imprisonment and interference with official acts.

Clarinda Police Chief Keith Brothers reports two 16 year old white male students who absconded from the Clarinda Academy earlier this (Monday) afternoon, were captured following a high-speed chase. The teens were in a vehicle that had allegedly been stolen from Clarinda. The vehicle went out of control and crashed.

No further information will be made available until sometime tomorrow (Tuesday).

Clarinda Police Chief Keith Brothers reports two 16 year old white male students absconded from the Clarinda Academy a little after 2-p.m. They were last seen on foot heading westbound from the campus.

Law Enforcement & Clarinda Academy staff are conducting a search at this time. No further information available.

Officials with the Atlantic Police Department are reporting three arrests. Last Thursday, 44-year old Jeremy Peterson, of Atlantic, was arrested for OWI. On Jan. 6th, 21-year old Kaylee Roach, of Atlantic, was cited for Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. On January 3rd, 31-year old Joseph Hinton, of Atlantic, was arrested on a Cass County warrant for Violation of Probation. And, 29-year old Tyler Mills, of Atlantic, was arrested for Interference with Official Acts, and, on a Cass County warrant for Violation of Probation.

Peterson, Hinton and Mills were booked into the Cass County Jail.

(12-p.m. Newscast)

The Atlantic Area Chamber of Commerce held its annual dinner and awards program Saturday night. During the event, Mark McNees, who until Jan. 1^st served as Chief of the Atlantic Fire Department, was awarded the Distinguished Service Award for his years of civic and professional service to the community. In addition to having served as fire chief 13 years and being a member of the fire department for over 29-years, Mark is an active member of the Atlantic Elks Club. He’s been with the organization for more than 33-years. McNees has also volunteered his time for countless community events.

Debbie Leistad was presented Saturday, with the 2019 ATHENA Leadership Award. The Distinguished Service Award recognizes an individual, business or organization that has made the community a better place to live. They have rendered special services for the benefit of the community and have demonstrated an active leadership role for the betterment of the community through their involvement in business, civic and social service organizations. The award, sponsored by Deter Motor Company, has been made available locally, since 1986.

Leistad was recognized for her dedicated service to helping women reach their leadership potential. She is an active member of Atlantic Business & Professional Women, and many other civic groups.