American Association University Women (AAUW) Loess Hills Branch, a nonpartisan organization, is holding a legislative forum for the 2025 legislative session. As you prepare to vote on November 5, 2024, the members wanted to offer the voters an opportunity to learn more about where their candidates stand on issues. The AAUW has invited all the candidates who are on the ballot for Southwest Iowa House and Iowa Senate.

The district numbers include: House district 15, House district 16, House district 19, House district 20, Senate district 8, and Senate district 10. If you are uncertain of your district here are the links for district maps:

https://www.legis.iowa.gov/legislators/districts/house

https://www.legis.iowa.gov/legislators/senate

The event will take place on October 17, 2024 from 6:30 to 8:30-p.m. The forum will be held at the Council Bluffs Police Department, 1 Ezra Jackson Way, Council Bluffs, Iowa.

(Radio Iowa) – A central Iowa hospital will be the first in the state to offer a new program aimed at helping people with dementia stay in their homes. Broadlawns Medical Center in Des Moines was selected to get federal funding for the Guiding an Improved Dementia Experience, or GUIDE. Dr. Yogesh Shah, medical director of Broadlawns’ Memory Clinic, says one main focus of GUIDE is to provide resources and respite for caregivers.

“We have patients and families, now, ‘I’m at the cliff. I can’t take it anymore. If I don’t get help, I’m going to quit my married life.’ It comes to that level,” Shah says. “So if we can provide that four hours of respite one time, that can resolve that problem.”

Shah says additional federal funding will allow the medical center to hire more care navigators to connect families with resources. “The GUIDE model not only supports patients, but also aims to reduce strain on caregivers,” he says, “offering them vital resources, a 24-7 support line, respite care, education.”

Broadlawns says it will launch the GUIDE program in July of next year. According to state data, more than 66,000 Iowans age 65 and older have Alzheimer’s disease, the most common form of dementia.

DES MOINES, Iowa – The Governor’s Traffic Safety Bureau (GTSB) administers the State of Iowa’s allocation of federal highway safety funds from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) as authorized by the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act. For the 2025 federal fiscal year, GTSB announces $11.5 Million in grant funds awarded to over 300 traffic safety partners across Iowa.

“GTSB is pleased to allocate these funds to support traffic safety partners,” says Bureau Chief Brett Tjepkes. “Since 2019, 10,000 people have died or been seriously injured on Iowa roads. Lack of seat belt use, impaired driving, distracted driving, speeding, and other risky driving behaviors continue to wreak havoc. These funds will be used to increase public awareness, collect data, train, and enforce. The goal is to improve safety for all road users.”

Money will be distributed to law enforcement partners for equipment, education, and enforcement projects.

“These partnerships are crucial,” says GTSB Law Enforcement Liaison Randy Kunert. “Enforcing Iowa’s traffic laws is the strongest countermeasure to deter risky driving behavior. It’s vital these agencies have necessary resources to make traffic stops.”

GTSB also awards funds to support community partners in traffic safety. The Iowa Restaurant Association uses grant funding to offer ServSafe Alcohol responsible server training. This year they’re expanding the program to include courses in Spanish. GTSB partners with Mothers Against Drunk Driving to facilitate a dedicated program coordinator in Iowa. Iowa’s Child Passenger Safety program is executed through a partnership with Blank Children’s Hospital and GTSB.

Every year, traffic safety advocates seek funding through grant applications. Agencies meeting the required data driven criteria and highway safety standards are awarded funds to support GTSB’s mission to reduce death and injury on Iowa roads. Those interested in applying should look for funding opportunities late January in Iowa Grants.

(Ankeny, Iowa) – The Iowa Cancer Registry reports that for the third straight year, Iowa as the second highest rate in the country, of new cancer diagnoses. The information was presented to the medical community gathered at Des Moines Area Community College in Ankeny. The data show:

• 21,000 new cases of cancer (estimated)
• 6,100 Iowans will die from cancer (estimated)
• 168,610 cancer survivors in Iowa (estimated)

The Iowa Cancer Report points out that there is no one reason why the state is only one of two in the country with rising rates of cancer. But the report highlights the high use of alcohol. Iowans have the fourth highest rate of alcohol-related cancers and the fourth highest rate of binge drinking. The research shows that Iowans who are between 25-34 have the highest binge drinking rate of any age group. And Iowans making more than $100,000 annually binge drink more than those who make less money.

Learn more here: cancer-in-iowa-2024-compressed