(Radio Iowa) – The Food Bank of Iowa is conducting a series of statewide meetings learning about the issues facing those who don’t have enough food. Food Bank of Iowa C-E-O Michelle Book visited one the meetings in Webster City to talk to a group of food pantry representatives about the problem. She says they all say the need for their services continues to grow.

Book says there’s another group that’s also being hit hard.

There is more information on the meetings at foodbankiowa.org.

(Radio Iowa) – A singer-songwriter whose childhood was split between rural Kentucky and New York City will bring her unique blend of music to Iowa next week for two stops. Martha Redbone is on a national tour offering songs — and stories — which she says aim to lend a voice to issues of social justice, while bridging traditions and cultures from the past and present.

The 58-year-old is Native and African-American, as her father was a gospel singer and her mother had roots in the Cherokee, Shawnee and Choctaw nations.

Martha Redbone (Photo provided by Des Moines Performing Arts)

In her teens, Redbone met country legend Willie Nelson at the opening of the Hard Rock Cafe in New York, and he remains one of her enduring heroes.

When you play music, she says, you’re representing all the people who’ve influenced your life, your family, your teachers. One of her early mentors was songwriter and producer Walter “Junie” Morrison, a member of the prominent ’70s funk band, Parliament Funkadelic.

Redbone and her band will perform April 11th at the Englert Theatre in Iowa City, and April 12th at the Temple Theater in Des Moines.

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Listen to some snippets of her music:

“How sweet I Roamed”:

“On Another’s Sorrow”:

https://martharedbone.com/

Englert Home

https://desmoinesperformingarts.org/events/martha-redbone/

(Radio Iowa) – Iowa Republican Party chairman Jeff Kaufmann says the friction between former President Donald Trump and Governor Kim Reynolds over her November endorsement of Ron DeSantis will evaporate as the General Election campaign gets underway.

Trump complained about the governor’s lack of loyalty throughout 2023. In the weeks leading up to the Iowa Caucuses, crowds at Trump rallies in Iowa often booed when Trump mentioned Reynolds by name.

Kaufmann suggests Reynolds and Trump have some fence mending to do, however.

Reynolds has been Iowa’s governor for nearly seven years.

Republican Party of Iowa chairman Jeff Kaufmann (Iowa PBS photo)

Kaufmann says with one-point-six million dollars in her campaign account and an aggressive travel schedule in Iowa, Reynolds is well positioned to run for reelection in 2026 if that’s what she intends to do.

Kaufmann made his comments this (Friday) morning during taping of “Iowa Press” which airs tonight (Friday) on Iowa P-B-S. In a written statement released this (Friday) afternoon, Reynolds noted she has endorsed Trump and said it’s important for Iowa Republicans to deliver Iowa for Trump, end Joe Biden’s political career and return Trump to the White House.

Atlantic, IA – Southwest Iowa Planning Council (SWIPCO) is celebrating the completion of an addition to their main office in Atlantic. SWIPCO and Southwest Iowa Transit Agency continue to grow, providing more services and working on more projects than ever that benefit the residents of Southwest Iowa. Officials say the growth caused SWIPCO to outgrow the previous office space. An area designed for seven employees was housing 17 workers. To remedy that problem a 60’x30’ addition was planned onto the east side of the building and has now been completed.

The space is an open office area that now houses planning and housing team members along with communications and safety coordinators. During construction many of these individuals were working out of a temporary, rented office space nearby.

SWIPCO Executive Director John McCurdy described the value of the new space, “We’ve needed to expand our office space in Atlantic for a long time and had the first concept plans actually drawn up in 2017. Pre-Covid we had already turned our conference room into workspace for several employees. Covid taught us a lot about how we function, both that we could be more flexible with remote work options but also that we need in person, onsite capacity to serve our clients. This addition enables us to make the best use of the space we have here and will be flexible for future changes and keep our operations on one site in Atlantic. We also added an additional women’s restroom, which may not sound like a big thing but with 22 female employees at this location was very much a priority!”

Reorganization of office space will also allow for more functionality of previous spaces. The conference room will once again be able to be utilized for Policy Council and other meetings after being used for office space for over five years.

Construction was completed by Building Crafts Inc. of Red Oak and began in early 2023. The much- anticipated completion will help SWIPCO continue to support the whole region for the long term. In total SWIPCO employs over 100 people, with about 30 in the office in Atlantic.

SWIPCO celebrated the new space with the SWIPCO Policy Council at their meeting on March 28 th

(Massena, Iowa) – A new Massena Daycare, “CAM Cubs,” expected to open later this  Spring. Massena daycare is currently working with Snyder &Associates engineering in Atlantic, Iowa to submit floor plans to the state. Once approval is received, the Fire Marshall will be able to conduct a walk through and the center will be able to apply for a license with DHS.  Anita daycare also plans to relocate within their current building in Anita. Rooms near the newly built gym on the north side of the old elementary are currently under construction to be used as daycare rooms.

A new director, Katie Biehn, has been hired to oversee both locations. Brittni Richards has been hired as an assistant director. Biehn, hired in February, says about the quality of childcare currently being offered in Anita, “The standard has been set high in Anita. The teachers are amazing with the kids and far exceed making sure basic needs are being met. Children partake in age-appropriate activities daily that include crafts, stories, themed lessons, and plenty of time to play among friends! Children are also served a healthy and balanced breakfast, lunch, and snack- at no extra cost to parents!”

The two locations are merging to operate under one non-profit 501(3) c. Biehn says margins are tight. “To be able to offer families affordable childcare with competitive tuition rates, we will always be appreciative of any donations that come our way and fundraising will always be necessary. We are fortunate to live in such a great community that has always been very supportive of our existing and upcoming centers. We are currently seeking sponsors to financially support our centers. If an individual or business would like to help, please reach out to our Board of directors at anitachildcare@gmail.com.”

Anita currently offers childcare for children 6 weeks to 4 years of age, a before and after school program, and summer care for school- aged children. Both locations are excited to bring back a part-time 3-year-old preschool program within the CAM district this fall.

Massena is hiring teachers and is pre-enrolling children for when the center opens. Anita has a few vacancies for children in both their infant and toddler rooms. If interested in employment or seeking childcare, please reach out to Katie at 712-762-3232.