AMES, Iowa [KCCI-TV]  — Mosquitoes found in traps at an Ames park have tested positive for the West Nile Virus.

The city of Ames says the traps were at Emma McCarthy Lee Park, and the park is sprayed or fogged for mosquitoes every Wednesday evening, weather pending. No humans are reported to have tested positive for the virus.

The virus doesn’t cause any symptoms in most people but has been linked to other deadly conditions.

(Iowa News Service) – Iowa is one of 13 states not participating in a federal summer food program for children. The Iowa Hunger Coalition has launched a petition drive to convince the state to take part in next summer’s program and the first deadline for signatures is approaching.

The Sun Bucks program was established by the U.S. Department of Agriculture in 2020 to make sure kids have enough food in the summer, when schools are not in session. Iowa did not take part in the program this year, as Gov. Kim Reynolds cited administrative costs.

Anne Discher, executive director of the group Common Good Iowa, part of the Iowa Hunger Coalition, said the Sun Bucks program can help families stretch their budget.

“It really helps increase consumption of healthy foods like fruits, vegetables, whole grains, without increasing consumption of, say, sugar-sweetened drinks,” Discher pointed out. “Not only is it really a huge help for families who are struggling to make ends meet, but it really has health benefits, as well.”

The coalition is halfway to its goal of 2,500 signatures and the first deadline to get the petition to the next step is Aug. 2.

Beyond making sure children have enough to eat in the summer months, Discher noted the Sun Bucks program increases healthy food options for economically disadvantaged Iowa kids. The $29 million available to be allocated to Iowa as part of the Sun Bucks program is federal money, so even considering the small state administrative costs, Discher argued the reasons for Iowa opting out do not make sense.

“For us, it seems something that, again, is pretty close to a no-brainer,” Discher contended. “It’s, you know, really good for Iowa. And of course, you know, those are dollars that families turn around quickly into their local economies, right? They use them at the grocery store.”

The Sun Bucks program would make food available to about 125,000 Iowa kids in the summer months.

Des Moines, IA – State Auditor Rob Sand today released a report on the Iowa Department of Education that shows the cost of administering the Educational Savings Account (ESA) program will more than double by fiscal year 2027 because of an amendment to the original contract.

“Just three months after signing the contract to administer the ESA program, the Department of Education agreed to amend it for no good reason.  And in doing so, the Department violated its own policies and procedures,” said Sand.  “Most Iowans believe a deal is a deal and can recognize a bait and switch when they see one.”

The amendment allows Odyssey, the company chosen in April 2023 to administer the ESA program for the state of Iowa, to collect an additional 25 cents for every $100 in qualified educational expenses processed on its platform.

“Conservative estimates show that alone could cost Iowa taxpayers an additional $2.3 million by 2027,” said Sand.  “But we won’t know exactly how much more Iowans will pay for these administrative fees until we know how many students are enrolled in the program.”

Odyssey, which claimed in its contract proposal to have an office in the State Capitol, will also collect 5 cents per ESA transaction, a $100,000 annual “Standalone System Fee” not included in its contract proposal, and be reimbursed for payment processing fees.

“The State Capitol is the peoples’ building and this is their money,” said Sand.  “I want to thank the Auditor’s Office staff for their diligence and hard work, and for shining a light on how Iowans tax dollars are spent.”

In a second finding, the report also noted the improper use of more than $840,000 from the Elementary and Secondary Education Act.  The use of the funds is limited to programs for school leaders but was inappropriately allocated to paraeducator programs.

COUNCIL BLUFFS, Iowa – A Council Bluffs man was sentenced July 16, 2024 to 120 months in federal prison for distribution of methamphetamine. According to public court documents, Lawaun Maurice Webster, 44 distributed approximately 70 grams of methamphetamine to another person from his residence in Council Bluffs, Iowa. During a search warrant at the residence, law enforcement recovered a loaded firearm near where other drugs and drug paraphernalia were found.

After completing his term of imprisonment, Webster will be required to serve five years of supervised release. There is no parole in the federal system.

United States Attorney Richard D. Westphal of the Southern District of Iowa made the announcement. This case was investigated by Southwest Iowa Narcotics Task Force, Division of Narcotics Enforcement, and Council Bluffs Police Department.

This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results. For more information about Project Safe Neighborhoods, please visit Justice.gov/PSN.