(Radio Iowa) – Creighton University economist Ernie Goss says the Midwestern agricultural sector is now in a “significant recession,” and the region’s economic picture is lagging. Creighton’s monthly survey of business leaders and supply managers in Iowa and eight other states finds the overall Business Conditions Index fell below growth neutral during September — for the fifth time this year.
On a scale of zero-to-100, a score of 50 is considered growth neutral, and the Midwest economy showed a score of just over 48 last month.
Ernie Goss (Creighton University photo)
Iowa’s score was even lower, dropping about a point from August to just above 43 for September, indicating the state’s economy is significantly slowing. Goss says the survey asked about the biggest roadblocks that lie ahead for the region’s manufacturers.
Other challenges they mentioned include continued high interest rates and China’s threatened invasion of Taiwan. With America’s general election just over a month away, we’re hearing a lot about whether the economy is in a recession. From his standpoint, Goss says it’s a complicated answer.
The survey shows the region’s employment index slumped below growth neutral for a ninth straight month, while looking forward, supply managers expect input prices to rise more than six-percent over the next year. According to the latest U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics report, Iowa lost 3,800 manufacturing jobs, or about two-and-a-half percent, so far in 2024.
(Radio Iowa) – An Iowan who became a reality T-V star on the hit show “American Pickers” has died. Fifty-eight-year-old Frank Fritz, a Davenport native, died last (Monday) night according to the administrator of a public Facebook page called Frank Fritz Friends. American Pickers co-host Mike Wolfe posted a tribute on Instagram, calling Frank a dreamer who was just as sensitive as he was funny. American Pickers launched in 2010 and Wolfe said few would have ever dreamed the two would share the cockpit of a white cargo van in front of millions of people interested in their adventures.
Wolfe, along with other friends, were with Fritz last (Monday) night and Wolfe said after sharing so many miles together, he feels blessed that he was there when Fritz took one last journey home. Danielle Colby, who also appeared on American Pickers, referred to Fritz as “road dog” in a post on Instagram, and said she’ll miss his ability to make everyone laugh…and those little glimpses of vulnerability from time to time. Fritz had several health issues and had not been on the program since 2020. He suffered a stroke in July of 2022.
Frank Fritz (right) and Mike Wolfe
Fritz spoke with Radio Iowa a decade ago about being a life-long “picker” who started collecting rocks and beer cans as a boy.
Fritz said his favorite items to “pick” during his adventures were toys, advertising and motorcycles. Fritz bought his first Harley when he was 15 and, by 2014, he had a collection of “at least 70” motorcycles.
In January of 2023, the History Channel aired an episode of American Pickers titled “Frank Almighty” that was a retrospective of some of his favorite finds. It featured Frank at a toy museum in West Virginia as well as a visit to the home of a drummer of “Ohio Express” — one of Frank’s favorite bands.
(Radio Iowa) – A report shows Iowa made significant strides in advancing renewable energy over the last two decades with wind and solar rising to 64-percent of Iowa’s electricity generation last year. Steve Guyer, the main author of the report for the Iowa Environmental Council, says the state’s utilities need to speed up efforts to transition away from coal to reach national and international targets to help stave off climate change.
Guyer says Iowa relied predominately on coal back in the year 2000, but wind generation started to really pick up around 2008.
Guyer says the reduction in coal production over the last two decades reflects another important trend.
Radio Iowa file photo
Guyer says to reduce emissions further, utilities need to shut down the state’s remaining coal plants. MidAmerican Energy, Iowa’s largest utility, says it plans to do that and reach net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050 by investing more in wind and solar, as well as nuclear. Des Moines-based MidAmerican jointly owns six coal plants in the state, and says it has more wind generation capacity than any other regulated utility in the nation.
(Audubon, Iowa) – Iowa Fire Marshal Dan Wood today (Tuesday), approved a requested Burn Ban for Audubon County, effective immediately, and until further notice. The Ban on open Burning was requested by Tyler Thygesen, representing each fire department district in the county. It was instituted in light of the dry conditions, and whereby open burning would constitute a danger to life or property, and will be in-place until that threat has diminished to an acceptable level.
Violation of the burn ban is a simple misdemeanor, according to the Code of Iowa.
(Atlantic, Iowa) – Officials with the Charles E. Lakin Foundation -in partnership with the Community Foundation for Western Iowa – gathered with local and State officials Tuesday morning at a venue near Atlantic, to announce a $165-million dollar Initiative to Revitalize Southwest Iowa communities. Event guests included Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds, Iowa Economic Development Authority (IEDA) Director Debi Durham, as well as representatives from the communities of Atlantic, Treynor, Malvern and Stanton, who are currently working through their Revitalize Initiatives.
Charles E. Lakin Foundation President Steve Wild explained the ambitious new project aims to reverse the economic decline plaguing southwest Iowa’s small towns.
Seven of the eight comparable counties” on the other side of the Missouri River, in Nebraska, by comparison, he said, “have experienced consistent growth.” The rural population in southwest Iowa, Wild said, has decreased by a staggering 20-percent, while the population in east central Nebraska has grown by 16-percent.
The Revitalize Southwest Iowa Initiative’s substantial investment, he said will establish 23 funds to diversely benefit 51 cities in southwest Iowa.
Steve Wild, Lakin Foundation President
Steve Wild said “We know our journey will be challenging, but the stakes are too high to falter.” He said it’s their commitment for today and the future. Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds thanked the Lakin Foundation for the transformative investment they are making. Communities like Atlantic, she said, are investing in more housing, daycare and other means to draw workers and their families.
Communities like Atlantic, Malvern, Treynor and Stanton share similar goals to invigorate growth.
Reynolds says “This isn’t about imposing cookie cutter ideas from above, but about giving the needed boost to projects that are conceived and executed at the local level.”
Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds (10-1-24)
Steve Wild said the funds are divided up for distribution to 23 “Anchor cities,” such as those mentioned, and 28 “member cities” who will work together to establish further grants and investments.
He said participating communities must demonstrate need, a local economic commitment, a collaborative and sharing of amenities with other communities. There must also be active participation from local donors, community engagement and participation, and a sustainable development plan, and finally, preparedness to launch their projects. In 2025, Clarinda, Essex, Minden, Oakland and Walnut will hold discussions with the Lakin Foundation on Revitalize Initiatives.
Here’s the breakdown of the investment fund distribution:
$33 million for Cass County and its anchor cities Anita, Atlantic, Griswold and member cities Cumberland, Lewis, Massena
$13.6 million for Fremont County and its anchor cities Sidney, Tabor and member cities Farragut, Riverton, Thurman, Imogene, Randolph
$23.8 million for Mills County and its anchor cities Emerson, Glenwood, Malvern and member cities Henderson, Pacific Junction, Silver City, Hastings
$26 million for Montgomery County and its anchor cities Red Oak, Stanton, Villisca and member cities Coburg, Elliot, Grant
$39.3 million for Page County and its anchor cities Clarina, Essex, Shenandoah and member cities Braddyville, College Springs, Hepburn, Shambaugh, Yorktown, Blanchard, Coin, Northboro
$29.275 million Pottawattamie County and its anchor cities of Avoca, Carson, Minden, Neola, Oakland, Treynor, Underwood, Walnut and member cities Macedona, Hancock, McClelland)
For more information, to: https://docs.craft.do/editor/d/3555920f-b4e6-98aa-66ec-d81a2817fe68/D5AC266B-6320-40B4-AD6F-FE960BF2DBB3?s=bTbT5ANn1zSDTgEF2BjSK3sDDWu1z9vrUcX6b6KZZ86H
IOWA CITY, Iowa — University of Iowa senior forward Payton Sandfort has been named to the 10-player preseason All-Big Ten team, it was announced Tuesday by the league office.
The Hawkeyes have been represented on the preseason All-Big Ten team in five of the last six seasons, voted upon by a selected panel of media. Previous honorees include: Joe Wieskamp (2019), Luka Garza (2020), Keegan Murray (2021) and Kris Murray (2022).
Sandfort has also been named to Blue Ribbon’s preseason first-team All-Big Ten team and he has been tabbed as one of the best seniors and sharp shooters in college basketball by Andy Katz on NCAA.com.
The 6-foot-8, 215 pound forward put up career-best numbers across the board during the 2023-24 season, averaging 16.4 points, 6.6 rebounds and 2.7 assists, while shooting 44.6 percent from the floor, 37.9 percent from distance and 91.1 percent from the free throw stripe. He ranked second in the Big Ten in free throw percentage, third in 3-point percentage, eighth in scoring, 12th in field goal percentage and 13th in rebounding en route to third-team All-Big Ten honors.
The Waukee, Iowa, native scored in double figures in 27 games and posted a team-best 11 20-point contests, including a career-best 30-point, 12-rebound outing in Iowa’s NIT First Round win over Kansas State. He made a career-high seven 3-pointers in the victory.
During the season, Sandfort was one of the best shooters in the Big Ten, leading the league with 94 3-point field goals. He made two or more 3s in 27 games, three or more in 17 games and four or more 12 times. The 94 makes ranked in the top 40 nationally.
Sandfort, who became just the second Big Ten Player since 1992-92 to average 16+ points, 6+ rebounds, 2.5 assists and 2.5 3-point field goals, made Iowa history during a Feb. 27 victory over Penn State. He recorded the first triple-double in program history, finishing with 26 points, 10 rebounds, 10 assists and three blocks in the game.
The Hawkeyes will host Minnesota-Duluth in an exhibition game on Oct. 25 before facing Texas A&M Commerce in the regular season opener on Nov. 4. Game times and television will be announced at a later date.
2024-25 Preseason All-Big Ten Team
Oumar Ballo, Indiana Payton Sandfort, Iowa
Dawson Garcia, Minnesota
Brooks Barnhizer, Northwestern
Bruce Thornton, Ohio State
Jackson Shelstad, Oregon
Ace Baldwin, Jr., Penn State
Braden Smith, Purdue*
Dylan Harper, Rutgers
Great Osobor, Washington
*denotes unanimous selection
Big Ten Preseason Player of the Year
Braden Smith, Purdue
ST. LOUIS, Mo.– The two-time defending MVC champion Drake women’s basketball team will enter the 2024-25 season with more lofty expectation after the league announced its preseason poll and preseason all-conference teams on Tuesday morning. The Drake women were picked to repeat at league champions and landed two individuals on the player awards list including Katie Dinnebier, the Preseason Player of the Year.
The Bulldogs earned 566 total points and got 39 of 48 possible first-place votes. Both UNI (504 points) and Belmont (475 points) rounded out the top three and were the only other programs to garner first-place selections.
The remainder of the poll was made up of Murray State in fourth (391 points), Missouri State in fifth (380 points), UIC in sixth (347 points), Illinois State in seventh (341 points), Valparaiso in eighth (193 points), Indiana State in ninth (189 points), Southern Illinois in 10th (167 points), Bradley in 11th (97 points), and Evansville in 12th (96 points).
Individually, Drake’s all-world tandem of Katie Dinnebier and Anna Miller were both included on the Preseason All-MVC First Team. Dinnebier, the reigning MVC Player of the Year, received the same recognition in this preseason cycle.
The rest of the Preseason All-Missouri Valley Conference teams are listed below.
The Bulldogs will start their title defense with a pair of exhibition matchups in late October before tipping off the regular season at North Dakota State on Nov. 4.
[Glenwood] – Due to the continued high temperatures, existing dry fuels, limited moisture, and renewed drought conditions, an open burn ban will go into effect Tuesday, October 1, 2024, at 8:00am, for all areas and jurisdictions within Mills County. The ban prohibits all open and controlled burning in Mills County, including all incorporated city limits within the county.
Citizens are reminded to not throw out cigarettes from moving vehicles and to discontinue burning yard waste, piled tree debris, grass/agriculture ground and set asides or other items during this ban. Small recreational campfires are permitted only if they’re conducted in a fireplace of brick, metal, or heavy one-inch wire mesh, however extreme caution should be taken. Any campfire not in an outdoor fireplace is prohibited.
Violation of the open burn ban can subject a person to criminal charges as well as civil liabilities for any damage, losses or injuries resulting from the fire.
The open burn ban will remain in effect until the dangerous fire conditions are no longer present.
For more information contact the State Fire Marshal’s Office at (515) 725-6145 or go to www.dps.state.ia.us. You can also contact Mills County Emergency Management at (712) 527-3643.
(Creston, Iowa) – The Creston Police Department reports a Creston man was arrested late Monday night on a Union County warrant. 24-year-old Kayden Lee Witt was charged in the warrant with one-count of a Sex Offender Verification Violation/1st Offense, and five-counts Sex Offender Verification Violation/2nd or Subsequent Offense. Witt was taken to the Union County Jail and is being held on $22,000 bond.
And, at around 1:30-a.m. today (Tuesday), Creston Police arrested 53-year-old Crystal Alaine Conley, of Creston, for OWI/1st offense. Conley was taken to the Union County Jail where later posted a $1,000 bond before being released.
(State Newss) – Iowa farmers have harvested 27% of soybean crops in the state after yet another, hot and dry week caused pasture conditions to decline and topsoil and subsoil moisture levels to slip. Precipitation totals for the state were less than 20% of normal totals for this time of year, which State Climatologist Justin Glisan said made this one of the driest Septembers in 152 years.
Corn crops along Interstate 35 in southern Iowa on Sept. 28, 2024. (Photo by Cami Koons/Iowa Capital Dispatch)
The National Weather Service forecasted no precipitation in Iowa over the next week, and above average temperatures. Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig said in his weekly press release, that “Although suitable for harvest, these warm and dry conditions, paired with low humidity and gusty winds, also produce an environment that can lead to field fires. I encourage everyone to be prepared, have a plan, and keep safety top of mind as you are in the field, on the road and around the farm.”
Monday evening, firefighters from around Cass and Audubon Counties responded to a break-out of grass and field fires in the northern part of the Cass County. The fires erupted about one-mile south of Interstate 80, near the intersection of Olive Street and Boston Road, at around 5:45-p.m. Separate grass/field fires occurred along Interstate 80 eastbound between mile markers 59 and 60. Crews from Atlantic, Marne, Wiota, Anita and Exira were among the many crews battling the flames. The last crews reported the Olive Street fire was out at around 8-p.m. It’s not clear how those fires started.
The crop progress and condition report for the week of Sept. 30 through Oct. 6, said some producers have started hauling water to cattle as the majority of pastureland now rates fair or worse condition. Corn harvest reached 11% this week, up from 5% last week. All but 3% of corn acreage has reached the dent stage or beyond, and 95% of soybeans have colored or begun dropping leaves. Both crops rated 77% good or excellent.
(Information for this report was obtained from the Iowa Capital Dispatch and KJAN News Director Ric Hanson)
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