(Radio Iowa) – The federal Rural Emergency Hospital model was launched nearly two years ago to give hospitals increased federal financial support if they offer just outpatient care with an emergency room. Julia Harris is with the Bipartisan Policy Center says the feds need to get increased funding to the converted hospitals faster because many are on their last leg.  “Payroll hasn’t been met and being able to be paid for a month or so, and they’re waiting for that check. And these are really small operations. You know, a majority of the jobs could be held up in that one facility,” she says.

The Center recently released a report on the model’s progress. Harris says they recommend the feds revise the rules to allow hospitals to retain a small number of inpatient beds and cites an example.  “An elderly patient comes into the E-R and needs just to be kept under observation overnight…maybe just a day, or two, or three,” Harris says.

The report finds 32 hospitals in 14 states have converted to the Rural Emergency Hospital designation since it was implemented. None of the facilities are in Iowa.

(Radio Iowa) – As Iowa trick-or-treaters hit the streets this week, parents are being reminded about a few of the real-life scares to beware of during the Halloween season. Janna Day, a nurse and education manager at the Iowa Poison Control Center, says kids will be eager to sink their teeth into their loot, but parents need to give those treats a close inspection first.  “Make sure that the candy is in its original packaging, and usually we’re not seeing anything weird,” Day says. “Sometimes we hear about these stories where maybe candy is contaminated, but it’s generally not something that is seen.”

Speaking of being seen, Day says Halloween masks can pose a visibility problem for kids, so make sure they can see clearly while in costume. “We’re worried about pedestrian safety during Halloween,” Day says. “It’s getting dark outside, and lots of cars are driving around, and lots of really excited kids are out and about, so if we have a mask over their face, it might be hard for them to see those vehicles driving.” She suggests skipping masks completely and going with make-up or face paints instead, though test those out well ahead of time to ensure there’s no skin irritation or allergies. Also, glow sticks, flashlights and even LED lights attached to their costumes can help make your little goblins more visible.

Once they’re home, Day suggests parents pay special attention to the types of items in the trick-or-treat bags. “If your child has an allergy to any type of candy, make sure you’re being mindful of that,” Day says. “Also remember that pets can have issues with candy, so chocolate could be potentially poisonous to your dogs or to your pets.”

The Sioux City-based Iowa Poison Control Center is staffed around-the-clock and can be reached at 1-800-222-1222.

(Red Oak, Iowa) – Police in Red Oak, Tuesday night, arrested 39-year-old Aaron Lucas Allen, of Red Oak, on a charge of Simple Domestic Assault/1st offense (a Simple Misdemeanor). Allen was being held without bond, in the Montgomery County Jail.

(Red Oak, Iowa) – A man from Cass County (IA) was arrested late Tuesday night following a foot pursuit that resulted from a traffic stop in Villisca. The Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office reports deputies initiated a traffic stop at 1st Avenue and High Street in Villisca, at around 11:11-p.m.  The driver of the vehicle, Anthony Thomas Germann, of Atlantic, fled on foot, but was taken into custody a short time later.

Germann faces charges that include Driving While Barred and Possession of Methamphetamine/1st offense. He was also arrested on three Montgomery County Probation violation warrants. Germann was being held in the Montgomery County Jail on a $15,000 bond.

SIOUX CENTER, Iowa (KTIV) – A northwest Iowa man has taken his love of pizza and fried chicken to the extreme. On Tuesday, Oct. 29 in Sioux Center, Iowa, Jason Halkias hit the buffet at his 224th Pizza Ranch. This was the last one on his quest to visit every single Pizza Ranch in the country. The chain has restaurants in 14 states.

Halkias started his mission in 2014 and it took him to four states he’d never visited before.

Pizza Ranch was thankful for the customer loyalty and wanted to make his visits the best they could.  For reaching his goal Pizza Ranch gave Jason a T-shirt that said, “legendary ranch fan” and a certificate saying he’s been to all 224 locations. His favorite pizza is  stuffed buffalo chicken.

Halkias says he’s not quite done yet – he plans to visit any new Pizza Ranch locations that open up.

(Iowa News Service) – The Save the Children Action Network is asking Iowans to support candidates in the upcoming election who invest time and political muscle in solving children’s issues.

Paige Chickering, Iowa state manager for the Save the Children Action Network, is reminding voters about the importance of early education, high-quality affordable child care and school meals for kids. She noted a growing percentage of them are hungry and their families rely on some form of government help.

“In Iowa specifically, USDA data show that about 40% of SNAP beneficiaries — and that’s the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program — are children,” Chickering explained. “About one in six children, 15.4%, face hunger in Iowa, according to a Feeding America study.”

Modern steel cycle bridge that connects the city park

Chickering pointed out the Save the Children Action Network has endorsed a slate of bipartisan candidates in statewide races who have adopted strong positions on children’s issues, including taking on hunger in Iowa.

Chickering highlighted a Ready Nation study shows the critical shortage of child care options in Iowa is costing the state at least $1.2 billion in parents’ lost wages and productivity every year. She added helping kids should not be up for debate.

“The issue of prioritizing children in Iowa is a really, truly bipartisan issue,” Chickering asserted. “It’s been really clear from all the people that we’ve worked with, our volunteers, everyone we’ve spoken with, that this is something that everyone is prioritizing.”

The action network is also calling on Iowa politicians to approve the summer “Sun Bucks” program in 2025, which would make food available to lower-income families when kids are out of school for the summer. Iowa opted out of the program this year.