(Radio Iowa) — A coalition of environmental groups is calling on presidential candidates to prioritize drinking water in their policy plans. From lead pipes in schools to nitrates in rural areas, the director of Healing Our Water-Great Lakes Coalition, says people in Iowa and nationwide are struggling to access safe and affordable drinking water. Laura Rubin says water should be top of mind for presidential hopefuls and she urges Iowans to speak out and question the candidates when they’re in town. Rubin says, “There is not a single issue in this election that is more important than the fact that in 2019, in the United States of America, there are millions of people who do not have access to clean, safe and affordable water for themselves, their families and their children.”

For presidential candidates, Rubin says drinking water should come before every other issue. “While much of the presidential conversations focus on job creation and healthcare, which are vital issues, the fact is, that for the families who don’t have access to clean drinking water, all else is secondary,” Rubin says.

A recent poll of early voting states by C-B-S News and YouGov shows healthcare and climate change are top of mind for voters. Some political scientists are skeptical that concerns over drinking water could compete with those issues.

(Thanks to Kate Payne, Iowa Public Radio)

(Radio Iowa) — Briar Cliff University in Sioux City has been granted a temporary injunction against its former president. The university asked for the injunction against Dr. Hamid Shirvani, to prevent him from disclosing confidential information about Briar Cliff in a potential lawsuit against the institution. Shirvani threatened to sue the university in May. In asking for the injunction, current president Rachelle Karstens stated that Briar Cliff has genuine concerns that its former president may immediately disclose B-C-U’s confidential information as a result of his threatened lawsuit and demand against BCU. Shirvani was hired as president in 2016, but left the school under a separation agreement in 2017 because of what he called family, personal and professional considerations.

A statement released by Briar Cliff indicated university officials are seeking to protect “proprietary” as well as confidential information. The statement went on to say “the well-being of the university’s students, faculty and staff is paramount” in the decision to pursue legal action against the former president

The City of Audubon is participating in a 2019 Community Visioning program. Officials say the goal of the program, is to develop a landscape plan that will graphically illustrate the vision for Audubon. You are invited to see the new ideas created this summer. Plan on attending an informational program August 3rd, from 9-a.m. to 1-p.m. It will be held outside the library Cultural Center, during T-Bone Days. This is your opportunity to discuss the proposed projects with local committee members, the design team, and Trees Forever staff.

If you have any questions, please call Sara Slater at 712-563-2742.

A woman from the Cedar Rapids area reports her white, Forge (brand) bicycle was lost somewhere between Anita and Indianola (see the picture below).  Susan Bitterman posted on social media, that the bike fell off of a off the vehicle bike rack. The bicycle has 2015 day pass sticker on it, and seat scratches where the name “Forge” is. It also had a blue bag behind the seat, with her contact information inside. If you happen to find the bike, call Susan Bitterman at 319-654-4707, or email susanbitterman@gmail.com.

INDIANOLA, Iowa (AP) — Authorities say at least two bicyclists participating in a cross-Iowa ride have been injured in a crash. Indianola police say a 22-year-old woman and a 57-year-old man crashed Tuesday afternoon as they rode down a hill. Indianola police Capt. Brian Sher says the riders apparently “got tangled up,” went off their bikes, hit the pavement and were seriously injured. Their names haven’t been released. They were sent to Des Moines hospitals for treatment.

The two had reached Tuesday’s destination of Indianola as part of the Register’s Annual Great Bicycle Ride Across Iowa, or RAGBRAI. The ride began Sunday in Council Bluffs and is scheduled to end Saturday in Keokuk. Wednesday’s route takes riders from Indianola to Centerville.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Iowa Public Radio is losing some state support and will have to find more donors, bigger donations or other sources of revenue in order to maintain current programming. The Iowa City Press-Citizen reports that a proposed budget submitted to the Iowa Board of Regents shows Iowa Public Radio will receive roughly 8% less than it did the last budget year. Government funding makes up around 21% of Iowa Public Radio’s operating income, which is expected to reach $8.3 million this year.

The organization’s executive director is Myrna Johnson, and she says it will need to find more non-government revenue to avoid losing one or two of its programs, which she did not identify.
She says fundraising gains supporting Iowa Public Radio’s expansion in recent years have come from corporate sponsors and its listeners.