Police in Creston are investigating the theft of a rabbit. Authorities say a woman who resides in the 300 block of N. Oak Street, in Creston, reported that when she came home from work, Tuesday, one of her rabbits was missing. The loss was estimated at $35.

Iowans are living much less physical lives now than they did a few decades ago and people are being encouraged to get outdoors for a brisk walk today (Wednesday) as part of National Walking Day. Kassi Wessing, spokeswoman for the American Heart Association of Iowa, says to start with just a half hour of hoofing it. “It’s a day for people to take charge of their heart health,” Wessing says. “It’s starting to get nice out, we’re enjoying warmer temperatures and people are ready to get outside and enjoy the spring weather. We would like everybody to get out and get at least a 30-minute walk today. So, lace up your sneakers and get moving.”

It’s recommended adults take part in at least 150 minutes of moderate physical activity or 75 minutes of vigorous physical activity, or a combination of both, each week. “Walking is one of the easiest exercises you can take on,” Wessing says. “It’s low risk. All you need is a good pair of sneakers and a path to walk on, so it’s inexpensive. Pretty much anybody can do it and a lot of times, that can kind of be our gateway drug to more physical activity.”

She says everyone who walks can “donate” their minutes walked to the American Heart Association  by posting their minutes on social media. “We’d like anybody that walks to share that they’re participating in National Walking Day,” Wessing says. “Share how many minutes you walked. Use #AHALaceUp. We’re going to track all of that and work toward the goal of 100,000 minutes walked nationally today.”

Studies suggest moderate physical activity has many proven benefits for overall health, like lowering blood pressure, increasing H-D-L or “good” cholesterol and controlling weight. All these changes help to reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease and stroke, Iowa’s number-1 and number-5 killers.

(Radio Iowa)

A new report shows it’s getting more expensive to live in Iowa and many families are struggling to earn enough money to cover their basic needs. The Iowa Policy Project’s 2016 “Cost of Living in Iowa” report outlines how much working families need to earn in order to pay for such things as food, housing, utilities, child care, and transportation. IPP research director Peter Brown says a couple areas of basic expenses have increased substantially in recent years. Rent, on average statewide, has risen seven-to-eight percent, while health insurance premiums have skyrocketed.

“Insurance, on the individual market at least, has gone up 17-to-23 percent,” Brown said. “These are actually premiums people are paying right now, in 2016, for health insurance.” Iowa’s current minimum wage is $7.25 an hour. The report states the average Iowa family of four would require each parent to earn at least $16.89 an hour to make ends meet.

“The median wage (in Iowa) is a little less than $16 (an hour). That means half of the jobs in this state pay less than that, yet…these families will need to earn $16 to $25 an hour — full-time, year-round — in order to get by,” Brown said.

The report identifies some of the lowest overall costs of living are found in the eastern Iowa metros of Waterloo-Cedar Falls, Davenport, Dubuque, and Cedar Rapids. The highest cost region of the state is in the southeast corner, including the cities of Fort Madison, Burlington, and Mount Pleasant.

(Radio Iowa)