(Radio Iowa) – A University of Iowa researcher is studying what he calls “boomerang employees,” those people who quit their jobs and later return to their former employers. The phenomenon is surging now as those who left careers during the so-called Great Resignation early in the pandemic are now rethinking their decisions. Chad Van Iddekinge, a U-I professor of management and entrepreneurship, says rehiring former workers is something of a safe bet. “Boomerangs are a known quantity and because of that, they’re thought to be a less risky hire than someone who’s completely new,” Van Iddekinge says. “Boomerangs also tend to require less onboarding and training than first-time hires who are completely new to a job.”

Still, U-I studies have found boomerang employees are more likely to quit a second time, often for the same reasons they left initially. “One study we did, we were looking at retail managers who returned to a former employer,” Van Iddekinge says. “We found that although rehires initially performed better than first-time hires, the first-time hires eventually began to outperform rehires after they got into the organization and trained and got accustomed to their jobs.”

Indications are that the Great Resignation is still underway and hasn’t let up since the onset of COVID-19. People who were unfulfilled in their positions quit under the “you only live once” creed to forge a new path, but he says many have found early retirement isn’t for them, or they may simply need the money. “A big one that we hear about is thinking that the grass is greener on the other side, and that moving to a different organization will be better,” Van Iddekinge says. “I think what people often find is that the grass isn’t greener and they actually had it pretty good where they were before, and that leads them to pursue returning to a former employer.”

It reinforces the importance of keeping good performance review records so employers can best assess the potential of a rehire. “We’re finding that if people were solid performers before they left, they’re likely to be solid performers again,” Van Iddekinge says. “If they were below-average before, it’s unlikely that they’ve suddenly turned a new leaf and will be a lot better this time around.”

While conventional wisdom indicates people gain experience when they leave for a new job and come back better than before, he says for most it will evoke the adage: “The more things change, the more they stay the same.”

(Red Oak, Iowa) – Police in Red Oak, Monday afternoon, arrested an man on a Shoplifting charge. 63-year-old Ronald Lee Hall, of Red Oak, was taken into custody for Theft in the 5th Degree at around 1:30-p.m. following an incident at the Red Oak Fareway Store. His bond was set at $300.

(Creston, Iowa) – Two people were injured during a collision Monday night at Cherry Street and College Drive, in Creston. According to Creston Police, a 2020 Subaru Ascent SUV driven by 60-year-old Timothy Moreland, of Afton, was traveling south on Cherry Street at around 10:15-p.m., and a 2005 Chevy pickup pulling a gooseneck trailer driven by 39-year-old Christopher Baker, of Creston, was traveling north in the southbound lane.

Moreland swerved into the northbound lane in an attempt to avoid a collision, but Baker swerved into the northbound lane. The vehicles collided head-on. Moreland was trapped inside his SUV and had to be extricated by Creston firefighters. Moreland was transported by EMS to the Creston hospital. Baker suffered minor facial injuries and denied treatment.

An investigation into the accident revealed there was an open container and a case of beer in the back seat of the pickup. Baker was cited for Open Container and Failure to Provide proof of insurance. He was also charged with OWI. Damage from the collision amounted to $30,000.

(Radio Iowa) – The debate over removing books from public school libraries and curriculum continues at the Iowa Capitol. The House Oversight Committee held a hearing last (Monday) night to quiz superintendents and school board presidents from six districts about the process for handling complaints. Republican Representative Phil Thompson of Boone questions why the graphic novel “Gender Queer” remains in a West Des Moines school library.

“There’s obscenity in the book and I think that’s really, honestly where you can look and say: ‘That isn’t age appropriate,'” Thompson says. West Des Moines School Board president Jeff Hicks says taken as a whole, the 265-page book has literary value. “You can’t take one picture, one image out of context and say the entire thing is obscene,” he said. Lisa Bartusek, executive director of the Iowa Association of School Boards, says when parents or district residents raise questions about books in the school library or that are to be read for a class, her association has a framework school boards may use that follows state law and Supreme Court opinions.

“As I’m sure you’ve heard, defining what communities want, parents don’t always agree on what we want for our kids,” Bartusek says, “and it’s hard work.” Two weeks ago, five members of a group called Moms for Liberty told members of the House Oversight Committee the school book review process is too slow and there are dozens of inappropriate books that should be removed from Iowa schools.

On Monday afternoon, House Democrats hosted a forum for parents and students who object to what they call book banning. Rebeka Schurz, a junior at Carlisle High School, says says she’s a more informed and empathetic person after reading one of the books Moms for Liberty wants removed from school libraries. “Our narrow minded politicians and intolerant groups like Moms for Liberty should not be controlling what I and my peers can and cannot read, what we can and cannot learn and, most importantly, what we can and cannot be,” she said.

Last (Monday) night’s House Oversight Committee hearing ended abruptly after a partisan squabble and officials from one of the six schools called to testify were never questioned.

(Radio Iowa) – Former South Carolina Governor Nikki Haley has kicked off the Iowa leg of her week-old presidential campaign, suggesting the G-O-P must be forward looking and solutions oriented to win back the White House in 2024.  “We need to make sure that we’ve got the energy, the power and the ability to bring more people in to see that our solutions are the right ones,” Haley said.

Haley spoke to over 300 people last (Monday) night in Urbandale. A man in the crowd noted Donald Trump won Iowa in the 2016 and 2020 General Elections, and asked Haley why Iowa Caucus goers should vote for her rather than someone like Trump. “Because I don’t think you have to be 80 years old to be in D.C. I really don’t,” Haley said, to cheers and applause. “Look, President Trump is my friend. He was the right president at the right time…As much as all the media and everybody wants to talk about the past, we’ve got to look forward. We’ve got to figure out what we’re going to do for America. This is bigger than a person and we need to fight for that.”

Haley told the crowd she was proud to serve in Trump’s Administration as United Nations Ambassador. After someone in the crowd asked about the war in Ukraine, Haley expressed admiration for the people of Ukraine and support for sending U.S. military equipment and ammunition to the fight. “If we win this fight for freedom, it will send a signal to every enemy we have. If we lose this fight for freedom, Russia has said Poland and the Baltics are next and then we’ve got a world war,” Haley says. “A strong military doesn’t start wars. A strong military prevents wars. Our goal has to be to be strong enough that we prevent the next war.”

Haley is scheduled to hold a campaign event in Marion today (Tuesday). Last (Monday) night, Governor Kim Reynolds did not endorse Haley, but gave welcoming remarks at what was the first presidential campaign event in Iowa this year.  “Once again, the eyes of the country are on Iowa,” Reynolds said. “Iowa Republicans, you in this room are truly going to have the opportunity to kick off the 2024 presidential campaign and we’re excited about the opportunity to participate in the Iowa Caucuses.”

Haley, who may be competing with Florida Governor Ron DeSantis for the G-O-P’s presidential nomination, called Reynolds the best governor in the country.