(Radio Iowa) – Many of the challenges Iowa restaurants faced during the pandemic are behind us, but another perfect storm is brewing that’s creating havoc in the food service industry. Jessica Dunker, CEO and president of the Iowa Restaurant Association, says finding reliable workers is just one of the major hurdles they’re now trying to cope with. “At just the time we’re trying to get back up and running at pre-COVID levels, we’re facing an average of 15% increase in labor costs and 15% increase in cost of goods on the products we use to create those great experiences,” Dunker says. “We’ve never seen inflation hit in both directions like that.” 

While revenues for some restaurants are up, she says in many cases, profits are down. The association is addressing the issues with its members, trying to help them ride the waves.

Jessica Dunker

“Some of the things that we are recommending is size down the menus so that you can have quantity of scale on the products that you serve,” Dunker says. “From the consumer experience, what that translates into is some of your favorite novelties might not be available on menus.”

She also recommends restaurant owners brainstorm to find ways to make due with smaller staffs, while being prepared to raise wages. While one in three Iowans of a certain age will say their first job was in the restaurant industry, Dunker says it’s no longer the case for the new generation. The industry is struggling to find younger workers, droves of whom are now being lured by a host of other entry-level jobs in areas where restaurants never before had to compete.

“Also, pre-COVID, workers that were aged 55 and older were our fastest growing work demographic and that pool of people is not coming back to our industry,” Dunker says. “They simply have left the workforce or they’re not coming back into restaurants and we miss those workers.”

She implores Iowans to, “Be patient, be kind, and still come out to appreciate and enjoy all the hospitality scene has to offer.

(Ames, Iowa) –  Airmen with the 168th Cyber Operations Squadron, Iowa Air National Guard, along with personnel from the Innovation Center Kosovo and the University of Pristina, Kosovo, will participate together for the first time in the recurring Cyber Defense Competition at Iowa State University on May 18, in Ames. Officials say global threats to cyber security are increasing. The Cyber Defense Competition is an opportunity for Iowa Airmen, Kosovars, and Iowa students to demonstrate their capabilities and develop their skills.

Iowa State University has held the Cyber Defense Competition for 17 years. High school and college students from around the country converge on Iowa State’s campus to compete regularly.
In the days leading up to the competition, teams will build and secure a notional wealth management company. During the competition, teams will be challenged with defending their company against skilled adversaries.

(File photo) Spring 2016 ISU CDC in Coover Hall on the ISU campus

The Airmen and their Kosovo partners are planning, strategizing and building team communication skills in preparation for the competition. The skills they are learning today translate to what they are doing every day to protect Iowans and Kosovars from online threats. Iowa State University invited service members from the Iowa National Guard and Kosovo to participate in the cyber exercise after recognizing the importance of the Department of Defense’s State Partnership Program.

More than a dozen teams will compete to be named best cyber defense team. The top three teams will be recognized during the event conclusion.

(Glenwood, Iowa) – The Mills County Sheriff’s Office reports 24-year-old Jose Armando Gallardo-Garcia, of Omaha, was arrested Saturday night on a Public Intoxication charge. His bond was set at $300. And, no injuries were reported following a single-vehicle accident in Mills County Sunday morning. Authorities say 20-year-old Anita Coates, of Malvern, was driving a 2009 Ford in the area of 290th St./Noyes Avenue, and was toward the center of the road, when she met a vehicle coming from the opposite direction.

Coates swerved, lost control and rolled the vehicle into the south ditch, through a fence and into a planted field. The woman admitted she was driving too fast, and was tired. She was shaken-up but otherwise okay.

(Creston, Iowa) – The Creston Police Department reports the arrest late Sunday morning, of 58-year-old Teresa Marie King, of Creston. King was arrested at her residence on a Union County warrant for OWI/1st offense. She was later released on a $1,000 cash-only bond. And, Friday evening, 32-year-old Kenny Joe Cunningham, of Greenfield, was arrested at the Union County Law Enforcement Center in Creston, on an Assault charge. Cunningham was later released on a $300 bond.