(Radio Iowa) – The Iowa Veterans Home in Marshalltown is still battling COVID-19 and staffing shortages.  The state’s largest long-term health facility is one of two facilities in the state listed on the outbreak list per the state’s COVID-19 website. Acting Commandant Penny Cutler-Bermudez, responding to a report in the Iowa-based Bleeding Heartland blog, says that while two residents who recently died while in the IVH COVID unit, their deaths were related to other significant health concerns and were not COVID-related. Cutler-Bermudez says the facility has had seven residents with the virus during the outbreak, but five of the seven have returned to their home unit.

Cutler-Bermudez, who is also IVH’s Licensed Nursing Home Administrator, says while staffing is a challenge, the facility continues to be rated five stars. The other long-term care facility listed classified as being in an outbreak as of Wednesday morning is Marian Home in Webster County.

WASHINGTON – Iowa Senator Chuck Grassley’s office reports an Audubon County native, Grace Christensen,just completed a four week internship in Washington, D.C with the Senior Senator. Christensen is a junior at Iowa State University, majoring in Animal Science and Pre-Veterinary Medicine. She’s the daughter of Jason and Tracie Christensen, of Audubon.

Grassley said in a news release, “Interning in Washington D.C. is one of the best ways to get a grasp on the inner workings of Capitol Hill and government. Interns play an important role in my office and fulfill meaningful tasks for staff and myself.  An internship is a unique opportunity for college age students to be right in the middle of the political world and gather essential office experience.”

Senator Grassley and Grace Christensen. (Photo submitted)

Christensen served as a Legislative intern aiding Grassley’s Legislative staff.  Her duties included performing research to aid in answering constituent questions, working on special projects for Legislative Assistants, such as keeping track of legislation as it moves through the House and Senate, preparing binders for bills, as well as filing and organizing paperwork. Christensen says  she thoroughly enjoyed her brief time in our nation’s capitol with Senator Grassley’s office. She says it pushed her out of her comfort zone. Grace said also, “I was able to network with so many admirable people. I acquired knowledge about the legislative process within Congress, and gained a new level of respect for those in this profession.”

College students interested in participating in the internship program for Grassley in Washington, D.C., or any of his state offices, should visit Grassley’s website here.