(Greenfield, IA) – Adair County Democrats are hosting a forum featuring both candidates in the Democratic Primary Race for the US Senate: Josh Turek and Zach Wahls. The event will be in Greenfield, Iowa, on Sunday afternoon, February 22,  at the 4H Building at the Adair County Fairgrounds, just east of Highway 25 at 202 NE 7th St, Greenfield.

The focus of this forum will be on rural issues. Whoever wins this race must get rural votes, and the Adair County Democratic Party sees this as an opportunity for them to share their views with rural voters and others who may attend.

Topics to be discussed follow:
* Farm policy
* Soil and water stewardship
* Business monopolies
* Main Street commerce and jobs
* Healthcare
* Education

(Atlantic, IA) – Iowa Rep. Senator Charles Grassley stopped in Atlantic this (Thursday) afternoon, for a brief tour of Cass Health, and to answer questions posed by members of the hospital staff and others.

Grassley was introduced by Cass Health CEO Brett Altman, who asked him – with regard to this being Grassley’s 46th 99-County Tour of Iowa, what his proudest accomplishments have been. Grassley responded he’s always attempted to make sure government spending isn’t wasteful, with regard to oversight and “checks and balances.”

He said “whistleblowers” who know something’s wrong, come to him for help, because he “protects them and follow-up” on the information they give him.

Senator Charles Grassley (R-IA) speaks before medical professionals at CCHS in Atlantic, 2-19-26) – Ric Hanson/photo

Grassley said also, he championed the wind energy tax credit, but acknowledged that’s not so popular anymore.

He was asked about the cancer rates in Iowa, noting that Cass County has the highest cancer rate of all 99 counties in the State. Grassley said people tend to blame farmers for the chemicals they use and the nitrate runoff into rivers and streams. Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. he says injects emotion into the equation of laws and regulation, and that “Sound Science,” is the answer.

During his visit to CCHS, he was asked about the 340-B Drug Reimbursement Program, Cardiac rehab and Pulmonary Rehab reimbursement rates, which he was told, were different ($125 for cardiac rehab, and $53-$ for pulmonary rehab). With regard to that, Grassley said there’s no good answer for the rural areas, but instead of legislation to regulate reimbursement, that’s something that should be worked out between CMS (Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services) and Primary Care Medical Providers…people who are not politicians.

The Riverside Girls Wrestling season has wrapped up, and the Bulldogs saw a successful season after sending three girls to state. Two of them placed podium with Jersey Hilgenberg placing 4th and Hailey Harvey placing 6th. Riverside was a young team this season, and only had one senior. Despite their youth, Coach Ben Dorr thought his team had a great season overall.

Coach Dorr is looking ahead to next season and at some of the changes coming to Girls State Wrestling:

Despite an early season injury, Senior Khloe Corum stepped up in a pivotal leadership role:

Coach Dorr wants to push for even more state qualifiers next season:

(Radio Iowa) – Deere & Company, Iowa’s largest manufacturing employer, reports its first quarter income was down, but there’s optimism for the year ahead. Deere reports net income was 656 million in the first quarter compared with to 869 million dollars in the first quarter last year. Worldwide net sales and revenues increased 13 percent compared to the same quarter last year.

Deere C-E-O John May says in a statement that the global large agriculture industry continues to experience challenges, but they’re encouraged by the ongoing recovery in demand for construction and small agriculture. May says the positive developments reinforce their belief that 2026 represents the bottom of the current cycle and provides a strong foundation for accelerated growth going forward.

(Glenwood, IA) – Two people were arrested in Glenwood on separate “Failure To Appear” (in court) charges. The Glenwood Police Department reports 43-year-old Jared Daniel Newman, and 44-year-old Nathan Francis Styles, both of Glenwood, were arrested Wednesday afternoon and early Thursday morning, respectively. Their bonds were set at $1,000, each.

(Radio Iowa) – Forecasters say a winter storm system will move across Iowa this (Thursday) afternoon, tonight and early tomorrow, dropping up to six inches of snow. For now, National Weather Service meteorologist Jim Lee says it’s thought the heaviest snow will run in a corridor roughly from Council Bluffs to Des Moines to Dubuque. “The most likely areas to receive higher amounts are generally from western through central or north central into northeastern Iowa,” Lee says, “however, what we’re looking at is a situation where there will be a relatively narrow band of heavier snow, and it’s not yet certain exactly where that’s going to fall, so the forecast amounts are somewhat variable.” Lee is urging all Iowans to keep a close eye on the changing forecast, as travel could become hazardous later today and tonight.

“Within the heaviest band of snow, amounts of two to five inches will be common, and there may even be a narrow strip of six inches or more,” Lee says. “Again, that would be over a relatively small area, but it is quite possible. So we are going to look at some travel impacts here later today into the night that may linger into the Friday morning commute.” The winter weather comes after record warmth earlier in the week where many parts of the state saw high temperatures in the 50s, 60s and even low 70s. Lee says this shift back to more seasonal weather means this snow will likely stick around.

“The next several days from Friday through Monday, we’ll struggle to get above freezing during the day, which is actually only a little bit below normal, but it’ll feel much worse because we’ve been so spoiled,” Lee says. “However, toward the middle of next week, it does look like we’ll get a relative warm-up again. Maybe not what we’ve just seen, but 50s are definitely in play for the middle of next week.”

Over the past week or so, he notes Des Moines had six days in a row of temperatures in the 60s, an exceptionally warm stretch for February in Iowa.

(Guthrie Center, IA) – The Guthrie County Roads Department reports Horn Avenue – between 160th and 170th Streets – will be closed for bridge repairs beginning today (Thursday) at 10-a.m.. It is expected to be closed for approximately 30 days (March 20th, by 5-p.m.).

(Creston, IA) – The Creston Police Department reports a man was arrested Tuesday evening on a charge of Attempted Burglary in the 3rd Degree. Authorities say 26-year-old Noah Alexander Young (No known address) was arrested at the Union County Law Enforcement Center. Young was taken to the Union County Jail and held on a $2,000 cash or surety bond.