(Radio Iowa) – State officials are confirming full SNAP benefits for the month of November will likely be issued to all eligible Iowa households by tomorrow (Friday) now that the federal government shutdown is over. Radio Iowa’s O. Kay Henderson reports.

Some SNAP recipients may be able to access that food assistance as soon as today (Thursday), but the Iowa Department of Health and Human Services recommends that SNAP recipients call the number on the back of their E-B-T card to check the balance before trying to buy food. There’s also a link on the agency’s website for recipients to check their accounts.

About 130-thousand households — with 270-thousand Iowans — are receiving SNAP benefits, formerly known as food stamps.

(Atlantic, Iowa) – The Cass County Sheriff’s Office reports deputies arrested 45-year-old Michael Arthur Knight, of Chicago, IL, November 6th. Knight was taken into custody on charges of Possession of Marijuana 1st, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, and OWI-1st Offense. He was transported to the Cass County Jail where he was booked and later released on bond.

On November 11th, Cass County Sheriff’s Deputies arrested 24-year-old Cody Kent Dwight, of Atlantic, for Domestic Abuse Assault – 1st. Kent was transported to the Cass County Jail where he was booked and released on bond.

On November 13th, 40-year-old Jennifer Le-Ann Ponder, of Red Oak, was arrested by Cass County Deputies, on a warrant for Violation of Probation. Ponder was transported to the Cass County Jail where she was booked and held. And, 31-year-old Nicholas Wayne Renner,  of Atlantic, on the 13th, a warrant for Violation of Probation. Renner was transported to the Cass County Jail where he was booked and held.

(Atlantic, IA) – Cass County Auditor Kathy Somers reports the Cass County Board of Supervisors will hold a Special Meeting Friday, Nov. 14, 2025 at 4-p.m. to Order a recount of the Atlantic School District Director At-Large race from the November 4, 2025 City/School Election.

The recount is based on a qualifying request from candidate Justin Williams, who received less than 1% difference of the votes cast than the winner, and in accordance with State Law. The recount takes place beginning at 9-a.m. Monday, Nov. 17th.

The Board will also act Friday on an Order recount of any additional qualifying requests for a recount, which, if received, would also take place at 9-a.m. Monday. Friday’s Special Meeting can be viewed through the following Zoom link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/2899195216?pwd=R0hSa2FOOTh0NUdra1ZSdVhVWHpMUT09

(Radio Iowa) – The legislation the president signed last (Wednesday) night to end the federal government shutdown could also spell the end for businesses in Iowa that sell C-B-D and hemp products. The law caps the amount of T-H-C to less than a half milligram per container for hemp products, while current Iowa law allows up to 10 milligrams of T-H-C per container. Ashley Lambson, founder of The Happy Can in Urbandale, says the new restrictions could force her to close.

“It’s going to wipe out everything, ointment, CBD, we offer gummies, we offer chocolates, we offer beverages,” Lambson says, “It would eliminate every one of our SKUs if it went as it is today.” Lambson says the federal law gives sellers of hemp products like her a year before it goes into effect. She says she hopes in that time to work with federal lawmakers to agree on a less restrictive limit.

“You know, the last thing we want to do is see this go away. We’re going to put in the biggest fight we’ve ever had and use every bit of our soul to do it,” she says “We’re going to align with other businesses. There’s over 450 other companies that are being affected by this as well.” Several Iowa companies make cannabis-infused beverages, including Toppling Goliath Brewing Company in Decorah and Des Moines-based Climbing Kites.

(Radio Iowa) – Iowa hunters have so far reported harvesting more than 22-thousand deer. Pete Hildreth is the Conservation and Recreation Division Administrator at the Iowa Department of Natural Resources.  “That’s about three percent higher than the higher season,” Hildreth said, “about three percent higher than the five year average.” Clayton County has seen the most activity, as 799 deer have been harvested in that northeast Iowa county.

At the other end of the scale, hunters in Ida County — in northwest Iowa — have harvested just five deer so far this year. Hunting seasons for youth and disabled deer hunters ended October 5th and the early muzzleloader season ran from October 11th through the 19th. The early season for deer hunters using a bow and arrow ends December 5th. And Hildreth points out the first shotgun season starts soon.

Iowa DNR photo

“Iowa’s most popular deer season is just around the corner, where roughly 100,000 hunters will take to the timber for our long-awaited gun season which is December 6-10,” Hildreth said, “and then of course our second gun season is December 13-21.” Deer are typically on the move during breeding season, which begins in mid-October and runs through mid-January, however state officials say peak activity occurs during the first three weeks of November.

The fall hunting seasons for wild turkey are also underway and as of this (Thursday) morning hunters have reported harvesting 245 turkeys. Find your county’s tally HERE.

ONAWA, Iowa – 2-p.m., Nov. 13, 2025 – if you drive through the Interstate 29 Exit 112 and on the Iowa 175 bridge over I-29 west of Onawa you need to be aware of closures that will affect your trip, according to the Iowa Department of Transportation’s Sioux City construction office.

The Iowa 175 bridge over I-29 was hit earlier today by an oversized, overweight load. The Iowa DOT has the Iowa 175 bridge as well as portions of I-29 in the area closed while we perform an inspection and cleanup work associated with the bridge hit.

Once the inspection and associated work is complete, Iowa 175 over I-29 will be down to a single lane of alternating traffic using a temporary signal. The timing of this is currently unknown.

This structure has been hit before and is posted for low clearance. Repairs have been made previously as well. The structure is anticipated to be replaced in 2026.

The Iowa DOT reminds motorists to drive with caution, obey the posted speed limit and other signs in the work area, and be aware that traffic fines for moving violations are at least double in work zones. As in all work zones, drivers should stay alert, allow ample space between vehicles, and wear seat belts.

SIOUX CITY, Iowa – The Iowa Department of Corrections reports 30-year-old Luis Fernando Lira, who convicted of Robbery 2nd Degree in Woodbury County, failed to report back to the Sioux City Residential Treatment Facility as required on Tuesday, Nov. 11, 2025. Lira is a 5-foot 9-inch tall, 172-pound Hispanic White male. He was admitted to the work release facility on Aug. 25, 2025.

Luis Fernando Lira

Persons with information on Lira’s whereabouts should contact local police.

(Ames, IA) – The Iowa Capital Dispatch reports the Iowa Board of Regents wasn’t ready to call for any hard and fast decisions when it came to potential tuition guarantee programs Wednesday, having received a report on how they’ve worked at other institutions and potential impacts on Iowa universities. A tuition guarantee program locks in a student’s tuition their first year, ensuring the cost won’t increase as they continue through their undergraduate education. Board Chief Business Officer Brad Berg worked with Regent Christine Hensley and former Regent David Barker to develop a report on tuition guarantee programs. The Iowa Legislature passed legislation this year requiring study of the topic and the board this spring assigned the group to conduct the work.

When combining sources of income for Iowa’s public universities, Berg said the breakdown falls at 20% resident undergraduate tuition, 30% state appropriations and the rest coming from tuition from other groups, such as nonresident and graduate students. Traditionally, when state funding decreases, tuition then increases, and Berg said tax reductions from the state could lead to funding uncertainty in the future. The report also stated that federal actions have caused even more uncertainty in areas of research and student financial aid.

“Given the historical variability in Iowa’s higher education funding, implementing a tuition guarantee policy without a stable funding base could lead to unintended consequences, potentially limiting the ability of the state’s public universities to adapt to fluctuations in state support, inflation and rising operational costs,” the report stated. Berg said there are also technical considerations when considering implementing a tuition guarantee, like whether software would need to be replaced and certain programs changed. Each of the universities uses a different system for tuition payments and houses academic programs with unique tuition costs, and students often change their majors or make other moves that impact their bills.

The study group examined tuition guarantee programs across the U.S. for the report, including Drake University in Des Moines. Results were mixed on their success, Berg said, with some discontinuing their programs due to budget shortfalls after economic downturns caused state funding to decrease. Others, including Drake, continue to operate their programs without negative impacts. Regent Kurt Tjaden expressed concerns that a tuition guarantee would eventually lead to cutting costs in other areas, and the area with the most costs is in staffing.

All the board has to do with the report is receive it and submit it to the General Assembly, according to board documents, but board members still had the future on their minds. Hensley suggested further study of interest in potential tuition guarantees in partnership with the Iowa College Access Network, an organization she said is in high schools across Iowa answering questions from students about college affordability and financial aid.

The policy requires that base undergraduate tuition increases at state universities don’t go over the three-year inflation average set by the Higher Education Price Index. Berg said Iowa’s universities have hiked tuition by an average of 3.2% over the past five years. Berg suggested, and Bates and other members of the board agreed, that waiting to see how the increase cap impacts institutions and students would be the best option before implementing any new strategies based on the tuition guarantee report.

(Glenwood, IA) – The Glenwood Police Department reports the arrest on Wednesday, of 27-year-old Gabriel Lynn Mathews, of Glenwood. Mathews was taken into custody on a Mills County warrant for Theft in the 3rd Degree. Her bond at the Mills County Jail was set at $2,000.

Authorities said also, a man from Plattsmouth, NE, reported today (Thursday), his building in Glenwood had been burglarized. Additional details were not provided in the police report.

(Atlantic, IA) — Cass Health officials in Atlantic, have announced Dr. Jeremy Pepin is the latest addition to the facility’s Specialty Clinic. Dr. Pepin is a board-certified nephrologist who specializes in general and interventional nephrology. The doctor provides individualized, patient-centered care focusing on all aspects of kidney care, including chronic kidney disease, electrolyte abnormalities, hypertension, dialysis, dialysis access placement/issues, and transplant medicine in southwest Iowa.

Dr. Pepin is dual board-certified in Internal Medicine and Nephrology through the American Board of Internal Medicine (ABIM). Dr. Pepin holds national certifications in Hemodialysis Vascular Access and Peritoneal Dialysis Access with the American Society of Diagnostic and Interventional Nephrology (ASDIN). He is a graduate of the University of Nebraska Medical Center, the University of South Dakota, and the University of Wyoming.

To make an appointment with Dr. Pepin, please call the Cass Health Specialty Clinic at 712-243-7590.