(DES MOINES, IA) – The Iowa Economic Development Authority (IEDA) Board has approved assistance for a manufacturing company in Muscatine and two innovation companies located in Coralville and Iowa City. Projects in Decorah, Fonda and Sioux City received awards, Friday through the Community Attraction and Tourism (CAT) program. In addition, reinvestment districts in Cedar Rapids and Des Moines received approval for amended plans.

• Kraft Heinz to upgrade Muscatine facility:
  Kraft Heinz, a leading U.S. multinational food and beverage company, operates its oldest manufacturing facility in Muscatine, producing a wide range of condiments and sauces. Due to the facility’s age and current condition, the company plans significant infrastructure improvements and modernization upgrades to sustain operations in Iowa. This project will help retain 404 jobs and represents a qualifying capital investment of $48 million. The board awarded a $2 million forgivable loan along with tax incentives through the High Quality Jobs (HQJ) program.

Awards made to two startups:

• Coralville’s Pani Clean, Inc. is focused on removing nitrates at the source, converting them to useful products and making clean water more affordable and accessible. Their product is a modular, containerized unit designed for plug-and-play installation connected to a customer’s waste stream, where it uses an electrochemical process to convert nitrate into nitrogen gas or green ammonia to be reused on site. The company was awarded a $50,000 Proof of Commercial Relevance (POCR) loan for IP development and evaluation, proof of concept work and key personnel.
• Halide Biologics, Inc., based in Iowa City, leverages the potential of chemical biology to enhance the pharmacological properties of protein therapeutics. The company designs novel halogenated protein drugs of increased stability to treat a growing number of medical diseases and conditions. This work seeks to overcome the weaknesses of existing protein drugs currently in clinical use. The company was awarded a $50,000 POCR loan for IP development and evaluation, proof of concept work, product refinement and key personnel.

Award recommendations for these funds are made by the Technology Commercialization Committee to the IEDA Board for approval.

CAT grant awarded to three projects:

• The City of Decorah was awarded $1 million to develop the Decorah Athletic Complex, which will include four baseball/softball diamonds, two batting cages, eight pickleball courts, concession building and playground. The addition of accessible restrooms will support the Freeport and Trout Run trails located there as well. The city expects to increase travel and overnight stays for families due to weekend tournaments and educational workshops. The total project cost is $4.2 million.
• The City of Fonda was awarded $39,000 to construct two new outdoor, professional grade pickleball courts. A sidewalk is also included in the project to connect it to an established park with a swimming pool, playground, shelter house, basketball courts and baseball field. The combination of amenities will enhance the community’s recreational opportunities. The total project cost is $130,451.
• Camp High Hopes in Sioux City was awarded $818,000 to build a new multi-purpose adaptive recreation center, supporting programs for children, teens and adults with disabilities, special needs and chronic illnesses as well as their friends and families. The nearly 15,000-square-foot facilities will include a large gym and two classrooms. The camp expects the rec center to serve 40% more visitors. The total project cost is $4.1 million.

The CAT program provides financial assistance to communities for the construction of recreational, cultural, educational or entertainment facilities that enhance the quality of life in Iowa. Award recommendations for these funds are made by the CAT Review Committee to the IEDA Board for approval.

Cedar Rapids and Des Moines reinvestment district plans receive final approval:

On July 22, 2022, the City of Cedar Rapids was approved for a maximum benefit amount of $9 million for the Cedar Rapids Central Reinvestment District with a commencement date established as January 1, 2025. Since then, a couple projects were identified as not ready for development and were removed from the plan. The district will still include mixed-use buildings, public plaza and an entertainment center. At today’s board meeting, the amended Cedar Rapids Central Reinvestment District plan was approved for the maximum benefit of $6 million. The projects within the reinvestment district area represent a $162 million investment.

On April 22, 2022, the Merle Hay 28E Board was approved for a maximum benefit amount of $26.5 million for the Merle Hay Reinvestment District with a commencement date of October 1, 2023. In August 2025, the Merle Hay 28E Board proposed an amended district plan, which was reviewed and scored by an evaluation committee. The new project plan includes the development of Merle Hay Arena with volleyball and pickleball courts, a hotel, retailers, a credit union and mixed-used housing opportunities. Today, the amended Merle Hay Reinvestment District plan was approved for the maximum benefit of $26.5 million with modified conditions. The projects within the reinvestment district area represent a $164 million investment.

The Iowa Reinvestment District Program is designed to assist communities in developing transformative projects that improve the quality of life, create and enhance unique opportunities, and substantially benefit the community, region and state. The program provides for up to $100 million in new state hotel/motel and sales tax revenues to be “reinvested” within approved districts that cannot exceed 75 acres in size and must be in an Urban Renewal Area.

(Fayette County, IA) – A man operating a 4-wheel ATV died Friday afternoon in northeast Iowa, when the ATV entered a ditch and crashed. The accident happened at around  4:10-p.m. east of Sumner, in Fayette County. The Iowa State Patrol says the 2005 Arctic Cat ATV was being operated by 84-year-old Veryl Alfred Burghardt, of Fayette. He died from his injuries at a local hospital after being transported to the facility by Sumner EMS.

(IOWA CAPITAL DISPATCH) – A Nebraska-based grain dealer with elevators in western Iowa has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy.  The Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship said farmers have 120 days to file for indemnity if they had unpaid grain sold before Nov. 17 to Hansen-Mueller Co.  The Iowa Grain Indemnity Fund will pay farmers up to 90%, with a $400,000 maximum, for their sold grain in the event a state-licensed grain dealer goes broke before it can pay the farmer.

The Iowa Grain Indemnity Fund is supported by farmers who pay a per-bushel fee into the fund when it is below its lower boundary, which the Legislature raised this year to $8 million. The fund was depleted in 2023 due to the bankruptcy of a large dealer, but the Grain Indemnity Fund Board stopped collecting the fees in September this year.

(Photo by Jared Strong/Iowa Capital Dispatch)

A spokesperson with IDALS said the fund is currently at $12.6 million and the department does not anticipate that indemnity payments resulting from the Hansen-Mueller bankruptcy will result in the board reinstating grain indemnity fees. According to Chapter 11 bankruptcy filings for Hansen-Mueller, none of its 20 largest unsecured claims were with Iowa companies. Some of the top claims include one for more than $4.6 million with Viterra Canada Inc., a more than $2.5 million claim with Cargill in Minnesota and just over $2 million to Beloit, Kansas-based Agmark LLC.

Hansen-Mueller had its grain dealer license revoked in Nebraska earlier this year, according to reporting from Nebraska Public Radio, when the company failed to make payments to producers.  The company later made the payments and its license was reinstated by the state licensing agency in early November.  According to a press release from the company, it intends to continue operations under the supervision of the bankruptcy court and “meet obligations” to employees and suppliers while the sale of its assets is finalized.

Hansen-Mueller, according to its website, had locations in 10 states, including Iowa. The company had elevators in Sioux City and Council Bluffs.  Iowa farmers with unpaid grain sold to Hansen-Mueller before Nov. 17, 2025, have until March 17, 2026 to file a claim with the state grain indemnity board.

Claims must be made in writing and mailed to IDALS Grain Warehouse Bureau. More instructions are available online.

(Radio Iowa) – A new report from the Common Sense Institute indicates the rising cost of insurance premiums may drive more Iowans to reduce their coverage or drop insurance altogether — putting pressure on the state’s insurance industry. Ben Murrey is Iowa policy director for the Common Sense Institute.

Not only does it cost more to repair or replace a home or business that’s damaged, the analysis shows the risk of natural disasters like tornadoes is rising in Iowa. The average cost of homeowners insurance premiums has increased 273 percent in the past 15 years — climbing to a statewide average of 25-hundred dollars this year.

Murrey says states are starting to figure out how to mitigate the risk of property damage to homes and businesses, to address spikes in insurance premium costs.

Murrey says there’s exciting research underway at Iowa State University to determine which types of projects do reduce risk. For instance, heavier shingles may stand up better during a hail storm, but make the roof more vulnerable during a tornado.

If property owners don’t take steps to reduce the risk of storm-related damage, the industry’s National Risk Index predicts insurance companies will pay an average of 580 MILLION dollars a year to cover property losses in Iowa that are caused by severe weather.

(Atlantic, IA) – The Atlantic Police Department reports seven arrests took place between Nov. 9th and the 17th. All subjects were taken to the Cass County Jail:

• 11/9/2025: 40-year-old Jennifer Ponder, of Red Oak, was arrested for OWI/1st offense; And, 31-year-old Nicole Kimpson, of Red Oak, was arrested for Possession of a controlled substance/3rd or subsequent offense.
• 11/10/2025: Atlantic Police arrested 32-year-old Chad Arbuckle, of Atlantic, for Criminal Mischief in the 4th Degree.
• 11/13/2025: 19-year-old Wrangler Crawley, of Atlantic, was arrested for Harassment in the 1st Degree
• 11/14/2025: 27-year-old Austin Boggs, of Atlantic, was arrested for False Imprisonment and Criminal Mischief in the 4th Degree; And, 39-year-old Katrina Shotwell, of Exira, was arrested for Driving While Barred.
• 11/17/2025: 27-year-old Ason Pisalil, of Atlantic, was arrested for Disorderly Conduct/loud raucous noise.

(Corning, IA.) –  The Adams County Sheriff’s Office today (Friday) released a report detailing four recent arrests. Authorities say two Corning men were arrested on active Adams County warrants for Violation of Probation: 22-year-old Colin Farrow was arrested Nov. 18th, and 32-year-old Devin Heimke was arrested Nov. 20th.

On Nov. 17th, 25-year-old Collin Gregory, of Corning, was arrested for Harassment in the 3rd Degree. And, on or about November 10th, 71-year-old George Erb, of Logan, was arrested for Driving While Barred, following a traffic stop.

In this picture, on the top – from left to right: Devin Heimke & Colin Farrow; Bottom row, left-to-right: Collin Gregory and George Erb. (Adams County Sheriff’s Dept. booking photos)

(Radio Iowa) – Many Iowans will be heading to the grocery store this weekend to stock up on ingredients for next week’s Thanksgiving dinner, but cost is always a concern. Lisa Schiller, spokeswoman for the Better Business Bureau, says a great meal doesn’t have to be expensive. “You want to shop smart by looking for sales,” Schiller says. “Use coupons and buy anything that’s in season, such as produce and vegetables, and avoid any last-minute splurges.”

If your budget is looking tight, Schiller says the traditional turkey dinner doesn’t have to be stressful. “Plan a simple menu. Check your pantry first, of course,” she says. “Consider a potluck style meal that can share costs with guests as well. Sometimes families have everyone bring in a dish to pass.”

She suggests writing out the entire menu beforehand and sticking to it in order to help save money.

(Radio Iowa) – The Iowa Supreme Court is upholding a verdict against a Manchester police officer in the death of a motorcyclist after a chase. A jury found Manchester police officer James Wessels committed assault and battery against Augustin Mormann when he ran his patrol car into Mormann’s motorcycle twice and caused him to crash. Mormann eventually died from his injuries and the jury awarded Mormann’s estate more than four million dollars ($4.25-million).

Wessels and the city appealed citing numerous grounds, including qualified immunity and lack of evidence. The Supreme Court ruled the evidence showed that Wessels persisted in his own pursuit, violating department policy after other officers had called off the chase. And that Wessels’s cruiser hit Mormann’s motorcycle intentionally, without justification for using that deadly force.

(Radio Iowa) – A truck stop along Interstate 35 in northern Iowa near Williams that was known for 45 years as being a haven during blizzards will reopen soon under a new name. The Boondocks is ready to make a return as a TA Truck Stop. The Boondocks closed in 2018, and reopened as a Jay Bros truck stop in 2019, until it closed up again over a year ago. The nearby Boondocks Motel was demolished earlier this year. Social media posts stated there have been interviews for those wishing to be an employee at the former iconic truck stop in Hamilton County.

KQWC photo

A giant TA Truck Stop sign was recently installed. Officials with the Ohio-based firm have not announced when the official opening will take place.  This will be the second truck stop for Williams. The Flying J Truck Stop is located not far from the future TA Truck Stop.