(Greenfield, IA) – The Adair County Engineer’s Office reports a bridge 1 mile south of Stuart on Stuart Road is scheduled to be replaced with a box culvert. The project is expected to start March 16th, 2026. During construction, Stuart Road will be closed to through traffic from 130th St. to 110th St. A signed detour route will be in place. Closure is expected to last 3-5 months.

(Atlantic, IA) – An Atlantic man who – late last month – plead guilty to Class-B felony charge of Child Endangerment resulting in death, was sentenced today (Monday, March 9th) in Cass County District Court, to a mandatory minimum of 15-years in prison, which is three tenths of what could have been a maximum of 50-years. 26-year-old Corbin Loudermilk must also pay $150,000 in restitution. The charge and sentence was with regard to the death last year, of one-month old Kahlani Loudermilk.  A plea agreement called for a Class-A felony charge of Murder in the 1st Degree, to be dismissed.

Court documents charged Corbin Loudermilks, through an intentional act or series of intentional acts,  used unreasonable force that resulted in the death of the child.

(Radio Iowa) – A new survey done for the Iowa Food Bank Association finds one in eight Iowans is food insecure, as is one in six Iowa children, and there’s strong support for finding more ways to help. Katie Sorrell, the association’s executive director, says 71-percent of respondents said food insecurity is a problem in Iowa, and half said the state isn’t doing enough to support people facing hunger.  “Choose Iowa is a program where food banks can buy directly from local farmers, and 80% of Iowans think there should be increased state support for that program,” Sorrell says. “So through Choose Iowa, when Iowans go to food pantries, they will have access to fruits and vegetables produced by local farmers.”

The survey, done by the research firm Murmuration, found 77-percent of those questioned say they support universal school food programs that fund free breakfast and lunch for all students, not just those from lower incomes. She says all Iowans are being impacted by rising food costs, some more than others. “Seventy-seven percent of Iowans have had to change the amounts or types of food that they purchase just because food is more expensive. So we’re all feeling the pressure of increased food costs,” Sorrell says, “and I think Iowans want to help each other out, and they see that for their neighbors that are struggling, food insecurity is an issue.” The survey found 71-percent of respondents agree the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program helps those experiencing food insecurity, while 64-percent say SNAP helps the Iowa economy.

“Double Up Food Bucks is a program where when people use their SNAP card to purchase fresh fruits and vegetables, the amount is doubled. So if you buy $15 in fruits and vegetables, you get $15 back on your SNAP card to buy additional fruits and vegetables,” she says, “and the support for that program is huge in Iowa.” The Iowa Food Bank Association is comprised of Iowa’s six Feeding America food banks: Food Bank of Iowa, Food Bank for the Heartland, Food Bank of Siouxland, HACAP, Northeast Iowa Food Bank, and River Bend Food Bank. They collectively distributed more than 54-million meals through 15-hundred partner agencies in all 99 Iowa counties last year.

More at www.iowafba.org

(Des Moines, IA) – Southwest Iowa Representative Tom Moore (R-Griswold), in his weekly electronic newsletter, covered a list of bills passed by the Iowa House during the eight week of the 2026 Legislative Session, March 2nd through the 6th. Bills that passed included those pertaining to:

• Play Based Learning: HF2652 Says Pre-kindergarten shall include at least 90 minutes of play-based learning during each half school day and at least 180 minutes of play-based learning during each full school day. Kindergarten shall include at least 45 minutes of play-based learning each school day. The measure passed on an 89-0 vote.
• Athletic Sit-Out Period: HF2591 changes the 90 school day sit-out period to 140 calendar days for open enrollment and transfers. Moore says “Due to the increase in schools participating in 4 day school weeks, this was a better and more fair solution to solving open enrollment and student transfers.” Vote 90-0.
• Foster Parent Training: SF2096 strikes specific hour training requirements from code for foster parent licensure and renewal. Instead, this bill allows DHHS to determine the need for training based on the experience and training of the individual foster parent and the needs of the child being placed in their care. Vote 80-10.
• Right to Repair for DEF Systems of Farm Equipment: HF2529: The major part of this bill provides that the original farm equipment manufacturers must make available, for farm equipment, diagnostic and repair information regarding the operation of a diesel exhaust fluid system (DEF), including technical updates, and software updates, “for no charge or in the same manner as the manufacturer makes such information available to…authorized repair providers…” Moore says “This bill will provide significant economic relief for our Iowa farmers when it comes to operation and repair of an EPA mandated DEF system on farm equipment.” Vote 57-33.
• Governor’s MAHA Bill: HF2676 is the Governor’s Make America Healthy Again bill. It does the following:
  • Requires nutrition continuing education for certain doctors and physician assistants. This was a component of Iowa’s RHTP application.
  • Requires healthy foods for SNAP and summer EBT.
  • Allows pharmacists to distribute ivermectin for human consumption as an over-the-counter medicine without liability.
  • Prohibits schools from providing food and beverages with certain ingredients starting July 1, 2027.
  • Requires Iowa to join the Psychology Compact with 43 states, including all states surrounding Iowa.
  • Amendment 8090 requires Iowa medical school students to complete at least 40 hours of coursework on nutrition and metabolic health prior to graduation, starting July 2028.

Representative Moore says he “Voted for this bill because of the good provisions that provide for improvement of Iowans health, but there were some amendments attached that I was not completely in favor of but the overall benefit of the bill led me to a yes vote.” Vote 65-30.

• Legal Tender as Form of Payment for Interscholastic Athletic Contests: SF274 a public school must accept legal tender as a form of payment for entry to an interscholastic athletic contest. “This solves one of our most heard complaints,” Moore said. Vote 83-13 as amended.
• CTP Access to ITG: HF2250 allows an Iowa student who is admitted and in attendance as a student in a CTP and post secondary program that has been approved by the U.S. Department of Education and is provided by the following:
  • An accredited private institution
  • A community college established under Chapter 260C
  • An institution of higher learning governed by the state board of regents.
  • They may receive tuition grants for not more than 8 semesters of study. Vote 96-0
• Supplementary Weighting for CTE Instructors: HF2492 adds CTE instructor to the list of shared operations with a weighting of two pupils. Vote 95-1
• ESA Flow Through for General Fund: HF2684 allows public schools to use the ESA flow through funds (approximately $1,600 per student) for general fund purposes. This allows these funds to be used more flexibly by our public schools rather than be siloed into categoricals. Vote 96-0
• Social Studies Standards: HF2510 prescribes specific social studies standards by grade level with specific people, events, documents, etc. Moore said “I was a NO vote because the standards prescribed in this bill are way too prescriptive and we need to have a slate of people that actually instruct social studies in schools to prepare appropriate social studies standards, NOT the legislature.” Vote 60-36.
• One Unit of US Government: HF2244 changes the 1/2 unit of U.S. government requirement to 1 unit of U.S. government. “This was an amendment Representative Ingels and I had on a bill last year and has come to the floor as a standalone bill this year which I fully support, Moore said, “because it increases the civic engagement of our students.” Vote 70-26.
• Protected Speech and Expression Rights for Students: HF2336 prohibits schools from discriminating against or penalizing a student or student club engaging in religious, political, or ideological speech. “I am a NO vote,” Moore said, “because it is duplicative of federal law, it would create a heavy administrative burden, and it’s in conflict with HF2512 which we will probably see on the floor for a vote again. Vote 63-33.
• Child Endangerment: HF2360 clarifies that a child is anyone under 18 for purpose of child endangerment. This was an important bill, according to Moore, “because there was a conflict among law enforcement to what the actual age of child endangerment was.” Vote 97-0.
• Suspended Special Minor’s Restricted License: HF2628 states that if a juvenile with a Special Minor’s Restricted License violates the restrictions on driving with that license and it is suspended, this bill establishes that they can get an instructional permit during the suspension period. Moore said “This would limit their ability to drive to only when accompanied by an adult. This is a fair solution to mistakes made by young Iowans.” Vote 91-6.
• Human Trafficking Prevention Training for CDL Holders: HF2598 requires those obtaining a class A, B, or C CDL to receive at least 30 minutes of approved human trafficking prevention training. This will aid over the road truckers with their ability to recognize when human trafficking might be taking place. Vote 97-0.
• Anti-Red Flag Gun Seizure Act: HF2718 bars state and local agencies, as well as their employees, from enforcing red flag laws regardless of their origin. It also prohibits state and local entities from accepting federal funds specifically for enforcing red flag laws. This protects lawful gun owning Iowans from having their 2nd Amendment protections violated, suspended, or removed without due process. Vote 67-29.
• Minor Consent to Pregnancy: HF2564 allows a minor to consent to pregnancy care when a parent is not reasonably available. This provides for prenatal as well as postnatal care for a minor who doesn’t have a parent available to consent to that care. Vote 94-2.
• 3 Strikes Habitual Offender: HF2542 implements a “three-and-done” strike system. Moore says “If you choose a lifestyle of crime, you will be removed from society and incarcerated for at least 20 years. Under current law, repeat violent offenders are released back onto the streets where they become a risk to our children and loved ones. By using “half-strikes” and clear warnings, we give individuals every opportunity to change their path. This isn’t about one mistake; it’s about a proven pattern of dangerous behavior. We hope the threat of 20 years in prison will prevent future crimes from ever being committed. This system is a common-sense, fair system that ensures that once an individual chooses a pattern of dangerous criminal behavior, they are removed from society and unable to continue to wreak havoc on our communities.” Vote 68-23.
• Judicial Performance Information: HF2719 will create a dashboard to provide Iowans with objective data on how judges exercise their discretion. Currently, when Iowans head to the polls for retention elections, they are often flying blind, forced to rely on hearsay rather than facts. “By making this information clear and accessible to Iowans” Moore says, “we are empowering voters with an accurate understanding of how a judge manages the people’s business. This isn’t about telling judges how to rule; it’s about ensuring that when they use their discretion, they do so in the light of day.” Vote 73-19.
• Removing Affirmative Action in Iowa Code: HF2711 removes affirmative action requirements in Iowa Code. It ends preferential treatment for individuals based on their race. This will ensure all Iowans are treated equally and decisions for hiring and licensing are not based on the individual’s race. Vote 64-29.
• Community Colleges 4-Year Degrees: HF2649 creates a pilot program for community colleges to create degree programs that lead to 4 year degrees if they meet certain requirements for high demand field in their area or if it is one of the following: education, nursing, information technology, public safety, business, health care management, agriculture, or dental hygiene. “This will greatly enhance the ability of non-typical students in the 8 major areas of need to be able to access a 4 year degree while maintaining their personal and professional responsibilities at home,” according to Rep. Moore.  Vote 55-36.
• Prohibiting Intentional Emission of Air Contaminants to Impact Weather: HF2640 would prohibit any means of attempting to affect the weather, whether temperature, climate, intensity of sunlight or moisture, etc. Current law does not address this. It passed with an amendment prescribing this not applicable to agriculture of agribusiness. This is affectionately known as the “Chem Trail” bill. Vote 58-26
• Animal Torture: HF2348 clarifies the definition of animal torture and increases the penalty. It also increases penalties for other types of second offense animal abuse. This brings Iowa up to speed with the other 49 states. Vote 85-0.

Moore highlighted in his newsletter, to visits to the Capitol in Des Moines last Wednesday: Steve and Barb Baier, of Griswold. Moore said he was “…honored to be a part of his announcement that he (Baier) will be running for Senator Tom Shipley’s District 9 Senate seat. Steve and Barb were at the Capitol to file his nomination papers with the Secretary of State. ” Wednesday afternoon, members of the Southwest Iowa Civil Air Patrol – led by Ben Bartholomew – visited the Capitol.

Barb & Steve Baier w/Tom Moore

SW IA Civil Air Patrol w/Rep. Moore and Ben Bartholomew in the center of the 2nd row.

(Glenwood, IA) – Sheriff’s officials in Mills County report three people were arrested last week, with two subjects being arrested on drug charges. Authorities say on March 3rd, 37-year-old Lindsey Lorraine Storm and 47-year-old Robert Shane Long, both of Omaha, were arrested on separate Possession of a Controlled Substance charges- 3rd or subsequent offense. Storm was arrested on Interstate 29 in Council Bluffs. Long was arrested in Tabor. Their bonds were set at $1,000 each.

And, Sheriff’s Deputies in Mills County arrested 30-year-old Shyanne Marie Dominguez, of Glenwood, on March 2nd. She was taken into custody in Glenwood for Failure To Appear (in court). Her bond was also set at $1,000.

(Orange City, IA) – A woman from northwestern Iowa was sentenced last week on a child endangerment charge. Online court records show 27-year-old Kathryn Elizabeth Pine, of Hull, was facing a felony charge of Child Endangerment causing bodily injury, but she instead accepted a plea agreement on February 16^th to the lesser, aggravated misdemeanor charge. She was sentenced March 2nd in Sioux County District Court to serve one-year in the Sioux County Jail, with all but 90 days suspended in the Sioux County Jail.

Pine was also placed on probation to the Department of Corrections for a period not to exceed two (2) years. She is not allowed to engage in child care or gain employment involving daycare or the care of children that are not her own.

Authorities say on October 15, 2025, when Pine was an employee at a local preschool, she put a child in a headlock and then pushed the child’s head against his cot, leaving a mark on the back of the child’s head. After an investigation, the Sioux Center Police Department charged Pine with Child Endangerment, Causing Bodily Injury, a Class D Felony.

(Council Bluffs, IA) – As we turn the corner into spring, officials with the Charles E. Lakin Foundation say they are excited to open up nominations for its annual Outstanding Teacher Award. The foundation is seeking stories of elementary and secondary teachers within 40 miles of Emerson, Iowa, who are going above and beyond for their students. Jennifer Green, Charles E. Lakin Foundation, Inc. Secretary, Operations and Grant Manager, says this is the 18th year for the award.

Since its inception, 64 teachers from around the region have been honored for the Outstanding Teacher Award.

Every spring the Charles E. Lakin Foundation honors four local educators–two elementary teachers and two secondary teachers, whose efforts encourage and motivate students to come to school and who see teaching as a calling, rather than a job.

Each winner will receive $10,000, with an additional $2,500 given to their school. Previous winners have spanned the gamut of education.

Nominations will be accepted through March 31st and the link below, or through the link at https://www.ghaea.org/

Educators may not be nominated by family members. The Charles E. Lakin Foundation serves six counties in Southwest Iowa (Pottawattamie, Cass, Mills, Montgomery, Fremont, Page) and two counties in Nebraska (Douglas and Sarpy).

Direct survey link: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/8T87FZX

(Creston, IA) – Officials with the Creston Police Department report the arrest Sunday night, of 31-year-old Patrick Riley Iiams. He was taken into custody at his residence in Creston, and charged with Violation of Parole. Iiams was taken to Union County Jail and was being held without bond until making his initial court appearance.

(Iowa DNR Water Summary Update) – Drought watches have been issued for northwest and southeast Iowa following a winter marked by a lack of rain and snow, according to the latest Water Summary Update from the Iowa Department of Natural Resources. Iowa experienced a notably dry winter, with worsening drought conditions expanding across much of the state through February. This deterioration has resulted in the northwest and southeast drought regions of Iowa being placed under a drought watch. While seasonal streamflows currently remain within normal ranges, soil moisture levels continue to decline statewide.

Iowa’s preliminary statewide February precipitation totaled 0.38 inches, or 0.79 inches below normal. Monthly totals ranged from no accumulation at several southern and northwestern stations to 1.26 inches in New Hampton, with southeastern Iowa experiencing the driest conditions as precipitation measured between 0.75 and 1.75 inches. The preliminary statewide average temperature for February was 31.3 degrees, which is 7.2 degrees above normal.

The U.S. Drought Monitor (USDM) currently shows that most of Iowa is abnormally dry or experiencing drought conditions, with portions of southeast Iowa carrying a severe drought designation. According to Iowa’s Drought Plan, all drought regions saw conditions deteriorate in February as soil moisture remained critically dry due to growing moisture deficits and the resurgence of drought.

The National Weather Service’s Climate Prediction Center’s March outlook indicates above-average precipitation across the entire state, and an increased likelihood of above-average temperatures. The seasonal outlook suggests continued drought in far northwestern Iowa, and a drought-free or drought removal is likely for the remainder of the state.

“Following a winter of persistent moisture deficits, Drought Regions in northwest and southeastern Iowa are now under a drought watch. The lack of both precipitation and a significant snowpack has led to substantial soil drying across the state. While the seasonal outlook predicts drought will persist in far Northwest Iowa through May, the rest of the state shows a favorable trend for improvement,” said Jessica Reese McIntyre, DNR Environmental Specialist.

The report is prepared by technical staff from Iowa DNR, the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship, IIHR—Hydroscience and Engineering, and the U.S. Geological Survey, in collaboration with Iowa Homeland Security and Emergency Management Department.