(Atlantic, IA) – The Atlantic Community School District’s Board of Directors (Board Of Education) will meet at 5:30-p.m. Monday, March 16th, in the Atlantic High School Media Center, for the purpose of Collective Bargaining sessions. Their tentative agenda, is as follows:

Collective Bargaining Proposals will begin at 5:30 pm 

The below meeting will be open to the public as required in Chapter 20 of the Iowa Code.

Certified Staff Collective Bargaining Unit Proposal 

The Atlantic Education Association will present its initial contract proposal for the 2026-2027 school year between the Education Association and the District’s Negotiation Committee.

At 6:30 pm following Certified Staff Collective Bargaining Unit Proposal: 

The Atlantic District’s Negotiation Committee will present its initial contract proposal for the 2026-2027 school year between the Education Association and the Board of Education.

RED OAK, IA (Press release)— The Nishnabotna Water Defenders (“NWD”), a grassroots organization formed in the wake of one of the largest environmental disasters in Iowa’s history, announced today (March 15, 2026) that they have filed a lawsuit against NEW Cooperative, Inc., an Iowa-based cooperative with nearly $3 billion in annual revenue. The petition, filed in Iowa District Court for Montgomery County, seeks to hold the cooperative fully accountable for the March 2024 release of 265,000 gallons of liquid nitrogen fertilizer into the East Nishnabotna River, an event that decimated aquatic and other wildlife across over fifty miles of Iowa and Missouri waterways.

The legal action comes after a state settlement was widely panned as a “sweetheart deal,” totaling only $100,000 in penalties and supplemental project funding—a fraction of the environmental and economic damage caused when a tank valve was left open for an entire weekend.

“The scale of this disaster is almost beyond comprehension, yet the state’s response has been a mere slap on the wrist,” said Attorney James C. Larew, of Iowa City, one of the attorneys representing NWD. “By allowing hundreds of thousands of gallons of toxic urea ammonium nitrate to flow unchecked into our public waters, NEW Cooperative committed an egregious violation of the Clean Water Act and state law. The state’s failure to enforce meaningful penalties not only insults the local community but sends a dangerous message to every corporate polluter in Iowa: that destroying a river is simply the low cost of doing business. In these cases, unfortunately, private citizens, acting as individuals or through their membership groups, must do for themselves and each other that which our governmental agencies should be doing—but, too often, are failing to do.”

The lawsuit highlights that the spill killed over 750,000 fish, as well as countless frogs, snakes, mussels, birds, and animals, effectively turning a 50-mile stretch of the East Nishnabotna, Nishnabotna, and Missouri Rivers into a “dead zone.”

Attorney Carrie La Seur, co-counsel on the case, emphasized the broader legal implications regarding Iowa’s natural resources. “This case is about more than just one spill. It is about the public trust doctrine, which holds state lands and waters in trust for the people of Iowa,” La Seur said. “Iowa’s navigable waters are not private sewers for industrial accidents. The state has a fiduciary duty to protect these public resources for the benefit of all Iowans. When the state abdicates its duty, the people must step in. This lawsuit is a necessary assertion that the public’s right to clean living water is superior to any corporation’s right to be careless.”

The Nishnabotna Water Defenders seek full restitution for the value of the lost natural resources, the implementation of mandatory containment barriers and remote shutoff technology at all NEW Cooperative’s agricultural chemical storage sites, and new state permitting of these facilities, to ensure ongoing compliance.

Terry Langan, Co-President of NWD, summarized the reason for the lawsuit: “Local citizens are being deprived of the full use and enjoyment of what should be a public recreational asset and a source of clean water for personal and business uses: our rivers. The massive pollution event caused by NEW Cooperative—followed by ineffective enforcement of our water pollution laws by Iowa’s Department of Natural Resources and Iowa Attorney General Brenna Bird make it imperative the citizens act to fill the gap that is harming the quality of the lives of those who live and work in Southwest Iowa. This lawsuit fits squarely within NWD’s clean water advocacy purpose.”

About Nishnabotna Water Defenders: Nishnabotna Water Defenders is a community-led organization, with a membership approaching 200 persons. The organization is dedicated to monitoring water quality and advocating for the health of the Nishnabotna Watershed. Formed by concerned residents of Southwest Iowa, the group works to ensure that local waterways remain safe for recreation, drinking, and wildlife for generations to come.

(Red Oak, IA) – Police in Red Oak made a traffic stop at around 2-a.m. today (Sunday), and upon further investigation, arrested 52-year-old Jody Lee Michaelsen, of Red Oak, for OWI/2nd offense – an Aggravated Misdemeanor. The traffic stop was initiated in the 1000 block of N. 2nd Street, in Red Oak.

Michaelsen was transported to the Montgomery County Jail, where his bond was set at $2,000.

(Des Moines) Griswold Republican Representative Tom Moore is seeking re-election to the Iowa House for District 18. Moore submitted his nomination papers and affidavit of candidacy March 9^th.

Moore represents District 18, which includes Cass County, Montgomery County, and most of Page Counties. He’s served in the Iowa legislature for more than 10-years.

A former educator, Tom Moore taught history and physical education and coached for 33 years at Grinnell and Griswold Community Schools.  He followed that career with 8 years as Assistant Manager of the Southwest Iowa Egg Cooperative.

(Altoona, IA – March 13th) – Officials with the Iowa Economic Development & Finance Authority, say seven tourism organizations were honored Friday with “You Rock” Geode Awards. The awards were presented during the 2026 Iowa Tourism Conference at Prairie Meadows in Altoona.

For the second year, the Iowa Tourism Office recognized tourism organizations or businesses for going above and beyond and providing an example of excellence to their peers or other industry partners. These organizations or professionals have demonstrated dedication, creativity and positivity in their actions and have changed their destination for the positive.

The 2026 Geode winners:

1. The Shrine of the Grotto of the Redemption, West Bend
2. Promoting Appanoose & Centerville Together (PACT)
3. Think Iowa City
4. Madison County Tourism
5. Pottawattamie County Conservation 
6. Meet in Marshalltown
7. Reiman Gardens, Ames

The complete list of 2026 Iowa Tourism Awards recipients:

Outstanding Marketing Collaboration: Second State Brewing Co., Cedar Falls Tourism and Gateway River Park

Recognizes exceptional collaborations between destination marketing organizations, local businesses and/or other industry partners that result in a strategic and impactful marketing campaign or project.

Innovation in Marketing: Catch Des Moines

Recognizes a destination marketing organization or tourism business that has demonstrated innovation and creativity in marketing.

Outstanding Niche Marketing: Greater Burlington Convention & Visitors Bureau

Recognizes outstanding tourism campaigns by a destination marketing organization or tourism business that effectively targets a specific, well-defined audience.

Outstanding Marketing Campaign (marketing budget less than $50,000)

The Avenues of Ingersoll & Grand, Des Moines

Outstanding Marketing Campaign (marketing budget greater than $50,000)

Blank Park Zoo, Des Moines

Champion of Iowa Tourism: Max Leonida and Paola Maria Savoia — Astarox Productions, Oskaloosa

Recognizes an individual or organization not traditionally part of the tourism industry that nevertheless made an extraordinary contribution to the Iowa tourism industry in the last year.

Iowa Tourism Legacy Award (three winners): Josh Dansdill, Northeast Iowa RC&D; Larry Obermeyer, Sioux City Railroad Museum and Lewis & Clark Interpretive Center; Bob and Ruth Kehl, Elite Casino Resorts

Presented to an individual or individuals who have worked in the tourism industry for a minimum of 10 years and whose contributions significantly and measurably impacted tourism in Iowa.

People’s Choice Award: Reiman Gardens, Ames.

(Council Bluffs, IA) – Officials with the Council Bluffs Police Department said Friday (March 13h) an arrest warrant has been issued for a suspect in a cutting incident that occurred Thursday evening. A Pottawattamie County warrant was
issued for 43-year-old Christopher D. Harper, of Omaha, NE, charging him with one count of Willful Injury – Causing Serious Injury, a Class “C” Felony. Anyone with information on HARPER’S whereabouts is encouraged to call 911.

The public is reminded that the charges are not evidence against the defendants, and the defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

Original story:

Police in Council Bluffs are investigation a cutting incident that occurred Wednesday evening, and resulted in one-person being treated at a local hospital.

Authorities say a little after 5-p.m., Officers in Council Bluffs along with rescue personnel responded to a report of a cutting in the 10 block of Bluff Street. Investigating officers learned that a male riding a bicycle cut in front of a vehicle, which resulted in the male and the driver exchanging words. A passenger in the vehicle, 45-year-old Alan Vanheusen, of Council Bluffs, exited the vehicle. He and an unidentified male suspect began fighting.

During the fight, Vanheusen was cut on the right leg by the male suspect, who then fled the area and has yet to be located by
officers, as of the latest report. Vanheusen was being treated for non-life-threatening injuries at the hospital. The investigation is ongoing.

Anyone who witnessed this incident or has information that could assist in this investigation is encouraged to contact the Council Bluffs Police Department’s Criminal Investigation Division at 712-328- 4728 or to remain anonymous, they may call CrimeStoppers at 712-328-7867. On-line tips can be submitted at: https://www.councilbluffs-ia.gov/FormCenter/Police-Department-2/Online-CrimeStoppers-Tip-70.

DES MOINES, Iowa – The Iowa Department of Health and Human Services (Iowa HHS) was notified by the Illinois Department of Public Health that an Illinois resident with confirmed measles traveled to Iowa during their infectious period. Iowa HHS is notifying the public of potential exposure locations. As of March 5, a total of 1,281 confirmed measles cases have been reported in the United States in 2026. Of these, 1,191 (93)% were unvaccinated. In Iowa, nine measles cases were identified in 2025. To date, no measles cases have been identified among Iowa residents in 2026.

Measles is a highly contagious viral illness that is spread through the air when an infectious person coughs, sneezes, or breathes, and can stay in the air for up to two hours after a person with measles leaves the room. Iowa and Illinois health officials have identified a location visited by the individual while contagious, where the public might have been exposed to measles. Anyone who visited the following location within the listed timeframe should closely monitor for symptoms of measles (e.g., fever, cough, red/watery eyes, runny nose, and a rash). Anyone born in or after 1957 who visited the following locations and is unvaccinated or unsure of their immune status is at higher risk. If you think you have been exposed to measles and have symptoms, call your medical provider or nearest emergency room ahead of time and tell them that you have been exposed to measles and have symptoms before arriving.

Measles exposure locations, dates, and times:

Location: 

Comfort Inn and Suites

2100 Swan Lake Blvd, Independence, IA 50644

Date/Time:

Wednesday, March 4, 2026 at 5:30pm through Thursday, March 5, 2026 at 9:00am

“With ongoing measles transmission in the United States, Iowans should make sure they’ve received a measles-containing vaccine and should consider an accelerated measles vaccination schedule for their children,” said Dr. Robert Kruse, State Medical Director.

While the routine measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine schedule is one dose at 12–15 months and a second dose at 4–6 years, Iowans should consider:

• An early extra dose of MMR between 6 and 11 months of age (“dose 0”); this dose does NOT count toward the routine series

• The first routine dose (dose 1) can be given after 12 months of age, at least 28 days after dose 0

• The second routine dose (dose 2) can be given at least 28 days after dose 1, instead of waiting until age 4–6 years

For the latest information on measles in Iowa, visit the Iowa HHS Center for Acute Disease Epidemiology disease information page. This page is updated weekly, on Fridays, with current case counts and public health guidance.  Iowa HHS will issue a press release when there is a confirmed public exposure that may pose a risk to others. When possible, individuals identified as close contacts will also be notified directly by public health officials.

(Radio Iowa) The Iowa Supreme Court has ordered re-sentencing for a Dallas County man who was required to buy a house to avoid jail time. Christopher Hidlebaugh agreed to a plea deal for failing to comply with the sex offender registry rules that would give him a suspended sentence if he bought a house. He had 70 days before the sentencing, but couldn’t buy a house, and was sentenced to prison.

Hidlebaugh appealed, saying his efforts to buy the house should be considered in the sentencing. The Iowa Supreme Court agreed, saying fairness demands that the court conduct an inquiry to determine whether Hidlebaugh willfully failed to satisfy the obligation to buy a house before it sentences him to prison.