(Radio Iowa) – A representative of the company planning to build a wind farm in northwest Iowa says a proposed ordinance in Emmet County would likely block Steelhead Wind Energy’s project near the Estherville airport. Tyler Raniszewski — the company’s development manager — says the plan is to erect 45 wind turbines in the area and over 30 landowners have signed contracts to allow the turbines on their property. “There’s been a ton of work done on the ordinance to this point and, with where it is now, ultimately we feel like siting turbines would be nearly impossible,” Raniszewski says. “…Look, if the goal here is to obtain an ordinance that is balanceable for both the people who do want it and don’t want it, then the some of the setbacks and things within (the ordinance) may need to be slightly reduced.”

Raniszewski says his company hopes to work with county supervisors and provide studies or whatever input might be needed to reach a compromise. “We’re prepared to review specific things with them,” Raniszewski says, “…help to just point them in the right direction and hopefully obtain that balance.” Opponents of the project say there are safety concerns about having the wind turbines located near the Estherville Municipal Airport and it could be dangerous for students in the Iowa Lakes Community College aviation program who use that airport for flight training.

Last fall, the Emmet County Board of Supervisors approved a temporary moratorium on new wind energy projects in the county. The board plans to adopt a new wind energy ordinance this summer.

WASHINGTON, May 22, 2025 – As friends and families get ready to kick off summer by firing up the grill and serving foods at a cookout, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) shares some tips to keep your celebrations safe.

“Food safety is a year-round priority, but it’s especially important during summer months when we’re cooking outdoors and handling food in warmer temperatures,” said FSIS Administrator Dr. Denise Eblen. “We have simple but effective steps that can keep you and your family safe while enjoying those outdoor meals.”

Here are some key recommendations.

Clean Your Grill:

• Grill surfaces should be washed with soap and water. Ensure old residue is scraped off.
• If you don’t have access to a faucet, carry bottled water, soap and paper towels.
• After washing, start your grill and allow the heat to kill any remaining bacteria before cooking.

Prevent Cross-Contamination:

• Pack raw meats in sealed containers at the bottom of the cooler to prevent juices from contaminating other items.
• When grilling, use separate plates, cutting boards, and utensils for raw and cooked foods.
• Never place cooked food on plates that held raw meat, poultry or seafood.

Cook to Safe Temperatures:

• Remember that color is not a reliable indicator of doneness.
• Use a food thermometer to ensure foods reach a safe minimum internal temperature:
  • Beef, pork, lamb, and veal steaks, chops and roasts: 145 F
  • Seafood (fish and shellfish): 145 F
  • Ground beef, pork, lamb and veal: 160 F
  • Poultry (whole and ground): 165 F

Avoid the Danger Zone:

• The bacteria that can cause foodborne illness grow between 40 F and 140 F — also known as the Danger Zone.
• If you plan to keep perishable foods on the table for more than two hours (or one hour in temperatures above 90 F), keep hot foods hot and cold foods cold to avoid the Danger Zone.
  • Keep hot foods heated at or above 140 F with chafing dishes or preheated grill.
  • Keep cold foods chilled at or below 40 F by placing them on bowls of ice or keeping them inside a cooler near the picnic table.

For more information about food safety, call the USDA Meat and Poultry Hotline at 1-888-MPHotline (1-888-674-6854) or email MPHotline@usda.gov.

(Radio Iowa) – Some residents in western Iowa have purchased monitors with the help of environmental advocates to track air quality conditions. The Iowa Environmental Council published a report last year showing that parts of Sioux City have the highest asthma rates in the state. Organizer Lexi McKee-Hemenway says the group is working with residents to put up monitors that detect particles in the air called P-M two-point-five.

“Some of this P-M two-point-five., they are heavy metals. So when they start to, you know, stack on top of each other, it never leaves your body,” she says. McKee-Hemenway says the monitors are showing that low-income residents of color are living in places with bad air quality.” So it becomes an environmental justice concern, and these monitors have, like, really underscored that that’s an issue,” McKee-Hemenway says.

The Iowa Environmental Council helped cover the cost of six air quality monitors with donations. One monitor costs around 350 dollars. The I-E-C report last year linked Woodbury County’s asthma rates to coal plants.

(Radio Iowa) – The four Republicans representing Iowa in the U.S. House have voted for a massive package that extends the tax cuts Trump signed into law in 2017, eliminates the federal tax on overtime and tips and provides more money for the defense department and Trump’s deportation plans. It also tightens eligibility rules for federal food assistance and Medicaid. Fourth District Congressman Randy Feenstra, who is a candidate for governor, said the bill aligns federal policy with taxpayer priorities. “President Trump’s ‘One Big Beautiful Bill’ delivers on the promises that we made to Iowa workers, manufacturers, farmers and small businesses and our families,” Feenstra said in remarks on the House floor.

Feenstra, who recently launched a campaign for governor, said Trump promised voters a strong economy and Iowa will lead the way. “The bill increases the small business deduction, helping Iowa small businesses invest in their workers and grow their operations. It also doubles 179 small business expensing which means better paying jobs for every Iowa worker,” Feenstra said. “President Trump promised a manufacturing revival in our country and Iowa will be the first to deliver it. We restored (research and development) expensing and 100% bonus depreciation to rebuild domestic manufacturing, creating new jobs and bringing investment back to our country and back to our state.”

Third District Congressman Zach Nunn spoke on the House floor early this morning. “Border security, energy independence, tax cuts for working class families. Now my colleagues on the other side of the aisle, millionaires many of them themselves, may bemoan what it may do, but I promise you this, for folks back home in Iowa this is a working class tax cut,” Nunn said. “…I support this bill. The American people demand this bill.” Nunn disputed a Congressional Budget Office estimate that the national debt will increase by $3.8 trillion over the next decade if the bill becomes law. “In fact, the average household will see a $5000 increase in real income that goes straight back into our economy and that, my friends, is how you not only grow the economy, but pay down a national deficit,” Nunn said. “This mechanism is something the CBO apparently doesn’t understand.”

U.S. Capitol (RI file photo)

First District Congresswoman Mariannette Miller-Meeks and other members of the House “Main Street Caucus” touted the bill during a news conference outside the Capitol this week. “I’m proud to stand in support of President Trump’s ‘One Big Beautiful Bill,’ a transformational package to lower taxes; secure the border; restore integrity and strength in Medicaid; eliminate waste, fraud and abuse from our government and revive the American Dream,” Miller-Meeks said, “and, yes, we are doing our jobs!” Miller-Meeks said the bill “preserves” Medicaid for those it was intended for. “No more handouts to adults without disabilities who refuse to go to work,” Miller-Meeks said. “No more people who are ineligible for Medicaid being on Medicaid and taking up a position that a child or a disabled adult or senior could have.” And Miller-Meeks called it “unacceptable” to let Trump’s 2017 tax package expire at the end of the year. “This ‘Big Beautiful Bill’ protects America’s small businesses, makes the Trump tax cuts permanent,” Miller-Meeks said. “…That’s real relief for hardworking Iowans and Americans.”

In a written statement, Second District Congresswoman Ashley Hinson said “Iowans overwhelmingly voted for President Trump’s America First agenda” and the legislation “will fast track the country back to prosperity.”

Democrats say the bill makes hundreds of billions of dollars worth of cuts to Medicaid that will endanger rural hospitals and nursing homes. Twenty percent of Iowans are currently enrolled in Medicaid and about 86,000 Iowans will no longer qualify for Medicaid coverage if the bill becomes law. The bill also requires the State of Iowa to pay at least $26 million annually to cover SNAP benefits, also know as food stamps, that have been fully financed in the past by the federal government.

The bill now goes to the Senate, where some Republicans have said the bill does not do enough to cut federal spending.

(Guthrie Center, Iowa) – Members of the Adair-Casey and Guthrie Center School District Boards of Education held their regular, joint monthly meeting Wednesday evening. Shared District Superintendent Josh Rasmussen said with May being School Board Appreciation Month, the Boards at AC-GC play a big role in the “education journey” undertaken each year by students and staff.

Superintendent Rasmussen said the Boards approved numerous contracts during their meeting, Wednesday, they include, but are not limited to, teachers and activities sponsors.

Other approved contracts include…

There were also a couple of Summer Custodian positions approved. The Guthrie Center Board approved a handful of resignations.

Mr. Ramussen said no action was taken on the Whole Grade Sharing Agreement, due to inaction with regard to incentives to reorganize by the Iowa Legislature. The Districts’ Whole Grade Sharing committees will come together this Fall and review the current contract before it is renewed for another five-years. In other business, the Adair-Casey Board approved a $280,508 contract with McKinnis Roofing and Sheet Metal in Omaha, for the Elementary School and Junior High gymnasium roof projects.

Graduation was held last Sunday in the AC-GC District, with 51 Seniors walking across the stage to receive their diplomas.

DES MOINES—Iowa Secretary of State Paul Pate and his Auditors Advisory Group are joining forces to share best practices, collaborate, and support safe, secure, and fair elections across the state. According to a press release from Pate’s office, the Auditors Advisory Group is comprised of a bipartisan coalition of county auditors nominated by Secretary Pate to advise on and support effective election administration. Secretary Pate regularly appoints new county auditors from various parties and regions to serve on the group, ensuring new perspectives are continually brought to the table.

“Election security is a team sport, and I’m confident in the team we’ve built here. This group is dedicated to maintaining Iowa’s election integrity not just in their own counties, but across the entire state,” said Secretary Pate. “I look forward to working with this team over the next year as we fine-tune election processes and deliver safe, secure, and fair elections on behalf of Iowans.”

Hailing from rural and urban regions, the 12 auditors on Secretary Pate’s Auditors Advisory Group represent all six auditor districts identified by the Iowa State Association of County Auditors (ISACA). The group includes two revolving seats filled by the sitting ISACA President and Vice President, and two auditors appointed to represent at-large.

The members of Secretary Pate’s Auditors Advisory Group include:

• Adam Wedmore, Cerro Gordo (President of ISACA)
• Karla Weiss, Winnebago (Vice President of ISACA)
• Mandy Berg, Adair
• Becky Bissell, Adams
• Karen Showalter, Black Hawk
• Diane Patrick, Boone
• Sheila Shekleton, Chickasaw
• Whitney Helm, Jones
• Carmen Moser, Palo Alto
• Jamie Fitzgerald, Polk
• Amanda Waske, Ringgold
• Tibe Vander Linden, Muscatine

(Atlantic, Iowa) – Two Atlantic men were arrested recently, on drug charges. According to the Cass County Sheriff’s Department, 51-year-old Gene Christopher Reed and 61-year-old Brian Joseph Iwersen were arrested Wednesday, May 21st. Both were charged with: Drug trafficking (5GM-100KG Meth); Gathering where controlled substance used; Possession of drug paraphernalia, and Drug Tax Stamp violations. Reed was additionally charged with being a person ineligible to carry dangerous weapons. Both men were being held in the Cass County Jail.

And, on May 15th, sheriff’s deputies in Cass County arrested 58-year-old Kimberly Dawn Koenck, of Atlantic, for OWI/1st Offense. Koenck was transported to the Cass County Jail where she was booked and later released on her own recognizance.