(Radio Iowa) – While federal offices are shut down by the stalemate in Congress, area operations such as county Veterans Affairs offices remain open. Winnebago County Veterans Affairs Director May Lou Kleveland, there are other areas within the V-A which will be closed during the shutdown. “V-A Regional benefits offices will be closed and that’s going to be the most impactful to veteran service officers in Iowa, because we use the regional offices to be able to find information for us on a claim that we’re working on if there’s like any kind of snag,” she says. “And then they’re the ones that deal with our more complicated appeals for pension or disability compensation claims.” Kleveland says the shutdown won’t impact healthcare.

“The V-A medical centers clinics will stay open, so the one that most people use in this area is the Mason City outpatient clinic, and it is open, will stay open. And there’s not going to be any affect to V-A benefits, they’ll be processing compensation, pension, education and housing,” she says. Kleveland is thankful that the 9-8-8 Veterans Crisis Line is still operating. “Because when the veterans call that line, they talked to another veteran and then that the person that receives the call talks with them and then can assess what needs are and then they can either provide immediate needs for them immediate resources, or they can, you know, refer them to resources that will help them in the long term,” she says.

Kleveland says she is disappointed that the career counseling service is shutdown during this time as veterans often need to change jobs and can use the service. Kleveland says veterans should call local offices to find out what services are available.

(Red Oak, Iowa) – Sheriff’s deputies in Montgomery County, Wednesday night, arrested a man on a Public Intoxication charge. Authorities say 66-year-old Gary Michael McKnight, of Villisca, was arrested at around 7:20-p.m. in the 100 block of W. 4th Street, in Villisca. McKnight was being held in the Montgomery County Jail on a $300 bond.

(Red Oak, Iowa) – A reported disturbance at around 6:50-p.m. Wednesday, in Red Oak, resulted in the arrest of two people. Red Oak Police officers were called to the 400 block of E. Nuckols Street, and following an investigation arrested 65-year-old Lee Allen Edds, and 63-year-old Tracy Lin Craven, Sr., both of Red Oak. Edds was arrested for Assault with Bodily Injury. Craven was arrested for Harassment in the 3rd Degree. Both men were transported to the Montgomery County Jail, where their bonds were set at $1,000 and $300, respectively.

Atlantic, Iowa — Cass Health has been awarded a Top Workplaces 2025 honor by Iowa Top Workplaces. “Earning a Top Workplaces award is a badge of honor for companies, especially because it comes authentically from their employees,” said Eric Rubino, Energage CEO. “That’s something to be proud of. In today’s market, leaders must ensure they’re allowing employees to have a voice and be heard. That’s paramount. Top Workplaces do this, and it pays dividends.”

Earning this recognition is based solely on employee feedback gathered through a third-party survey administered by employee engagement technology partner Energage LLC. The confidential survey uniquely measures the employee experience and its component themes, including employees feeling Respected & Supported, Enabled to Grow, and Empowered to Execute, to name a few.

With more than 475 employees, Cass Health is the largest employer in Cass County and a huge economic engine for the region. Cass Health has been previously recognized as an Iowa Top Workplace, a Top 100 Critical Access Hospital in the USA, and as a Top 20 Critical Access Hospital in the USA for multiple years running.

Energage is a purpose-driven company that helps organizations turn employee feedback into useful business intelligence and credible employer recognition through Top Workplaces. Built on 18 years of culture research and the results from 27 million employees surveyed across more than 70,000 organizations, Energage delivers the most accurate competitive benchmark available. With access to a unique combination of patented analytic tools and expert guidance, Energage customers lead the competition with an engaged workforce and an opportunity to gain recognition for their people-first approach to culture.

DES MOINES, Iowa (KCCI) – Officials say Iowa National Guard members will not be paid during the government shutdown despite some troops already being deployed, KCCI reports.

The guard has about 1,000 full-time civilian employees and around two-thirds of them will be furloughed.

Around 18,000 soldiers started their deployment to the Middle East as part of Operation Inherent Resolve in the spring.

The Iowa National Guard says there’s legislation in Congress which would address this issue. The Pay Our Troops Act would ensure uniformed service members get paid during shutdowns.

The guard says the shutdown will not stop its deployment or military duties.

(Radio Iowa) – The Iowa Court of Appeals has denied the appeal of a Howard County man who was convicted of first-degree murder and abuse of a corpse. Sayvonne Jordan of Elam was found guilty of killing Jonathan Esparza of New Hampton, and then cutting up the body with an axe and setting it on fire in 2022.

Court information shows Jordan found Esparza on a surveillance camera stealing several pounds of meth from his home. Jordan appealed his conviction on procederal issues and though he was at the scene, there is not substantial evidence he committed the crimes.

The Appeals Court ruled issues handled by the court did not impact the outcome of the trial, and there was substantial evidence supporting Jordan’s convictions

(Radio Iowa) – President Trump says the federal government will make payments to soybean farmers who are taking a financial hit due to China’s stance in the trade war. China — the world’s largest buyer of soybeans — has turned to other countries for its soybean supply.

“We’re going to take some of that tariff money that’s we’ve made, we’re going to give it to our farmers who are for a little while going to be hurt until…the tariffs kick in to their benefit,” Trump said recently, “so we’re going to make sure that our farmers are in great shape because we’re taking in a lot of money.” Trump has not indicated when the payments will start or how big they’ll be.

“We’re going to be taking some money from all of the tariff money that we’ve taking and we’re going to be distributing it to our farmers until the tariffs kick in to their benefit, which ultimately the farmers are going to be making a fortune,” Trump said, “but it’s a process.”

Trump — in a post on social media yesterday (Wednesday) — said he will be meeting with China’s president in four weeks and soybeans will be a major topic of discussion. Last year, a little over half U.S. soybean exports went to China, but China hasn’t purchased U.S. soybeans for the past four months.

(Atlantic, Iowa) – The Atlantic City Council this (Wednesday) evening, acted on passing several matters on their agenda. The Council approved an Order temporarily closing 4th Street between Chestnut and Walnut Streets on Oct. 31st, for the grand opening celebration of a new business: Grinnin’ Bear Tattoo. The street will be closed from 4-pm. until midnight on the 31st.

The Council passed the Third and Final Reading of an Ordinance amending the City Code, with regard to Flood Plain Regulations. Two previous readings were passed on the 3rd and 24th of September. The Council also passed the Second Reading of an Ordinance amending the City Code by adding a Chapter that regulates the use of electric scooters, motorized scooters, and low-speed vehicles.

Mayor Grace Garrett reminded the Council and residents of Atlantic, Halloween Trick-or-Treating will be held on October 31st. Kids can Trick-or-Treat downtown businesses from 3-until 5-pm; City-wide Trick-or-Treating is from 5-until 7-pm. A reminder also, that there is a costume and coloring contest on the 31st, from 3:15-until 3:50-pm in the downtown City Park, with Judging at 4-pm.

In other business, the Atlantic City Council passed Orders to approve pay applications to three contractors, for Street Improvement Projects, amounting to a little more than $753, 090.

The Council’s final order of business was to enter into a closed session to discuss strategy with legal counsel, pertaining to matters that are currently in litigation, or where such litigation is imminent.

(Atlantic, Iowa) –  The Atlantic Area Chamber of Commerce has announced the launch of its brand-new website, which officials say is a long-awaited upgrade designed to bring the community closer, support local businesses, and make accessing information easier than ever. Retaining beloved features like the community calendar, business directory, and featured events, the new site adds fresh tools and resources with a sleek, modern design.

Chamber Program Director Kelsey Beschorner says “Our community deserves a website that works as hard as it does. This launch is all about accessibility, engagement, and giving both residents and businesses the tools they need to thrive.” Chamber Board member, Kolton Hewlett, Cass Health CFO, says “Strong community connections are vital, and this new website helps make those connections even easier. This site ensures that residents and visitors alike can quickly access the resources they need to engage and thrive in Atlantic.”

What’s New:

• Housing Page with Rental Listings: Find your next home faster with local rental listings updated regularly on the site.
• Starting a Business Page: Get step-by-step guidance, resources, and local connections to help launch or grow your business.
• Sleek, User-Friendly Design: Navigate the site with ease on any device, thanks to a modern, mobile-responsive layout.
• Enhanced Community Calendar: Never miss another event—explore programs, activities, and gatherings happening in your area.
• Upgraded Business Directory: Connect with local businesses quickly, with detailed profiles and easy-to-find contact information.

The revamped website demonstrates Atlantic Area Chamber of Commerce’s commitment to keeping the community informed, supporting local commerce, and making valuable resources more accessible. Explore the new site today at www.atlanticiowa.com and discover everything your community has to offer.