(Radio Iowa) – Iowa parents are being warned about how stealthy vaping products are becoming, and that they’ll need to be even more vigilant to prevent their kids from getting hooked. Michelle Gilbertson, a wellness education specialist at Emplify Health by Gundersen, says the makers of vaping products are targeting youth with fruity, cotton candy flavors and they know kids will want to try and hide those products from their folks.

State health officials say recent surveys find one in four Iowa high schoolers vape, and one in ten middle schoolers. Some teens can be especially good at hiding things from their parents, but Gilbertson says it’s tough to cover up the smell if they’ve been vaping in the house.

Some argue that vaping is a healthier alternative to smoking tobacco, but Gilbertson says studies are finding the negative health impacts are very similar.

Gilbertson says vaping can be especially harmful to young people.

Vaping has only been around 20 years or so, and she says the long-term side effects and health impacts still aren’t known. Emplify Health by Gundersen has clinics in Calmar, Decorah, Fayette, Lansing, Postville and Waukon, and a hospital in West Union.

(Radio Iowa) – The Board of Regents is asking lawmakers for the same amount of general funding as last year, along with some special requests for individual schools. Student Regent Lucy Gipple from U-N-I asked that they request one million dollars to address student mental health. Regent David Barker says the request will face a test.

The request has been made before and Barker says lawmakers will have to decide.

Regent Gipple says she sees the need first hand.

Gipple says it is important to seek out help.

The other special requests approved last week by the Regents include three-point-six million dollars for the University of Iowa to increase the number of physicians serving rural Iowa. I-S-U requested one-point-eight million for its Agricultural Experiment Station and U-N-I requested one-point-six million dollars to fund its neighboring state tuition initiative, and to expand its nursing program.

(Radio Iowa) – Iowa’s Attorney General has ruled a fatal shooting by a Knoxville police officer was legally justified. Sergeant Joseph Weppler responded with another officer to a 9-1-1 call on August 21st from Andrea Funk who said her husband Steven had crashed his car into the house and was trying to get to her. Officers arrived and heard Steven Funk strangling his wife behind the bedroom door. Sergeant Weppler was able to push into the bedroom, and ordered Funk to take his hands off his wife’s throat and he refused.

Weppler fired at Funk and he was hit and later died. There was a no contact order against Steven Funk and the investigation determined he may have been drinking.

The A-G’s report says local officers were familiar with Funkas he had been aWarren County Sheriff’s Deputy, and his drinking and mental health had gotten progressively worse in the last two years.

Atlantic, IA—Cass Health is now administering seasonal vaccines for influenza. Flu shots and FluMist are both available, as well as high-dose flu shots for patients over the age of 65. FluMist is an option for patients ages 2 through 49. Walk-ins are welcome during normal Immunization Room hours; all patients should check-in at Registration first. The Immunization Room is open Monday through Friday 8 am to 4:30 pm.

In Atlantic, drive-thru appointments will be available on Wednesday, October 8 from 2 to 6 pm. The drive-thru will once again be in the curved driveway on 10th street, at the top of the staff parking lot (Lot D). Appointments are required for the drive-thru clinic.

The annual Ayzlee’s Family Flu Clinic will be held on Wednesday, October 22 from 5 to 7 pm. This clinic is specifically for young families and will include children’s activities and snacks. Appointments are preferred, but walk-ins are welcome. The event will be held inside the Cass Health Main Entrance.

Cass Health will also be administering flu vaccines, via injection or FluMist, at local schools. A clinic will be held at the Atlantic schools on Tuesday, October 21, and CAM on Thursday, October 16. Parents who wish to have their child immunized at school must return the consent form to the school by Monday, October 6. For more information, please contact your school nurse for details and required paperwork or visit casshealth.org/vaccines.

Patients can also receive seasonal vaccines at Cass Health clinics in Anita, Griswold, and Massena. Walk-ins are welcome, but calling ahead is recommended.

To make an appointment for the drive-thru or Ayzlee’s Family Flu Clinic, please call 712-243-2850.

September 22, 2025 (DES MOINES, IA) — Three Iowa communities are set to transform key neighborhoods with the help of $5.25 million in federal funding, as announced today by the Iowa Economic Development Authority.

Through the 2025 Comprehensive Neighborhood Revitalization Grant fund, Eagle Grove, Manning and Murray will receive support to upgrade housing, infrastructure and public spaces — with a focus on areas serving low- and moderate-income households.

The initiative, funded through the federal Community Development Block Grant program, is awarding each city $1.75 million toward its total project cost:

• Eagle Grove — Plans call for $2.67 million in improvements to one of the city’s oldest neighborhoods. Projects will include upgraded streets, safer pedestrian pathways, an improved stormwater system to reduce flash flooding and enhancements to Fish Pond Park — such as a revitalized walking and biking path, new playground equipment and a new basketball court. These updates will also support housing growth tied to the city’s expanding workforce needs.
• Manning — A $2.75 million effort will revitalize the Park Avenue neighborhood surrounding Manning City Park. Planned improvements include new and upgraded recreational facilities — pickleball, tennis and basketball courts — along with stormwater system improvements, expanded parking, safer pedestrian connections and housing rehabilitation.
• Murray — As a growing bedroom community for the Osceola area, Murray will dedicate $2.18 million to upgrading a central neighborhood that encompasses more than 60 percent of the city’s residential area. Plans include rehabilitation of eight single-family homes, major upgrades to Mallory Park — featuring a splash pad, new playground, restrooms, parking improvements and recreational vehicle spaces — and the construction of 3,500 feet of enhanced sidewalks connecting parks and schools.

“Strong neighborhoods are the heartbeat of a thriving community,” said Debi Durham, director of the Iowa Economic Development Authority and the Iowa Finance Authority. “These investments empower local leaders to reimagine aging districts, attract new families and businesses, and create vibrant places for long-term growth and opportunity.”

Projects supported through the Comprehensive Neighborhood Revitalization Grant fund must meet one of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s national objectives: benefiting low- and moderate-income residents or addressing slum or blighted areas.

Applications must document the seriousness of deterioration in the area, show its impact on residents’ well-being and outline activities to alleviate or eliminate those conditions.

(Des Moines, Iowa) – The Iowa Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) is reporting a second death associated with the Legionella outbreak in Marshalltown. The individual, an elderly adult with multiple underlying health conditions, passed away on September 18. To date, there have been 71 cases of legionellosis, including two deaths.

All available evidence continues to indicate cooling towers are the most likely source of the outbreak, although laboratory testing has not confirmed a direct source. Each business center with a cooling tower in the affected area has completed disinfection.

“We are encouraged to see fewer new cases reported recently,” said Dr. Robert Kruse, State Medical Director. “Our teams remain engaged with building owners on disinfection and it will take additional time to know if this decline reflects successful remediation.”

Individuals who live, work, or have spent time in north central Marshalltown with a cough, fever, or other symptoms of pneumonia should see their health care provider and ask about Legionella. The Marshall County Health Department, Iowa HHS, and the CDC continue to investigate all possible sources while working with business centers on remediation and prevention efforts.

(Glenwood, Iowa) [Corrected Glenwood CSD race] – The Mills County Auditor’s Office, today (Monday) released the list of candidates’ names who will appear on the Nov. 4th election City/School Board election ballots. The list is shown below:

List of City Candidates

(Clarinda, Iowa) – The Page County Attorney’s Office reports a man from Coin was sentenced during the week of September 8th, to nine months probation, following his plea of guilty to drug-and alcohol- related charges. 21-year-old Matthew Wayne Peterson pled guilty to Count 1: Operating a Motor Vehicle While Intoxicated-1^st Offense and Count 2: Possession of a Controlled Substance- Marijuana.

On Count 1: Peterson was granted a deferred judgment for 9 months, during which he was placed on probation for 9 months. He was ordered to obtain a drug/alcohol evaluation and follow any recommendations and complete the drinking driver’s school. On Count II: Peterson was fined $105, and ordered to pay a $1,250 civil penalty, court costs, surcharges and court-appointed attorney fees.

In a separate case, 45-year-old Timothy Scott Fletcher, of Clarinda, represented himself in court (Or, “Pro se”) and admitted to violating the terms and conditions of his probation. He was found to be in willful contempt and sentenced to 10 days in jail.