DES MOINES – The Iowa Finance Authority (IFA) recently awarded more than $1.3 million to bolster homelessness prevention efforts in every Iowa county. Funding comes through the new Iowa Homelessness Prevention Fund (IHPF) and will help hundreds of Iowans at-risk of homelessness.  In southwest Iowa, a grant amounting to $145,600 was awarded to the Crisis Intervention & Advocacy Center (serving the counties of Harrison, Shelby, Audubon, Cass, Mills, Montgomery, Fremont, Page, Guthrie, Dallas, Adair, Madison, Adams, Union, Clarke, Taylor, Ringgold, and Decatur), and Heartland Family Service in Pottawattamie County was awarded $65,000. A full list of award recipients is available here.

IFA and Iowa Economic Development Authority (IEDA) Director Debi Durham said in a news release, “The Iowa Finance Authority is proud to invest in proactive solutions that support Iowans at risk of homelessness. I commend our Board of Directors for their commitment to innovation and their responsiveness to the needs of communities across the state. This investment reflects our dedication to strengthening housing stability statewide.”

The IHPF builds on the success of IFA’s Rapid Rehousing Project Pilot Program, with a refined focus on homelessness prevention. The fund supports flexible, community-driven interventions such as short-term financial assistance (paid to landlords, utility service providers or other third-parties), landlord mediation, housing navigation services, and case management to keep individuals and families stably housed and out of emergency shelters or unsheltered homelessness.

Unlike traditional HUD-funded programs, the IHPF takes a broader view of homelessness, expanding eligibility to include Iowans who are doubled-up or “couch-surfing,” a reality often faced by youth and in rural communities. This broader approach allows partner agencies greater flexibility to meet the unique and immediate needs of their communities, including for those who may not qualify for other forms of assistance.

Awards were distributed to partner agencies that participated in the pilot program. In total, $1,335,000 was allocated from IFA’s FY2026 Emergency and Innovative Housing Fund, as approved by the IFA Board.

Individuals in need of homelessness assistance should visit iowahousinghelp.com or call the coordinated entry system at 833-739-0065. Residents of Des Moines or Polk County should call centralized intake at 515-248-1850. Residents in the Siouxland area should visit siouxlandhomeless.org or call 712-224-5247.

(Radio Iowa) – The University of Northern Iowa is planning to open the Chuck and Barbara Grassley Center on the Cedar Falls campus as soon as next year. U-N-I officials say the center will position the university as a national hub for the study of democratic governance and public service. Senator Grassley says with the nation so ideologically divided, it’s important to promote civic education and he’s planning to donate many boxes of his personal and professional documents.

“My papers fit in very well,” Grassley says, “because of the history of my services in the United States Senate.” Grassley earned a Bachelor of Arts in 1955 and a Master of Arts in political science in 1956 from the Iowa State Teachers College, what’s now U-N-I. He’s already passed along stacks of his materials that date back to when he first was elected to state office in Des Moines in 1959.

“I gave my legislative papers from the Iowa House of Representatives and my six years in the U.S. House,” Grassley says. “I’ve already deposited them back in the 1980s at the Rod Library there at UNI.” Today (Wednesday) is Grassley’s 92nd birthday and he’s twice in recent weeks told Radio Iowa he is not ruling out running for re-election in 2028. The Republican is the longest-serving current member of the U.S. Senate, while he and his wife, Barbara, celebrated their 71st wedding anniversary last month. Grassley says U-N-I has already hired a person to direct the planned center that will carry their names.

“This is to give scholars and researchers an opportunity — that are interested in the history and my service to the people of Iowa — a chance to do research,” Grassley says. “And it’s just my love of history and I want to pass on that love of history to people of the next several generations.” A statement from U-N-I says: “By serving as the home for Senator Grassley’s extensive archive – spanning nearly seven decades of service in elected office – the Center will provide students, faculty and the public with an unparalleled opportunity to study the legislative process, policymaking and the role of government institutions.”

(Radio Iowa) – The Board of Regents met in closed session for around three hours this (Wednesday) morning, before voting to give the three state universities two weeks to investigate employees who allegedly violated state policy in online posts cheering the death of conservative leader Charlie Kirk. Board of Regents president Sherry Bates read the motion that says employees under investigation can be put on leave.

“Upon completion of each investigation authorized the presidents of each university to take immediate action to and including termination regarding any employee found to have committed a violation,” Bates says. Regent Christine Hensley says she want’s it on the record that she raised concerns in their discussions about a lack of investigations before the meeting.”The lack of investigation really has, I would say slowed the process,” she says. Regent David Barker says he has concerns about the length of time it has taken to answer concerns.

The Board of Regents meeting in Cedar Falls. (photo from BOR online stream)

” I was very close to voting no, because I believe that in at least one case, there’s very little investigation to do. But I don’t want my, I wouldn’t want that vote to be interpreted as opposing taking action. So it’s my expectation that in at least some cases action will be much faster than in two weeks, and I certainly hope that that’s what occurs,” Barker says. Barker is likely making reference to an Iowa State University employee whose social media post on Kirk led to a call by lawmakers and others to fire her. Regent Robert Cramer says it is important to review each case.

“We’ve seen some appalling things on social media in the last week. And we also understand that some appalling things are protected by the First Amendment,” he says. “So the purpose of this is to delve in and to see if these any of these cross the threshold to where they’re so disruptive to the university that they still need discipline in an employment sense.” Cramer says. Cramer says this allows the universities to consider the impact of what was posted.

“We also recognize that we treat students differently than employees, and we’re not talking about punishing anyone for what they’ve said or posted. But we’re also saying there’s not an absolute right to employment if that employee is disrupting the university,” he says. The motion approved by the board gives the Board of Regents executive director the authority to direct the universities to initiate an investigation of any future alleged violations.

COUNCIL BLUFFS, Iowa – Sept. 17, 2025 – The Iowa Department of Transportation’s District 4 Office in Council Bluffs reports contractors will be closing a portion of U.S. 59 south of Shenandoah on Monday, Sept. 22, weather permitting, so a crane can be transported from one side of the road to the other.

When U.S. 59 is closed you will follow a marked detour route using Iowa 2, East Nishna Road, and 270th Street.

The Iowa DOT reminds motorists to drive with caution, obey the posted speed limit and other signs in the work area, and be aware that traffic fines for moving violations are at least double in work zones. As in all work zones, drivers should stay alert, allow ample space between vehicles, and wear seat belts.

(Radio Iowa) – A Vietnam era military jet got a helicopter ride back to its home Tuesday following a new paint job courtesy of the 185th Iowa Air Guard in Sioux City. The A-7 D Corsair II was flown by helicopter to the Sioux City base in May from Freedom Park in South Sioux City. Freedom Park board member Marty Hogan was excited after waiting for the paint job to get done. “We waited so long for this to get over here. There’s probably at least ten of us out here that were sweating bullets pretty much from the time that we were hearing that the Army was on the way and the sling was being hooked up. And here we are,” he says. “I just can’t tell you how it feels to finally put this down here and bring it to its permanent home.”

(Photo: Vought A-7 D Corsair II via Siouxlandfreedompark.org)

The A-7 had been owned by the American Legion before all the arrangements were made to paint it and move it. The plane did not go overseas and had been used as a trainer for the 185th and other pilots when the unit flew fighters. “When they finished it, we’ve been waiting for decent enough weather and for the museum to bless off on us being able to bring it back over. And this is the time that the Army and the air and the Air Force, we’re all ready to go,” he says. Hogan had served with the 185th in Sioux City and was thrilled to see the plane as it got closer to its new home. “Pretty awesome seeing it from clear over on the horizon coming in and helicopter and the little bitty A-7 underneath it. And as it got bigger, you know that that’s very cool,” Hogan says.

The plane will sit in a permanent display near the Vietnam Memorial Wall replica and the Korean War Memorial at Freedom Park. Hogan says there will be a ribbon cutting opening the plane exhibit in the next couple of months.

(Radio Iowa) – The Iowa Board of Regents could take action at its meeting today against state university employees who celebrated the killing of conservative activist Charlie Kirk.

There have been calls in particular for an Iowa State University employee to be fired, and Iowa Congresswoman Ashley Hinson supports that move. “I think Iowa State should fire anyone on their staff who celebrated Charlie’s murder, that’s pretty clear cut to me,” Hinson says, “and I think anyone who celebrated a death like this should face consequences. There’s a pretty clear, I think, value system that we should hold our staff at our universities who are educating our young people to.”

Ashley Hinson. (RI file photo)

The Republican from Marion was asked during her weekly conference call with reporters about those who say Kirk’s rhetoric fueled the polarization of groups. “Well, one thing I think we can all learn from him is that he knew that those we disagreed with politically were not our enemies. And I think he did approach things the right way,” she says. “He went to people he knew, probably disagreed with him, and he started a conversation. That’s what he built his entire organization on and his brand on. And he was civil, he was respectful and yeah, people did disagree with him and he did that again in a very public way.”

Hinson says she’s disturbed by the number of people on the left who cheered the assassination. Hinson says one way to help the problem is to make sure funding from the National Endowment for the Humanities is going to encourage civil discourse. “That I think is where we try to fix this, is that the root of those conversations, and so as a mom, I’m inspired my son wants to go off and start a club at his school and make sure that those conversations are continuing,” Hinson says. “And trust me, I hear what 14 year olds are saying all the time. And my son and all of his friends as they’re having these conversations, they don’t all agree on everything, but they’re doing it in a civil way and then at the end of the day, they hop on and they play their video games together.”

The Board of Regents has a closed session scheduled on their agenda, but does not have a specific discussion item listed for this topic. Personnel issues are often discussed in closed session and then action is taken when the Board returns to open session.

The owners of nine small-scale meat processing shops in Iowa are splitting 355-thousand dollars in state grant money to expand their businesses. In southwest Iowa, Weaver Meats in Afton is included among the grant recipients.  Iowa Ag Secretary Mike Naig says the “Choose Iowa Butchery Innovation Grants” have to be matched by the business and these grants are leveraging nearly two million dollars worth of investments.”This is all about helping Iowa consumers access more locally grown protein,” Naig said. “…It helps small businesses, especially in rural areas, with equipment and facility needs — new smokehouses, freezer and cooler systems, processing line expansions and equipment modernization.” Naig says meat lockers faced challenging times, but the pandemic was a turning point.

“We’ve got more producers that are looking to sell through these channels, but we also have the consumers on the other end, absolutely increasing demand,” Naig said. “Overwhelming survey results will show you Iowans say that they will go out of their way to buy something local and they will even spend a little more on that product if they know that it’s coming from an Iowa farm or an Iowa business.” Lucas Van Wyk  — co-owner of the Ulrich Meat Market in Pella — is president of the Iowa Meat Processors Association. “This grant means more than just dollars to upgrade equipment or expand capacity for our establishments. It’s a recognition of the essential role in Iowa’s food supply chain,” he said. “It’s an investment in the people who are committed to doing this work the right way, with care, skill and pride with every cut.”

The grants were announced during a news conference a couple of miles from the Iowa Capitol, at a meat locker that’s been operating since 1869. Tucker Maxwell recently bought the business, is getting one of the grants, and expects to dramatically expand the number of cattle it processes.  “Right now we’re at 12 head a week,” Maxwell said. “…Now I’m kind of quickly realizing the constraints of what we have for cooler space and this equipment should help us get to 25, 30 — potentially even 40.” Lawmakers created the state grant program for butcher shops in 2021 and the first round of grants were awarded in early 2022.

Here are the grant recipients and grant amounts:

• Weaver Meats in Afton $40,000
• Cherokee Locker in Cherokee $75,000
• Maxwell Custom Beef $30,000
• Tiefenthaler Quality Meats in Holstein $45,000
• Milo Locker Meats in Milo $75,000
• Friedrichson Meat Company in Sutherland $25,000
• Skoglund Meats in West Bend $25,000
• Winthrop Locker in Winthrop $25,000
• Yetter Locker in Yetter $25,000

(Greenfield, Iowa) – The Board of Supervisors in Adair County held their regular weekly meeting Wednesday (Sept. 17), during which they passed a Transfer Resolution, after receiving a brief explanation from Auditor Mandy Berg.

They also approved three appointments to the Adair County Tourism Council. Once again, here’s Mandy Berg…

The Board acknowledged receipt of two Manure Management Plan updates, and then continued last week’s discussion with regard to the Greenfield Swimming Pool project. During their meeting Sept. 10th, the Supervisors in Adair County heard from Renee Schwartz with the Greenfield Pool Steering Committee. She mentioned the Greenfield City Council approved having a one-million dollar Pool bond referendum on the Nov. 4th General Election ballot, with the intention of replacing the current pool which was built 1942 and is in bad shape. Schwartz said it had one-to two-years of life expectancy remaining. If approved by the voters, a new, zero entry-style pool would be built that improves accessibility for persons of all ages and provides a comfortable space for sunbathing or relaxing in the shallow water. The current pool only offers entry by ladders A new pool would cost about five-to six-million dollars.

During today’s meeting (Wednesday) Supervisor Board Chair Nathan Baier had an update on where the county stands legally on the matter.

Mandy Berg discussed the Urban Renewal aspect of the project.

She said there would need to be a joint agreement with the City of Greenfield. The process would take about three-to four months to get it into an amended and adopted Urban Renewal Plan.Afterward, the County could bond for its part of the project, but the earliest would be next Spring or Summer.

She said the cost to the County to petition for a bond would be at least four-to six thousand dollars. Another option is the use of Local Option Sales Tax revenue, but Berg suggested that’s not “really a good option.” No action was taken.

In other business, the Adair County Supervisors approved a Longevity raise for Lee Stewart, who has 25 years with the Secondary Roads Department. They also passed a Resolution awarding the FY26 Crack Sealing Project to Manatt’s, Inc., in the amount of $102,624.

(Radio Iowa) – Some blind Iowans are speaking out against changes to a state program that prepares blind people to live independently, and about two dozen people marched outside of the Iowa Department for the Blind in Des Moines on Tuesday. The agency recently ended the requirement for blind Iowans to use sleep shades — which block all vision and light — while learning to navigate. Helen Mejia, president of the National Federation of the Blind of Iowa, says training with sleep shades helped her learn how to use her other senses and a cane to get around. “We’re all for choice. The problem is…we talked about the person who’s just losing their vision, and they’re scared,” Mejia says. “They don’t know enough to be able to make that choice yet.”

Mejia says Iowa’s program has been successful, and she says the department’s new director should take more time to learn about it before making changes. Jonathan Ice of Cedar Rapids says he’s trained with sleep shades. He says requiring them ensures people are truly learning to use blindness techniques and are building their confidence. “The tendency is to think I can’t do it without that little vision I had,” Ice says. “With the sleep shade requirement, I learned that I could get out, get around all over Minneapolis, all over Des Moines, with my cane without seeing a thing.”

Iowa Department for the Blind Director Stacy Cervenka, who took office in July, says making the sleep shades optional will help more Iowans receive intensive training so they can work and live independently.