Des Moines, Iowa — The Iowa Department of Health and Human Services (Iowa HHS) is launching a new funding opportunity to help communities across the state respond to the opioid crisis. The funding comes from House File 1038 passed earlier this year, which directs 75% of Iowa’s opioid settlement money toward efforts to reduce opioid misuse and its impacts.

Governor Kim Reynolds said in a news release, “As governor, I’m proud of the work we’re doing to strengthen our behavioral health and recovery networks to expand access to treatment, improve coordination, and remove barriers that keep people from getting the help they need. By using Iowa’s opioid settlement funds to expand access to prevention, treatment, and recovery services we’re building a stronger Iowa — one that invests in people, believes in second chances, and never gives up on anyone.” Iowa HHS Director Larry Johnson said “These funds are a vital step in helping individuals and families recover from the devastating effects of opioid addiction. Our goal is to bring healing and hope to every corner of the state.”

Iowa HHS will allocate the funding through a competitive application process. There will be two rounds of funding: one starting now and another in the spring. Each project can receive up to $1 million, with $7 million available in each round.

Projects must focus on one or more of the following goals:

• Identifying and addressing needs in communities affected by opioids.
• Using proven or community-based methods to support people impacted by opioid use.
• Working with local service providers to improve recovery outcomes.
• Promoting the use of medications for opioid use disorder (MOUD) and distributing overdose reversal drugs (OORM).
• Respecting the privacy and dignity of people receiving services.
• Using data to show results and improve services.

To help shape this effort, Iowa HHS met with all seven of the state’s new Behavioral Health Service System District Advisory Councils to hear about local needs.

For more information or to apply, visit: https://www.iowagrants.gov/viewStorefrontOpportunity.do?OIDString=1758745329639%7COpportunity.

(Sac City, Iowa) – Sac County Attorney Ben Smith, late Thursday, issued a detailed statement explaining his decision to dismiss two felony cases against Amanda Jean Goff. The Belmond (IA) woman was originally charged with one count of Human Trafficking in the 1st Degree. Smith said the charge was dismissed was made to allow Dallas County to prosecute stronger, related charges of human trafficking that carry a mandatory life sentence.

ORIGINAL STORY….

PERRY, Iowa – Officials with the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation and the Perry Police Department said Wednesday (today, Oct.  29th) a Belmond, Iowa woman – 41-year-old Amanda Jean Goff – is charged with one count of Human Trafficking in the First Degree. Goff was taken into custody without incident at the Sac County Jail where she had been held on related offenses. Human Trafficking in the First Degree is a class A felony.

As detailed in the criminal complaint, it is alleged that in January 2025, Goff took a 14-year-old female to a Perry hotel for the express purpose of having the victim engage in commercial sexual activity with another person.

The investigation was a collaborative effort between city, county, state, and federal law enforcement partners. Technical support was provided by the Iowa Office to Combat Human Trafficking (OTCHT). Since 2023, the OTCHT has provided training and resources to educate our communities and businesses on the signs of human trafficking and to law enforcement and prosecutors on the effective investigation and prosecution of human trafficking offenses.

This is an ongoing investigation. No additional information will be released at this time.

(Radio Iowa) – Sightings of mountain lions in the state have dropped, but Iowa D-N-R furbearer biologist Vince Evelsizer says there are still some of the animals out there.

There also continue to be sightings in the northern corner of the state.

Evelsizer says the big cats try to stay away from humans, but there is a chance you could see them during the winter.

There haven’t been many recent bear sightings, but Evelsizer says there are still some out there as well.

Evelsizer says the bears will soon head into their dens for their long winter nap.

Evelsizer says bear sightings always pick up in the spring when they come out of hibernation and are hungry and looking for food.

(Radio Iowa) – Governor Kim Reynolds is asking for donations to food banks to help them once federal food benefits are cut off Saturday by the government shutdown. Reynolds announced Thursday that the state would match donations up to one million dollars.

The governor also clarified that the federal assistance known as SNAP that has already been paid out will not be cut off Saturday.

General Osborne and Governor Reynolds. (Radio Iowa photo)

The leader of the Iowa National Guard, Major General Stephen Osborn, joined the governor to talk about their role in helping to distribute food.

Osborn says guard members will be activated for any distribution missions, and they will ask for volunteers. Governor Reynolds says the state will pay the guard members who are activated. Some democrats in other states are filing lawsuits to try to get the federal government to use contingency funds to pay SNAP benefits.

Reynolds says you can go to her website at governor.iowa.gov for a list of Iowa food banks by location and links to their websites where you can go and donate online.

(Radio Iowa) – Des Moines Area Community College — known as DMACC — is working with Iowa’s congressional delegation to try to revive an online course that had nationwide reach. DMACC President Rob Denson says in 2011 the federal government contracted with the college to provide a “Homeland Security” certification program for the Transportation Safety Administration screeners at the Des Moines Airport. In 2014, DMACC began offering the training online.

DMACC President Rob Denson

In 2019, the federal government gave DMACC the contract for training in all 50 states. Denson says it made 44-thousand T-S-A agents at 440 U-S airports eligible for the training.

Students who voluntarily enrolled in the certification course review national security issues, safety concerns and how the T-S-A interacts with other federal agencies, like the U-S Border Patrol. Earlier this year, federal officials notified DMACC it was temporarily pausing its support of the program.

Denson made his comments during taping of the “Iowa Press” program that airs tonight (Friday) on Iowa P-B-S.

(Radio Iowa) – Open enrollment starts tomorrow (Saturday) for tens of thousands of Iowans who buy health insurance through the Affordable Care Act marketplace, and the premium costs could more than double for many Iowans’ A-C-A plans. That’s because federal subsidies expire at the end of this year, if Congress doesn’t approve an extension. Iowa Insurance Commissioner Doug Ommen says Iowans who are enrolling in A-C-A plans should seek help.

The Iowa Insurance Division says insurance carriers are also reporting overall premium increases of more than 25 percent. Katherine Hempstead, a senior policy officer at the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, says many people are expected to become uninsured due to a sharp increase in their premium costs.

Nearly 137-thousand Iowans buy their health insurance through the ACA marketplace. Open enrollment goes through January 15th.

(JOHNSTON, IA) — Fareway Stores, Inc. has announced a month-long initiative throughout November aimed at supporting individuals and families facing food insecurity in the communities we serve. As part of their ongoing commitment to giving back, Fareway says they are making it easier than ever for customers to help nourish their neighbors.

How Customers Can Participate:

• Pre-Bagged Donations: Customers can purchase pre-bagged, wholesome, SNAP-eligible food items at any Fareway location. These bags will be distributed directly to local food banks or pantries near each store.

• Individual Item Donations: Shoppers may also choose to donate individual food items of their choice.

• Monetary Contributions: Every Fareway check stand will accept donations, with every dollar going toward purchasing wholesome food products for nearby food banks or pantries.

(Photo: Screenshot of a video featuring Fareway CEO Reynolds Cramer introducing their food contribution program)

To amplify the generosity of our customers, Fareway will match all monetary contributions in value throughout the month of November. This means every dollar donated will go twice as far in helping families in need. Fareway CEO Reynolds Cramer says “At Fareway, our ‘Lead with Love’ mission is more than a motto—it’s a movement. We’re deeply grateful to our customers who join us in supporting those who need it most. Together, we can make a meaningful difference.”

Fareway thanks its customers for their continued support and generosity. With your help, officials says they’re “Making sure wholesome food reaches every table.”

(Council Bluffs, Iowa) – A man wearing a neon green inmate jumpsuit was arrested on October 24th in Council Bluffs, after he his behavior became “erratic and disruptive,” according to Council Bluffs Police. Authorities say officers with the Council Bluffs PD were dispatched at around 4:25 p.m. on Oct. 24th, to the Casey’s General Store at 3501 West Broadway, to initially assist another law enforcement agency. Upon arrival, officers observed a male individual, later identified as Christopher Lard walking on the north side of the business. Officers noted Lard appeared disoriented and was talking to himself.

Upon further investigation, it was learned that Lard had been dropped off by employees with the Dodge County Nebraska Sheriff’s Office as part of a “courtesy ride” to Council Bluffs. Immediately upon release, Lard reportedly began wandering the property, yelling incoherently, and throwing small figurines at customers. Witnesses also reported Lard entering a parked vehicle and approaching patrons in a concerning manner.

Due to his erratic and disruptive conduct CBPD officers placed Lard under arrest for Disorderly Conduct in a Place of Business. Lard was transported by the CBPD to the Pottawattamie County Jail for processing. After processing, he was later evaluated by medical professionals and transferred to a facility—outside law enforcement custody—for care and services. The CBPD has not been able to locate any family members, friends, acquaintances, or social service providers who have any relationship with Mr. Lard in Council Bluffs or Pottawattamie County.

Witnesses at the scene expressed relief and thanked officers for their response, stating that Lard’s behavior had caused distress among customers. The CBPD would like to thank the employees and patrons of Casey’s for their cooperation during the incident.

The CBPD reminds the public of the importance of timely and accurate notification of authorities if the public witness events similar to this. The CBPD is working closely with the Council Bluffs City Attorney’s Office and Pottawattamie County Attorney’s office to pursue every appropriate remedy to address any instances of individuals being improperly dropped off in Council Bluffs.

LANSING, Iowa – Oct. 31, 2025 – The Iowa and Wisconsin Departments of Transportation are announcing that a car ferry service will start on Monday, Nov. 3, to provide an alternative option following the closure of the existing Iowa 9 / WIS 82 Mississippi River bridge between Lansing, Iowa, and Crawford County, Wis. The existing bridge, also known as the Black Hawk Bridge, closed to traffic on Oct. 20, as construction on a new bridge continues.

The free, 12-vehicle ferry will provide an alternative way for vehicles to cross the river and operate for 16 hours, seven days a week. The ferry will operate from a Wisconsin landing at the western end of WIS 82, adjacent to the bridge construction site, and cross to the Iowa landing at the Lansing Marina, north of the bridge. The first daily departures will start at 5:30 a.m. from Wisconsin and 5:45 a.m. from Iowa. The final daily departures will be at 9 p.m. from Wisconsin and 9:15 p.m. from Iowa.

The car ferry will operate on a continuous basis with one-way cycles estimated to take about 15 minutes, including loading, travel, and unloading. Ferry service may be paused temporarily for weather, river conditions, commercial traffic, crew changes, refueling, ferry maintenance, or site maintenance.

There is no cost to use the ferry. It will be open to cars, motorcycles, bicycles and pedestrians. Two-axles trucks under 10 tons may also use the ferry. Trailers, ATV/UTVs, or larger vehicles such as RVs, buses, or farm equipment are not allowed.

A new bridge is being constructed alongside the existing bridge. Iowa DOT, WisDOT, and the contractor have determined that future construction stages on the new bridge pose a risk to the safety of the existing bridge. Crews have already begun dismantling the existing bridge in advance of a full demolition later this year.

In addition to the car ferry, there are marked highway detour routes in both states. The nearest highway bridge is approximately 30 miles south at U.S. 18 connecting Marquette, Iowa, to Prairie du Chien, Wis.

To support more efficient travel for daily commuters, we kindly request that priority access to the car ferry be given to commuter traffic during peak hours: 5:30–7:30 a.m. and 3:30–5:30 p.m. We encourage non-commuters to consider traveling outside these windows when possible.

On Iowa DOT-observed holidays, the car ferry will operate on a revised schedule from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. The first holiday to follow this schedule will be Veterans Day, Nov. 11, followed by the Thanksgiving holiday, Nov. 27–28, and Christmas, Dec. 25. Please visit the website listed below for the full list of holidays following the revised schedule.

Full information on the ferry is available at https://iowadot.gov/lansingcarferry.

Additional information on the bridge construction project and the car ferry will continue to be announced through the project website, the project Facebook page, local media, on digital message signs on either end of the bridge, and through 511 Iowa and 511 Wisconsin. The Iowa DOT and WisDOT project teams are also communicating closely with government officials and other stakeholders in the affected communities.

For more information on the construction of the new Mississippi River Bridge as well as updates on the existing bridge status, go to iowadot.gov/lansingbridge. Individuals may also sign up to receive e-mail updates and view the Facebook page www.facebook.com/LansingBridge/.