(Des Moines, Iowa) – The Iowa Department of Natural Resources has issued its weekly Swimming Advisory for state beaches/lakes. This week 12 public beaches have advisories for E.coli readings above the acceptable limit for swimming. In southwest Iowa, swimming is not recommended at Lake Manawa Beach in Pottawattamie County, and at the Lake of Three Fires State Park, in Bedford.

Swimming advisories have also been posted for the following:

• Backbone Beach
• Beeds Lake Beach
• Black Hawk Beach
• Blue Lake Beach
• Lake Ahquabi Beach
• Lake Darling Beach
• Nine Eagles Beach
• Pine Lake South Beach
• Pleasant Creek Beach
• Union Grove Beach

(Radio Iowa) – The continued rains created another improvement in this week’s U-S Drought Monitor report, with 88 percent of the state showing NO drought conditions. The D-N-R Jessica Reese McIntyre keeps track of the numbers and says “There is still about 25 percent of the state that’s abnormally dry and about two percent of the state that’s in moderate drought.” she says. Iowa had broken out of a three-year drought just about this time last year, and then the new year started out dry and never got better. “Going into the spring while we were getting rain, we weren’t getting a whole lot to kind of overcompensate for that and then just the overall deficit that we have still coming out of that drought,” she says. June started the turnaround that continued into July. McIntyre says northwest Iowa has probably seen one of the biggest turnarounds after seeing a big section of severe drought.

“Seeing them completely remove all of the moderate drought designation really is encouraging, especially for that area, because you know, they’ve just kind of been battered with drier weather compared to the rest of the state,” she says. “And southwest Iowa kind of continues in a very similar dry pattern.” McIntyre issued a “drought watch” for that southwest areas. She says things are a lot better as we head into the last half of July compared to where we were in January. “Most of the state I don’t have any concern as far as drought or abnormally dry conditions. But again, I’ll just can’t kind of keep my eye on that southwest corner and even in the southeast portion of the state, there’s a little bit of moderate drought, so I’ll be keeping my eye on those,” McIntyre says.

She says continued wet condition through July could clear the drought all the way out of the state.

(Audubon, Iowa) – The Queen of the 2025 Audubon County Fair received her crown Wednesday evening from last year’s Queen, Michelle Brooks. The winner for this year’s title is Emily Foran.

She’s a member of the LeRoy Leaders 4-H Club. Emily says being a member of 4-H is a family tradition.

She’s also involved in FFA.

Emily Foran says she has a lot of Static Exhibits at the Audubon County Fair, but she really loves participating with her dog, in the dog show.

2025 Audubon County Fair Queen Emily Foran (Left), and Runner-Up Olivia Carter (Photo via the Audubon County Fair Facebook page)

Emily says she will be attending Colorado State University this Fall, to Major in Business Marketing, with a Minor in Spanish. She hopes to work in International Business when she graduates from college.

Runner-up for the title of Queen, was Olivia Carter. Her parents are Ann and Jerry Carter. Olivia has two younger brothers. She said the Audubon County Fair has been a big part of her life, having shown everything except pigs. Her favorite animal to show is her horse.

She started leasing a horse when she was in 4th grade. She got her own horses last year, and another this year right before her birthday. She also showed chickens and and cows. She received a couple of purple ribbons for the chickens. Olivia is a member of the Bunkhouse Gang 4-H Club, and a graduate of the Audubon High School. She’s interested in studying agriculture when she attends college.

The candidate finalists were treated to a catered meal at the Audubon Agri-Hall, on July 11th.

(Atlantic, Iowa) – All year 4-H, FFA, and Clover Kid members are working hard to develop their talents both in and out of the ring. From practicing showmanship, to keeping their animals healthy, members are dedicated to their livestock projects. Throughout the fair week they have opportunities to show off their hard work from the past year. With events like the Pet Show, Livestock Judging, the Clover Kid Animal Show, and many more. Livestock events run from Thursday afternoon on July 24^th with the Horse Show and end with the Livestock Sale on Tuesday July 29^th. Many animals will be housed in the barns the entirety of fair so make sure to go check them out or join us during the shows to see all the hard work the youth exhibitors have put in towards their exhibit! See the schedule below with times and places that livestock events will be taking place.

Livestock Schedule

Thursday, July 24th

• 2:00pm- Horse timed events – horse arena

Friday, July 25th

• 8:00am- Rabbit Show – indoor show ring
• 9:00am- Horse Halter Show – horse arena
• 11:00am- Dog Show – outdoor show ring
• 3:30pm- Livestock Judging Contest – outdoor show ring

Saturday, July 26th

• 8:00am- Sheep Show – outdoor show ring
• 10:00am- Pet Show – Community Center
• 11:00am- Goat Show – outdoor show ring
• 3:00pm- Clover Kid Animal Show – outdoor show ring

Sunday, July 27th

• 7:30am- Swine Show – indoor show ring
• 10:00am- Poultry Show – poultry barn
• 5:30pm- Cow/Calf Show & Feeder Calf Show – outdoor show ring
• 6:30pm- Horse Fun Show – horse arena

Monday, July 28th

• 8:00am- Beef Show – outdoor show ring
• 5:45pm- Parade of Champions – outdoor show ring
• 7:00pm- Grand Champion Beef Selection – outdoor show ring

Tuesday, July 29th

• 8:00am- Livestock Sale – indoor show ring

(Iowa DNR News) – Rivers across Iowa are swollen and swift with recent heavy rainfall. Some rivers are already dangerously high at or near flood stage, and more rivers could rise fast with chances of rain forecast later this week. “All paddlers, even experienced paddlers, should stay off of rain swollen rivers,” said Todd Robertson, paddling instructor and Outreach Coordinator for Rivers Programs at the Iowa DNR. “If a river level is at the top or out of its bank, don’t try to paddle on it.”

Always know your river conditions before you go paddling. For the latest river conditions, visit the USGS site at https://waterdata.usgs.gov/ia/nwis/current or contact your local county conservation board for updates. “Swollen rivers are super powerful with unpredictable current and tons of wood or branch piles coming downstream that can pull a paddler under or pin them underwater,” said Robertson. “These deadly hazards are usually found on outside river bends where currents are strongest, but can be found anywhere on rivers including at the base of bridge piers.”

Large fallen cottonwood trees are a dangerous hazard on the South Skunk River Water Trail immediately downstream of Lincoln Way in Ames. Photo credit: Rick Dietz

Check the Iowa DNR’s interactive paddler’s map for updates on real-time hazards like downed trees and log jams, strainers and bridge construction. Pay attention to the dam warning signs and know where dams are located before you head out on the water. Bridge construction projects across Iowa could close some sections of rivers this summer.

“Water trails across Iowa are impassable with large fallen trees including the South Skunk River Water Trail immediately downstream of Lincoln Way in Ames,”warns John Wenck, Water Trails Coordinator at the Iowa DNR.

(Radio Iowa) – The C-E-O of the Des Moines Water Works says the utility may spend close to two million dollars this year to remove nitrates from their water sources. Ted Corrigan says there are solutions to reducing nitrates in Iowa’s rivers, and more farms are adding practices and infrastructure that can make a difference. “I have never met a producer or a farmer who says, ‘You know, hey, I don’t care about water quality,’” Corrigan says.

But Corrigan says he has met many farmers who don’t know what to do or feel like their margins are too thin to make changes.  “The state of Iowa is probably the only entity that can make a dent in this problem, and asking individual landowners or farmers to do it on their own, voluntarily, isn’t going to get that kind of change that we need to see,” he says.

Corrigan is retiring this week after 35 years with Des Moines Water Works that included the flooding of the plant in 1993, the pandemic and the most recent issues with nitrate removal. He made his comments on the IPR program “River to River.”

(Red Oak, Iowa) – The 2025 Montgomery County Fair continues through Sunday, in Red Oak. The fair began its full run on Monday. Here’s a look at the schedule for the next few days.

Wednesday, July 16
6:30-7:30 AM Enter and weigh-in 4-H/FFA Meat & Dairy Goats—Sheep/Goat Barn
7:30-8:00 AM
Enter and weigh-in 4-H/FFA Market & Breeding Sheep – Sheep/Goat
Barn
8:00-9:30 AM Enter and weigh-in 4-H/FFA Swine – Livestock Pavilion
8:30-10:00 AM: Enter Open Class Flower Show, Baking, Garden, Photography, Arts & Crafts – 4-H Exhibit Bldg.
10:00 AM: Open Class Judging: Flower Show, Baking/Cake Decorating, Garden, Photography, Arts/Crafts – 4-H Exhibit Bldg.
11:00 AM-1:00 PM Enter and weigh-in 4-H/FFA Poultry – Livestock Pavilion
Noon-9:00 PM 4-H Exhibit and Commercial Building Open
2:00 PM 4-H Pet Show Check In – Livestock Pavilion
2:30 PM 4-H Pet Show – Livestock Pavilion
5:30 PM: 4-H Night—Fairgrounds Auditorium; State Fair Static Awards; Top Communications Acts & Share the Fun; Clover Kids Graduation
6:00-7:00 PM Enter and weigh-in 4-H/FFA Rabbits – Livestock Pavilion
7:00-9:00 PM Bingo – Gold Fair Building (West Side)
7:00-8:00 PM Enter and weigh-in 4-H/FFA Market & Breeding Beef – Beef Barn

Thursday, July 17
7:00-9:00 AM Montgomery County Farm Bureau Breakfast for Exhibitors/Families
8:00 AM 4-H/FFA Sheep Show – Livestock Pavilion
Morning – Cookies & Drinks from Farm Credit Services for Exhibitors
9:00 AM–9:00 PM 4-H Exhibit Building Open
30 mins following sheep show: 4-H/FFA Meat & Dairy Goat Show – Livestock Pavilion
Noon-9:00 PM Commercial Building Open
Noon-10:00 PM Amusement Associates (Inflatables) – Near the Grandstand Arena
1:00 PM 4-H/FFA Poultry Show – Livestock Pavilion
Throughout the Day: Meyer’s Petting Zoo; Kid’s Zone; Kiddie Train; Chainsaw Artist
2:00-4:00 PM Balloon Creations – 4-H Exhibit Bldg.
4:30 PM Register for 4-H/FFA Livestock Judging Contest – Livestock Pavilion
5:00 PM 4-H/FFA Livestock Judging Contest – Livestock Pavilion;  Magic Show – Gold Fair Building (West Side)
7:00-9:00 PM Sip & Paint with Corky Canvas and Pudgy Pumpkin Patch – Fairgrounds Auditorium
7:00-9:00 PM Bingo – Gold Fair Building (West Side)
7:30 PM ATV Race – Grandstand Arena

Friday, July 18
8:00 AM 4-H/FFA Swine Show – Livestock Pavilion
Morning – Cookies & Drinks from Farm Credit Services for Exhibitors
9:00 AM–9:00 PM 4-H Exhibit Building Open
Throughout Day: Crier Close-Ups – 4-H Exhibit Building (11:00, 1:00, 3:00); Meyer’s Petting Zoo; Kid’s Zone; Kiddie Train; Chainsaw Artist
Noon 4-H/FFA Rabbit Show – Livestock Pavilion
Noon-9:00 PM Commercial Building Open
Noon-10:00 PM Amusement Associates (Inflatables) – Near the Grandstand Arena
1:00-3:30 PM: Senior Citizens Day Bingo – Fairgrounds Auditorium; Sponsored by Montgomery County Fair Board & Montgomery County YMCA – An afternoon of bingo with prizes, entertainment and refreshments. All senior citizens are welcome to come join for this free afternoon!
2:00-5:00 PM Caricature Artist – 4-H Exhibit Building
4:30-6:30 PM Balloon Creations – 4-H Exhibit Bldg.
5:00-7:00 PM Mills/Montgomery Cattlemen’s Association steak supper – Fairgrounds Auditorium
6:00-10:00 PM Mechanical Bull Ride – Grandstand Area
7:00-9:00 PM Bingo – Gold Fair Building (West Side)
8:00 PM FREE Bull Ride – Grandstand Arena , DJ Immediately following