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Former Hawkeye Stacy May-Johnson Named Head Softball Coach

Sports

May 28th, 2025 by Jack McGonigal

IOWA CITY, Iowa – Stacy May-Johnson has been selected as the next head coach of the University of Iowa softball program, Henry B. and Patricia B. Tippie Director of Athletics, Beth Goetz announced Wednesday. The former Hawkeye player and assistant coach is the sixth head coach in program history.

“I am thrilled to be coming back to Iowa City and to once again be a Hawkeye,” said May-Johnson. “I look forward to leading Iowa softball to Big Ten Championships and the Women’s College World Series, and creating a championship culture both in the classroom and on the field.”

May-Johnson played at Iowa from 2003-06, where she was a three-time All-Big Ten selection and the 2003 Big Ten Freshman of the Year. In 2003, May-Johnson was a part of the Big Ten regular season and tournament championship teams. She still ranks in the top 15 in program history in career games played, runs, hits, doubles, home runs, RBIs and batting average.

She also served as both a student assistant (2007) and assistant coach (2011-14) with the Hawkeyes.

May-Johnson returns to Iowa City with nearly 20 years of coaching experience, including head coaching stints at Fresno State (2022-25) and Utah Valley (2020-21). She was associate head coach at Eastern Kentucky (2018-19), an assistant at Purdue (2017), Louisville (2015-16) and Iowa (2011-14) and a volunteer assistant at Louisville (2008-10).

“We are thrilled to welcome Stacy May-Johnson back to Iowa as the new head coach of our softball program,” said Goetz. “Stacy is a proven leader with a deep understanding of what it means to be a Hawkeye. Her experience as a standout student-athlete, combined with her coaching success and commitment to developing young women on and off the field, makes her the ideal person to lead our program into its next chapter. We are excited for the future of Iowa softball under her leadership.”

During her time in Fresno, May-Johnson saw the Bulldogs improve their win total year-over-year, notching 112 victories in four seasons. In 2025, she led Fresno to 37 wins and to the Mountain West Championship title game.

In her tenure, May-Johnson coached one Mountain West Defensive Player of the Year, two MWC Pitchers of the Year, three NFCA All-Region and nine All-Mountain West honorees. In the classroom, the Bulldogs had 41 Academic All-Mountain West selections and 28 Mountain West Scholar-Athletes.

Before making the move to California, May-Johnson spent two seasons as head coach at Utah Valley where she coached seven All-WAC selections.

Following her collegiate career, May-Johnson played professionally for the Chicago Bandits of the NPF (National Pro Fastpitch) and was a member of the United States National Team.

She spent five years in the NPF where she was a two-time NPF Most Valuable Player. She was the 2006 NPF Rookie of the Year, a three-time All-Star and led the team to two titles. May-Johnson, who is one of six players to have her number retired with Chicago, led the NPF in home runs, hits and runs scored in each of her MVP seasons in 2008 and 2010.

As a member of the U.S. Women’s National Team, May-Johnson helped Team USA win gold medals at the 2011 Pan American Games, and the 2011 and 2012 World Cup; and a silver medal at the 2012 World Championships. She was named the 2011 USA Softball Female Athlete of the Year.

The Reno, Nevada, native graduated from Iowa with bachelor’s degrees in physics and accounting in 2007. She was a two-time CoSIDA Academic All-District selection. She then earned a master’s degree in physics from Louisville in 2009.

She and her husband, Nate, have three children, Corrie, Emma and JD.

3 Hawkeyes Punch Their Tickets to Eugene

Sports

May 28th, 2025 by Jack McGonigal

COLLEGE STATION, Texas – University of Iowa throwers Ryan Johnson, Sean Smith and Mike Stein advanced through the preliminaries of the 2025 NCAA Outdoor Track and Field Championships at E.B. Cushing Stadium on Wednesday. The trio will compete at the NCAA Championships in Eugene, Oregon, June 11-14.

The start of the meet was delayed throughout the morning and early afternoon as a result of stormy conditions. The hammer throw, originally scheduled for a 10 a.m. start time, began in the early afternoon.

Johnson comfortably advanced through the first round, placing seventh with a best of 66.14 meters. Smith took the final spot, placing 12th at 65.16 meters. It was Smith’s final throw that pushed him through to Eugene, surpassing Sam Innes of Missouri by one centimeter (65.15 meters). It will be the debut for both Johnson and Smith at the NCAA Championships.

“We started things off by punching two tickets to Eugene in the hammer throw,” Iowa Director of Track and Field Joey Woody said. “We are excited for Ryan and Sean for qualifying to their first ever NCAA Outdoor finals. Sean stepped up and put together a big effort in his last throw to move up a spot and qualify by one centimeter.”

In the men’s javelin, returning first-team All-American Mike Stein needed only one throw to book his spot in the finals in Eugene, placing second at 76.96 meters. Stein improved over two meters from his qualifying mark a season ago at the preliminaries.

“Mike continued his great season with a monster first round throw to book his spot in Eugene for the second year in a row,” Woody added.

On the track, Big Ten champion Kalen Walker sped through to the quarters of the 100 meters, winning his heat in 10.28. Kai Graves-Blanks pushed through to Friday’s quarterfinal of the 110-meter hurdles in 13.54. The sophomore from Upland, California, finished fourth in a loaded section. Three of the top six times in the first round came out of the heat. Graves-Blanks placed 10th overall and advanced on time.

“We kept the momentum going on the track with another terrific start and race from Kalen (Walker),” said Woody. “Kai started us off with a very solid race in the 110 hurdles. He finished well and ran his second-fastest wind legal time into a headwind.”

Iowa sent two sprinters to the second round of the 400 meters. Zidane Brown pushed through on time in 46.07. Landon Fontenot won his heat in 46.16, sealing his spot alongside Brown in Friday’s quarterfinals.

“The 400 guys competed extremely well today with both Landon (Fontenot) and Zidane (Brown) bringing the heat the last 100 meters to both qualify for Friday’s quarterfinals. Both athletes ran right off their season best time,” Woody added.

Ryan Schreiner claimed the final qualification spot in the 800 meters, crossing the line in 1:49.02.

“After an hour-long protest on another athlete, we received some great news for Ryan qualifying into the final spot,” Woody said. “He was very competitive and competed all the way to the finish line to grab the final time qualifier.”

Up Next: Opening rounds of the women’s events are contested Thursday, beginning at 10 a.m. (CT). Competition will be streamed on ESPN+ (subscription required).

HAWKEYE RESULTS
Men’s 100 Meters First Round
6. Kalen Walker – 10.28, Q

Men’s 110-Meter Hurdles First Round
10. Kai Graves-Blanks – 13.54, q

Men’s 400 Meters First Round
15. Zidane Brown – 46.07, q
17. Landon Fontenot – 46.16, Q

Men’s 400-Meter Hurdles First Round
25. Jaylin Holmes – 51.24
31. Isaac Lewis – 51.61
45. Nicholas Gorsich – 53.19

Men’s 800 Meters First Round
24. Ryan Schreiner – 1:49.02, q

Men’s Hammer Throw First Round
7. Ryan Johnson – 66.14 meters (217’), q
12. Sean Smith – 65.16 meters (213’ 9”), q
16. Austin Busch – 64.79 meters (212’ 6”)

Men’s Javelin First Round
2. Mike Stein – 76.96 meters (252’ 6”)

Hormel Foods Corporation Recalls Canned Beef Stew Product Due to Possible Foreign Matter Contamination

News

May 28th, 2025 by Ric Hanson

Hormel Foods Corporation, a Tucker, Ga. establishment, is recalling approximately 256,185 pounds of canned beef stew product that may be contaminated with foreign material, specifically wood, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) announced today.

The canned beef stew item was produced on February 4, 2025. The following product is subject to recall [view labels]:

  • 20-oz. metal cans containing “Dinty Moore BEEF STEW” with “BEST BY FEB 2028” and lot code “T02045” printed on the can. The lot code may have an additional number at the end.

The product subject to recall bears establishment number “EST 199G” printed on the can. These items were shipped to retail locations nationwide.

The problem was discovered after the establishment notified FSIS that they had received three consumer complaints reporting pieces of wood in the beef stew product.

There have been no confirmed reports of injury due to consumption of this product. Anyone concerned about an injury should contact a healthcare provider.

FSIS is concerned that some product may be in consumers’ pantries. Consumers who have purchased this product are urged not to consume it. This product should be thrown away or returned to the place of purchase.

Sunnyside Pool to open this weekend with a “Polar Plunge”

News

May 28th, 2025 by Ric Hanson

(Atlantic, Iowa) – Nishna Valley Family YMCA Aquatics Director Chelsea Rush told the City of Atlantic’s Parks and Recreation Advisory Commission, Wednesday afternoon, that the Sunnyside Pool is expected to open this weekend, despite the less than warm water.

The Sunnyside Pool in Atlantic will open at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, May 31st, and will be open from 11-a.m. until 6-p.m. Monday through Saturday thereafter, and from 1-until 6-p.m. on Sunday.

The staff is building a smash park, thanks to a generous donation from the Atlantic Carriers.

A pass or daily admission to the Sunnyside Pool at 1000 Sunnyside Lane us $5-dollars, with children age 5 and under admitted for free. The pool will close early for Swim Meets on June 18th and 25th, as well as July 7th. The pool features concessions, a diving board, lap lanes, zero entrance, baby pool, lounge areas, and a toddler play area.

The new Atlantic Splash Pad is free to the public. It’s open daily from 10-a.m. until 7-p.m., and has spray features, a sump bucket, concessions during pool hours, seating and shade.

For those wanting to use the pool at the Nishna Valley Family YMCA in Atlantic, membership or daily admission is: $10 for adults; youth ages 5-18 $7; and children ages 1-to 4, $4.

YMCA pool hours are as follows: Mon-through Thursday, 5:30-a.m. until 7-p.m.; Friday, 5:30-a.m. until 5:30-p.m.; Saturday from 9-a.m. until 4:30-p.m., and Sunday’s from 1-until 4:30-p.m. Water slide hours are 12-p.m. until 6-p.m. Monday & Wednesday, 10:30-a.m. until 2:30-p.m. Tuesday’s and Thursday’s, Friday from 9:30-a.m. until 12:30-p.m., Saturday from 10-until 2, and Sunday, from 1-until 4.

Recreational swimming hours vary, based on scheduled activities. Be sure and call ahead or visit during slide hours for a guaranteed rec swim.

1 injured when motorcycles collide in northern Iowa

News

May 28th, 2025 by Ric Hanson

(Clear Lake, Iowa) – A pair of motorcycles collided this (Wednesday) morning in northern Iowa’s Cerro Gordo County, resulting in one person being hurt. The accident happened at around 9:05-a.m.

According to the Iowa State Patrol, a 2019 Harley Davidson motorcycle operated by 80-year-old David Lee Landsteiner, of Fairmont, MN, was eastbound in the outside lane on Highway 18 near 20th Street in Clear Lake. A 2010 Harley Davidson, operated by 81-year-old Gerald Albert Bohlsen, also of Fairmont, was following the first motorcycle, when Landsteiner began to stop for a red traffic light.

When Bohlsen failed to notice Landsteiner was stopping, he swerved to the right, but struck the first cycle on the passenger side fender. A passenger on the first motorcycle, 79-year-old Bonnie Landsteiner, of Fairmont, MN, was not thrown from the cycle, but she was injured.

Both operators were tossed from their machines and came to rest in the middle of the intersection.

Denmark’s Soren Kjeldsen previews the Principal Charity Classic

Sports

May 28th, 2025 by Ric Hanson

One of the contenders at this week’s Principal Charity Classic in Des Moines could be one of the newest members of the PGA Tour Champions. Denmark’s Soren Kjeldsen joined the tour after turning 50 earlier this month. He debuted last week by finishing in a tie for eighth at the Senior PGA Championship.

Kjeldsen on building momentum from last week.

Kjeldsen qualified for the U-S Senior Open in Omaha this week before getting a chance to play the Wakonda Course.

Kjeldsen says sunny and warm conditions this weekend could change how the course plays.

Former champ returns to the Principal Charity Classic

Sports

May 28th, 2025 by Ric Hanson

Former champion Brandt Jobe returns to the Principal Charity Classic in Des Moiners this week. Jobe outdueled his former roommate at UCLA, Scott McCarron to win the 2017 tournament by one stroke. It was the first of two titles won by Jobe on the PGA Tour Champions.

Jobe says it was not just that win that makes the Wakonda Course special.

Jobe says recent renovations have changed the course but he still feels it fits his game.

With temperatures in the 80s expected for the weekend Jobe feels the course could change during the tournament.

Johnson County food pantry director blames tariffs for latest boost in demand

News

May 28th, 2025 by Ric Hanson

(Radio Iowa) – An official with an eastern Iowa food bank says demand is again rising as families seek help making ends meet, especially with tariffs forcing large companies like Walmart to raise prices. Ryan Bobst, director of the North Liberty Community Pantry, tells KCRG-TV they’ve seen a consistent, growing need since the pandemic, with demand growing even more rapidly amid the Trump administration’s fluctuating tariff policies. “About half of the families we serve are already skipping meals or reducing their food intake because of the current state of the economy,” Bobst says.

His team has already served 54,000 more pounds of food than this time last year, and they’ve seen more than 150 new families. “Families have come and signed up for services every day that we’re open. They did not envision themselves accessing a pantry just a couple weeks ago,” Bobst says. “That is the really difficult part. Families are really turning to food pantries as their last resort, that they have exhausted their savings.”

Radio Iowa photo

As the need increases, pantries are asking for more donations — and more volunteers. The North Liberty agency is asking for nonperishable food items like rice and pasta, as well as eggs and meat.

This summer, pantries will partner with Johnson County Public Health to run a food insecurity assessment as they work to gauge the need.

Reynolds signs plan to dramatically expand medical residency slots in Iowa

News

May 28th, 2025 by Ric Hanson

(Radio Iowa) – Governor Kim Reynolds has signed a bill into law that’s meant to address Iowa’s shortage of doctors and other health care workers. It uses federal money to expand medical residency programs at Iowa’s 14 teaching hospitals and create new residency slots in some specialties. “Doctors often decide to practice where they do their residency, but today Iowa ranks 40th in the number of residency slots for medical students, which means many of our graduates from Iowa medical schools don’t get a chance to continue their education and training here,” Reynolds said, “and that’s about to change.” An additional 115 residency slots will be created each year.

“Just three to four years from now, the amount of time that it takes for a typical residency rotation, we could have up to 460 more physicians being trained right here in Iowa,” Reynolds said, “with some ready to enter the workforce.” The plan also merges the five state programs that help medical professionals repay their college loans and makes eight million dollars available. That’s nearly double the amount being spent on the programs this year. Reynolds says the priority will be loan repayment assistance to medical staff in high demand specialties, like psychiatry.

“These strategic investments will not only strengthen Iowa’s health care system, I believe they’ll make Iowa the place where physicians want to learn, where they want to train and where they want to practice,” Reynolds said. The legislation also provides three MILLION dollars to support training programs for health care workers seeking a new credential. State officials this (Wednesday) afternoon announced 14 programs already have been selected, where 399 people will be enrolled.

The group will be studying to be registered or licensed nurses, certified nursing assistants and certified medical assistants. Reynolds signed another bill into law today (Wednesday) that increases the potential penalties for those convicted of assaulting administrative staff, volunteers or medical students in the hospital. Under current law, there are enhanced penalties for assaults in hospitals, but only if the person attacked a doctor, nurse or a hospital employee who provides patient care.

Gov. Reynolds, lower left, joins the crowd in applauding after she signs House File 972 into law. (RI photo)

“Unfortunately, violence has become more common in health care environments and it can affect any employee,” Reynolds said, “and to keep our communities healthy, we also protect the people who make it possible.” Reynolds signed the bills into law at Guthrie County Hospital in Guthrie Center. Chris Stipe is the hospital’s C-E-O. “Workforce shortages are one of our biggest challenges in rural health care and since the pandemic shortages have only grown more severe,” he said. “I think we can all agree if health care workers do not feel safe at work, it makes it even more difficult to recruit and retain talented health care workers to rural hospitals — really, to all our hospitals in Iowa.”

Iowa is among 40 states that have raised penalties for assaulting health care staff. An Iowa Hospital Association survey found hospitals in the state reported nearly 37-hundred incidents of what it classified as workplace violence in 2023. That included verbal threats as well as being kicked, punched and scratched. According to the American College of Surgeons, health care workers are five times more likely to experience workplace violence than employees in other industries.

Congressman Nunn wants to bring back SNAP theft program

News

May 28th, 2025 by Ric Hanson

(Radio Iowa) – Iowa Third District Congressman Zach Nunn wants to re-establish a program that expired in December to reimburse people when their federal food assistance funds are stolen. Nunn says Iowa is one of the states still using SNAP cards with magnetic strips that are vulnerable to theft compared to cards with chips.  “So, what our bill intends to do is until those states make that upgrade is make sure those that are defrauded get an immediate reimbursement,” Nunn says.

Nunn says states need to upgrade to the chip cards to protect people. )”It’s not the victim’s fault that the enforcement mechanism hasn’t caught up or that the protection from the states isn’t there yet,” he says. Nunn met with David Schroeder at his home in Des Moines to discuss the proposal. Schroeder is a 65-year-old army veteran who had his 64-dollars in monthly benefits was stolen and used in New Jersey.

“I’ve been getting the same thing every year for 20 years. Never had no problem whatsoever. Why now? Have no idea. Like I said before, I sure hope the person in New Jersey needs them more than I do,” Schroeder says.

Iowans made more than 11-hundred approved claims for stolen SNAP benefits in one fiscal year when the benefit was in place. Those claims added up to more than 640-thousand dollars.