On Thursday, July 22, the U.S. Department of Education (Department) announced the approval of Iowa’s American Rescue Plan Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief (ARP ESSER) plan and distributed remaining ARP ESSER funds to them. Iowa’s plan details how the state is using and plans to use ARP ESSER funds to safely reopen and sustain the safe operation of schools and equitably expand opportunity for students who need it most, particularly those most impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Earlier this year, the Department distributed two thirds of the ARP ESSER funds, totaling $81 billion, to 50 states and the District of Columbia. The remaining third of the funding to states will be made available once state plans are approved. Iowa is receiving $775 million total in ARP ESSER funds, and today’s approval of their plan will result in the release of the final $258 million. Additionally, the Department approved plans for Delaware, Georgia, Kansas, and New Mexico. Earlier this month, the Department approved the plans for 11 other states and the District of Columbia.

The ARP ESSER state plans approved by the Department today, including Iowa’s, show how states are using federal pandemic resources to support safe in-person instruction and meet the social, emotional, mental health, and academic needs of students—with a focus on the students most impacted by the pandemic. For example:

• Addressing the Academic Impact of Lost Instructional Time: The Iowa Department of Education (IDOE) will support school districts to implement evidence-based interventions and practices to be determined that address accelerated learning in the context of COVID-19. The IDOE also will train and provide coaching through a statewide implementation network and provide curated lists of evidence-based interventions and practices from reviewed organizations.
• Investing in Summer Learning and Expanded Afterschool Programs and Supporting Social, Emotional, and Mental Health Needs: The IDOE will support school districts to select and implement evidence-based interventions and practices that address summer school programming in the context of COVID-19. IDOE also will use ARP ESSER funds to support implementation of evidence-based comprehensive after-school programs that integrate before- and after-school programs and wraparound care.

A total of 41 states and the District of Columbia have submitted their ARP ESSER state plans to the Department. The Department is reviewing the plans expeditiously and is in contact with states to ensure their plans meet all necessary requirements in order to access the remaining funds, as outlined in the ARP. The Department also is in contact with states that have not yet submitted plans, the vast majority of which are due to state board of education or legislative review requirements.

The distribution of ARP ESSER funds is part of the Department’s broader effort to support students and districts as they work to reengage students impacted by the pandemic, address inequities exacerbated by COVID-19, and build our education system back better than before. In addition to providing $130 billion for K-12 education in the American Rescue Plan to support the safe reopening of K-12 schools and meet the needs of all students, the Biden-Harris Administration also has:

• Released three volumes of the COVID-19 Handbook.
• Held a National Safe School Reopening Summit.
• Prioritized the vaccination of educators, school staff and child care workers. As of the end of May an estimated 84% of teachers and school staff were fully vaccinated.
• Provided $10 billion in funding for COVID-19 testing for PreK-12 educators, staff, and students.
• Launched a series of Equity Summits focused on addressing inequities that existed before, but were made worse by the pandemic.
• Released a report on the disparate impacts of COVID-19 on underserved communities.
• Developed a Safer Schools and Campuses Best Practices Clearinghouse elevating hundreds of best practices to support schools’ efforts to reopen safely and address the impacts of COVID-19 on students, educators, and communities.

In addition to the actions the Biden Administration has taken to reopen schools, the President has proposed critical investments through his Build Back Better agenda that will enable schools to rebuild stronger than they were before the pandemic, such as investing billions to build a diverse educator workforce, expand access to pre-K to all families, and invest in school infrastructure, among other provisions.

The broadcast News at 7:07-a.m., from Ric Hanson.

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8:00 am Swine Show – Mid American Arena
8 am – 10 am Enter Poultry – West end of Dairy Barn
8 am – 12 pm Enter Open Class – Floral Hall
10 am – 5 pm Quilt Show – Varied Industries Building
10 am – 4 pm Toby KID Strolling Entertainment
11:00 am Stuffed Pet Show (Registration 10:45 am) – Gazebo
12:00 pm Poultry Showmanship- West End of Dairy Barn
12:30 pm 4-H Communications Event – 4-H/FFA Center
Extemporaneous Speaking, Educational Presentations, Working Exhibits, Table Setting Contest
1:00 pm Floral Hall Closed for Open Class Judging
1 pm – 7 pm Mobile Glass Studios (glass blowing creations), location TBD
2:00 pm – 2:45 pm Enter Lamb Performance – Swine Barn
2:45 pm – 3:30 pm Enter Swine Performance – Swine Barn
3:00 pm Poultry Show – West end of Dairy Barn
Lend a Hen Show immediately following the Poultry Show
4:30 pm Supreme Showman Contest – Beef, Sheep, Goat, Swine – Mid American Arena
7:00 pm Clothing Event Style Show – 4-H/FFA Center
7:00 pm Greenfield American Legion Color Guard and National Anthem
All American Lumberjack Show – Grandstand
LUMBERJACK PARTICIPATION CAMP TO FOLLOW MAIN EVENT
X-cut sawing – Ages 5 & up. Ax throwing – Ages 12 & up
Log Rolling – for everyone that wants to get wet.

(Radio Iowa) – The Iowa Department of Public Health’s website shows the number Covid patients in Iowa hospitals has been increasing over the past three and a half weeks. In RMCC Region 4 (southwest & western Iowa), the data show nine patients are hospitalized with COVID, three are in an ICU, three people were admitted over the previous 24-hours, and one person was on a ventilator. Statewide, the largest group of current confirmed COVID-19 hospitalizations, as of today (Thursday), were in the 50-to 59 age bracket.

Iowa Congresswoman Mariannette Miller-Meeks of Ottumwa is an eye doctor who’s the former director of the state health department. She went on the floor of the U.S. House yesterday (Wednesday) to urge Iowans to get vaccinated. “For the last few months, I have traveled across my district administering vaccines to Iowans. It has been a pleasure to see my constituents and the entire country have a renewed sense of freedom and a return to normal,” Miller-Meeks said, but fully engaged living is threatened the Delta variant, which is causing increased hospitalizations and deaths, especially among those unvaccinated.”

Miller-Meeks says if you haven’t gotten a shot and have concerns, talk to your doctor. “It is miraculous to have three safe and effective vaccines for Covid-19 so rapidly,” Miller-Meeks says. “…Decades of research informed the development of these break-through vaccines and millions have been vaccinated with tremendously low risk.”

As she spoke, Miller-Meeks, who is a Republican, positioned a large photo showing her giving a Covid shot to the chairman of the Iowa G-O-P. Forty-seven percent of Iowans are fully vaccinated according to the Iowa Department of Public Health’s data.

(Radio Iowa) – Seventeen Republicans serving in the Iowa legislature have sent an open letter to Trinity Health, the company that is requiring that staff in seven MercyOne hospitals in Iowa get the Covid vaccine by September 21st. The letter from the lawmakers says last week’s order has caused “confusion and distress” and it asks the health system to explain its rational for the decision. Senator Jason Schultz of Schleswig says he did not compose the letter, but signed on to send a message.

“I’d like to prevent other employers from making this same mistake,” Schultz says. Schultz would like to see Trinity Health rescind its vaccination mandate for employees at MercyOne hospitals in Clinton, Dubuque, Dyersville, Mason City, New Hampton, Primghar, and Sioux City. The requirement applies to the health clinics associated with those hospitals as well. Schultz says the letter makes clear that he and other lawmakers are paying attention, because they’re fielding complaints from constituents.

“How do we reverse what’s already happened and maybe stop permanently that employers can require a hastily approved and not properly tested product could be put into somebody unwillingly?” Schultz said. In a written statement last week, Trinity Health’s president said the vaccines are a proven way to prevent Covid-19 deaths and the health system is doing its part to end the pandemic by requiring employees get vaccinated. Schultz says he’s hearing other hospitals may issue the same vaccination mandate and may limit visitors and require face coverings for those who do visit patients during flu season.

“I’m starting to get hints that this is never going to go away until people start telling people to knock it off,” Schultz says. The letter includes nearly 70 questions of Trinity Health. The first asks the company to describe in detail how its vaccination policy will protect people. Republican Senators Jim Carlin of Sioux City, Jesse Green of Harcourt, Dennis Guth  of Klemme, and Brad Zaun of Urbandale co-signed the letter.

The 12 Republican co-signers from the House are Terry Baxter of Garner, Brooke Boden of Indianola, Steven Bradley of Cascade, Mark Cisneros of Muscatine, Thomas Gerhold of Atkins, Jon Jacobsen of Council Bluffs, Anne Osmundson of Volga, Sandy Salmon of Janesville, Jeff Shipley of Birmingham, Henry Stone of Forest City, Cherielynn Westrich of Ottumwa and Skyler Wheeler of Orange City.

The Atlantic City Council, Wednesday evening, approved the sale of City-owned real estate at 101 Cedar Street, to Cook Sanitation. The property is being sold for $2,000, with the stipulations that a dilapidated house on the lot be demolished and an industrial building is built on the site within five-years. The Council also passed, by a vote of 5-1 with Councilman James Behrens absent, the third and final reading of an Amended Ordinance changing the method of elections. Councilperson Grace Garrett was the lone nay vote.

The ordinance states the winner of elections will be determined by a True Majority, with a run-off 30 days later, if none of the candidates have a clear, 50 plus 1 percent of the vote. For the past two Mayoral and Parks Board elections, the winner was determined by a “Plurality-takes-all” method, whereby a candidate only had to get the most votes on the first and only ballot, in order to win. For example, if there were five candidates for Mayor, the person with the greatest percentage of votes would be declared the winner, regardless of how close the race was.

Garrett voted against the change because people she’s spoken with in her Ward still aren’t clear why the method of election is being changed after all these years, and because she’s learned since the last meeting, that a run-off election, if needed, would cost more than $4,000, instead of the $3,000 that was previously announced. While discussing the matter, Garrett and Councilperson Kathy Somers said each intends to file papers by August 23rd, seeking the seat of Mayor in Atlantic. Mayor Dave Jones announced earlier this year he will not run for re-election. Councilman Pat McCurdy officially threw his hat into the ring in May. At least two other individuals have expressed an interest in running, but have not officially announced their intentions.

The Atlantic City Council, Wednesday, approved without any further discussion, the third and final reading of an Ordinance amending the method by which Parks and Rec Board members are elected, from every six-years, to every-four. They also acted to re-appoint Jack Jensen and Ruth Glines to the Community Promotion Commission, and appointed Mackenzie Bandow along with Anne Quist, to the City’s Housing Committee.

In other business, the Council approved an Order to close 8th Street between Chestnut and Poplar, on Sunday, August 22nd, from Noon until 5-p.m., for the First United Methodist Church’s “Back to School Block Party.” Animal Control Officer Kris Erickson reported to the Council, a “Puppy Yoga” fundraiser event will take place this Saturday, July 24th, at the Shelter (309 Sunnyside Lane). The cost is $10 per person. All proceeds go to the shelter, for animals. All ages are welcome to attend.

Police in Council Bluffs are asking for the public’s help in locating the suspect involved in an armed robbery, Wednesday morning. Officers responded to the Walgreens Store at 2508 W. Broadway, at around 3:28-a.m. The suspect entered the store with a mask on, displayed a handgun, and demanded cash from the register. He then left on foot, heading east.

The man was described as being a heavyset Hispanic, 5-feet 6-inches tall, about 275 pounds, and in his late 20’s or early 30’s. He was wearing a grey ball cap, white mask, black shirt, gray shorts and white shoes.

Council Bluffs PD Shield

Anyone with information about the incident is encouraged to call Council Bluffs Police Detectives at 712-328-4728, or remain anonymous by calling 712-328-STOP (7867).

A west central Iowa man died Wednesday morning, when his car was struck by a train, in Greene County. According to the Iowa State Patrol, 62-year-old Marvin Lee Krieger, of Coon Rapids, was driving a 2015 Toyota Corolla southbound on County Road P-33, when he failed to stop for a westbound Union Pacific Train that was approaching CR P33. The train struck the car at the railroad crossing. The accident happened at around 8:40-a.m. Krieger died at the scene. His body was transported to the State Medical Examiner’s Office.

Greene County Ambulance assisted the Patrol at the crash site.

(Radio Iowa) – The forecast calls for hot — and still hotter — weather for Iowa this week and it’s doing no favors for Iowa’s top crops. Meteorologist Dennis Todey, director of the U-S-D-A’s Midwest Climate Hub in Ames, says the average rainfall for late July doesn’t bode well for the soil, which is already suffering under moderate to severe drought over a wide section of the region. “That’s the climatological average but weekly EP, or evapotranspiration, how much water the crop is using out of the soil, is probably going to be more than that,” Todey says. “So, even the average precipitation this time of year, you’re losing ground into that soil moisture.”

Recent rains were exceptionally heavy in some areas of Iowa, prompting flash flooding. Still, Todey says the soil moisture has been depleted for months across much of the state’s northern half and highs of 95 degrees won’t help. “The soil moisture is rather short in that area,” he says. “Even low 90s will be causing some problems. That’s why this recent precipitation has been helpful in some of the areas further south where they could stand a little bit more temperature at this point. We’re entering that time when we could kill a crop or manage get through it.”

Corn is reaching a critical pollination stage while soybeans will be more at-risk during August.

(Radio Iowa) – The Climate Prediction Center of the National Weather Service is issuing a La Nina Watch for later this year. Cooler than normal Pacific Ocean surface temperatures lead to the formation of a La Nina, which can cause cooler, wetter conditions in Iowa and across much of North America. Meteorologist Doug Kluck, with the National Weather Service in Kansas City, says we just had a La Nina pattern fade away several months ago. “Two La Ninas in a row or two winters with La Nina activity or signs in the equator aren’t that unusual,” Kluck says. “Actually, it does tend to happen fairly often that you have back-to-back years of La Nina.”

Historically, La Ninas have caused below-normal temperatures across much of the Northern Plains states. An El Nino can bring weather extremes, including severe drought or severe flooding. Kluck says the last La Nina, which evaporated this past spring, didn’t have the normal impacts. “A lot of people attribute a lot of things to that and I’m not sure we can in North America,” Kluck says. “We saw last year wasn’t a typical La Nina year in terms of when it was supposed to get cold. The Northern Plains, for example, were supposed to be perhaps cooler and wetter than normal. That wasn’t the case.”

Kluck says the issuing of the watch means it’s anticipated there will be a formation of a La Nina by late fall and into winter.