(Radio Iowa) Parents of children with mental health issues are pleading with Iowa lawmakers to take action and improve children’s mental health services in the state. Cayleen Mesecher of Ankeny says when she’s taken her child to the emergency room, she’s often told to go to a psychiatrist instead — and it can take months to get an appointment.

Mesecher and other parents spoke at a meeting of the state children’s behavioral health board this month about the challenges they’ve faced in trying to find the appropriate help for their kids. Sarah Nelson of Iowa City says her 12-year-old daughter was having a mental health crisis and had to spend six days waiting in an emergency room.

The board is asking state leaders to ensure funding for children’s services and find ways to address Iowa’s shortage of mental health professionals. The group also recommends universal screening of kids for mental health issues.

(Reporting by Katarina Sostaric, Iowa Public Radio)

(Radio Iowa) – The top Republican in the Iowa Senate says the 2021 Iowa legislature may debate tax changes for the 19 state-licensed casinos. It’s not a sure bet at this point, but Senate Majority Leader Jack Whitver of Ankeny says legislators have begun discussing options.  “That’s an industry that has been hurt severely through the pandemic, as many others have as well,” Whitver says. “We want to make sure that those jobs are saved, that industry is still strong and so that’s something we would consider.”

Casinos were among the businesses Governor Reynolds ordered to close on March 17th. Casinos were allowed to reopen June 1st.  “There has been an increased push to look at some of the taxation regarding casinos,” Whitver says. The state-licensed casinos paid more than 230 million in taxes to the state in the last fiscal year. Those taxes are deposited in a “Rebuild Iowa Infrastructure Fund” and used on a wide variety of projects. House Speaker Pat Grassley of New Hartford says he and other House Republicans have not discussed tax changes. But Grassley says they’re keeping an eye on looming competition for Council Bluffs and Sioux City casinos from Nebraska, where voters just legalized casino-style gaming — because it may reduce the amount of casino tax money for infrastructure projects. “That could have long-term consequences,” Grassley says.

Nebraska voters have just legalized casinos within race tracks in their state and some developers have said they hope to open casinos in Omaha, Lincoln and South Sioux City by this time next year. “When it comes to the western part of the state and the pressure that’s going to come from the Nebraska gaming, the competition from across the river there,” Grassley says, “as we’re making those decisions when it comes to infrastructure, that’s definitely a part of the conversation.”

Grassley says the western Iowa casinos have been generating about a third of all the gambling taxes paid to the State of Iowa.

(Radio Iowa/KJAN) – The heavy snow came into the state as forecast and the amount made it hard for the plows to keep up and left a lot of people stuck in the streets that in many cases have yet been cleared. National Weather Service meteorologist, Kristy Carter, at the Johnston office says there was one total that will go in the books. “There was a record at the Des Moines Airport of nine-point six inches,” she says. Des Moines was the midpoint of the heavy snow band that started one side of the state and went border to border.

Carter says the snow went from the very southwest corner through central Iowa and then east. She says saw snows of nine inches to the south of Des Moines and five to six inches north and then nine to ten inches south and west of Des Moines. Here in Atlantic, at KJAN, we received just under six-inches of snow (5.7″). Other, area snowfall amounts include:

• 7 miles NNE of Atlantic  5.4″
• Massena  6″
• Corning  6.6″
• Audubon  5″
• Greenfield 10″
• Red Oak  8.2″
• Carroll  3″
• Avoca 4″
• Creston  7″

The snow really got heavy as it hit eastern Iowa. “In more of east-central Iowa heading toward the Davenport area, they were more in the ten and 11-inch range,” Carter says. There were reports of 12 inches in Hiawatha and Fairfax in eastern Iowa. Carter says the predictions prior to the storm were accurate. “I think the forecast turned out pretty well for the totals that we saw — some areas may have certainly gotten a little more — but I think the general forecast worked out really well,” according to Carter.

Another storm is expected to move through Friday and Carter says it could bring snow or rain.

COUNCIL BLUFFS, Iowa (AP) — Investigators are trying to determine what caused a fire that badly damaged the airport in Council Bluffs. KETV-TV reports that the multiple crews battled the blaze early Wednesday that sent thick black smoke pouring from the maintenance hangar. Fire Chief Justin James said it was unclear how many planes were damaged but no planes were in the hangar that suffered the worst of the fire. No injuries were reported.

The driver of a 2000 Oldsmobile Alero suffered unknown, possible injuries, during an accident that took place at around 9-p.m. Tuesday, in Guthrie Center. The Guthrie County Sheriff’s Office reports 20-year old Tyler Leivas, of Guthrie Center, complained of pain, but was not transported to the hospital, after his vehicle went out of control southbound on City Park Road, and collided with a light pole. There was no apparent damage to the pole. The car however, sustained about $2,000 damage.

Authorities cited Leivas for OWI/1st offense, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, Failure to provide proof of insurance, and possession of alcohol by a person under the legal age/1st offense.

Some of the latest area and State news, from KJAN News Director Ric Hanson.

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(Updated 10:25-a.m.) The Iowa State Patrol was busy during Wednesday’s snow storm. Trooper Ryan DeVault told KJAN News, that the traffic volume was lighter than normal, because travelers appear to have heeded warnings about the storm and its potential impact. In his coverage area, District 3, DeVault said there were numerous accidents, but hardly any injuries.

There were 55 calls for service in one form or another. The State Patrol Headquarters in Des Moines said Troopers handled 91 crashes, and provided assistance to 372 motorists stranded or otherwise in need of help, during the storm. With another storm system forecast to move into the area Thursday into Friday Devault warns motorists, if you have to travel, simply slow down, and give your vehicle plenty of space between the vehicle ahead of you.

(Radio Iowa) – Iowans who gave their kids kittens or puppies as Christmas gifts last week need to realize it’s vital to know all about the animal’s diet, veterinary care and with dogs, to sign up for an obedience course right away. Lisa Karr, a companion animal specialist, says house-training can be difficult but it’s not an impossible task. “A general rule of thumb is to take them out an hour for every month in age, so if they’re two months old, they should go out every two hours,” Karr says. “Taking them out frequently is the best way to potty-train them quicker and avoid those accidents in the house.”

Karr says it’s likely to take a few months for the pet to adapt to the new surroundings. She offers a few tips on making the adjustment easier – for your family and for the pooch. “It’s a really good idea to keep it confined in a space where you can control its surroundings and it’s not going to have access to things you don’t want it to chew up,” Karr says. “Whether you’re keeping it confined in the kitchen or someplace it doesn’t matter if it has accidents, and getting into a training class right away to help teach it and build that relationship will be good.”

Just like people get hungry around the same times daily, Karr says having a routine feeding schedule for your pet is also important. “Kittens are probably okay letting them graze all day. Cats are pretty good at monitoring how much they eat,” Karr says. “Even with puppies, we’re better off meal feeding them so they have the option to eat a little and come back. They tend to forget about the food or they’ll overeat. Obesity, especially in large-breed puppies, can be a big concern later in life.”

Reports say the number of dogs with diabetes has more than tripled in the past 30 years.

Firefighters from Council Bluffs have responded to a fire at the Council Bluffs Municipal Airport. The fire was apparently contained to one building, according to scanner traffic. The airport is located southeast of Interstate 80 and Highway 6. According to reports, thick, black smoke was pouring from the building while crews battled the blaze. It wasn’t immediately clear if anyone was inside, or if any planes were damaged. There have been no reports of injuries.  The fire was declared under control by around 7:45-a.m., with crews still on the scene.

Additional details are currently unavailable.

(Radio Iowa) – Home sales have remained strong in November and Iowa Association of Realtors president, Jen Burkamper says the trend where things have slowed down in December and November has changed. “And then right after the first of the year — what we call our spring market — has actually moved up,” Burkamper says. “So, January, February, March have been very strong the last several years, because I think people are really getting anxious that time of year to look at moving in the spring.” Burkamper the sales through November for the year are up and she says it appears that upward move is going to continue.”We’re expecting that is going to happen or continue to happen in this next year in 2021,” she says.

Burkamper says there are some key signs that make 2021 look positive for home sales. “It’s predicted that interest rates are going to stay low through 2023. So the next several years should be a very strong market. So, if you are looking to sell, it’s a sellers’ market,” according to Burkamper. “And then for buyers, take advantage of these low rates.”

Burkamper says they use of online showings has helped sellers show off their properties and buyers shop around. And she says they have been able to adjust and have in-person showings in homes that are safe to keep the market moving during the pandemic.