(Radio Iowa) – The leaders of Iowa’s private colleges and universities oppose a plan to have community colleges start offering four-year degrees in some fields. Iowa has three state supported universities, 15 state funded community colleges and 26 private colleges and universities. Mark Putnam, President of Central College in Pella, is chairman of the Iowa Association of Independent Colleges and Universities. He says that map shows there are no so-called “education deserts” in Iowa. “The fact that we may have a workforce need does not create students,” Putnam says. “That’s what I think is a fundamental flaw.” Drake University President Marty Martin says the reality is the number of high school graduates is declining and there’s no proof Iowa has education deserts.

“A lot of the rhetoric around it has to do with differential and cost of tuition, but of course in once instance you’ve got the state underwriting the program,” Martin said, “and in another instance you’ve got us operating as private, entrepreneurial, innovative institutions.” Martin says Iowa’s private colleges already have agreements that allow students to transfer with the community college credits they’ve earned. “We can figure this out without creating a whole new infrastructure that’s going to require a lot of funding from the taxpayers and put a lot of our institutions at risk,” Martin said. Under the plan being developed in the Iowa House, community colleges would get 20 million dollars in each of the next five years to set up four-year degree programs. The bill says a community college within 50 miles of Iowa, Iowa State, U-N-I OR a private college cannot offer four year degrees. Putnam says that does not address the existence of the satellite campuses community colleges operate.

“You take the example of Buena Vista,” Putnam says. “…In Storm Lake, Iowa Central (Community College) has a campus and so they would be able, under this bill, to open up baccalaureate programs in the direct fields that Buena Vista offers, so this is education, business, agriculture, computer science — down the list of all those that would be approved, so we have a fundamental concern that this is opening up a pathway where we don’t see an end to what that appetite might be.”

Putnam and Martin made their comments this weekend on “Iowa Press” on Iowa P-B-S.

(Guthrie Center, IA) – The Guthrie County Sheriff’s Office reports a man from Dallas County suffered suspected serious/incapacitating injuries last week, when he lost control of the motorcycle he was driving. The accident happened on Koala Avenue, just north of 300th Street, at around 12:35-p.m., on Feb. 16th. The Sheriff’ Office says 79-year-old Charles Leroy Thompson, of Adel, was riding a 2006 Harley Davidson motorcycle as he was traveling south on the gravel road. The machine lost traction as it traveled down the hill, and began to fishtail towards the west ditch. Thompson over-corrected, causing the cycle to fishtail towards the east ditch before it entered the ditch and over-turned. Thompson was flown from the scene by Mercy One helicopter to Mercy Hospital in downtown Des Moines. The cycle sustained $7,500 damage.

The Guthrie County Sheriff’s Office reports also, the weather and road conditions played a role in three separate accidents late Thursday afternoon. A 10-year-old male passenger in an SUV driven by 45-year-old Jose Manuel Santana-Rodriguez, of Des Moines, was injured, when the vehicle went out of control on Redwood Road and entered the west ditch before coming to rest on the driver’s side. The juvenile was wearing a seat belt. The accident happened at around 4:30-p.m., Thursday. Authorities say the road was icy when the accident occurred. The juvenile was transported by ambulance to Mercy hospital in downtown Des Moines. Jose Santana-Rodriguez was cited for Failure to provide proof of insurance/financial liability – accident related.

No injuries were reported following the other two accidents.

(Radio Iowa) – The touring Broadway production of “The Outsiders” will make one stop in Iowa, opening this week in Des Moines. Actress Emma Hearn, who has family ties in Iowa, portrays Cherry Valance in the show which won the Tony Award for Best Musical. The coming-of-age story is based on a best-selling 1967 novel that was also a hit movie in 1983 with an ensemble cast. Hearn says it’s a timeless tale of class division that remains very relevant to today’s audiences. “That’s something we experience to this day is class divides and certainly coming of age, so it’s told through pretty extraordinary events, as told in the book and the movie. Everything you know and love from both of those are all in the musical. And now it’s just elevated with folk Americana music by Jamestown Revival and some pretty epic choreography and staging, so it really just elevates the story you know and love.”

Hearn made her Broadway debut in the musical “Diana” and also toured nationally with “Cats.” She says this role in “The Outsiders” brought her some welcome challenges — and rewards. “It’s very physically sustainable in a way that I found really challenging with shows like ‘Cats’ and ‘Diana!’ You know, in ‘Cats,’ it’s such a physically demanding role and in ‘The Outsiders,’ I’m one of the very few women in the show, and all of the guys have to do all the hard work,” Hearn says, laughing. “I’m glad to get to do something that is easier on my body eight times a week, that’s for sure, and a story I really love telling.” The Pennsylvania native went to college in Texas and lives in New York, but she’s spent many summers and holidays in Iowa.

Hearn’s mother lives in Cedar Rapids along with her grandparents, while a raft of cousins and other relatives are all Iowans, so she’s expecting a sizeable cheering section. “Oh, yeah, we go a few times a year at least, and our relatives would come out and visit us out east as well,” Hearn says. “I’ve spent a lot of time in Iowa throughout my childhood and adulthood, so it’ll be fun. I’m a little nervous. I haven’t had that many people at once at the show, but it’ll be so fun.” After being on tour with the theater company for many months, Hearn says she’s looking forward to seeing familiar faces in the audience — and after the show. “So much of why I love coming to Iowa is because of family. So I’m just really excited to get to spend some time with them,” Hearn says. “Being out on the road for a year, it’s hard to, obviously, take time off and get to see family, so anytime I can be in a city or a state that is within driving distance to them, I love getting to see them.”

“The Outsiders” runs tomorrow (Tuesday) through Sunday at the Des Moines Civic Center.

www.civiccenter.org

(Creston, IA) – The Creston Police Department reports two women were arrested on separate charges, Saturday. Authorities say 46-year-old Brenda Ellen Williams, of Creston, was arrested Saturday morning for Theft in the 5th Degree  – Possession or Control/Under $300. She was cited and released from the scene on a promise to appear in court. And, late Saturday Creston Police arrested 36-year-old Robyn Liane Blazek, of Prescott, for OWI/1st Offense.

Authorities say Blazek was driving a 2024 Chevy Traverse (SUV) southbound on S. Maple Street at around 7:20-p.m., Saturday, when her vehicle struck a trailer parked on the side of the road. Blazek took-off from the scene. Her vehicle was located a few blocks away. Police say the woman returned to the scene shortly thereafter. She told police she had been looking at her phone when the accident occurred. Officers observed Blazek has an odor of alcoholic beverage coming from her breath, that she admitted to drinking, and had bloodshot/watery eyes. The police report says Blazek refused all testing before she was taken into custody.

Blazek was transported to the Union County Jail and later posted a $1,000 cash-only bond before being released. Damage from the collision amounted to a police-estimated $6,500 altogether.

(Bedford, IA) – The Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) will host a public meeting beginning at 6-p.m. on March 4th, at the Bedford Community School. The purpose of the meeting is to discuss an upcoming alum treatment to improve water quality at Lake of Three Fires, in Taylor County. The Iowa DNR will present an overview of the proposed treatments and how this treatment will help reduce the frequency and intensity of harmful algae blooms (or HABs) in the lake.

Alum (aluminum sulfate) is a nontoxic substance used in everything from cooking to treatment of drinking water, and is commonly used to reduce phosphorus concentrations in lakes. Phosphorus is a key nutrient for algae growth, and stems from runoff in the watershed. While much of the phosphorus that ends up in a lake is buried in the lake sediments, under the right environmental conditions, phosphorus can also be recycled within the lake, being released from the lake sediments when bottom waters have no oxygen.

These “internal releases” of phosphorus often fuel large algae blooms, especially in the late summer and early fall. When applied to a lake, alum binds with the phosphorus in the water and settles as a thin flocculant on the lake bottom, where it will continue to inactivate phosphorus being released from the sediments. This process can significantly reduce the likelihood of HABs, which can be harmful to the ecosystem and limit recreation.

Lake of Three Fires has experienced several significant HABs over the past few years and generally has poor water clarity. Several research efforts have shown that watershed inputs and internal phosphorus recycling are driving these blooms, and that a series of alum applications will likely help alleviate the frequency and duration of HABs.

The alum will be applied using specialized barges over a period of two weeks, depending on weather conditions, between April 1 and May 15. During this time, lake users may see boats, barges, heavy trucking equipment, and storage tanks around the park that are being utilized to complete the application. There should be minimal disruption to regular activities on the water and the application window was selected to minimize interference with spring fishing activities. DNR asks that you maintain a safe distance from the equipment to allow the crews to work efficiently and will have staff on hand to monitor the application. No swimming or boating restrictions are anticipated.

This treatment is one part of a broader effort to continue to improve water quality and recreational opportunities at Lake of Three Fires. An additional treatment is slated for this fall.

For more information, contact Michelle Balmer, Lake Restoration Program Coordinator, at michelle.balmer@dnr.iowa.gov, or 515-238-2458, or Andy Jansen, Fisheries Biologist, at andy.jansen@dnr.iowa.gov or 641-464-3108.

(Atlantic, IA) – The Cass County 4-H Endowment committee is hosting the annual 4-H Endowment Pancake Supper on Tuesday, March 3 from 4:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m. at the Cass County Community Center in Atlantic. The Pancake Man will be dishing up fresh pancakes while 4-H members serve sausage, milk, juice, and coffee. The public is welcome can enjoy all you can eat pancakes, at a cost of $10/adult and $6/youth 10 & under.

There will also a silent auction going on throughout the evening. The local 4-H clubs in Cass County, as well as additional friends of 4-H and local business supporters can donate items. If a community business is interested in supporting the Pancake Supper with a Silent Auction donation, please contact the Extension Office.

Cass County 4-H members help serve drinks at the 2025 Annual Cass County 4-H Endowment Pancake Supper. Left to Right: Hunter Kardell, Lynsie Kardell, Gentry Waters.

Members of Griswold Clubsters 4-H Club help clean tables, replace placemats, fill water and coffee cups along with refilling syrup bottles at the 2025 Annual Cass County 4-H Endowment Pancake Supper. Left to Right: Sawyer Chambers, Blaine Buffington.

“The silent auction is a fun added activity to the event. When we make final announcements about closing down bidding, people and pens really get to moving!” says Katie Bateman, Cass County Youth Coordinator. “We will be featuring the baskets on our Cass County 4-H and Extension social media pages ahead of the event. Be sure to check out the previews and make plans to bid on your favorites!”

Proceeds from the 4-H Pancake Supper directly benefit the Cass County 4-H Program. All funds raised go to the Cass County 4-H Endowment. Our committee then distributes money to cover the 4-H Program Development Fee for all Cass County 4-H and Clover Kid members, financial aid for out of county events, senior scholarships, and start-up dollars for innovative youth programs.

The 4-H Program Development Fee is $40 per youth each year to enroll. Instead of having individual 4-H’ers and families take on that expense, the Cass County Extension Council and the 4-H Endowment Committee pick up this cost for our members. It is free for youth to join 4-H in Cass County because of this. “We are very fortunate in Cass County that our 4-H Endowment covers this cost for all members. That would not be possible for us to continue without the outstanding support from our community.” stated Bateman.

For more information on the Pancake Supper, Cass County 4-H Endowment or how to join 4-H, contact Katie Bateman, Cass County Youth Coordinator, at 712-243-1132 or kbateman@iastate.edu.

(Radio Iowa) – U-S Senate candidate Zach Wahls — a Democrat from Coralville — says President Trump’s tariff policies are absolutely devastating for Iowa. And Wahls says Congresswoman Ashley Hinson — the leading Republican in the race for Iowa’s U-S Senate seat — has been a rubber stamp for Trump’s trade tactics. “And it is incredibly irresponsible that Ashley Hinson has consistently voted for a tariff policy that is hurting our state,” Wahls says.

Earlier this month Hinson voted against a resolution in the U.S. House that called for ending U.S. tariffs against Canada. “I think that Ashley Hinson chose to go with her party and with Donald Trump over what was best for Iowa,” Wahls says. After Friday’s U.S. Supreme Court ruling that struck down many of the tariffs Trump imposed last year, Hinson said Trump is seeking to level the playing field for American farmers, workers and businesses — and Hinson said her priority is making sure those efforts translate into real results for Iowa.

Wahls spoke with Radio Iowa Sunday, after Trump announced he’s imposing a 15 percent global tariff under a law the U-S Supreme Court had not yet reviewed. “The Trump/Hinson tariff taxes are making life unaffordable for Iowans who are in the middle class, who are working class, for Iowans who are retired,” Wahls said. “They are destroying jobs in manufacturing. They are devastating the farm economy.” Wahls says that’s the exact opposite of an “America First” agenda.

Wahls, a state senator, faces state Representative Josh Turek of Council Bluffs in the Democratic Party’s U.S. Senate Primary June 2nd.

(Radio Iowa) – During a visit to the Iowa Beef Expo this weekend, Republican Randy Feenstra repeated his promise to make Iowa the most ag-friendly state in the country if he’s elected governor.

Feenstra was at the Beef Expo to visit with junior high student Colton Griffin from Moville. Feenstra first met Colton five years ago after one of the boy’s eight-year-old classmates died. Colton led the entire second grade class in showing the girl’s calf at the Woodbury County Fair. “Ever since we get together when he’s showing and today he did great,” Feenstra said. “He got second in show.” Feenstra said he’ll start showing details of his own policy proposals for state government soon. “We’ll roll out more specific ideas,” Feenstra said. “…That’ll come out here in the next several months.”

In answer to a Radio Iowa question, Feenstra said as governor he would sign a bill to shield the makers of Roundup from lawsuits over the product’s safety if the label follows E-P-A guidelines. “I’m all about science and facts,” Feenstra said. President Trump issued an executive order last week that seeks to provide some legal immunity to Bayer’s — Roundup’s manufacturer — under the Defense Production Act and ensure an adequate U-S supply of Roundup’s main ingredient, glyphosate.

That’s sparked criticism from the Make American Healthy Again movement within the president’s Make America Great Again coalition. Feenstra says the focus should be on the facts about glyphosate. “I think it’s always good to have this great discussion of what is safe and what is reliable and what makes sense and that’s what I’ll do as governor,” Feenstra said. “I’ll make sure we look at all the facts and make the right decisions from there.” Feenstra, who will remain a member of the U-S House for the rest of the year, also responded to President Trump’s latest plan to impose 15 percent tariffs globally.

“I just believe that congress has to work with President Trump to hold countries accountable, but also make sure we that have more markets for our beef, soybeans, corn and things like that,” Feenstra said. “I sit on Ways and Means, I also sit on Agriculture — the only person who sits on both, and we understand how important it is not to get checks, but to get more open markets. We want more markets for our commodities.” Feenstra also indicated a bill that would resolve the dispute between the oil and ethanol industries will be released later today that would allow E-15 to be sold year-round.