(Radio Iowa) – A fourth Democrat has launched a campaign for the U-S Senate seat currently held by Republican Joni Ernst. Jackie Norris has experience on high profile Iowa campaigns and she taught government and history at high schools in Ames, Perry and Johnston. “It’s time for an educator in the Senate,” Norris said. “I’m a former teacher, school board member, a mom and I’ve seen invisible burdens that families are carrying on their shoulders.” Norris was elected to the Des Moines School Board in 2021 and currently serves as its chair. “When government cuts programs for hungry kids, they make it harder to access children’s health care, parents are working two jobs because wages are so low — government’s turned its back on families,” Norris said. “…And I am a mom on a mission to get things done and change the way things are done in D.C.”

Democrat Jackie Norris announces campaign for U.S. Senate (Photo provided by Norris campaign)

Norris says Americans are concerned about their personal finances and how expensive child care, housing and health care have become. “We’re dealing with some pretty significant issues around affordability and children’s mental health crises,” Norris says. “These are things that don’t have to be partisan. They have to be addressed.” Norris, a New York native, first came to Iowa to be finance director for Tom Vilsack’s 1998 campaign for governor. She was First Lady Michelle Obama’s chief of staff after serving as state director for Barack Obama’s 2008 General Election campaign. Norris also worked on Republican President George H.W. Bush’s “Points of Light” Foundation. “Americans are going to believe in government if they actually see us putting them ahead of our party loyalty sometimes,” Norris said. “…I’m going to fight like heck for the Democratic issues that I feel very strongly about and at the same time we also have to work together to get things done.”

Ernst has not yet announced whether she will seek reelection in 2026 and three other Democrats have started campaigns for the U.S. Senate this spring. Nathan Sage is executive director of the Knoxville Chamber of Commerce, J.D. Scholten of Sioux City is a member of the Iowa House and Zach Wahls (like “walls”) is a state senator from Coralville.

EARLING, Iowa — A search warrant obtained by Omaha TV station KETV, revealed new details about a murder that took place in Shelby County last week. The incident happened Thursday, in Earling. According to the search warrant, 34-year-old Winston Leal and Theresa Kenkel were fighting when Leal grabbed a gun, shooting Kenkel. She died from her injuries. The warrant said Leal claimed Kenkel shot herself.

The documents state Leal and Ashley McWilliams drove to Council Bluffs, Iowa, then reported the shooting. Authorities arrested Leal for first-degree murder. He was denied bond. A judge held McWilliams on $50,000 bond for an accessory charge.

(Lyon County, Iowa) – Four people were injured during a collision Monday afternoon in northwest Iowa. The Iowa State Patrol reports the accident happened on Highway 75 near 210th Street, south of Rock Rapids, at around 1:50-p.m. Authorities say a Chevy Malibu driven by a 15-year-old male from Hull (IA) was traveling south on Highway 75, when it crossed the center-line of the road and struck the side of a trailer being pulled by a pickup truck. The car then struck a Honda SUV head-on before coming to rest in the middle of the highway.

The SUV came to rest in the east ditch, and the pickup stopped on the north shoulder of the road, following the collision. A 13-year-old male passenger in one of the vehicles, along with 36-year-old Norma Niz-Niz, both from Hull, the driver of the SUV, 62-year-old Kathleen Goedken, of Rock Rapids, and 90-year-old Lucy Hoppe, of Rock Valley, were all injured in the crash. The driver of the pickup, 66-year-old Russell Holzman, of LeMars, was not hurt.

Three of the accident victims were flown by helicopter to hospital in Sioux Falls, SD. The Patrol was assisted at the scene by Avera Air Care Flight and Sanford Air Med, along with Lyon County EMS.

(Radio Iowa) – A group of researchers drew strong reactions from a large crowd in Des Moines as they reviewed their report on water quality in the Raccoon and Des Moines Rivers. Jerald Schnorr is a long time professor in the University of Iowa’s College of Engineering. He says data from 2000 U-S rivers indicates these two Iowa rivers are in the top one percent when it comes to nitrate levels.

“You might ask: Well, where’s all the nitrate coming from? It’s a good question,” Schnoor said and the crowd laughed. “Most of it is from agricultural land, roughly 80% and, of that, 40% is coming from fertilizers applied directly to the land; about 20% is coming from manure that’s applied onto the land.” Soybeans also produce nitrates that wind up in ag drainage tiles and that accounts for the remaining nitrate levels connected to agland runoff. About 18 percent of nitrates in the Raccoon and Des Moines Rivers comes from rain and snow according to the report.

Elliot Anderson, a civil and environmental engineering professor at the University of Iowa, says each year about 50-thousand tons of nitrogen winds up in the Raccoon and Des Moines Rivers. “About 10 years ago or so, the state government decided to fund one of the most extensive, world-renowned nitrate monitoring networks that’s ever been in existence…Starting in the next year, we’re set to contract this network from about 80 sensors that we’ve had down to about 20,” he said and the crowd booed. “With this there’s a lot less that we can say about nitrate in the state.”

Last (Monday) night’s event was hosted by the Harkin Institute and by Polk County, which paid 16 researchers who published the 277-page assessment of central Iowa water quality. Adam Shriver of the Harkin Institute says the report is the best objective, factual information about Iowa’s water quality that is available to the public. “Even if those facts contain bad news or are uncomfortable for certain groups,” he said, to extended cheers from the crowd. When a moderator asked if nitrate problems had reached a point where regulations were needed, the crowd and the researchers on stage joined in shouting “yes.”

Matt Helmers, director of the Iowa Nutrient Research Center at Iowa State University, told Axios the main cause of the Des Moines metro’s nitrate problems this year has been persistent wet weather that increased leaching from farm fields into rivers.

(Council Bluffs, Iowa) – Police in Council Bluffs arrested a person allegedly connected to a shooting incident Monday evening, Authorities say that at around 5:45-p.m., Officers responded to the area of 3619 John Street in Council Bluffs for a report of a possible shooting. Officers as well as the criminal investigation division conducted an investigation.

As a result of the investigation, it was learned that Spirit Calhoun and Carma Smith who both reside at 3619 John street, were in an argument. At some point during the argument Calhoun fired at least two shots from a hand gun. One striking the vehicle Smith was in or around and the other striking a nearby house.

Spirit Calhoun (CB PD Photo)

Calhoun was arrested and booked in for the charges of Intimidation with a dangerous weapon, Domestic assault with a dangerous weapon and reckless use of a firearm.

No one was injured in the incident, and Police said there was no threat to the public.

(Washington, D-C; Iowa Capital Dispatch) – Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds on Monday joined a news conference in Washington, D.C., to praise the U.S. Department of Agriculture under the Trump administration for allowing Iowa to restrict certain foods under a federal aid program and implement an alternative summer nutrition program for children.

Reynolds spoke at a news conference focused on Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) that was hosted by U.S. Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins and Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. The Trump administration officials discussed approving new waivers for restrictions on what food can be purchased through the public assistance program.

Rollins signed six SNAP state waivers — for Colorado, Florida, Louisiana, Oklahoma, Texas and West Virginia — at the event, approving restrictions on food purchases under the program. These waivers will allow states to limit the purchase of certain items, like candy or soda, using food benefits. She said these waivers are part of the administration’s larger “Make America Healthy Again” work, championed primarily by Kennedy.

Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds speaks at an event Aug. 4, 2025, in Washington, D.C., where U.S. Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins signed six Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) state waivers, approving restrictions on certain food purchases. (Screenshot via C-SPAN)

Though the press conference highlighted approval of new waivers, the USDA had signed off in May on Iowa’s  SNAP waiver. The new restrictions take effect beginning Jan. 1, 2026, and will last for two years. Reynolds thanked Rollins for “enabling Iowa to help lead the nation in SNAP reform.” In Iowa, she said, allowing people to purchase items like sweetened drinks, desserts and salty snacks through SNAP “truly isn’t helping low-income families,” but is worsening problems with obesity.

“Thirty-seven percent of our adults and 17 percent of our youth, ages 6 through 17, are suffering from obesity,” Reynolds said. “And that’s something that as the governor of this great state I can’t accept. And it’s why that we’ve really begun to strategically reform our efforts to help address food insecurity and nutrition.” Another way Iowa is working to address obesity, she said, is through the Healthy Kids Iowa demonstration project, also approved by the USDA in May.

Iowa had declined to participate in 2024 and 2025 in the SUN Bucks program, the federal summer nutrition program also known as Summer EBT, that provides an extra $120 per child to eligible low-income families each month when school is not in session. Critics and hunger advocates said the governor had chosen to leave money on the table that could have gone to families in need, but the governor said she opposed the program over concerns about unhealthy food purchases.

Instead, Reynolds sought federal approval to pursue an alternate program, providing a premade box of food worth $40 each month from 500 access points. The waiver for Healthy Kids Iowa was denied in 2024 under the Biden administration, but approved under Trump.

Luke Elzinga, board chair for the Iowa Hunger Coalition, said some of the promises made about the Health Kids Iowa program, like allowing families to choose food items that meet their preferences and “cultural and dietary needs,” have not happened as the program was rolled out this summer. He also said fewer children received food through the program than projected.

(Des Moines, Iowa; Iowa Capital Dispatch) – State Rep. Bobby Kaufmann, R-Wilton, was officially elected Iowa House majority leader on Monday, taking over the position from Rep. Matt Windschitl, R-Missouri Valley.

Iowa House Republicans elected Kaufmann to lead the caucus through the remainder of the 91st General Assembly. Though the announcement makes the leadership change official, the news was expected as President Donald Trump referred to Kaufmann as “majority leader-elect” during his July 3 speech at the Iowa State Fairgrounds, more than a month in advance of the actual vote.

Rep. Bobby Kaufmann, R-Wilton, spoke on the Iowa House floor Jan. 30, 2025, in support of a bill implementing a moratorium on new casinos in Iowa. (Photo by Robin Opsahl/Iowa Capital Dispatch)

Kaufmann, the son of Iowa Republican Party chair Jeff Kaufmann, began serving in the Iowa House in 2013. He has held multiple leadership roles as chairs of the House State Government and Government Oversight committees, and most recently has served as the Ways and Means Committee chair since 2022. Outside of the Legislature, he served as a senior advisor for Trump’s 2024 Iowa caucus campaign.

As he takes over Windschitl’s position as majority leader, Kaufmann said he will work through the position on issues that matter to Iowans. “I am honored by the trust placed in me by my colleagues to serve as Majority Leader,” Kaufmann said in a statement. “This is a role I will not take lightly. I am committed to uniting our caucus to advance policies that strengthen our economy, support our families, and ensure our children will have bright futures. I look forward to working with Speaker Grassley to address the challenges and opportunities facing Iowa with bold, practical solutions.”

(Des Moines, Iowa; Iowa Capital Dispatch) – Corn across the state is a couple of days ahead of schedule, with 53% of corn acres reaching the dough stage and 9% entering the dent stage according to the latest crop progress and condition report from the U.S. Department of Agriculture.  Eighty-nine percent of soybean acres have bloomed across the state and 65% have set pods as of the July 28 through Aug. 3 reporting period.  Both crops continue to rate well, with 85% of corn and 80% of soybeans rated good to excellent.

USDA figures compiled by the National Corn Growers Association show an estimated 5% more corn in the ground this year than last, meaning the crop this year is on track to be the “largest on record.” USDA also projects a $4.20 per bushel farm price for corn in the 2025/2026 marketing year, which is down from this year and the previous year. Hay and pasture continue to rate well across the state, both rated more than 80% good to excellent for the reporting period.

Most farmers have wrapped up the second cutting of alfalfa hay and 39% of alfalfa hay acres across the state have had a third cutting. Oats are ready for harvest across the state, with 64% of acres already harvested.  Soil moisture conditions were similar to the week prior with 31% of topsoil and 27% of subsoil rated surplus for the reporting period.

Corn silking in central Iowa August 4, 2025. (Photo by Cami Koons/Iowa Capital Dispatch)

According to State Climatologist Justin Glisan, Iowa continued to see above-average precipitation, with parts of the state receiving between 1 and 3 inches above the normal. A derecho swept through parts of northern and eastern Iowa July 28, with wind speeds up to 99 miles per hour recorded. According to Glisan’s report, there were two “spin up” tornadoes in the same storm that damaged some crops in Lyon County.

Gov. Kim Reynolds issued a disaster proclamation for Buena Vista, Cerro Gordo, Clay, Dickinson, Lyon, Palo Alto and Worth counties to help with damages from the storm systems. Later in the week, temperatures dropped to 5-10 degrees below average, and smoke from Canadian wildfires drifted across the state causing hazy skies and degraded air quality.

The average precipitation for the week was 2.18 inches, which was more than double the normal, according to Glisan. The average temperature for the week was 71 degrees, just 1.5 degrees below normal.

(Atlantic, Iowa) – The Atlantic City Council is set to hold a regularly scheduled meeting this Wednesday evening, Aug. 6th, beginning at 5:30-p.m. in their Chambers at the Atlantic City Hall. Here’s a look at the (tentative) agenda. The final agenda will be published no later than 24-hours in advance of the meeting.,

1. Roll Call.
2. Approve Agenda.
3. Pledge of Allegiance.
4. Adopt Consent Agenda Items.
a. Minutes of July 16, 2025, City Council Meeting.
b. Class B Retail Alcohol License – Hy-Vee Food Store.
c. Class C Retail Alcohol Permit – 5 Days with Outdoor Service – SHIFT-ATL.
d. Class C Retail Alcohol Permit – 5 Days with Outdoor Service – Chamber of Commerce
(Smackdown)
a. Class C Retail Alcohol Permit – 5 Days with Outdoor Service – Chamber of Commerce (Bash
at the Ballfields)
b. Special Class C Retail Alcohol License with Outdoor Services – Winetime LLC. (Pool)
c. Special Class C Retail Alcohol License with Outdoor Services – Winetime LLC.
i. Produce in the Park: August 7, 2025, August 14, 2025, August 21, 2025.
d. Bills: $502,279.09
5. Public Forum.
6. Swearing in of Officer Scott Wiersma to the Atlantic Police Department.
7. Resolution #55-25 “Setting the FY 2026 Compensation for the Police Department Secretary-
Dispatcher Position.”
8. Resolution #56-25 “Approving a New Professional Services Agreement with Barb Barrick for City
Clerk Consulting Services.”
9. Third & Final Reading of Ordinance No 1060 “Amending the Code of Ordinances of the City of
Atlantic, Iowa, by Amending Section 70.03 ‘Parking Violations: Alternate.’”
10. Presentation, Discussion, and Recommendation Regarding the Easement Request by Rob Stamp.
11. Resolution #57-25 “Setting the Date for a Public Hearing for August 20, 2025, on a Proposed
Ordinance Vacating that Portion of the Right-of-Way Located Between 401 Laurel St. 405 Laurel
St., and 411 Laurel St., in the City of Atlantic, Iowa.”
12. Review of the 2024-2026 CIP Project List and Financing Resources.
13. Discussion Relating to the Possible Addition of Iowa Avenue to the 2024-2025 CIP Project List.
14. Order to Approve Change Order #2 for the Downtown Street Project, Making the Addition of Iowa
Avenue to the List of Projects.

15. Order to Approve Pay Application #1 to TK Concrete for the West 22nd Street Project for
$326,965.17.
16. Order to Approve Pay Application #1 to Omni Engineering for the Downtown Street Improvement
Project for $107,659,08.
17. Review of Potential Easements Across the Palm Street Right-of-Way for the Atlantic Golf and
Country Club.
18. Resolution No. 57-25 “Order Setting the Date for Public Hearing on August 20, 2025, for
Conveyance of Easements Over Palm Street to the Atlantic Golf & Country Club.”
19. Administrator’s Report.
20. City Council Reports.
21. Adjournment.