WASHINGTON, July 27, 2025 – The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) is issuing a public health alert for ham salad products containing Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regulated breadcrumb products that have been recalled by Newly Weds Foods, due to concerns that the products may be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes (Lm). FSIS is issuing this public health alert to ensure that consumers are aware that these products, which bear the USDA mark of inspection, should not be consumed. As more information becomes available, FSIS will update this public health alert. Consumers should check back frequently because additional products may be added.

The following products subject to the public health alert are [view labels]:

• 12-oz. printed plastic tubs containing “RESER’S FINE FOODS Ham Salad” with sell by dates of 09/01/25.
• 5-lb. clear plastic tubs containing “Molly’s Kitchen Ham Salad” with sell by dates of 08/31/25.

The problem was discovered when Reser’s Fine Foods, Inc., a Topeka, Kan., establishment, determined that they used FDA-regulated breadcrumb products subject to an FDA recall because the breadcrumbs may be contaminated with Lm.

There have been no confirmed reports of adverse reactions due to consumption of these products. Anyone concerned about an illness should contact a health care provider. 

Consumption of food contaminated with Lm can cause listeriosis, a serious infection that primarily affects older adults, persons with weakened immune systems, and pregnant women and their newborns. Less commonly, persons outside these risk groups are affected.

Listeriosis can cause fever, muscle aches, headache, stiff neck, confusion, loss of balance and convulsions sometimes preceded by diarrhea or other gastrointestinal symptoms. An invasive infection spreads beyond the gastrointestinal tract. In pregnant women, the infection can cause miscarriages, stillbirths, premature delivery or life-threatening infection of the newborn. In addition, serious and sometimes fatal infections can occur in older adults and persons with weakened immune systems. Listeriosis is treated with antibiotics. Persons in the higher-risk categories who experience flu-like symptoms within two months after eating contaminated food should seek medical care and tell the health care provider about eating the contaminated food.

FSIS is concerned that some product may be in consumers’ or retailers’ refrigerators or freezers. Consumers who have purchased these products are urged not to consume them. Retailers that have purchased these products are urged not to serve or sell them. These products should be thrown away or returned to the place of purchase.

Consumers with food safety questions can call the toll-free USDA Meat and Poultry Hotline at 888-MPHotline (888-674-6854) or send a question via email to MPHotline@usda.gov

(Des Moines, Iowa) – You’re likely paying a bit more at to fill your vehicle’s tank in Iowa. According to AAA Iowa, the average price for a gallon of regular unleaded gasoline in the state, rose two-cents this past week, to $2.95/ per gallon. Prices however still remain 34 cents lower than at this same time last year. Nationally, the average price for regular unleaded gasoline remained steady this past week, at $3.16 per gallon.

Radio Iowa file photo

Diesel prices in Iowa rose a nickel per gallon on average, to $3.58/gallon. That nickel rise is five- cents higher than a year ago, but still 16 cents below the current national average of $3.74/gallon.

Follow updates on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/CassCoFairIA

Swine Show

7:30am, indoor show arena

Poultry Show

10:00am, poultry barn

Inflatable Carnival

10:00am-10:00pm, midway

$10 wristbands; good for all-day usage

4H/FFA Exhibits Open

10:00am-8:00pm, community building

Decorator’s Showcase

12:00pm-3:00pm, community building

Tricky-Trykes Maze – All Ages

12:00pm-2:00pm, community building parking lot

Commercial Booth Barn Open

12:00pm-10:00pm, midway

Critter Close-Ups (exotic animal show)

1:00-1:30pm, midway

Pig Pals Show

1:00pm, indoor show arena

Aerial Stunt Show

2:00pm-2:30pm, midway

Face Painting

2:00pm-5:00pm, commercial booth barn

Pedal Tractor Pull

2:30pm, community building parking lot

Critter Close-Ups (exotic animal show)

3:00-3:30pm, midway

Monster Arm Wrestling

4:00pm, midway

$15 to enter (weigh-ins 3-4pm)

sanctioned by World Monster Assn.

Mens and Womens classes; 1st place trophies

Aerial Stunt Show

4:00pm-4:30pm, midway

COW/FEEDER CALF WEIGH-IN (Note the change in time due to the heat) at the Scale House

4-P.M.

County Fair Church Service

4:30pm, indoor show arena

Critter Close-Ups (exotic animal show)

5:00-5:30pm, midway

Cow/Calf & Feeder Calf Show (Note the time change)

6:30-pm, outdoor show arena

Aerial Stunt Show

6:00pm-6:30pm, midway

Horse Fun Show

6:00pm, horse arena

(Pacific Junction, Iowa) – Two adults were injured during a single-vehicle accident Saturday morning in Mills County. The Iowa State Patrol reports the accident happened at around 7:53-a.m. on Interstate 29 northbound near the Pacific Junction exit, when a 2005 Nissan Xterra SUV went off the road and into a ditch. The driver over-corrected, causing the vehicle to re-entered the roadway before it entered the median and rollover over. The SUV came to rest on the inside lane of I-29 southbound, resting on its passenger side.

The vehicle was occupied by the driver, 28-year-old Stephanie Pillow, of Harrisburg, AR, her passenger, 27-year-old Kristina Jansky, of Independence, AR, and three children. The two women were injured and transported by EMS ambulance to the University of Nebraska Medical Center in Omaha. The children were not hurt in the crash.

The Mills County Sheriff’s Office assisted the State Patrol at the scene.

(Red Oak, Iowa) – A man from Red Oak was arrested Friday evening on Assault and Extortion charges. According to Red Oak Police, 42-year-old Miguel Angel Lopez was arrested a little after 6 p.m., for Assault with a Dangerous Weapon (ADW), and on a Class-D Felony charge of Extortion.

Police say his arrest occurred in the 300 block of West 2nd Street in Red Oak. Miguel Angel Lopez was taken to the Montgomery County Jail and held on $5,000 bond.

DES MOINES, Iowa — The Iowa Department of Natural Resources says swimming is not advised at 13 public beaches, all of which have E. coli readings that exceed acceptable levels.

• Backbone Beach
• Beeds Lake Beach
• Black Hawk Beach
• Bobwhite State Park
• Lake Ahquabi Beach
• Lake Darling Beach
• Lake Manawa Beach*** Pott.County
• Lake of the Three Fires Beach*** Taylor County
• Nine Eagles Beach
• Pine Lake South Beach
• Pleasant Creek Beach
• Prairie Rose Beach*** Shelby County
• Union Grove Beach

George Wyth Beach is closed for the foreseeable future due to flooding. There are no indicator bacteria or Algal toxin advisories. Last week, swimming was not recommended at 12 Iowa beaches.

The DNR conducts weekly tests at more than three dozen public swimming beaches between the week before Memorial Day through Labor Day.

(Atlantic, Iowa) – The Atlantic Area Chamber Ambassadors, Thursday, visited the Cass County Fair to celebrate the opening day. During their visit, the Ambassadors heard from several fair board members about all the exciting activities planned for this year’s event.

The annual Cass County Fair is a major draw for Atlantic and the surrounding communities, and it remains the only fully free county fair in Iowa; the only cost is for food. A highlight of this year’s schedule is tonight’s (Friday) annual bull ride, which will be followed by an all-new fireworks show and a concert by Steven Bankey & the Flatland Band at the Grandstand.

Sunday will feature a full day of entertainment, including the Strong and Amazing Ariel Stunt Show, where performers will showcase their incredible skills. In addition to these headline events, fairgoers can enjoy daily attractions such as 4-H and FFA exhibits, livestock contests, tractor pulls, and much more.

Ambassadors (Left to right): Dolly Bergmann, Angie Bitting, Summer Schwab, Steve Tjepkes, Kathie Hockenberry, Julie Waters, Lana Westphalen, Krysta Hanson, Jennifer McEntaffer, Dr. Keith Leonard, Alisha Wagner, Jeremy Butler, Kelsey Beschorner, Drew Williams, Tyler Comes, Curtis Bierbaum, Jeff Christensen, Gabby Buresh, Corey Scholl, Gabby Wahlert, Tori Gibson, Grace McAfee

The Cass County Fair runs from Thursday, July 24, through Tuesday, July 29, at the Cass County Fairgrounds (1000 Fair Ave., Atlantic, IA 50022). For daily food specials, event schedules, and updates, visit casscofairia.com or follow Cass County Fair – Iowa on Facebook.

(Radio Iowa) – One of the state’s most popular attractions — the Iowa State Fair — opens in less than two weeks, and the Travel Iowa office is in the midst of what it’s calling “Tourism Insider” meetings. Jessica O’Riley, tourism communication manager with the Iowa Economic Development Authority, says tourism staff members are going on the road to meet with local partners across the state.

“We have networking opportunities and we have professional development where they learn about crisis communication or projects happening in the community,” O’Riley says, “with the idea that maybe the people who attend can take those ideas home and sprout them in their own communities.” O’Riley says one of the first meetings in the series was held earlier this year in Spencer.

Radio Iowa file photo

“That one went very well,” O’Riley says. “That one we did some crisis communications around the flooding and how they managed the communications to potential travelers during that time, and how they recovered.” The next meeting will be held August 28th in Webster City.

“We’re going to learn about some of the building transformations there in Webster City, so the Webster Theaters, the community theater and the former Elks Building,” O’Riley says. “I believe there’s also going to be an art sculpture walking tour.” Another meeting is planned for November in Dubuque.

Find more information on tourism and the conferences at: industrypartners.traveliowa.com.

(Radio Iowa) – One of the Democrats running for the U-S Senate says the “Save Our Bacon Act” being touted by Iowa’s governor and Iowa Republicans in congress doesn’t address the real dilemma Iowa’s hog farmers face. The bill seeks to nullify rules requiring that pork sold in California come from hogs raised in pens large enough that the pigs can move around. J.D. Scholten of Sioux City says lawmakers should really be addressing corporate consolidation in the livestock industry. “You know 67% of the hog industry is owned by just a handful of companies,” Scholten says, “yet they want to blame a California bill for all their problems when the reality is these huge corporations have squeezed our farmers in the last few decades.” Scholten calls the “Save Our Bacon Act” is window dressing and he says Republicans have done nothing to protect independent hog farmers who can’t compete in a monopolized marketplace.

“Address the consolidation issue,” Scholten said. “China Pork owns Smithfield and in 2017 the CEO for China Pork made $291 million that year alone. That’s more than Elon Musk made that year. That’s more than Apple’s Tim Cook,” Scholten says. “And you as a hog farmer that year, especially one with that has a contract with Smithfied how they did that year, most of them said they probably made about the cost of production.” Scholten says picking a fight with California is barking up the wrong tree. “A place like Iowa, 90% of our food is imported and a huge chunk of it half of the food we eat comes from California,” Scholten says. “…I would rather have them work with California.”

State Rep. J.D. Scholten of Sioux City speaks at a statehouse news conference. (RI file photo)

Scholten says if Republicans really wanted to help farmers and consumers, they’d do something about corporate meatpackers that are gouging consumers. Scholten, Nathan Sage of Knoxville and Zach Wahls of Coralville are campaigning for the Democratic Party’s 2026 nomination for the U.S. Senate. Republican Senator Joni Ernst recently told Radio Iowa she’ll make an announcement this fall about her 2026 intentions and at least two Republicans have announced they intend to run against Ernst next year. James Carlin is an attorney from Sioux City is a former Republican state legislator who challenged Senator Chuck Grassley in 2022. Joshua Smith of Indianola, a former national leader in the Libertarian Party, announced on social media in early December that he intended to run against Ernst in the 2026 Republican primary.