(Radio Iowa) – Iowa’s electricity needs are expected to rise by 30 to 60 percent in the next 20 years, and a new report finds the state might be able to meet the demand and achieve 100-percent carbon-free electricity with renewable energy. Steve Guyer, senior energy policy counsel for the Iowa Environmental Council, says the Trump administration has severely shortened the timeline for wind and solar tax credits. Construction on large-scale projects needs to start before July to qualify.

Guyer says the operating costs for wind and solar are cheaper than coal and natural gas, even without subsidies, but tariffs on steel and other materials are already impacting prices. He says renewable energy from wind and solar rose to 67 percent last year in Iowa, but import taxes on materials, including a 50-percent tariff on steel, could dampen future growth.

According to the Iowa Environmental Council’s latest “Condition of the State” report, the projected boost in demand for power in Iowa is due in part to the needs of computer data centers or server farms.

Camp Dodge, IA – The Iowa Gold Star Military Museum, located at historic Camp Dodge, invites the public and media to view a restored 1942 Harley-Davidson WLA military motorcycle on exhibit from September 23 through October 11, 2025. Harley Davidson WLA motorcycles saw extensive service during World War II and were used for convoy escort, reconnaissance, message delivery and military police duties. Often the first U.S. military vehicle arriving in European communities freed from German occupation they were nicknamed “The Liberator.” Around 70,000 military WLA motorcycles were produced from 1942-1945.

The exhibit has been meticulously restored by John Quinnell and has won several awards including First Place Feature Bike at the 2022 Blackhawk antique motorcycle meet in Davenport, Iowa. In addition, the museum’s free indoor gallery, featuring interactive exhibits detailing Iowa’s military history from the early 19th century to the present, are also available for viewing.

A tank outside the Goldstar Museum. (RI photo)

Visitors can enter Camp Dodge through the main gate at 7105 NW 70th Avenue, Johnston, IA 50310. Photo identification is required for admittance to Camp Dodge for individuals 16 years and older.

Note: ALL motorcyclists (drivers and passengers) on Camp Dodge are required to wear personal protective equipment consisting of a helmet, eye protection, gloves, long pants, long-sleeved shirt or jacket, and over-the-ankle footwear while traveling on Camp Dodge. Motorcyclists without the required equipment may park their motorcycles at the NW Beaver Drive gate turnaround and walk to the museum (approximately three blocks).

(Atlantic, Iowa) – The Iowa Association for College Admissions Counseling will sponsor a College Fair this coming WEDNESDAY, Sept. 17 (2025), at the Atlantic High School. The event takes place from 9-until 10:30-a.m.

52 representatives from post-secondary institutions will be in attendance at the College Fair. Those representatives will be present to speak about opportunities at the respective colleges, vocational and technical schools, as well as military services.

The Iowa Assoc. for College Admission Counseling has established College Day/College Night programs throughout the state, to provide a supportive environment for students to obtain information and appropriate counseling helpful in their college selection process. Students, parents and/or interested adults from Atlantic and the surrounding communities are invited to attend.

(Radio Iowa) – The calendar says it’s mid-September but it’s feeling a lot more like mid-July. National Weather Service meteorologist Andrew Ansorge says we have several days of unseasonable heat ahead. “We’re looking at a warm-to-hot stretch of weather here from today through early next week at least,” Ansorge says, “probably going into the middle of next week, with highs any of these days well into the 80s, if not the 90s.” The forecast for many communities across southern and central Iowa calls for highs in the mid-90s, but he says it’s unlikely we’ll see many records set, if any.

“The only record that currently could be challenged or broken would be at Des Moines on Saturday and that’s where we have a record of 96 from 1939. Our current forecast is 95,” Ansorge says. “There aren’t a lot of record highs that we’re challenging with this round of heat, but it’s late in the season to have these kind of temperatures, so people will still want to take the typical precautions if they have outdoor events or plans.”

That includes wearing a hat, sunscreen, and light weight and light colored clothing, avoiding strenuous activities outside, staying in the shade as much as possible, and drinking plenty of non-alcoholic beverages. Your yard and garden may need a drink, too. “This heat’s going to last early to mid next week and then we do have a front that’s going to slowly move in,” Ansorge says, “and that’s when we could see some chances for showers and storms return to the forecast, as well as some seasonable temperatures by late next week.”

The average high temperature for today in Des Moines is 78 degrees, while the forecast calls for it to reach 93.

(Creston, Iowa) – A Union County man was arrested Thursday afternoon in his room at a motel, in Creston. The Creston Police Department reports 24-year-old Marcos Jesus Baylon, of Creston, faces charges that include Assault Causing Bodily Injury or Mental Illness, and Sexual Abuse in the 3rd Degree. Baylon was taken to Union County Jail, where his bond was set at $11,000.

Creston Police said also, 41-year-old Jessica Jo England, of West Des Moines, was arrested Thursday morning at the Creston/Union County Law Enforcement Center, where she was charged with an outside warrant. England was taken to Union County Jail and later released on bond.

(Radio Iowa) – A floating museum housed inside an 80-year-old warship is docked for the next several days on the Mississippi River in Muscatine, its only stop in Iowa this year. Cory Burdette is the museum operations coordinator for the L-S-T 3-2-5, which is packed with history and open for tours. “The LST, or landing ship tank, was designed in World War Two to be the largest naval vessel to transport troops, supplies, equipment and vehicles — such as tanks, trucks and a variety of different things — directly on the beach during amphibious landings,” Burdette says. This particular ship has a storied past and it’s the only one of its kind that remains seaworthy.

Photos courtesy of the USS LST Ship Memorial

“What’s special about the 325 is in World War Two, the United States made 1,051 LSTs, and out of all the ones that were made in World War Two, this is the last one that is still fully functional,” Burdette says, “and it goes to a variety of different places, including the beautiful city of Muscatine, Iowa.” The 3-2-5 saw action during World War Two, it was used in the Arctic Ocean in the 1950s, and was later in the service of the Greek Navy before it was acquired by the USS LST Ship Memorial in 2000 and refurbished. Its home port is now on the Ohio River in Evansville, Indiana. The ship is 328 feet long — longer than a football field — and all of its decks are open for exploring, including the tank deck, which could hold 20 Sherman tanks.

“There’s going to be a tour route designated for you,” Burdette says. “We have over 50 volunteers that are living on the ship and they’ll help you with taking pictures, describing displays and everything like that, and you just go around at your own leisure.” L-S-Ts were also used during the Korean and Vietnam wars, so visiting the ship is a way for some veterans to “come home,” Burdette says, or for younger people to connect with a relative who served. “People can watch documentaries and people can read books all day, and those are great, don’t get me wrong, but immersing yourself in it, literally feeling it, smelling it, touching it,” Burdette says. “We have a saying on the ships that whenever you get on board, you walk the decks of history, and it’s true because you’re walking where these guys walked.”

The ship will be in Muscatine through Monday and is open for tours 9-to-5 daily.

(Nodaway, Iowa) – Firefightrs from Corning and Villisca responded to a hay baler fire Thursday night, about three-miles north of Nodaway. The fire took place at around 9:20-p.m., near the intersection of Highway 34 and Cherry Avenue.

When fire fighting crews arrived, they found a John Deere hay baler on fire in a field, still attached to a tractor. They were able to disconnect the baler from the tractor, which was not damaged. The baler itself was considered a total loss. A dollar amount of the damage was not immediately available.

No injuries were reported.

In addition to the Corning and Villisca Fire Departments, Deputies with the Adams County Sheriff’s Office and Adams County Ambulance crews assisted at the scene. Their efforts were coordinated by the Adams and Montgomery County Communications Centers.

(Radio Iowa) – The Iowa Natural Resource Commission discussed the possibility of increasing hunting, fishing and trapping fees by 5% at their monthly meeting.

Commissioners and those who spoke on the issue Thursday say the increase could help the DNR do more to conserve and restore wildlife habitat. Commissioner K.R. Buck says the issue has generated a lot of support. “We have lit a fire underneath the sportsmen. I will guarantee you that besides the CO2 pipeline, I’ve been contacted more in the last two weeks about this, and they’re all in favor,” he says.

Buck says supporters don’t think it will be enough. “They’re all afraid that 5% isn’t going to get us where we need to be,” Buck says.
State law caps annual license fee increases at 5%.

State lawmakers and the governor would need to sign off before a license fee increase went into effect.