(Radio Iowa) – Governor Kim Reynolds says a new collaboration between Iowa’s social services agency and a network of evangelical churches is a revolutionary approach that will be mimicked in other states.

Reynolds said also…

Reynolds spoke at The Family Leader’s annual summit — a few hours after the organization’s director of church engagement and Iowa Department of Health and Human Services director were on stage discussing the partnership.

Reynolds announced in April she would not seek reelection and grew emotional this (Friday) afternoon as she was ending her speech.

Reynolds told the crowd she looks forward to spending time with her family once she leaves office, but Reynolds says she intends to find some way to stay involved in the public sphere once her term as governor ends in early 2027.

Adair, IA (July 11, 2025) — Officials with ITC Midwest says the company has committed $5,000 through a “Power of Connection” grant, to support Little Smiles & Company’s initiative: Investing in the Future of Childcare Options in Adair & Surrounding Communities. This funding, the company says, will enable a comprehensive childcare market analysis and financial modeling consultation to address the growing childcare needs in Adair, Casey and nearby areas.

Little Smiles & Company is a state-licensed childcare center in Adair, currently serving approximately 30 children from the region. Due to recent changes in the Department of Health and Human Services’ age grouping policies and a growing wait-list, the center – alongside the City of Adair and the Adair-Casey School District – identified the need to explore expansion options to better support working families and ensure long-term sustainability.

Local Government and Community Affairs Manager Scott Arnold gathers with
Board Member of Little Smiles & Company Erika Lundy-Woolfolk and two care providers at Little
Smiles & Company in Adair. (Photo & story submitted)

Little Smiles & Company Board Member Erika Lundy-Woolfolk said “We are grateful for ITC Midwest’s support as we take this important step toward expanding childcare access in our small-town communities. This funding will help us work with First Children’s Finance to understand the true demand for childcare and evaluate the feasibility of building a new center in
Adair.”

The $5,000 Power of Connection grant will help fund the engagement of First Children’s Finance, a third-party organization specializing in childcare business planning. Their analysis will guide data-based decisions to improve access to affordable and quality childcare and strengthen provider retention in the region.

“Childcare is essential to the vitality of rural communities,” said ITC Midwest President Dusky Terry. “We are proud to support Adair’s efforts to create sustainable solutions that benefit families, employers and the future of the community.”

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About the Power of Connection Program
The Power of Connection community grant program is an initiative of ITC Midwest and the Iowa Rural Development Council (IRDC). This innovative economic development program is designed to pair rural communities seeking assistance with IRDC resource teams. Those teams drive both community conversations and solution development for problems or projects. Communities eligible for the Power of Connection program must have populations of under 10,000 and be outside of a metropolitan area. Power of Connection grant dollars cannot be used for construction, real estate or equipment.

About ITC Midwest
ITC Midwest LLC is a wholly-owned subsidiary of ITC Holdings Corp., the nation’s largest independent electricity transmission company. ITC Midwest operates more than 6,600 circuit miles of transmission lines in Iowa, Minnesota, Illinois, Missouri and Wisconsin. ITC Midwest is headquartered in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, and maintains regional operating facilities in Dubuque, Iowa City and Perry, Iowa; and Albert Lea and Lakefield, Minnesota. For further information visit www.itcmidwest.com. ITC is a subsidiary of Fortis Inc., a leader in the North American regulated electric and gas utility industry. For further information visit www.fortisinc.com.

(Carroll County, Iowa) – A vehicle that failed to stop at a controlled intersection late this (Friday) morning, in Carroll County, was struck by two other vehicles, resulting in the death of two people and injuries to another person. The Iowa State Patrol reports the accident happened at around 11:20-a.m. at the intersection of Highway 71 and 120th Street, east of Breda.

Authorities said a 2023 Toyota RAV4 driven by 79-year-old Jack Parks Brown, of Breda, was eastbound on 120th Street. A 2022 Chevy Equinox driven by 79-year-old Jeanette Mary Bolster, of Lake City, was southbound on Highway 71, and a 2025 Freightliner semi driven by 47-year-ol Tyler Jon Ward, of Ankeny, was northbound on Highway 71.

When the Toyota failed to stop at the posted  intersection stop sign, it was struck by the Chevy in the intersection, and then hit by the semi. The RAV4 entered the east ditch after being struck by the semi. The Patrol says Jack Parks Brown was pronounced deceased at the local hospital. A passenger in the Chevy, 82-year-old Frances Norbert Bolster, also died in the crash.

Jeanette Bolster was injured and transported by ambulance to St. Anthony Hospital in Carroll. The driver of the semi and a passenger in his vehicle were not injured. All of the crash victims were wearing seat belts. The State Patrol was assisted at the scene by Carroll Police and Carroll EMS.

(Omaha, NE) – The Omaha Police Department reports a man from western Iowa was arrested following an investigation into a fatal crash involving two vehicles, that occurred at around 2:10-a.m. today (Friday)  on westbound I-480 near 14th Street. Police say their preliminary investigation revealed that one vehicle, a Ford pickup, was traveling the wrong direction on I-480 and struck another vehicle, a Buick sedan, nearly head-on. The impact caused the Buick to catch fire.

Two occupants inside the Buick were pronounced deceased at the scene by Omaha Fire Department personnel. Two additional occupants, both teenage girls, were taken to Nebraska Medicine with serious injuries. The two occupants of the Ford were also taken to the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.

Alcohol is being investigated as a factor, and the investigation remains ongoing. The driver of the Ford, 22-year-old Christian Stephens, of Earling (IA), was booked into the Douglas County, NE Jail, on two counts of misdemeanor Motor Vehicle Homicide and Willful Reckless Driving.

Additional information will be released once next of kin notifications have been made and the investigation allows.

(Radio Iowa) – A pow wow this weekend in northwest Iowa will highlight the issue of Native Americans who have had relatives killed or go missing. The non-profit Red Sky Nation was founded by the family of Terri McCauley, who was a Native American murdered in Sioux City in 1983. Red Sky Nation executive director Trisha Rivers says native people face higher rates of violence, poverty, drug abuse and homelessness.

Rivers says Native Americans face higher rates of violence, poverty, drug abuse, and homelessness, and the non-profit hopes to change that.

Terri McCauley’s cold case finally led to the arrest of Thomas Popp recently, and his trial is scheduled to start next month (August 12th).

The Missing and Murdered Indigenous Relatives Pow Wow gets started this afternoon (Friday) at Riverside Park in Sioux City and continues through the weekend.

(By Sheila Brummer, Iowa Public Radio)

(Radio Iowa) – The head of Iowa’s Department of Health and Human Services says she’s developing partnerships with Iowa pastors and churches to help for Iowans facing personal challenges. H-H-S director Kelly Garcia says government is an incredibly powerful force for good, but it doesn’t need to be involved in everything.

Garcia says foster care and services for disabled Iowans are core government functions that no one else can do, but Garcia says her agency has found a team of church leaders eager to step into other gaps.

Garcia says the partnership with The Family Leader’s church ambassador network has exceeded her expectations and is addressing social isolation and a lack of hope that are all too common among Iowans who need her agency’s services.

Iowa Dept. of Health and Human Services director Kelly Garcia speaking at The Family Leader’s annual summit on July 11, 2025. (RI photo)

Garcia spoke today (Friday) at The Family Leader’s annual summit. Greg Baker, the group’s V-P of church engagement, says the evangelical church is ready to dive into the social service side of government and it will outperform expectations.

Vander Plaats says a record number of pastors and congregations are represented today (Friday) at the group’s annual summit.

Governor Kim Reynolds and Arkansas Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders are scheduled to speak at the event later this (Friday) afternoon.

(Radio Iowa) – After more than 60 years, the University of Iowa is ending its lease on the MacBride Nature Recreation Area, as officials say renewing the lease would be too expensive. The U-I first leased the land from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers in the early 1960s. Over the decades, the park has welcomed countless researchers and locals, while Johnson County Conservation director Brad Freidhof says it’s also home to the university’s wildlife camps.

The university pays no rent but is responsible for maintaining the 485 acres of trails and natural growth. The lease with the Corps of Engineers will end in 2029.

U-I President Barbara Wilson says continuing the lease would not have been financially feasible, given the university’s current resources. A statement from the university said keeping the land would cost 14-point-eight million dollars up front, and an additional million dollars every year for upkeep.

(James Kelley, Iowa Public Radio)

Council Bluffs, IA — The Friends of Westfair Committee is proud to announce a $100,000 gift from the Community Foundation for Western Iowa, supporting the Westfair Capital Campaign and its mission to modernize and improve the 80-acre fairgrounds and amphitheater. The foundation, a champion of the campaign since its inception, has played a vital role in helping guide and shape the future of Westfair.
“We are incredibly honored to support this transformational project,” said Donna Dostal, President and CEO of the Community Foundation for Western Iowa.

“Westfair has such a rich impact on our region, and this vision paints a picture of Westfair as a vibrant tourism destination and economic driver for years to come. It’s especially meaningful to support a project that touches all of Southwest Iowa and the surrounding communities the Foundation is proud to serve.” The Community Foundation’s gift will be publicly celebrated during the Spirit of Westfair Dinner on Saturday, July 12, 2025—a special evening honoring Westfair’s past, present, and exciting future.

Westfair modernization (conceptual image)

At the heart of Westfair’s Phase 1 modernization is a 65,000-square-foot state-of-the-art education and exposition facility that will:
● Consolidate livestock events (market beef, breeding beef, dairy, swine, goats, sheep) under one roof;
● Host new events such as rodeos, equestrian competitions, small conferences, and car shows;
● Include air-conditioned gathering areas, ADA-compliant upgrades, and a mother’s room/family restrooms;
● Add classroom and conference space for 4-H, FFA, and year-round youth and community programming

To ensure the long-term sustainability of the project, Westfair has also established an endowment fund at the Community Foundation for Western Iowa. This fund ensures that Westfair’s impact continues for generations to come. “The Community Foundation has been one of our strongest partners,” said Connie Casson, Chair of the Friends of Westfair Committee. “Their support and belief in our vision has meant the world to us. This gift—and the endowment—underscore their commitment to building a stronger, more vibrant region.”

The Westfair Capital Campaign is working toward a $12 million goal, with over $4 million already committed from foundations, local families, and regional businesses. For more information on the project or how to support, visit www.westfair.org or contact the Friends of Westfair Committee at friends@westfair.org or (402) 981-5973.

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Spirit of Westfair Dinner – July 12, 2025
Come celebrate with the Westfair community at an evening filled with food, music, and appreciation for those supporting the campaign.
● 5:00 PM – Social Hour
● 6:00 PM – Queen Candidate Introductions
● 6:30 PM – Dinner and Dessert Auction
● 8:30 PM – Live Music by XOLEX (21+ only)
● Location – Commercial Building at Westfair Grounds
Enjoy a delicious dinner, lively dessert auction, introduction of the 2025 Westfair queen candidates, and exciting announcements about Westfair 2025 and the capital campaign.
️
Tickets: $50 per person / Tables of 10 available RSVP via:

● Online: https://forms.gle/viSVmoHyxnbrG1jk9

● Venmo: @westfair-iowa

● Mail: P.O. Box 698, Council Bluffs, IA 51502

(Radio Iowa) – Heavy wind and rains moved through central Iowa overnight and this morning (Friday). National Weather Service Metrologist Alexis Jimenez says there were some big totals in the rain gauges.  “Kind of in between Interstate 80 and Highway 30, we saw several amounts around one to three inches,” she says. Jimenez says the storm had winds driving the rain and knocking down tree limbs. And as it approached Des Moines and even a little bit east of Des Moines, we had some winds exceeding 70 miles per hour,” she says. Thousands were left without power early this morning as many tree limbs were knocked down. Tornadoes were spotted yesterday (Thursday)evening in Franklin Count near Alexander, near Malcom in Poweshiek County, and northeast of Canton in Jackson County. There were no reports of any damage or injury from the tornadoes.

Jimenez says the storms are expected to start up again in the early afternoon, bringing more rain. “That will continue at least through the first half of the afternoon for the Des Moines area and then for portions of eastern and southeast Iowa, we’re talking probably for the rest of at least this afternoon and into the early evening” she says. “Rainfall now so looking anywhere between one to three inches in addition, and you could have some locally higher amounts as well with any heavier thunderstorm.” Jimenez says the it is a persistent storm. “A two-pronged system that we had starting yesterday and then moving into today. So this is part of the same system that affected us last night and I guess being helped by whatever is leftover from yesterday,” she says.

Jimenez says to be award of the potential for flash flooding with more rain today (Friday).

(Radio Iowa) – Governor Kim Reynolds says the state and federal government should stick with the voluntary approach to reducing farm chemical runoff into Iowa waterways. A report commissioned by Iowa’s largest county has found nitrate levels in the rivers used to provide drinking water in the Des Moines metro are among the highest in the United States. “You know regulation is hardly ever the answer. That’s a killer in most instances,” Reynolds said. “It takes out innovation. It takes out you know just the ability to be nimble.” Reynolds says since she took over as governor eight years ago, the state has spent hundreds of millions of dollars to help farmers install conservation practices that improve water quality.

Gov. Reynolds spoke with reporters after an event in Des Moines on July 10, 2025. (governor’s office photo)

“That’s, I think, where we need to continue to put our efforts,” Reynolds says. “I can’t control Mother Nature. They can’t control Mother Nature, so that’s just a component that they have to work with, but mark my word, they are working every single day to implement conservation practices because they know it benefits everybody.” Former Iowa Governor Tom Vilsack served 12 years as the nation’s secretary of agriculture. He says there is a definitely a role for the federal government in cleaning up waterways, but Vilsack suggests it’s supporting new ways to use manure from Iowa livestock operations.

“One of the reasons we have the nitrate problem is because there is an over application of manure on ground around the state…There’s only so much nutrients that land needs. It gets rid of the excess. It goes into the rivers and streams. We’ve got the problems,” Vilsack said. “What if you diverted that manure? What if you created opportunities to basically take that manure and create something more valuable from it?” Vilsack says manure is generating energy and fuel in other parts of the country and the federal government should support research and projects that turn manure into a commodity that’s sold like corn and beans. “You’ve reduced the level that’s applied to land, which reduces nitrates — which deals with the water issue, you’ve created an opportunity for that farmer to have additional income…and you also create jobs in rural places,” Vilsack said. “What’s not to like about that opportunity?”

Vilsack says there are other creative solutions like sensor technology that determines how much farm chemicals are needed on crop land. “In some cases it’s been suggested by folks at Iowa State that maybe 30% of our corn acres don’t necessarily need fertilizer at all,” Vilsack said. “Well, if that’s the case, that’s a savings for farmers.” Vilsack made his comments during taping of the “Iowa Press” program which airs tonight (Friday) on Iowa P-B-S.