The Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is looking for help with the annual wild turkey production survey.  During the months of July and August wild turkey sightings are recorded to estimate this year’s nesting rates and nest success.

Participation is easy – just note the date and county in which the turkey was seen, if it was an adult female or adult male – males have beards on their breast – and if and how many poults (baby turkeys) were present. The survey is available online at www.iowadnr.gov/turkey, then click on Wild Turkey Survey. There is also an identification guide on documenting wild turkey broods on the survey webpage, that provides tips on how to determine males from females, and different flock scenarios with poults of different ages.

Annual population surveys conducted by the DNR are an important component of managing the wild turkey. Turkey populations can fluctuate annually across all regions of the state.  All participation is appreciated.

(Radio Iowa) – As Iowans head off for Independence Day picnics and potlucks, an expert on food-borne pathogens offers a few reminders so everyone can enjoy the delicious dishes and avoid a trip to the ER. Michael Pentella, an epidemiology professor and director of the State Hygienic Laboratory at the University of Iowa, says it’s important to control food temperatures and to only bring out items from the refrigerator or cooler when it’s time to eat.

“You don’t want to leave it out there too long and give the bacteria time to multiply,” Pentella says. “It’s really important to keep cold food cold and hot food hot.” When grilling out, he recommends using a meat thermometer to make certain the pork, beef or chicken is being properly cooked to eliminate diseases like salmonella and E-coli.

“In the food prep stage, cross-contamination between foods that you’re going to cook and foods that you’re going to eat uncooked can occur,” Pentella says, “and washing your hands between touching the two are really important as well, and not using the same utensils, like the same knives.”

After the meal is over, before you head off to the lake or to play volleyball, be sure to put leftovers in the fridge or cooler as soon as possible to prevent bacterial growth. “When you transport food, it’s also important to transport at the right temperatures,” Pentella says, “so if you’re going to be taking food that should be kept cold from the refrigerator, it’s in another site, keep it cold during the transport.”

Lastly, he suggests checking the FDA website to insure nothing that’s on the menu or on your table has been subject of a recall or alert.

(Radio Iowa) – An eye doctor who serves northeast Iowa dreads being on call during the Fourth of July weekend, as she says there’s always a case of someone being blinded by fireworks. Dr. Anna Kitzmann, an ophthalmologist at the Emplify Health by Gundersen Clinic in Decorah, says fireworks can cause devastating injuries to the hands, face and especially to the eyes.

While manufacturers of fireworks recommend the use of hearing and eye protection before lighting the fuse, Kitzmann says she’d go a big step further.

Some items being sold in the big tents for Independence Day don’t go bang, and they’re considered fine for kids, but Kitzmann disagrees.

State health officials say the number of fireworks injuries in Iowa has more than doubled since fireworks were legalized for sale here in 2017, with many more children being hurt and more people needing amputation.

(Radio Iowa) – Meals from the Heartland passed the one million mark for meals distributed to Iowa food banks and pantries on June 1st, which beat the record total of 952-thousand meals for all of 2024. Marketing Manager Daniel Rieck says it’s good that they can produce that many meals, but sobering that they need to.

Rieck says higher food prices have driven the increased need. They get a big start on packaging meals in January and she says things tend to slow down in the summer.

The Hunger Fight is October 6th through the 11th and they have some four-thousand volunteers who help package two million meals.

A meal packaging event. (Meals from the Heartland photo)

Those meals go out internationally. The meals they make for Iowa are called the Taco Mac meal, with macaroni noodles, soy protein, taco seasoning and cheese inside the bag.

Rieck says the finished meal is similar to Hamburger Helper. The meals they send internationally are called hearty pack.

To learn more about the organization of find out how you can volunteer, go to mealsfromtheheartland.org.

(Radio Iowa) – President Donald Trump celebrated recent victories with a large crowd on the Iowa State Fairgrounds last (Thursday) night.

Trump says his second term as president is much more consequential than his first, driven by the domestic agenda outlined in the legislature he intends to sign today (Friday).

Trump began his speech by reminiscing about past Iowa victories in the 2016, 2020 and 2024 presidential campaigns — and praising Iowans for being loyal.

Trump, who spoke for over an hour, says his top aides are “working on legislation” that would let farmers vouch for employees who entered the country illegally.

President Donald Trump spoke to a large crowd on the Iowa State Fairgrounds on July 3, 2025. (RI photo)

Trump says U-S Ag Secretary Brooke Rollins told him farmers are “losing a lot of workers” as his administration pursues its aggressive deportation effort.

Trump’s appearance on the Iowa State Fairgrounds was the kick-off event for America 250 — the commission planning a series of celebrations to mark the 250th anniversary of the country’s independence. Trump announced last (Thursday) night there will be “Patriot Games” leading up to July 4th, 2026.

And Trump told the crowd he’s been talking with Ultimate Fighting Championship C-E-O Dana White about hosting mixed martial arts events on the White House lawn.

Trump also announced he has signed an executive order to raise national park fees for anyone who is not a U-S citizen, to raise money for events at every national park to mark the 250th anniversary of the country’s independence from Britain.

(Madison County, Iowa)  – Two people died during a collision Thursday afternoon south of Earlham, in Madison County. According to the Iowa State Patrol, a 1999 Pontiac Grand Prix GT driven by 55-year-old Kurtis James Hanner, of Stuart, was traveling south at a high rate of speed on the Earlham Road at around 2:45-p.m., about 5-miles north of 190th Street, when the car went out of control and was sideways on the road, when it was struck by a northbound 2009 Mercury Grand Marquis, driven by 63-year-old Jewel Ann Clark, of Winterset.

Hanner, and his passenger, 56-year-old Rodney Eugene Jones, of Casey, were ejected from their vehicle, and died at the scene. Clark suffered serious injuries and was transported by Madison County EMS to Methodist Hospital in Des Moines. All of the crash victims were wearing their seat belts.

The Madison County Sheriff’s Office assisted at the scene.

(Radio Iowa) – The law now allows you to shoot off fireworks today (Thursday) and tomorrow. State Fire Marshal Dan Brown says with fireworks legal to shoot off on private property for the first time in years, take precautions. “You know, just being safe. You know, having that water source there next to you in case something does light on fire with the fireworks,” he says.

Brown says be sure you are using fireworks in a safe place. “Staying away from building, staying away, dry grass and and fields and you know, just general, watching what you’re doing when you are lighting them off,” he says, “not pointing them at each other and just things like that. Use them in a safe manner.”

(RI photo)

You can shoot off fireworks today until 10 p-m and July 4th from 9 a-m until 11 p-m. (In the City of Atlantic: The City Council in June, set the times as being from 9-a.m. until 11-p.m., July 3rd, 4th, and 5th)

(Glenwood, Iowa) – Police in Glenwood report a man from Nebraska was arrested today (Thursday), on drug charges. 32-year-old Dakota Stewart, of Bellevue, NE., was arrested for OWI/1st offense, possession of a controlled substance, and possession drug paraphernalia. His bond was set at $2,300. Stewart was subsequently released on a Recognizance Bond.

(Radio Iowa) – Many Iowans will be celebrating the nation’s independence tonight by lighting the fuse on fireworks, and those big booms can be confusing and upsetting for some pets. Michelle Casey, with the Humane Society, says it’s likely -not- a good idea to take your dog to a fireworks display, either a big professional show or in your backyard.

“You never know when those fireworks start to go off or those loud noises, you never know how a dog’s going to react. So, I would suggest keeping your pets inside the house, somewhere where they’re secure during fireworks displays,” Casey says. “It can be really very stressful, and dogs can experience a lot of anxiety from that.”

Casey says if your pet does not like fireworks, consider getting some dog-specific anxiety medication before the -next- Independence Day.

Radio Iowa photo

“The big thing, I would say, is just keep your pets inside. During Fourth of July, you can turn on some music, turn on the TV, something like that, to kind of drown out the sound,” she says.

“And then, of course, you can speak to your veterinarian, if you think that your pet might require some medication to make them more comfortable.”

Casey also recommends using a weighted “thunder shirt” for dogs to help keep them calm.

(Radio Iowa) – The four Republicans who represent Iowa in the U.S. House will be voting to approve the bill that implements President Trump’s priorities, including an extension of the tax cuts he signed into law in 2017. “President Trump’s ‘One Big Beautiful Bill will dramatically grow our economy. It’s the largest tax cut in American history for families, farmers, workers and small businesses,” Fourth district Congressman Randy Feenstra said in a speech on the House floor early this morning. “…We must pass this bill to unleash economic growth and rural prosperity.” Feenstra said the bill will “virtually eliminate” the estate tax by permanently raising the amount someone can inherit — without paying federal taxes — to $15 million,”which will help save two million family farms. Additionally, this legislation fully funds the border wall, hires more ICE and Border Patrol agents and creates American energy independence.”

The bill phases out tax credits for wind and solar production, a move U.S. Energy Secretary Chris Wright said removes distortions in the market and will unleash energy production that works without subsidies. Iowa’s three other representatives in the U-S House posted video messages online about their support for bill. Third district Congressman Zach Nunn of Bondurant recorded his just as the sun was rising today. “This is what delivering for the American people looks like,” Nunn said, “this is what we were elected to do and this is why I’m proud to send it into law.”

Second district Congresswoman Ashley Hinson of Marion emphasized the new tax provisions in the bill. “No tax on tips, no tax on overtime,” Hinson said, “and we’re focusing on protecting our seniors by increasing the amount you’re able to deduct from your Social Security earnings.” First district Congresswoman Mariannette Miller-Meeks of Davenport said she’s “delighted” House Republicans will be able to get the bill “across the finish line” and to the president’s desk by July 4. “It helps our small businesses and it helps our farmers,” Miller-Meeks said. Iowa Democratic Party chair Rita Hart hosted a mid-morning rally to blast the bill. “If we’re going to have a ‘golden age,’ we’ve got to start making better decisions,” Hart said.

Hart and other speakers said the bill will put Iowa hospitals and nursing homes at risk and raise energy costs by phasing out tax credits for wind energy. “Does that seem fair to you?” Hart asked the crowd. “Does that even make any sense?” Dave Reid of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers said the bill puts America’s energy future at risk. “Developers are pulling back,” Reid said, “more instability in our national energy system at the worst possible time.” Sandy Holland, a nurse from Missouri Valley, said she’s worried about the impact on Medicaid payments for nursing homes and rural hospitals. “I have worked in rural Iowa my entire career. I know how many people come through our E.R.,” she said. “Do they really think these services are going to continue?”

The event was held in Windsor Heights, which is in Congressman Zach Nunn’s district. Hart urged the crowd to keep calling Nunn’s office and urge him to vote no on the bill.”Speak up, stand up, show up — that’s what you’ve been doing. That’s what we’ve got to keep doing,” Hart said. “Let’s make this message heard all over the country.”

It’s unclear when the House will vote. House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries has been speaking on the floor since just before 4 a.m. Iowa time. Under House rules, both Jeffries and the House Majority Leader are allowed to speak as long as they wish before House members start to vote.