(Radio Iowa) – The calendar says summer arrives on Friday and forecasters say the steamy, hot weather of the season will also arrive in Iowa on Friday, right on time. Meteorologist Donna Dubberke, at the National Weather Service, says Iowans should try to enjoy these final days of spring.

“By the time we get to Friday, we’re going to be into a warming trend,” Dubberke says. “We’re looking at heat indices pushing 100-degrees on Friday and then Saturday, it looks downright hot with a heat index over 105, it’s going to be hot and muggy, and then still hot on Sunday.”

She says the long-range forecast shows high temperatures are expected to fall back in the 80s by next Tuesday.

WASHINGTON, June 17, 2025 – FreshRealm establishments in San Clemente, Calif., Montezuma, Ga., and Indianapolis, Ind., are recalling chicken fettuccine alfredo products that may be adulterated with an outbreak strain of Listeria monocytogenes (Lm), the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) announced today. Out of an abundance of caution, the company is voluntarily recalling all products produced prior to June 17, 2025, that are available in commerce under the following brand names.

The following ready-to-eat products were shipped to Kroger and Walmart retail locations nationwide [view labels]:

• 32.8-oz. tray packages containing “MARKETSIDE GRILLED CHICKEN ALFREDO WITH FETTUCCINE Tender Pasta with Creamy Alfredo Sauce, White Meat Chicken and Shaved Parmesan Cheese” with best-by date 06/27/25 or prior.
• 12.3 oz. tray packages containing “MARKETSIDE GRILLED CHICKEN ALFREDO WITH FETTUCCINE Tender Pasta with Creamy Alfredo Sauce, White Meat Chicken, Broccoli and Shaved Parmesan Cheese” with best-by date 06/26/25 or prior.
• 12.5 oz. tray packages containing “HOME CHEF Heat & Eat Chicken Fettuccine Alfredo with pasta, grilled white meat chicken, and Parmesan cheese” with best-by date 06/19/25 or prior. 

The products bear the USDA mark of inspection on the product label as well as establishment numbers “EST. P-50784,” “EST. P-47770,” or “EST. P-47718” printed on the side of the packaging.

FSIS and public health partners are investigating an outbreak of Lm that currently includes 17 ill people in 13 states. As of June 17, 2025, there have been three reported deaths and one fetal loss associated with this outbreak. The outbreak strain of Lm was isolated from ill people on dates ranging from August 2024 – May 2025. The same outbreak strain was isolated from a routine chicken fettuccine alfredo sample collected by FSIS in a FreshRealm establishment in March 2025. The lot of chicken fettuccine alfredo represented by this sample was held during sampling, destroyed, and never entered commerce. The subsequent investigations at the establishment that produced this product, and into the product ingredients, have not identified the source of contamination. FSIS also used purchase records from two ill people to trace purchased chicken fettuccine alfredo products to FreshRealm establishments. An additional two ill people verbally described chicken fettuccine alfredo products they purchased. FSIS identified products produced by FreshRealm that matched the descriptions during follow-up at the retail stores where they shopped. This investigation is ongoing. FSIS is sharing what is currently known regarding products associated with the outbreak as the agency continues to work with public health partners to identify whether a specific ingredient in the chicken fettucine alfredo may be the source of this strain of Lm.

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, people 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 in older adults and people with weakened immune systems. Listeriosis is treated with antibiotics. People 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 products may be in consumers’ refrigerators or freezers. Consumers who have purchased these products are urged not to consume them. These products should be thrown away or returned to the place of purchase.

(Creston, Iowa) – Police in Creston report the arrest Tuesday evening of 41-year-old Daniel Lee Fasce, of Creston. Fasce was charged with Possession of a Controlled Substance Marijuana/1st Offense. He was cited and released on a Promise to Appear.

And, a Lenox Business, Lincoln’s Lawn Care, reported to Creston Police Tuesday morning, the theft of a John Deere 322 Lawn Tractor. The tractor was parked east of County Club Drive, in Creston. It had concrete filled wheel weights, a missing rear taillight, and a dry rotted seat that is in bad shape. Estimated loss is $3000.

The Iowa Broadcasters Association, at its Annual Convention in Des Moines, Iowa on Thursday, June 12, 2025, awarded four outstanding Iowa media executives for their contributions to broadcasting and to the State of Iowa.

2025 Broadcaster of the Year – Kevin Tlam

The 2025 Broadcaster of the Year award was presented to Kevin Tlam of Spencer Media Group in Spencer, Iowa. Kevin worked part time at KFMC/KSUM in Fairmont, Minnesota while in high school and during his years at Iowa Lakes Community College. Upon his graduation from ILCC in May of 1997, Kevin joined Spencer Media Group. He currently serves as operations manager for the Spencer Media Group, program director for KICD-AM and KMRR-FM, co-host of the MORE Morning Show on KMRR-FM, back-up engineer, back-up severe weather broadcaster and fills in as news reporter when needed.

Kevin has shown exceptional leadership over the years, but never more than during 2024. The station’s weather director resigned his position in May and Kevin absorbed the severe weather reporting duties.  On Saturday, June 22, 2024, Spencer was hit with a 500-year flood. Much of the city was devastated by flood waters, including the radio station’s tower site, transmitter building and basement. From 7:25 am to 6:00pm, Kevin was on the air sharing emergency updates and information on safety procedures and instructions from emergency personnel, simulcasting this information on all three of our stations. The live broadcasts continued every day for three weeks.

Kevin is also an active in the Spencer community. He is a member of the After 5 Kiwanis Club, on the Clay County Regional Events Center Advisory Board, active in the United Methodist Church in Spencer, an ordained Wedding Officiant and serves on the Executive Board for the Clay County Fair.

2025 Hall of Fame Award – Roger Riley

Roger Riley is well-known for his tireless work ethic, boundless faith, and devotion to his family. Reporting the news took him across the state and provided the opportunity to tell some of Iowans’ most memorable stories.

Riley was a broadcast journalist for more than 40 years and in 2025, retired as a multi-media journalist at WHO-TV in Des Moines. His hard news stories often led the evening newscasts, and he traveled to many parts of the state for feature reporting. Viewers appreciated his severe weather reporting as he used his camera-equipped car.

As a native of Norway, Iowa, his interest in broadcasting traces back to his school days when his dentist’s office was in the same building as WMT radio and TV. Curiosity about broadcasting that he had developed during a high school speech class led him to write a letter to the station, and they invited him to watch a noon newscast.

A graduate of Eastern New Mexico University, Riley’s first TV reporting job was in Roswell, New Mexico at KBIM-TV. He soon returned home where the legendary KWWL News Director Grant Price hired him for a job at KWWL’s sister station, KTIV in Sioux City. Riley became KTIV’s first Spencer Bureau reporter where he covered stories around northwest Iowa.

Riley’s career also included: reporter at KSFY, Sioux Falls; Waterloo bureau reporter for KGAN-TV, Cedar Rapids; and reporter/photographer at WOI-TV, Des Moines, before joining the staff at WHO-TV.

2025 Hall of Fame Award – Dolph Pulliam

Dolph Pulliam was the first African American television broadcaster in the State of Iowa, joining KCCI in 1969. He served KCCI as a reporter, sports reporter/anchor and show host over his twenty-year broadcasting career.

Following his four-year career playing for the Drake Bulldogs, Dolph had the opportunity to go into the NBA or NFL. He was drafted and heavily recruited to play in the NFL by legendary coach Tom Landry and the Dallas Cowboys. He was also drafted by the Boston Celtics where Red Auerbach promised him a shoe contract and other amenities befitting an NBA player. Despite these opportunities, Dolph chose
broadcasting instead. His decision was influenced by one of his Drake professors and advisors who told Dolph, his impact on others would be far greater if he stayed in Iowa and became a television broadcaster.

While at KCCI-TV, Dolph reported news and sports. He eventually joined Mary Brubaker as a host of the station’s midday news and lifestyle show. He hosted the Jerry Lewis Labor Day telethon for 18 years and Operation Santa Claus for 10 years. Dolph also became the host for two KCCI-TV originally produced children’s shows, “One, Two, Three” and “Dolph’s Cartoon Corner.” Dolph has dozens of anecdotes from Iowans who were impacted by his television work.

For years Dolph provided color commentary on radio broadcasts for the Drake Bulldogs basketball games. Recently, he served as an executive producer on the nationally acclaimed documentary on the life of Drake football legend, Johnny Bright.

2025 Hall of Fame Award – Mark Osmundson

Mark Osmundson was born in La Crosse, Wisconsin. After his family relocated to Memphis, Tennessee, he graduated from Overton High School in 1969 and obtained a business degree from the University of Memphis in 1973. On November 29, 1975, Mark married Emily Campbell, and they moved to Marshalltown in 1978 to launch MTN Broadcasting (KDAO), thus continuing his family’s broadcasting  legacy another generation.

Osmundson passed away at the age 73 on February 4, 2025. His son, Eric Osmundson, accepted his Hall of Fame Award.

Osmundson was an active member of the Board of Directors for both the Iowa Broadcasters Association and Iowa Broadcasters Association Foundation.

Always the eternal optimist, Mark’s glass wasn’t just half full, it was overflowing. He loved his family, his broadcasting career, and giving back to his community.

He was an engaged member and leader of several community organizations, committees, and industry groups such as Rotary International, Iowa Broadcasters Association, Marshalltown Area Chamber of Commerce, Marshall County Crime Stoppers, United Way, and International Broadcasters Idea Bank.  His generous service earned him several awards including Iowa Broadcaster of the Year, Marshalltown’s Volunteer of the Year, and Rotary’s Kenneth Brintnall Award

(Atlantic, Iowa) – Cass County Engineer Trent Wolken, Tuesday morning, provided his regular report on Secondary Roads Department maintenance and activities, during a meeting of the Cass County Board of Supervisors. He started-off with an update on current construction projects.

Wolken said three of the four bridges on the 10-mile stretch of Road were finished before paving, with work on the shoulders starting before the end of this week

Cass County Board of Supervisors meeting, 6-17-25

Wolken said also, two bridges were part of Tuesday’s Iowa DOT bid-letting.

The results of the bid-letting will be reported by Wolken during the Board’s next regular meeting. He reported also on an accident on 620th Street that occurred last week, and that involved a Cass County motor grader and a semi, as we had reported Monday, on KJAN.

Wolken estimated the damage to the grader at $35,000. There was also a $4,500 fee to tow the grader from the scene. No injuries were reported, and as of the latest information, no citations had been issued.

(Radio Iowa) – Carbon monoxide poisoning is usually associated with fall and starting up the furnace, but Iowans need to be aware that the colorless, odorless gas can be equally as lethal during the summer months — including while staying in a rental cabin or even while boating. Dr. Benjamin Orozco, an emergency physician at Emplify Health by Gundersen, says people need to know the causes and the risks.

Dr. Benjamin Orozco (Gundersen photo)

“When you start working on your lawn equipment for the spring, if you’re running a small engine inside a garage or in an enclosed space, that’s a common cause of carbon monoxide poisoning,” Orozco says. “If you’re pressure washing indoors with a gas-powered pressure washer, these are real problems.”

Carbon monoxide poisoning can also strike water skiers and anyone else being towed on the water, though it’s more rare.

“Even outdoors, right behind a boat, if the wind is right and you’re just breathing in that boat exhaust at a close distance, maybe wakeboarding or water skiing where you’re right behind it,” Orozco says. “If you’re getting a headache, you’re getting nauseous, you’re not feeling right, it has actually caused significant carbon monoxide poisoning in people in close proximity to motor sports.”

Many Iowans have plans for summer vacations and he suggests you consider packing a combination CO and smoke detector — with fresh batteries — to take along on the trip.

“When you’re in vacation rentals, sometimes the owners aren’t on top of changing those smoke alarms, and sometimes the equipment in there is getting used by various people at different times,” Orozco says. “There have been poisonings of families who are in vacation rentals, so I actually travel with a small carbon monoxide detector to keep my family safe.”

Emplify Health by Gundersen has clinics in Calmar, Decorah, Fayette, Lansing, Postville and Waukon, and a hospital in West Union.

(Creston, Iowa) – Officials with the Creston Police Department say no injuries were reported following a collision that occurred at around 2-p.m. Tuesday, near the MATURA building at 212 N. Maple Street. Authorities say a car driven by 87-year-old Darlene Blazek, of Creston, was traveling southbound, and had pulled to the west side of the road in the marked parking area. Blazek thought she put her car into “park,” but it began backing up.

Police say Blazek failed to apply the brakes, and instead accelerated her vehicle in reverse before it struck a legally parked and unoccupied SUV. Authorities said in their report, she appeared to be very confused, and did not know how the accident happened.

Damage from the collision amounted to a police-estimated $3,500 altogether. No citations were issued.

(Atlantic, Iowa) – This week’s Produce in the Park (in the downtown Atlantic City Park), is being celebrated as “Beef Night.” The event takes place on Thursday, June 19th from 4:30-to 6:30-p.m.  This week’s farmers market features cow-themed fun for the whole family. Kids and adults alike will enjoy meeting baby calves and saying hello to Cass County Beef Royalty. Kids can get creative with a free cow-themed craft from Your Forte, and local beef vendor Noble Provisions will be grilling burgers for dinner. Market guests will enjoy free live performances by Dance Atlantic and sample guest chef Sloppy Joe recipes.

Two food trucks will be serving up dinner in the park June 19. In addition to Noble Provisions selling burgers, Hungry Spartan will be offering pizza.

The June 19 market includes more than 20 vendors offering farm-fresh produce like leafy greens, cucumbers, radishes, snap peas, and kohlrabi, along with local meats including beef products such as beef sticks, dried beef, and ribeyes, as well as pork, lamb, and chicken. Shoppers will find farm-fresh eggs, as well as baked goods and desserts like sourdough, Danish kringle, cinnamon rolls, muffins, cupcakes, cookies, cotton candy, bagels, and gluten-free options.

Cows and calf at Hoopy Hallow Ranch.

Beyond food, visitors will find handmade crafts, bath and body products, garden gifts, and home décor. Visiting organizations and sponsors sharing community information at the park June 19 include Cass County Tourism, Cass Health, Healthy Cass County, and the Atlantic Public Library.

Beef Night at Produce in the Park is made possible by support from June market sponsors Atlantic United Church of Christ, City of Atlantic, First Whitney Bank & Trust, Gregg Young Chevrolet of Atlantic, Cass Health, Cass County Tourism, Atlantic Area Chamber of Commerce, and Nishna Valley Family YMCA. Produce in the Park is held every Thursday evening in the Atlantic City Park from 4:30–6:30 PM through September. All are welcome, and admission is free. The market accepts SNAP/EBT and Double Up Food Bucks for all qualifying food items.

For the latest market updates, follow Produce in the Park on Facebook at www.facebook.com/ProduceInThePark and Instagram at www.instagram.com/produceintheparkatlanticia/.

(Red Oak, Iowa) – The Red Oak Police Department reports 36-year-old Brandon Lee Gugenhan, of Red Oak, was taken into custody at around 8:30-p.m. Tuesday. He was arrested for Violation of a No Contact Order (A Simple Misdemeanor), and transported to the Montgomery County Jail. Gugehan was being held without bond, pending a court appearance.

(Radio Iowa) – County auditors are raising concerns about proposed rules from the Iowa Secretary of State’s office that would require the same training for every part-timer and volunteer who works on Election Day. Jenny Hillary is deputy commissioner of elections in the Dubuque County Auditor’s Office.

“There’s a lot of election personnel at the elections and all of the required training might not be necessary for people who are just picking up election night results or dropping something off on election morning,” she says. Election workers who open absentee ballots are trained on the rules for early voting and election workers at each precinct who screen voters and hand out ballots are trained about Election Day voting rules.

“And our election staff who are just picking up results to get back to the courthouse so we can timely get them uploaded to the state, so the public can see, probably don’t need all of the voter check-in process,” Hillary says. Eric Gookin, legal counsel for the Secretary of State’s office, says he and others on staff are reviewing those concerns. “Part of the trick is that the (Iowa) Code language says, is pretty flat about anybody who works in a polling place on Election Day,” he says, “and so we’re really looking at that to see if we can further define that down to address some of those issues.”

The proposed guidelines for training of what Gookin calls “precinct election workers” or P-E-Os were discussed this week during a meeting of the legislative panel that reviews all the rules state agencies develop. “The list of training requirements, the topics we chose were those that we already do heavily training on, both us and the counties, as sort of a baseline starting point, so that way everybody — all PEOs across the state are getting a similar baseline training,” Gookin says. “They also are reflective of the questions that we most frequently get from either the public or counties as we’re doing trainings.”

Gookin says the secretary of state’s office is developing new training materials, too.