(Iowa Capital Dispatch) – Iowa crops continue to rate well, though average rainfall across Iowa last week was less than seven-tenths of an inch and some regions suffered from damaging hail storms. While the average soil moisture conditions rate 70% adequate for topsoil and 60% adequate for subsoil conditions, some regions of the state have much drier conditions, according the crop progress and condition report prepared by U.S. Department of Agriculture.

In southeast Iowa, topsoil moisture rated 34% short and 10% very short, and subsoil moisture rated 48% short. Southwest Iowa had similar figures, topsoil moisture rated 33% short and 10% very short and subsoil rated 44% short and 11% very short. West central Iowa had topsoil moisture conditions fairly close to the average for the state, but 21% of subsoil in the region rated very short of moisture.

Despite the less than desirable soil moisture conditions, the regions were on par with the state averages for crop emergence for corn, 97% emerged, and soybeans, 93% emerged. Six percent of soybeans across the state were blooming. Corn and soybean crops continue to rate well, with both at more than 80% good to excellent condition. Hay condition was similarly rated across the state and 88% of hay acres have undergone a first cutting, and 16% have already had a second cutting. Oats also rated well with an average of 19% coloring. Pasture condition dropped slightly from the week prior to 69% good or excellent and no major livestock concerns were reported.

Corn grows along south-bound Interstate 35 on June 14, 2025. (Photo by Cami Koons/Iowa Capital Dispatch)

Northern parts of the state received the most rain during the June 9 through June 15 reporting period, but also suffered from large hail that damaged crops and trees. State Climatologist Justin Glisan said the state had an “unsettled weather pattern” with multiple showers and thunderstorms. Glisan said even though the rain was “widespread” the average precipitation was about half an inch below normal.

Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig noted the storms during the week damaged some crops, but said the overall mix of rain and warm temperatures “helped the crops progress.” “As summer officially arrives this week, forecasts are showing warmer-than-normal temperatures and continued chances of storms and widespread showers,” Naig said in a statement.

(Red Oak, Iowa) – A months-long investigation into thefts from a convenience store in Red Oak has culminated in an arrest. According to the Red Oak Police Department, 53-year-old Katherina Ann Gurney, of Red Oak, was arrested late this (Monday) morning, for Theft in the 3rd Degree. The investigation into her alleged activities was conducted by Casey’s General Store’s asset protection investigator, and Red Oak Police.

The investigation determined Gurney was allegedly involved in the theft of approximately $1,281 from the Casey’s South Store location. Gurney was being held in the Montgomery County Jail on a $2,000 bond.

Red Oak Police thank Casey’s staff for their cooperation and assistance during the investigation.

(Guthrie Center, Iowa) – The driver of a Subaru was injured during a single-vehicle accident Saturday morning in Guthrie County. The Guthrie County Sheriff’s Office reports 34-year-old Richard Alan Holbrook, of Yale, was driving a 2005 Subaru Legacy southbound in the 3200 block of Frontier Road at around 8:50-a.m., when he lost control of the vehicle while on his cell phone. He also admitted to drinking the night before. The car ran off the road to the right and entered a ditch where it struck a field access driveway embankment and went airborne, coming to rest in the ditch.

Holbrook suffered unknown, possible injuries and was transported by Adair EMS to the Guthrie County Hospital. A search warrant was obtained for the withdrawal of his blood for chemical testing. The results were not immediately available. Yale was cited for Failure to Maintain Control and Use of an electronic communication device while driving. His car sustained $5,000 damage.

And the Guthrie County Sheriff’s Office said no injuries were reported to the driver of a 2013 Chevy Impala, last Wednesday night, after her car struck a deer on White Pole Road. The car, driven by 18-year-old Shyann Young, of Adair, sustained $5,000 damage. No citations were issued.

(Des Moines, Iowa) – The Iowa Capital Dispatch reports Gov. Kim Reynolds’ “healthier and cheaper” alternative to federal summer food assistance programs is again facing criticism that it is less convenient and covers fewer food-insecure Iowans than the national program and offers families fewer choices than initially promised.

Reynolds’ Healthy Kids Iowa was announced in May after the U.S. Department of Agriculture approved the pilot program as an alternative to the federal Summer Electronic Benefits Transfer program. The federal program would have added $40 per month to a family’s Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program card for each school-age child during schools’ summer break that can be used at retailers across the state.

The Healthy Kids Iowa program was billed in the initial release as having “more than 500 access points statewide.” Currently, there are 254 access points for the governor’s program, where families can pick up pre-made boxes of food, valued at $40, to be prepared at home.  A spokesperson for the Iowa Department of Health and Human Services said the remaining access points are summer meal sites overseen by the Department of Education, where kids can eat a meal on site.

Meanwhile, there are over 2,900 retailers across Iowa that accept SNAP benefits, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Advocates for food assistance say the state’s program falls far short of Summer EBT as a way to get help to families in need. “Transportation barriers exist whether you’re two blocks away from a summer meal site or a Healthy Kids Iowa site or 20 miles,” said Luke Elzinga, board chair of Iowa Hunger Coalition.

Additionally, in the May announcement, Iowans were told they could “choose their monthly items, respecting their preferences and cultural and dietary needs.” Elzinga says that this is something his team “hasn’t necessarily seen pan out.” However, certain locations, such as the HACAP food reservoir in Hiawatha, allow families to choose from three prepackaged “menus.”

Reynolds said in an interview in late May with “Iowa Press,” the program cost the state around $9 million to administer. A more recent Facebook post from the governor’s office claims the new program cost the state $19,000 in administrative costs.

Iowa HHS contracted six Feeding America Food Banks to administer the new program throughout the state. These food banks are in charge of sourcing the food, finding distribution partners and determining areas of need throughout the state. “Well, it’s a heavy lift but we’re getting it done,” said Annette Hacker, vice president of Food Bank of Iowa. “It’s funding relief that was not available in our state the past two years, so obviously we support any effort that will get more food on the table for Iowa kids.”

Produce at a grocery store. (Photo by Cami Koons/Iowa Capital Dispatch)

Hacker said her team had “just a little over a month to prepare.” Preliminary talks with Iowa HHS on a plan for this program began in April with a revised plan being submitted on June 3. Some Healthy Kids Iowa sites began serving food the next day. Hacker said this was made possible by the commitment of 125 of the food bank’s 700 partners, which are acting as sites for the program.

The food itself is chosen in accordance with the USDA “Thrifty Food Plan,” which focuses on foods that are “nutritious, broadly appeal to kids and/or are easy to prepare by kids and caregivers.” Eligible families are given one pre-made box of food per month, per child at one of 254 locations statewide.

Some examples of items the Food Bank of Iowa purchased are macaroni and cheese cups, pasta and sauce, 1% milk, fruit and vegetable cups, ground beef, fresh produce (including avocados, grapes, pears, clementines and apples), shredded cheese, fresh eggs, protein waffle/pancake mix, tortillas, deli meat, whole wheat crustless sandwiches made with a peanut butter alternative, and protein shakes. However, available foods vary at each site.

Despite an emphasis on fresh foods and produce, Hacker says there “shouldn’t be any concerns about perishability because everything is fresh, first run, good, nutritious food.” The team has deliberately chosen fresh foods with longer shelf life. Hacker also said Food Bank of Iowa “can stretch a dollar pretty far” because purchases are made in bulk. Hacker said Food Bank of Iowa is “gravely concerned” about the proposed cuts to SNAP under the “big, beautiful bill” and says it will have “devastating impacts” on Iowa families. The expansive budget bill would cut upward of $220 billion from SNAP, the biggest cut in the history of the program.

(Radio Iowa) – Forecasters say most of Iowa faces the risk of severe weather late this afternoon and tonight, with hail, high winds, heavy rain and tornadoes all possible, especially for western, northwestern and north-central Iowa. Meteorologist Brooke Hagenhoff, at the National Weather Service, says after a weekend where parts of Iowa saw more than two inches of rainfall, much more moisture is on the way through tomorrow.

“Isolated pockets across the state could see four inches or more, depending on how some of these storms set up, so we are monitoring the potential with these repeated heavy rain events kind of on back-to-back days,” Hagenhoff says. “There may be some potential for flash flooding as well as maybe some rises on area rivers as well.”

These are the final days of spring, with summer arriving this weekend, and Hagenhoff says the weather is shifting right on schedule. “We’re looking at a return to the 90s as we get towards next week and it’s going to remain muggy,” she says, “so it’s definitely going to feel much more summerlike as we get towards the end of the week.”

Summer officially arrives on Friday at 9:42 pm/Central.

(Radio Iowa) – A new state law will require private insurance policies to cover a range of medically necessary services for Iowans with autism. Representative David Young of Van Meter says private insurers may no longer limit coverage to children, for example. “It prohibits a plan from imposing an aggregate annual or lifetime limit on coverage benefits for autism spectrum disorders,” Young says.

Some policies have limited the number of outpatient visits to medical professionals who diagnose autism in children and adults. That’s now prohibited and there are to be no limits on appointments for treatment with an autism service provider. Representative Adam Zabner of Iowa City says getting rid of these restrictions is a big step. “It’s very important that we ensure that folks with autism receive the care they need all the way through their life,” Zabner said.

HF330 cleared the Iowa legislature unanimously this year. A similar bil won unanimous approval in the Iowa House last year. (RI file photo of Iowa House Chamber)

The bill passed the legislature unanimously and Governor Reynolds signed it last week. The changes go into effect July 1st. Federal officials estimate about eight-thousand Iowa children and 53-thousand adults in Iowa have been diagnosed or are living with an autism spectrum disorder.

(Creston, Iowa) – An incident involving a water bottled resulted in a collision this (Monday) morning, in Creston. According to the Creston Police Department, a 2016 Ford Mustang driven by a 16-year-old male from Creston, was driving away from a 2008 Chysler PT Cruiser driven by 52-year-old Roberto Mares, of Creston, that was following the Mustang, because a person inside the Ford had tossed a water bottle out the window and struck the Chrysler.

As the Ford entered the Creston Hardees parking lot, the PT Cruiser was following too closely and struck the Mustang on the rear driver’s side, causing minor damage. The accident happened at around 10:40-a.m.

Mares told police there was loose rock where the collision occurred. That was confirmed by Officers at the scene, and by the individuals in the Mustang. A person in the Ford admitted to throwing a water bottle out of the car and hitting Mares’ vehicle, but he said it was accidentally thrown.

Creston Police cited Mares for Careless Driving and Following too close. There were no injuries reported. Damage to the vehicles amounted to a police-estimated $3,000 altogether.

(Glenwood, Iowa) – The Glenwood Police Department reports the arrest on Saturday, of 19-year-old Angelo Palmero, from Bellevue, NE. Palmero was arrested for OWI 1^st offense. He posted a $1,000 bond and was released. 

OMAHA, Neb. — VA Police will conduct an Active Shooter Response Training Exercise at the Shenandoah VA Clinic on Wednesday, June 18, 2025. The training exercise will take place between 12 p.m. and 4 p.m. The exercise is designed to provide the VA’s law enforcement team, and supporting law enforcement and emergency response agencies, an opportunity to train in a safe yet realistic environment.

“Exercises like these ensure that our officers are always ready in case an emergency happens,” said Eileen Kingston, Director of the VA Nebraska-Western Iowa Health Care System. “We’re appreciative of our emergency response partners in the community who help keep our clinic save, and we’re happy to come together with them on this exercise to improve response coordination in case of an active threat.”

During the training exercise, the public may see an increased uniformed law enforcement and emergency response presence at the clinic. This presence is part of the planned training exercise.

Note: Due to the nature of the training, the exercise will not be open to the public.

(Radio Iowa) – Iowa Ag Secretary Mike Naig and former Ag Secretary Patty Judge opened a time capsule last week that was put inside the base of a display of replica steel plow in 2000. The plow display was inside the Wallace Building and the capsule was supposed to be opened in 25 years and they did so during good-bye event for the building. Current and former staff members from the Ag Department and D-N-R who worked in the building for many years were on hand watching as Judge and Naig showed off the contents.

A time capsule inside the base of this plow display was opened by Iowa’s AG Secretary. (RI photo)

“Grain market news, this is markets. Corn in northwest Iowa, Monday, October 16th, 2000. Buck-59, to a buck 66, who likes those prices?,” Naig asked. There were many pamphlets and newspapers from 25 years ago in the capsule. There were some photos and Naig pulled out small tubes containing samples of corn, soybeans and oats.

Naig challenged the audience when he pulled a floppy disc out of the capsule.

Naig said he didn’t know what was on the disc and would have to check with I-T to see if the wanted to open it. Judge said she hadn’t remembered all the things that were put in the capsule 25 years ago. She says she does remember when they opened up the capsule back then to put in new things, that one of the items inside was a half pack of cigarettes. Naig said the Ag Department will come up with some things to put into the capsule to seal it for another 25 years.