(Radio Iowa)  – The Iowa Right to Life rally and march is this Saturday at the State Capitol. Pulse Life Advocates executive director Maggie DeWitte says they started the event three years ago when the U.S. Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade.

“We felt it was very important that we commemorate and celebrate the fact that federal abortion law. Is no longer in our country and what that did was bring abortion law back to individual states,” she says. DeWitte says many people thought that ruling ended abortion in every state, but she says it only ended abortion in a few states with bills triggered by the ruling.

“Iowa was not one of those states that had a trigger bill,” she says. “And although we do have one of the strictest regulations on abortion with our heartbeat law, we still do have abortion in our state. According to the. vital statistics in Iowa in 2023, we have about 2,771 abortions in our state.” DeWitte says about 70% of the Iowa abortions are drug induced. “That’s really our big threat right now here in Iowa and across the country, is the chemical abortions,” DeWitte says, “and of course, also combating the issue of those drugs coming through the U.S. postal system and being nailed to women. And so it’s a real problem that we also want to highlight at our event as well.”

A photo from a past March for Life rally. (photo from Pulse Life Advocates)

DeWitte says they will have displays and educational information in the rotunda of the Capitol starting at noon, and then there’s a rally at 1 p.m.. One of the featured speakers is the new leader of the National Right to Life organization. “We also have Doctor Pat Castle, who is the founder and President of Life Runners, and he will also be speaking as well as a local individual. Who has a very compelling story about taking the abortion pill reversal after taking the first dosage of the chemical abortion and being able to reverse that and save the life of her child,” she says.

DeWitte says they will march from the capitol and over the Iowa Judicial building and back after the rally. DeWitte says they are hoping to get around 1,000 people to the event.

(Radio Iowa) – A federal judge in Iowa has blocked a rule that would have forced nursing homes to have a registered nurse on site 24 hours a day. Brent Willett is president and CEO of the Iowa Health Care Association, the trade group for Iowa nursing homes.

The rule, advanced during the Biden Administration, also would have required that each nursing home resident get over three-and-a-half hours of direct care from certified nursing assistants each day. Willett says between 90 and 95 percent of Iowa nursing homes would not have met either of those staffing mandates.

Under current federal law, nursing homes must have a registered nurse on duty for eight straight hours.

Iowa and 19 states sued to block the new round-the-clock standard for R-Ns, as well as the mandated daily hours of direct care for nursing home residents. Iowa Attorney General Brenna Bird says the regulations would have forced many nursing homes to close and the ruling protects access to long term care, particularly in rural Iowa.

(Radio Iowa) – A federal judge has extended an order that temporarily blocks the U.S. Department of Labor from shutting down about 100 Job Corps training centers for low-income youth, including two Iowa centers. The federal program has provided free education, vocational training and housing to young adults for more than 60 years. Ryan Dunker, a native of Ida Grove, is a student at the Job Corps center in Denison, one of two residential programs in the state. The other location is in Ottumwa.

Dunker recently completed a pharmacy tech program and says he does have some job leads, but he worries about others who would have nowhere to go if the campus closes.

The judge’s extension continues until next Wednesday to allow more time to review the case. The Ottumwa Job Corps Center alone houses 240 students, who were originally told they’d have to move out by June 12th. A Labor Department report found the program to be too costly with low graduation rates. Supporters of Job Corps argue that the study was flawed and does not accurately represent what’s happening in Iowa.

(Atlantic, Iowa) – The theme for the next “Produce in Park,” in Atlantic on June 26th, is golf-related. “Puttin’ in the Park” will feature mini-golf and disc golf activities, along with a kids’ craft station, and live music by Jenna Now. Produce in the Park is held in the downtown Atlantic City Park. Stop by and purchase fresh produce, baked goods and more, from any one of 20 or more vendors. Food trucks June 26th will include Zipp’s Pizzeria, and Lucky Wife Slushies.

Guest Chef Sarah Anderson will share free samples of Feta and Dill Salad. Be sure and look for free produce taste tests, information from visiting organizations, and much more!

Follow Produce in the Park on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/15kWPCE78J/

And, to register as a vendor for the event or learn more, visit www.produceintheparkatlanticiowa.com

Atlantic, IA — Officials with Cass Health have announced that construction will soon be underway for a new Eye Associates clinic. Jensen Builders Ltd. was officially awarded the construction bid for the new building to be located at 1501 E. 7th Street in Atlantic.

With demolition of the old Farm Bureau building and initial site work nearly finished, construction is expected to begin by the end of July. When completed this winter, Eye Associates will move to the new location, where it will continue providing eye care for patients of all ages.

Digital drawing of the new Eye Associates building

The new building is approximately 6,900 square feet and will be used by Optometrist Dr. Jeff Goergen as well as by Dr. Jesse Himebaugh and Dr. David Ingvoldstad, visiting ophthalmologists from Midwest Eye Care.

(Radio Iowa) – Iowa Congresswoman Ashley Hinson is co-sponsoring a bill that would extend V-A benefits to veterans who were exposed to Agent Orange and later diagnosed with glioblastoma, a rare and aggressive form of brain cancer. The bill is named in honor of Keith Smith, an Iowan who served in the Army’s 101st Airborne Division in Vietnam in the early 1970s. “This was inspired by a letter from his widow, Linda Smith,” Hinson says. “…She is now a passionate advocate for this cause and was absolutely instrumental in helping us to introduce this effort.”

Hinson says Smith, a farmer from Independence, was denied critical health care V-A benefits after being diagnosed with glioblastoma. He died in 2021 at the age of 73.

Keith A. Smith (vvmf.org)

Glioblastoma is not among the 23 conditions listed for coverage for veterans exposed to Agent Orange or burn pits. “We want to expand access to care for those who are exposed to toxic substances during their service and naming this bill in Specialist Fourth Class Smith’s honor is, I think, a deserving tribute to his life and service, Linda’s advocacy as well,” Hinson says.

Keith Alan Smith, Sr. (Photo via vvmf.org)

The bill is co-sponsored by a Florida Democrat on the House Veterans Affairs Committee member who received the same letter from Smith’s widow that Hinson did. According to an online tribute by the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund, Smith helped develop the baseball and basketball programs in Independence and was a founding member of the Mustang Foundation that supports extracurricular activities in the school district.

June 20, 2025 (DES MOINES, IA) – Governor Kim Reynolds today welcomed the announcement that JBS USA will make a significant new investment in Perry, Iowa, a move that will bring renewed economic vitality to the community. JBS is one of the world’s leading food companies, providing protein and food solutions to customers and consumers across the globe. The company processes, prepares, and packages fresh, further-processed and value-added premium protein products under a variety of highly recognized brands.

JBS USA, headquartered in Greeley, Colorado, plans to invest $135 million in a new state-of-the-art 150,000 square foot facility to produce fresh sausage. The company plans to create 250 jobs within the first three years of operations and eventually employ 500 in subsequent years. The Iowa Economic Development Authority board approved $12 million in tax benefits for this project through the High Quality Jobs program at its meeting earlier today.

“Today’s announcement is tremendous news for Perry and the entire state of Iowa,” said Governor Reynolds. “This investment by JBS reflects confidence in Iowa’s workforce, our strong agricultural economy, and our commitment to growing vibrant communities. At a time when Perry has faced real challenges, this investment brings renewed hope and opportunity for the hardworking families who call this community home.”

JBS currently has operations in Council Bluffs, Marshalltown and Ottumwa, employing more than 5,300 Iowans. The new Perry facility, which is expected to be fully operational in late 2026, will serve as one of the company’s key prepared foods operations and play a vital role in Iowa’s globally recognized food processing industry.

“This investment aligns with our ongoing commitment to Iowa, our producer partners, team members and the U.S. market as we look to build a best-in-class sausage production facility,” said Wesley Batista Filho, JBS USA CEO. “We are grateful to the state of Iowa for their continued support, and we look forward to being part of the Perry community — creating quality jobs and economic opportunity in the region.”

(Radio Iowa) – Two Iowans are among the nearly 200 elected leaders from across the nation attending the United States Conference of Mayors, underway in Tampa, Florida. Waterloo Mayor Quentin Hart says he and his counterparts are discussing solutions to a wide range of issues facing cities large and small. “Whenever I come here, this is one of the greatest places to be able to exchange ideas — or steal ideas — from other communities and bring them to yours,” Hart says. “I am looking forward. I am an open book. I’m taking notes for all of these different sessions to see what I can bring back and what actually fits for our community.”

Workshops for the mayors cover all sorts of topics, including housing, public safety, tariffs, climate protection, the economy, and infrastructure. One of the first sessions Hart attended was on children, health and human services. “The conversation was talking about mental health services for young people, health and well-being for young people,” Hart says. “How do we bring out the best for some of the youth in our communities? And, of course, that was near and dear to my heart, hearing all the things that are taking place on a national level.”

Mayor Quentin Hart (City of Waterloo photo)

Dubuque Mayor Brad Cavanagh is also at the event. With more than 85 percent of Americans living in U.S. metropolitan areas, Hart says mayors are on the front lines of today’s challenges. “Another area is just overall safety and how elected officials are somewhat living in a time where it’s challenging and there are safety issues for us and our personal families,” Hart says. “How can we make sure that we are safe and our families are safe as well?” Hart says last weekend’s shootings of two Minnesota legislators and their spouses — which left two of them dead — are weighing on many people’s minds.

The conference opened Thursday and runs through Sunday.

(Adair, Iowa) – Members of the Adair-Casey and Guthrie Center Community School District Boards of Education held a regular, joint monthly Board meeting Wednesday evening, in Adair. Superintendent Josh Rasmussen said during their session, he updated the Boards on some construction projects.

He said also, their staffing needs are almost fully met for the upcoming school year.

Both Boards agreed to renew their property/casualty insurance for 2025-26.

The Boards approved their audit services contract with Nolte, Cornman & Johnson, PC, and they issued TLC contracts for instructional coaches and mentors, as well as approved 28-E Operational Sharing Agreements between both Districts for the Superintendent, SBO (School Business Official), Curriculum Director, HR and Transportation Directors and other 28-E agreements for Elementary teachers. The AC-GC Boards passed the first reading of a cell phone use policy.

One of the discussion items the Boards had, according to Superintendent Rasmussen, was with regard to the Spring 2025 ISASP (Iowa Statewide Assessment of Student Progress) data, which showed an overall increase in scores.

Rasmussen said also, with the 2024-25 school year wrapped-up, their attention turns now toward planning for next year. That includes a lot of people working to get the facilities cleaned-up and ready to go.

(Creston, Iowa) – The Creston Police Department reports a Creston man was arrested Thursday night. 34-year-old Alex Richard Cunningham was arrested for Violation of Probation. Cunningham was taken to Union County Jail and held without bond until making his initial court appearance.