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Keep up-to-date with Fox News Radio, Radio Iowa, Brownfield & the Iowa Agribusiness Networks!
(USDA Press Release, Washington, D.C., June 10, 2025) – U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke L. Rollins, joined by Secretary of Health and Human Services Robert F. Kennedy Jr., today (Tuesday) signed three new food choice waivers to Make America Healthy Again. The signed waivers will amend the statutory definition of food for purchase for Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Programs (SNAP) in Arkansas, Idaho, and Utah, each commencing in 2026.
“The Trump Administration is unified in improving the health of our nation. America’s governors have proudly answered the call to innovate by improving nutrition programs, ensuring better choices while respecting the generosity of the American taxpayer. Each waiver submitted by the states and signed is yet another step closer to fulfilling President Trump’s promise to Make America Healthy Again,” said Secretary Rollins.
USDA photo 6-10-25 Ag Sec. Brooke Rollins
“Thank you to the governors of Indiana, Arkansas, Idaho, Utah, Iowa, and Nebraska for their bold leadership and unwavering commitment to Make America Healthy Again,” said Secretary Kennedy. “I call on every governor in the nation to submit a SNAP waiver to eliminate sugary drinks—taxpayer dollars should never bankroll products that fuel the chronic disease epidemic.”
Secretary Rollins and Secretary Kennedy were joined at the event by Governor of Arkansas Sarah Huckabee Sanders and Governor of Indiana Mike Braun.
“This approval sends a clear message: President Trump and his administration are tackling America’s chronic disease epidemic and Arkansas stands with him in that fight,” said Governor Sanders. “I am incredibly grateful for Secretary Rollins’ quick approval of our waiver. Arkansas leads the nation in getting unhealthy, ultra-processed foods off food stamps and helping our most vulnerable citizens lead healthier lives.”
“Indiana is proud to be a leader in the Make America Healthy Again initiative, and I’m proud to join Secretary Rollins, Secretary Kennedy, Congressman Baird, and my fellow Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders today to discuss returning SNAP to its proper purpose of nutrition, and how my Make Indiana Healthy Again agenda supports Indiana agriculture and empowers Hoosiers to live longer, healthier lives,” said Governor Braun.
Prior to these waivers, SNAP recipients could buy anything except alcohol, tobacco, hot and prepared foods, and personal care products. This historic action expands the list of products excluded from SNAP purchases in Arkansas, Idaho, and Utah. Arkansas’ waiver excludes soda, low and no-calorie soda, fruit and vegetable drinks with less than 50% natural juice, other unhealthy drinks, and candy, and it will take effect July 1, 2026. The waiver for Idaho excludes soda and candy, and it will take effect January 1, 2026. The waiver for Utah excludes soft drinks, and it will take effect January 1, 2026. Secretary Rollins has previously signed waivers for Nebraska, Iowa, and Indiana.
“Idaho proudly welcomes the MAHA movement because it is all about looking for new ways to improve nutrition, increase exercise, and take better care of ourselves and one another, especially our children. We are excited to partner with the Trump administration in bringing common sense to the government’s food assistance program with the approval of our SNAP waiver,” said Governor Brad Little.
At the direction of President Trump, Secretary Rollins is ensuring programs work harder to encourage healthy eating and improved lifestyle habits while protecting taxpayer dollars. On Secretary Rollins’ first full day in office, she sent a letter to the nation’s governors (PDF, 88.8 KB), outlining her vision for the Department and inviting them to participate in a new “Laboratories of Innovation” initiative to create bold solutions to long-ignored challenges. Secretary Rollins and Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. wrote an opinion piece in USA Today outlining their plan to Make America Healthy Again, including through SNAP waivers like the ones signed today.
DES MOINES, Iowa — The Iowa Department of Natural Resources is investigating a fish kill at Dean Lake in southeast Des Moines.
The DNR Field Office began receiving reports during the week of June 6 of dead fish at the lake, located off East Market Street. Officials observed dark-colored water and a strong, septic odor at the site.
Dean Lake drains into a series of City of Des Moines stormwater basins located between East Martin Luther King Jr. Parkway and Maury Street, where fish are now showing signs of stress. Water from these basins eventually flows into the Des Moines River. While dead fish are expected to appear in the connected basins, the incident is not expected to affect aquatic life in the river.
The DNR urges the public to avoid these areas, including fishing and wading. The investigation remains ongoing.
(Onawa, Iowa) – The Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) will host a public meeting at 5:30 p.m., June 26, at the Onawa Community Center, 320 10th Street, to discuss Blue Lake low water levels. Extended drought conditions continue to impact water levels at Blue Lake, located within Lewis and Clark State Park. The lake level is about five feet below crest elevation, which will impact recreation on the lake this summer.
Iowa DNR staff will share the results of more than 15 years of water level studies, findings from the 2010 diagnostic and feasibility study for the restoration of Blue Lake, and current water level management strategies.
Blue Lake, like many other oxbow lakes, is characterized by a small watershed drainage area relative to the size of the lake and a localized water recharge area. Oxbow lakes form when a curve (or meander) in a river finds a shorter path, effectively isolating the old curve, forming an oxbow lake in a low-lying plain near the side of the river. Water levels in these lakes are highly influenced by nearby river and groundwater levels, especially during periods of flood or drought.
Sitting about 11 feet above the Missouri River, Blue Lake is especially sensitive to long periods of low water in the river, as groundwater near the lake seeps downhill towards the river. Water levels in the Missouri River have been especially low over the past five winters, contributing to lower than normal groundwater levels.
Any person with special requirements such as those related to mobility or hearing impairments who wishes to participate in the public meeting should promptly contact the DNR or ADA Coordinator at 515-725-8200, Relay Iowa TTY Service 800-735-7942, or Webmaster@dnr.iowa.gov to advise of specific needs.
(Lewis, Iowa) – Officials with the Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR), Tuesday, said the DNR will relax the fishing regulations at Cold Springs Lake near Lewis, beginning June 15th. The intent is to allow anglers to more freely harvest fish before the lake is chemically renovated as part of a plan to improve the quality of angling for years to come.
Anglers with a valid fishing license may harvest any size or number of largemouth bass, bluegill, redear sunfish, crappie, channel catfish, and all other fish species from Cold Springs Lake. Any number of fishing poles or jug fishing will be allowed. Anglers must remain in sight of these lines at all times, and follow all other fishing regulations and area rules. Trot lines will be allowed (name and address must be attached), however lines may not be set across the entire water body. Nets, dynamite, poison, electric shocking devices, or any stupefying substances will not be allowed. It is illegal to sell fish or stock captured fish into public waters.
Cold Springs Lake (Photo from MyCountyParks.com
Relaxed fishing regulations for Cold Springs Lake will remain in effect until August 1. Anglers may fish anywhere within the lake. DNR fisheries staff will collect game fish from the lake in mid-summer and relocate them to other lakes in the area.
The DNR will lower the lake water level starting August 1 to prepare for the renovation project aimed to improve the poor size structure of largemouth bass and bluegill and increase near-shore habitat. Fish data collected each year for the past 10 years shows poor bass health with no bass over the legal length limit. Bluegill data shows low catch rates of quality fish.
The fishery renovation is only part of a process to improve the lake’s fish population. Construction of in-lake fish habitat, primarily pea gravel spawning beds, will be built while water levels are down.
This project will continue through spring 2026. Starting August 1, lake users should expect limited access to the lake until water levels return to normal.
(Atlantic, IA) – Officials with Cass Health in Atlantic say the June session of “Healthy U” will be presented by Emergency Department Provider Tammy Bireline, ARNP, June 19th at noon in Conference Room 2 at the hospital. As we enter the “dog days of Summer,” Bireline will present on heat related illnesses, and how to best prevent them.
Bireline is board certified in family practice by the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners. Over the course of her career, she has had varied clinical experience in healthcare including Medical/Cardiac Intensive Care at Iowa Methodist Hospital, Emergency Department/Trauma Coordination at Lutheran Hospital-Des Moines and Cass Health, Cardiac Rehab, Wellness, Medical/Surgical, as well as Outpatient Clinics including chemotherapy and infusion services at Cass Health.
Tammy Bireline, ARNP
She has also completed extensive training specific to emergency care, including ER fundamentals, boot camp and procedures courses.
Space for the program is limited. A free boxed lunch is provided for all attendees, so reservations are required. Call 712-243-7479 to reserve your seat. For more information about Healthy U, visit casshealth.org/healthyu.
(Clarinda, Iowa) – Page County Sheriff Charles McCalla reports a man from Missouri was arrested early Sunday morning following an accident investigation.The Page County Dispatch Center received a call at around 3:30-a.m. Sunday, about a vehicle in the ditch and someone laying on the road, at 200th Street and E Avenue in rural Shenandoah.
When Deputies arrived they found a Ford F-550 pickup driven by 19-year-old Mark Keith Whitehill, of Maryville, MO. Shenandoah EMS arrived on the scene as well, and evaluated Whitehill and his two passengers. The passengers were released from the scene, but Whitehill was arrested for OWI/1st offense.
Mark Keith Whitehill (Page County S/O photo)
He was transported to the Page County Jail and held on a $1,000 bond.
The defendants in the case are Seneca Companies, based in Des Moines; OWL Services, a Michigan corporation; and Trive Capital Management, a Texas private equity firm. Although the lawsuit claims Casey’s General Stores and Iowa Board of Regents member JC Risewick are involved in the alleged conspiracy, they are not named as defendants in the case. Risewick is the chief strategy officer for OWL Services and the former owner of Seneca, according to Board of Regents records.
JF Acquisitions alleged Trive has been consolidating the gas-pump distribution and servicing industry throughout the United States. Trive is alleged to have created OWL Services, which the lawsuit calls “a rollup of several fuel-dispenser distribution, installation and service companies.” In 2024, the lawsuit claims, Trive quietly added an OWL competitor, Seneca, to its portfolio and never publicly announced the deal or informed regulators of it due to “obvious competition concerns.”
This lack of disclosure extended to a state conflict-of-interest report filed by Risewick, the Iowa Board of Regents member, the lawsuit claims. Risewick allegedly disclosed his affiliation with Seneca and OWL, but not with Trive — a “potentially relevant omission given the fact that the University of Iowa Foundation is a limited partner in multiple Trive funds,” the lawsuit claims.
Casey’s General Store in Des Moines (Photo by Jim Obradovich for Iowa Capital Dispatch)
Following Trive’s acquisition of Seneca, the lawsuit claims, the defendants allegedly engaged in “exclusionary and predatory conduct” aimed at cementing their combined market power and diminishing competition in the fuel-dispenser distribution and servicing market in Iowa and southern Illinois. The defendants allegedly did this by entering into what JF Acquisitions called “an unlawful conspiracy — including each of the defendants and Casey’s General Stores, one of JF’s most significant customers nationally and the largest convenience store chain in the Midwest region — pursuant to which Casey’s has agreed with defendants that it will all but entirely boycott JF” in Iowa and southern Illinois.
The lawsuit alleges that as part of the purported conspiracy, Risewick wrote to one fuel-distribution company “in an effort to thwart JF’s entry into the market.” The lawsuit appears to then quote from the Risewick letter, but all of the relevant text was redacted from public view. The lawsuit also appeared to quote from “private text messages,” including one from the head of procurement for Casey’s to Risewick — although, again, the actual content of the purported text message was redacted from the court filing. Risewick was appointed to the Iowa Board of Regents on June 21, 2022, by Gov. Kim Reynolds. His term expires in 2031.
The lawsuit alleged conspiracy to restrain trade in violation of the Sherman Act, as well as conspiracy to restrain and monopolize trade in violation of state law. The case was recently dismissed after the plaintiffs and defendants filed a joint motion for dismissal stating they had “resolved the claims asserted in this action.”
Although some of the court filings in the case are sealed from public view, it appears the defendants in the case did not file an answer to the lawsuit before the matter was settled. At the same time that case was settled, a federal lawsuit that Seneca filed against JF Acquisitions and D&H United Fueling Solutions in 2024 was settled. In that case, Seneca claimed it had considered entering into a business agreement with the defendants but the deal fell through. The two defendants were then left with the prospect of heightened competition in the market and, the lawsuit claimed, they “hatched a scheme to attack Seneca’s business” by poaching Seneca employees, despite an alleged no-compete agreement.
JF Acquisitions and D&H United Fueling Solutions denied any wrongdoing in the matter. The case was dismissed late last month after all of the parties filed a motion for dismissal, stating they had executed a settlement agreement resolving all of the claims in the case.
(Radio Iowa) – The ACLU of Iowa has filed a complaint alleging state officials discriminated against The Satanic Temple Iowa by denying its request to host an event and put up a display in the Iowa Capitol Rotunda last December.
“When the government makes the public space in the state capitol available for mainstream religious groups to use, for example for a Christmas event or a Hanukkah holiday display, it can’t then legally deny that same right to other religious groups and that includes our clients,” ACLU of Iowa legal director Rita Bettis Austen said during an online news conference. “…It is one of the foundational principles of our country and of our state civil rights law that the government should not favor one religious viewpoint or belief over another.”
In 2023, The Satanic Temple of Iowa had a holiday display in the Capitol that was vandalized. In 2024, it asked to host a celebration in the Capitol that would have included a ritual as well as a costume contest, coloring sheets and make-and-take ornaments for children. In 2023, The Satanic Temple of Iowa had a holiday display in the Capitol that was vandalized. In 2024, it asked to host a celebration in the Capitol that would have included a ritual as well as a costume contest, coloring sheets and make-and-take ornaments for children.
Mortimer Adramelech, the Minister of Satan at The Satanic Temple of Iowa, read a statement at today’s online news conference. “State officials made a number of outlandish assumptions about our religion and used those assumptions to discriminate against our congregation,” he said. Adramelech said the plan was to host a “family friendly” event. “We are compassionate and caring human beings. We have families. We are Iowans and we are simply seeking to exercise our right to freedom of religion,” he said. “…That’s what our complaint is all about. We are looking for resolution.”
In a written statement issued today, Governor Reynolds said the State Capitol is open to the public and “the State’s event policy takes into consideration conduct that would be harmful to minors.” Reynolds said the proposed “satanic event, which specifically targeted children, would have been harmful to children and so it was denied.”
Under state law, the complaint is a required first step before a lawsuit with the same claims may be filed. After 60 days, the ACLU may ask the Office of Civil Rights for permission take the matter to court and the agency is required to grant that request.
(Radio Iowa) – Iowa Senator Chuck Grassley will chair a Judiciary Committee hearing on Wednesday to study the privacy and potential national security issues surrounding the bankruptcy of “23andMe.” Many thousands of Iowans are among the 15-million customers of the genetic testing company which filed Chapter 11 in March. Iowa is -not- among the two dozen-plus states that filed suit Monday to block the sale of personal genetic information in the company’s massive database.
Grassley says it remains unclear what Iowa customers of 23andMe should do. “I suppose some of these points will come out in our hearing, but I can definitely speak to one point that concerns us and for the hearing,” he says, “and that deals with the privacy of individuals and what can happen if their individual DNA gets out.”
There is fear that if the testing revealed a person’s genetic health issues, they could face higher health insurance premiums, or even be rejected for coverage. “That’s very much a possibility, but the whole purpose of this hearing is because we don’t know the dangers that are out there,” Grassley says, “but we think that the privacy of people ought to be standard and it shouldn’t come out in the bankruptcy proceedings.”
Grassley says he’s cosponsoring the Don’t Sell My DNA Act that would protect people’s genetic information. The Senate hearing in Washington is scheduled for 9:15 AM/Central on Wednesday. When 23andMe went public in 2021, its market value rocketed to nearly $6-billion. In the first nine months of this fiscal year, the company reported losses of $174-million.
A University of Iowa legal scholar, and an expert on genetic privacy, says Iowans who used 23andMe should consider deleting all of their data and profiles.
(Atlantic, Iowa) – The Cass County Sheriff’s Office has released a report on eight arrests that occurred from May 29th through June 7th. Among those arrested on:
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