(Radio Iowa) – What’s billed as the world’s largest academic competition is underway this week in central Iowa as Des Moines hosts the National Speech & Debate Tournament. Organizers say it’s drawing 11-thousand middle and high school students, coaches, teachers, and judges, with an economic impact of 22-million dollars. Scott Wunn, executive director of the National Speech & Debate Association, says depending on the topic, student have had months to prepare, or perhaps just minutes. “Most of the debate events they found out on May 1st that they’d be debating those,” Wunn says. “There is one debate about policy debate where they’ve been debating patent rights and copyright law, things like that, all year long. And then there are some debate events where they receive the topic one hour before they debate it.” The student competitors range in age from 12 to 18 and Wunn says they need to be well-rounded, well-versed, and very aware of current events to tackle a dizzying array of debate topics.

“It is anything you could possibly think of, really, stripped from the headlines,” Wunn says. “One of our events, we’ll be debating whether or not the benefits of executive orders outweigh the harms. They’ll be talking about environmental issues. They’ll be talking about K-12 education. There’s so many different areas that they will cover throughout the course of the week.” It’s a common thought that many of these young debaters will eventually pursue legal careers, and while that’s sometimes the case, Wunn says this event is preparing students for any profession they seek out. “There’s no greater activity in the world than speech and debate to prepare students for life skills, college readiness skills,” Wunn says. “We have over 2,000,000 alumni that have participated in the National Speech and Debate Association. Certainly, we’ve had our fair share of lawyers. We have four members of the Supreme Court that are sitting right now.”

Wunn says this extracurricular activity is the place where students — for decades — have found their voices and opened their minds to alternative perspectives.  “Every facet that you can imagine professionally, we have alumni that go into that,” Wunn says, “because this activity truly does prepare them with the creative skills, the critical thinking skills, those collaboration skills that are necessary to really thrive after middle school and high school.”

The seven-thousand students are from 13-hundred schools across the U-S. They’re competing at 11 venues in the Des Moines metro, while 42 champions will be named on the final stage at the Iowa Events Center on Friday.

On the web: www.speechanddebate.org/nationals

(Elk Horn, Iowa) – Officials with the City of Elk Horn (IA), Monday night, said on social media, that Shelby County Emergency Management officials flew a drone equipped with a thermal imaging device near the City’s water tower, and confirmed fears city officials had, that the supply of water in the tower was extremely low. The imager showed about six- to eight-feet of water remained in the bottom of the tower bowl. The sensor at the city’s water plant was giving the City a different reading, causing them to believe the tower was almost full.

Drone thermal image of the Elk Horn water tower (6-16-25).

City officials say a company was on the scene Monday, following the drone image, to fix the tower sensor. The City also reached out to IRWA (Iowa Rural Water Association) for a leak detection device, to further assess the situation, and the City of Elk Horn is back to actively searching for the water leak. Officials in the mean time are asking everyone to please conserve water until the leak is found and fixed.

A Boil Advisory remains in effect until further notice for the City of Elk Horn.

(Red Oak, Iowa) – The Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office reports a Page County man was arrested early this (Tuesday) morning, on Montgomery County warrants. Deputies arrested 53-year-old Darold Eugene Bredberg, of Clarinda, at around 1:20-a.m. on O Avenue at Montgomery/Page Street. He was arrested on two active Montgomery County warrants for Violation of Probation, and transported to the Montgomery County Jail, where his bond was set at $40,000.

The Clarinda Police Department and Page County Sheriff’s Office assisted in the arrest.

(Red Oak, Iowa) – A woman was taken into custody following a brief foot pursuit Monday afternoon, in Red Oak. According to the Red Oak Police Department, officers responded to the area of Broadway and Coolbaugh Streets at around 4-p.m., following a report a woman was throwing objects onto the roadway and at passing vehicles. When they arrived, Red Oak Police saw the female, identified as 46-year-old Heidi Ann Divis, of Red Oak, acting erratically. They instructed her to get out of the street and come to them. Divis refused and began to flee on foot.

During her run from Officers, Divis attempted to enter an occupied vehicle stopped at a traffic light. She tried to open the vehicle door by pulling on the door handle and yelled at the driver. When the driver ordered her to leave their vehicle alone, Divis fled again, running through nearby yards and an alleyway. She was attempting to enter a residence through a back door, when officers intervened and gave repeated lawful commands, which she ignored. Police had to physically remove her from the property and placed Divis under arrest.

She was transported to the Montgomery County Jail, and according to police, continued to resist. She was physically placed by officers into a holding cell. Heidi Divis was charged with Interference with Official Acts (A Misdmeanor), and held on a $300 bond.

(Atlantic, Iowa) – Severe storms popped-up and caused damage in Atlantic, Monday night. The storm which occurred with little warning until it hit, and lasted for about 10-minutes or so, packed quite a whollop.It brought high wind, pea-size hail and heavy rain that caused near-zero visibility at times, according to law enforcement reports. It also caused medium-to-large size trees or tree limbs to fall.

At least two streets were blocked by tree debris Monday night, according to dispatch reports from the Cass County Communications Center. KJAN listeners/social media followers, sent us pictures of damage near the Atlantic Hy-Vee and Walmart stores, the welcome sign off of Olive Street just south of the KJAN studios. One follower sent a picture of the storm over Atlantic, from a City of Lewis perspective. (You can view those pictures on in the Storm Report information on our Weather Page).

Photo courtesy Kristin Harold, of Lewis. Looking toward Atlantic during the storm on 6-16-25

The extent of the damage was expected to become clear as sunrise occurred.

Elsewhere, in Omaha, the College World Series game between LSU and UCLA was suspended Monday night. KETV reports Fans were asked to leave their seats and take shelter in the concourse with a severe thunderstorm warning for the Omaha area. The game will resume at 10 a.m. today (Tuesday). Gates will open at 9 a.m., with the box office opening at 8 a.m. Tuesday.

(Radio Iowa) – Aspiring barbers and cosmetologists soon will be able to work without a license in Iowa if they are supervised by a licensed professional in the industry. Governor Reynolds recently signed the bill to allow “establishment training programs” for cutting, coloring and styling hair. Craig Hunt of the Iowa Barbers Coalition says it’s a great opportunity.

“Right now we’re having a shortage of barbers, especially, because there’s only 1000 licensed barbers in the state of Iowa versus 10,000 cosmetologists,” Hunt says. Hunt, who owns two barber shops and a salon in the Des Moines metro, started taking the required training to be a barber when he was 19 years old.

“I started in 1997, did 1100 hours, took a leave of absence for over 10 years,” Hunt says. “They made me start the barbering program over — 2100 more hours. I spent a total of $35,000 in school debt and 3200 hours total,” he says. Hunt is now a master barber and has been teaching for over 15 years. He says the new law sets up a great alternative to traditional cosmetology and barbering schools and is similar to existing apprenticeships for barbers.

“A private training program will allow us to work hands on with the people in our field and it will also as the business owner and the barber we’ll be training the employees, the contractors that actually work in our establishments,” Hunt said, “so we’re going to take more pride in training those individuals than somebody else.”

Licensed barbershops and salons will have to register with the Iowa Board of Barbering and Cosmetology Arts and Sciences if they hire people to train on the job. Customers must be notified in writing if an unlicensed person is going to cut, color, style or perm their hair. Critics of the legislation say the change lowers standards and could endanger customers. The bill easily passed the Iowa House and Senate and, while there were “no” votes, none of the bill’s opponents spoke during debate.

(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.