(Atlantic, Iowa) – Trial in Cass County District Court in the case of an Atlantic man charged with the death of a child in his care, has been continued until late September. According to online court records, the trail for 25-year-old Corbin Michael Loudermilk, who was set to appear before a jury on June 17th, was pushed back instead, to September 23rd.

Loudermilk – who has waived his right to a speedy trial – faces felony charges of First-Degree Murder and Child Endangerment Resulting in Death, in connection with a child who was found unresponsive this past January, and who medical professionals say died from multiple head injuries allegedly caused by impact or shaking. He’s pleaded not guilty.

Loudermilk’s pre-trial conference is scheduled for September 8. He remains in custody at the Cass County Jail.

DES MOINES— Today (Monday, June 2, 2025), Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds signed House File 784, the Math Counts Act, a law focused on improving math achievement in Iowa schools through early identification, targeted intervention, and evidence-based instruction. “One of the greatest predictors of future success in the classroom and workplace, along with early literacy, is math proficiency,” Gov. Reynolds said. “This bill will ensure children who are struggling in math are identified and receive the personalized help that they need.”

The legislation strengthens math education by requiring schools to screen students for math proficiency, create individualized support plans, provide evidence-based professional development for teachers, align educator preparation programs, and offer families tools to support learning at home.

While Iowa experienced some of the largest reading gains among students from low-income backgrounds in the 2024 National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP), Iowa continued to fall behind in math, underscoring the critical need to support evidence-based mathematics instruction statewide.

“Alongside teachers and families, the Math Counts Act championed by Governor Reynolds will help ensure all children in need of support are identified and receive personalized plans that empower them to meet high expectations,” said Iowa Department of Education Director McKenzie Snow. “Building upon Iowa’s new rigorous academic standards and support for high-quality instructional materials, this bipartisan legislation further realizes our commitment to evidence-based instruction and can serve as a model for the nation.”

The law also directs the Department of Education to implement a statewide plan and approve math screeners for K-6 classrooms.  HF 784 goes into effect July 1, 2025.

(Radio Iowa) – A Democrat from northwest Iowa who’s been a member of the Iowa House since 2023 is running for the U-S Senate. State Representative J-D Scholten of Sioux City says he decided to run Friday after he heard Iowa Senator Joni Ernst’s response when a woman suggested people would die if Republicans follow through on proposed cuts to Medicaid. “She said: ‘We’re all going to die,'” Scholten said. “Well, my version of that is we all don’t have to die so that billionaires can have a bigger tax break.” Scholten was on his way to a funeral when Ernst’s remark hit the airwaves.

“Sitting at that funeral, listening to everything, I was just like, ‘I can’t sit on the sidelines.’ I think most folks know me by now as being pretty competitive,” Scholten says. “…Then the next day when (Ernst) doubled down and I felt had a very cruel and sarcastic response, I knew I had to do this.” Scholten ran for the United States House of Representatives twice and, in 2018, came within three points of defeating longtime G-O-P Congressman Steve King.

Scholten, who has played pro baseball for teams in seven countries, got a last minute call before a game last July to pitch for Sioux City’s minor league team and wound up pitching the rest of the season. Scholten was just re-activated Sunday by the Sioux City Explorers and the 45 year old plans to pitch for the team this summer. “One thing that I learned last summer was that opportunity doesn’t come at convenient times and so, for me, I just was like, you know, I’ve got to do it,” Scholten says. “And the team was great and they were very supportive and had my back and so I felt like I just had to do it.”

Democrat J.D. Scholten Radio Iowa photo)

Scholten enters a potentially crowded contest among Democrats for the party’s U-S Senate nomination. Nathan Sage, the head of the Knoxville Chamber of Commerce, has been campaigning for several weeks and two other Democrats who are currently serving in the Iowa legislature have indicated they may jump in the race. Scholten says he’s prepared for a primary after running for congress twice. “You know in my 2018 campaign in a district Trump won by 27, we moved the needle 24 points and nearly pulled it off,” Scholten said.

“When it comes to a Democratic Primary, I’m the only one with federal experience. I’m the only one who’s won in a Trump district, which I did last fall. I’ve overformed in every single race I’ve been in.” In 2024, Scholten won his race for a seat in the Iowa legislature by seven points. Scholten says once the baseball season ends, he’ll visit each of Iowa’s 99 counties. In other campaign news, a Republican who’s been serving in the Iowa House since 2021 has filed the paperwork for a campaign for governor in 2026.

Representative Eddie Andrews of Johnston has sent his supporters an email saying he’ll make a major announcement about his political future on Wednesday.

(Council Bluffs, IA) –After a thorough evaluation process, the Community Foundation for Western Iowa and its Impact Grants Committee – a group of county residents and board members – have announced this year’s grant award recipients. The Community Foundation elected to award 42 Community Impact Grants totaling $65,364.00 to nonprofit and city organizations throughout Pottawattamie County. Community Grants Award Announcement – June 2025

The Community Foundation received 72 grant proposals totaling $285,630.33 in project requests, with combined total project budgets exceeding $9 million, signifying the incredible work being done in the communities throughout Pottawattamie County.

Among the grant recipients was:

• The Carson Community Rodeo, $2,000
  

  Aug 02, 2024: Check Presentation with Carson Rodeo

• The City of Avoca ($1,450 for Avoca Main Street entertainment & customer engagement; & Holidays on Main, $1,000).
• Macedonia Historical Preservation Society, $1,000.
• The Oakland Volunteer Fire & rescue Dept., $1,214.
• Southwest Iowa Art Tour,$1,000.
• Walnut Community Center Foundation, Inc., $2,500.

Individual grant awards for this year’s funding cycle ranged from $500 to $4,000 to benefit innovative and meaningful projects that align with the Foundation’s mission to improve the lives of all county residents. Annually, Community Impact Grants funding is eligible to any tax-exempt, nonprofit organization or governmental entity for creative or impactful projects that meet a clear, identifiable need in Pottawattamie County. Grants are allocated to projects in a variety of focus areas, such as: Arts & Culture, Community Betterment, Community Engagement, Education, Environment, Health, Human
Services, and Youth.

Jul 17 2024: Check Presentation with Avoca Farmers Market

Donna Dostal, CEO of the Community Foundation for Western Iowa, states: “On behalf of the Board of Directors, Impact Grants Committee, and staff at the Community Foundation for Western Iowa, we are honored to support the transformative work of our nonprofit and city partners. Pottawattamie County and southwest Iowa are strengthened every day by the work of these mission-driven organizations to build stronger, healthier, and vibrant communities. We extend our heartfelt congratulations to each of these outstanding organizations and look forward to the lasting change these grants will help bring to our communities.”

The majority of the Community Foundation’s grant-making is directed by donors who have established funds to purposefully impact charities located within our community and throughout Western Iowa. The Community Impact Grants are given from the discretionary funds of the Community Foundation. Dostal added that individuals and businesses can create their own fund through the Community Foundation to “give back,” and contributions can receive major tax benefits. In 2024, investors at the Community Foundation awarded 320 grants totaling nearly $3.9 million to a variety of nonprofit organizations.

For information on creating a fund, please call 712-256-7007 or visit www.givewesterniowa.org for details.
The Community Foundation for Western Iowa is nationally accredited by the Council on Foundations
(www.cfstandards.org)

(Atlantic, Iowa) – Officials with the Atlantic Area Chamber of Commerce report “AtlanticFest,” presented by First Whitney Bank & Trust, will be held Saturday, August 9th rain or shine. AtlanticFest is an annual festival that serves as a fundraiser for the Atlantic Area Chamber of Commerce.

2024 AtlanticFest

Chamber Program Director Kelsey Beschorner says “AtlanticFest is the largest fundraiser of the year for the Chamber. Our sponsors help cover a lot of the costs of the event, allowing us to raise funds through registration fees and pop stand sales. We use the funds from AtlanticFest to continue to grow community events while also supporting business-based programs. We love this partnership with First Whitney Bank and the experience AtlanticFest offers the community. It also gives us the chance to support local businesses and civic organizations.”

Downtown Atlantic will be filled with fun activities for the whole family to enjoy! Come early and start your day with a pancake breakfast or enjoy a 5K run/2K walk in the Annual Road Race with chip timing. There will be crafters from all over the Southwest Iowa area to browse through, as well as some of the best food vendors around that offer a wide variety of menu choices. Kids can enjoy fun bounce houses and games throughout City Park. The 27th Annual Car Show and 10th Annual Motorcycle Show will be taking place once again this year. Also returning is the bags tournament that will be held in City Park. And with free entertainment throughout the day, the activities are endless.

Preregistration for the Car Show, Motorcycle Show, Road Race, and Bags Tournament is open now, with day-of registration accepted. Registration to be a craft or food vendor is also being accepted now through August 4th. To register for any activity, visit www.atlanticiowa.com, email chamber@atlanticiowa.com or call the Chamber office at 712-243-3017.

AtlanticFest is sponsored by: First Whitney Bank & Trust, Gregg Young of Atlantic, A.M. Cohron & Son, Atlantic Municipal Utilities, Atlantic Coca-Cola Bottling Company, Roland Funeral Home, Armour Insurance, Brocker Karns & Karns, Nishna Valley Family YMCA, Brown’s Shoe Fit, Salute Gymnastics, Camblin Plumbing & Heating, McAtee Tire, Rush CPA & Associates, Rolling Hills Bank & Trust, Atlantic Home Reality, The Downtowner, and Wiota Steakhouse.

POTTAWATTAMIE COUNTY, IOWA — In coordination with Shelby and Audubon Counties, the burn ban for the Minden, Avoca, and Walnut Fire Districts has been lifted, effective 12pm on Monday, June 2nd. The burn ban was implemented due to decreasing water supply capacities out of the Regional Water Rural Water Association’s (RWRWA) Avoca Treatment Plant (ATP). Although conditions have stabilized, officials urge using additional caution when conducting open burns in the identified areas.

“Not until RWRWA completes its project connecting to the additional water capacity through Council Bluffs Water Works will the concern become much less significant,” says Doug Reed, director of Pottawattamie County Emergency Management. “That project is ongoing and could take an additional week to complete by current estimates.”

Areas served by Regional Water Rural Water Association’s ATP should continue to observe YELLOW water restrictions that were issued by RWRWA.

Some customers and communities remain in a boil order at time of this release. The City of Avoca was removed from the boil order on June 1st. No additional boil orders have been released by RWRWA or the Iowa DNR at time of this release.

All Pottawattamie County residents are reminded to sign up for Alert Iowa which will be used to deliver any priority or emergency messages related to community emergency events as well as severe weather alerts and additional emergency information. You can sign up for free at https://www.pottcounty-ia.gov/emergency_management/alert_iowa/.

For additional information related to the Regional Water boil advisory, conservation restrictions, or for support with potable drinking water, contact the RWRWA office at 712-343-2413.

(Des Moines, IA) – Through the Safe Haven Law, a baby girl, born May 23, is now in the care and custody of the Iowa Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and will be placed with a foster family until permanent placement is determined. This brings the overall total to 77 infants since the law went into effect more than two decades ago, and the third infant in 2025.

Iowa’s Safe Haven Act is an option for parents in crisis who determine they cannot care for an infant up to 90 days old. Designated safe havens are locations like hospitals and police and fire stations. Iowa HHS then works to place infants in an approved foster home while awaiting permanent adoption.

If you are interested in becoming a foster parent or adopting a child, visit https://iowafosterandadoption.org/ to learn more about becoming an approved foster or adoptive family. For more information on Iowa’s Safe Haven, visit https://hhs.iowa.gov/programs/CPS/safe-haven.

(Radio Iowa) – The monthly survey of supply managers in Iowa and eight other Midwest states finds the economy is still weakening at the state and regional levels. Creighton University economist Ernie Goss says the lengthy report is boiled down to some key numbers on a zero-to-100 scale, where 50 is considered “growth neutral.”

“The May survey, the number was still above growth neutral, 51.0, and that’s slow-to-no growth I’ll call it,” Goss says. “Tariffs are really having some big impacts and they’re not positive. They’re mostly all negative.” Iowa’s overall number during the April survey showed a 53, but the May number dropped a little over three points, going below growth neutral.

There was so much hype about the looming tariffs earlier this year that Goss says many manufacturers were able to work ahead by ordering more parts and raw materials than they’d need.  “They advanced imports in the first quarter to get around or front-run the tariffs, and now we’re seeing some of the impacts,” Goss says. “For example, now the import rating is 29.8, obviously well below growth neutral of 50. So what happened is they did a lot of importing during the first quarter, now we’re in the course of the second quarter, and we pull back on imports.”

Goss says a significant number of businesses in the state and region are trying to find other places to get their supplies where perhaps the tariffs aren’t as steep. “Approximately 34.8% have changed import sourcing, so they moved from one source to another source because of the tariffs. That was sort of surprising,” Goss says. “A little bit more than one-third have changed their sourcing for their inputs and that’s an important change.” As a result of the slowing growth, Goss predicts a cut in short-term interest rates at the Federal Reserve’s next meetings, scheduled for June 17th and 18th.

Ernie Goss (Creighton University photo)

In addition to Iowa, the survey also covers Arkansas, Kansas, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, Oklahoma and South Dakota, though Goss says the less populated, agricultural states are feeling the worst impacts of tariffs. “Manufacturing is slowing down in the U.S., slowing down in the Mid-American region,” Goss says, “and we’re seeing the rural areas taking a hit more so than the urban areas.” According to data from the U.S. International Trade Administration, the Iowa manufacturing sector exported three-point-four billion dollars in goods during the first quarter of this year, compared to four-billion for the same period last year, a drop of eight-point-six percent.

CHEROKEE, Iowa – June 2, 2025 – If you travel on U.S. 71 between U.S. 30, north of Carroll, and Iowa 175, near Auburn, you need to be aware of an upcoming road closure that may slow down your trip, according to the Iowa Department of Transportation’s Cherokee construction office.  Beginning at 7 a.m. on Monday, June 9, weather permitting, crews will close U.S. 71 so a pavement preservation treatment called a scrub seal can be applied to the road. U.S. 71 may be opened to traffic within a week of being closed, if there are no work or weather delays.

When U.S. 71 is closed you will follow a marked detour route using U.S. 30, South Division Street/West Center Street/South Gault Street through Arcadia, Carroll/Sac County Road M-68 (Concord Avenue/Perkins Avenue), 370th St., Union Avenue, and U.S. 71 (see map). You will have access to all businesses and residential addresses along U.S. 71 during this project. The Iowa DOT reminds motorists to drive with caution, obey the posted speed limit and other signs in the work area, and be aware that traffic fines for moving violations are at least double in work zones. As in all work zones, drivers should stay alert, allow ample space between vehicles, and wear seat belts.

The latest traveler information is available anytime through the 511 system. Visit 511ia.org; call 511 (within Iowa) or 800-288-1047 (nationwide); stay connected with 511 on Facebook or X (find links at https://iowadot.gov/travel-tools/iowa-511/511-social-media-sites); or download the free app to your mobile device.