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KJAN News can be heard at five minutes after every hour right after Fox News 24 hours a day!
Keep up-to-date with Fox News Radio, Radio Iowa, Brownfield & the Iowa Agribusiness Networks!
LE MARS, Iowa (KTIV) – Over 17,000 tubs of ice cream were recalled by a northwest Iowa ice cream company. The recall was voluntarily initiated by Wells Enterprises, Inc. The recall affects 22 different flavors of ice cream and frozen yogurt, which were distributed to 103 distribution centers across the United States. The Le Mars-based company pulled the flavors due to concerns of plastic being introduced into the product during its preparation.
The following flavors of ice cream were recalled (All items are in 3-gallon tubs. Each product contains an expiration date ranging between March and October 2026):
You can see the full recall notice here.
DES MOINES, Iowa (KCRG-TV) – On Friday, a federal court gave its approval of a settlement agreement in a lawsuit against the Iowa Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) director. According to a release from Iowa HHS, the 2023 lawsuit was filed on behalf of Medicaid-eligible children.
The lawsuit argues Iowa HHS denied children struggling with mental illness “timely access to intensive community services, resulting in unnecessary institutionalization and harm,” as stated in the release. The settlement agreement ensures Iowa children are able to receive the proper care and treatment they need. As part of the settlement agreement, Iowa HHS is providing new services through the Responsive Excellent Care for Healthy youth initiative (Iowa REACH).
Iowa REACH is a program “aimed at ensuring youth remain in their communities, and will include care coordination, in-home mental health services, mobile crisis services, as well as a new screening and assessment process, ensuring children with mental health disabilities are screened for appropriate services.”
The settlement agreement also lays out timelines and strategies for the new services.
(Floyd County, Iowa) – A collision between a box truck and an SUV in northeast Iowa, Friday night, left one person dead, and another injured. The Iowa State Patrol reports the utility van/box truck driven by 38-year-old Britney Huffman, of Cedar Falls, was traveling west on county road B60 (CR-B60) at around 8:10-p.m., when it failed to stop at the posted stop sign with Highway 14, east of Marble Rock.
The truck collided with a southbound 2019 Jeep SUV, driven by 35-year-old Autumn Taylor, of Greene (IA). Both vehicles entered the southeast ditch. Huffman, who was not wearing a seat belt, was ejected from the box truck. She died at the scene. Taylor suffered minor injuries in the crash.
The Patrol was assisted at the scene by the Floyd County Sheriff’s Office and Marble Rock Fire & Rescue and AMR Ambulance.
(Avoca, Iowa) – Five-years of near drought conditions have taken its toll on the amount of water one western Iowa utility is able to distribute to its customers. This past Wednesday (May 14th), the Regional Water Rural Water Association based in the Pottawattamie County town of Avoca, instituted “Level Red” mandatory water restrictions for the customers they serve through the Avoca Treatment Plant System, which includes members in parts of Shelby, Audubon, Cass, Harrison, and Northern Pottawattamie Counties. That includes the communities of Avoca, Persia, Panama, Portsmouth, Westphalia, Kirkman, Tennant, Earling, Exira, and Brayton.
Regional Water General Manager Tom Kallman told KJAN their wells are very low due to the drought, and excessive draws to meet demand.
Kallman says they started pumping from their wells 24-hours per day, beginning March 29th, to meet demand, and they’re still pumping 24/7, which is causing issues with maintenance of the utilities’ facility.
An Alert “Level Red” water restriction means usage should be limited to essential needs only.
That means no filling of pools, washing vehicles and driveways, and having restaurants serve water to their customers, only if its requested. Kallman says they’ve been in a “Conservation mode” for nearly the past three-years.
He says there are two other aquifers Regional Water can tap into, but they are very deep, and test holes so far have come-up empty, especially with regard to the Dakota Aquifer. The Jordan Aquifer is about 3,000-feet deep, and Kallman says it would take one-million dollars to drill that far…money they don’t have. He says in an ideal world, a one-inch soaking of rain per day for about 40-days would help to replenish the aquifers Regional Water uses. Anything more would run-off into the Missouri River and into the Gulf. The current drought situation, according to Kallman, has left left their water supply about four-feet below average for the last four-years. The bottom-line he said, is that rain is desperately needed, and conservation is required.
He urged residents to remind their neighbors that water rationing is in effect, especially since some people are unaware of the current situation. This past Thursday and Friday, the Avoca Fire Station served as an Emergency Water Distribution site specifically for Regional Water customers in Avoca and rural Pottawattamie County, who are experiencing the disruption of water pressure issues that has resulted in no or little water available for use. The distribution was not intended for customers who are under a Boil Advisory.
(Atlantic, Iowa) – The Jack and Jill Preschool at the Nishna Valley Family YMCA in Atlantic recently graduated 36 four-year-olds from the preschool program. The event took place at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, and means those kids are ready to begin elementary school this Fall. Jack and Jill has provided preschool for the Atlantic area for more than 70-years.
Nishna Valley Family YMCA Executive Director Dan Haynes says with the 2024-25 preschool year having come to a close, Jack and Jill Preschool will hold an Atlantic and area Preschool Roundup for the 2025-26 School Year. The event will take place Monday through Friday this coming week (May 19th through the 23rd), from 9-a.m. until 4-p.m. each day, at the YMCA in Atlantic.
You’re invited to tour the class rooms, meet the State Certified Teachers, and reserve your child’s spot before the preschool slots are filled. Get your free spot for 3-and 4-year old’s reserved for the next academic year. Stop by the Jack and Jill Preschool at the YMCA in Atlantic (1100 Maple Street) or call 712-243-3934 to set-up a private tour and/or ask questions. (Photos of the Jack and Jill Preschool graduation – courtesy Dan Hayes) 
(Iowa Capital Dispatch) – A federal judge has again temporarily blocked portions of an Iowa law aimed at restricting schools’ recognition of LGBTQ+ people and banning books with sexual or LGBTQ+ content. According to a report by the Iowa Capital Dispatch, The law, which was signed by Gov. Kim Reynolds in May 2023, was immediately challenged by Lambda Legal and ACLU of Iowa on behalf of students, teachers and the organization Iowa Safe Schools.
As originally written, the law prohibits school districts and educators from providing “any program, curriculum, test, survey, questionnaire, promotion, or instruction relating to gender identity or sexual orientation to students in kindergarten through grade six.” The court had previously enjoined the law because the terms “gender identity” and “sexual orientation” were defined so broadly as to make it impossible for a reasonable school district, teacher, or student to understand what, exactly, was prohibited.
The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit vacated the district court’s injunction and remanded the case with instructions to the district court to address the legality of a narrower interpretation of the law. Thursday’s preliminary injunction reflects the district court’s conclusion that there are parts of the law that do pass constitutional muster, but only under such a narrow interpretation.
U.S. District Court Judge Stephen Locher ruled “The restrictions on ‘programs’ and ‘promotion’ relating to gender identity and sexual orientation cannot reasonably be interpreted in a manner consistent with the First Amendment. The words ‘program’ and ‘promotion’ are simply too broad to refer only to mandatory classroom curriculum and instead prohibit school districts and educators from, among other things, making extracurricular activities relating to gender identity and sexual orientation available to students in grade 6 or below. These restrictions therefore violate students’ First Amendment rights and are facially unconstitutional.”
In his ruling, Locher set out what precisely what portions of the law are, and are not, enforceable:
— Detailed instruction is banned: School districts and educators may not provide mandatory lessons or instruction to students in grade 6 or below that include detailed explanations or normative views on “gender identity” or “sexual orientation.”
— Neutral references are allowed: School districts and teachers may provide mandatory lessons or instruction to students in grade 6 or below that contain neutral references to gender identity or sexual orientation. The lessons and instruction simply cannot focus on those topics. Teachers may make other neutral references to any gender identity and any sexual orientation during classroom instruction — for example, by referring to their partner even if the individual is of the same sex.
— Student groups are allowed: Students in grades 6 and below must be allowed to join Gender Sexuality Alliances, or GSAs, and other student groups related to gender identity and/or sexual orientation.
— Promotion of student groups are allowed: School districts and educators must be permitted to advertise GSAs and other student groups that relate to gender identity or sexual orientation to all students, including those in grade six and below, to the same degree as they might promote any other student group.
— Parental notification are allowed in some cases: State officials and school districts may inform parents when a student asks for an accommodation in the form of a pronoun that’s at odds with their gender listed in school records, but they may not do so to any other student requests for an accommodation.
Lamba Legal Senior Attorney Nathan Maxwell said they are pleased that their clients, Iowa families and students, can look forward to the next school year “without facing the harms of this unconstitutional law.” Maxwell said also that the “Ruling acknowledges that Iowa students and teachers have experienced real harm from this law.” ACLU of Iowa staff attorney Thomas Story said, with regard to the ruling, “This is an important win for our clients and others harmed by this overreaching law.
“The federal district court has blocked the state from enforcing many of the worst aspects of Senate File 496. Under this order, Iowa teachers no longer can be disciplined simply because their classroom contains a Pride flag or their library contains books with LGBTQ+ characters. Students of all ages are once again free to join GSAs and to promote them to their classmates.”
(Red Oak, Iowa) – Police in Red Oak report a man from Nebraska was arrested today (Friday). 32-year-old Cody Dean Johnson, of Omaha, was arrested at around 1:20-p.m. in the 100 block of E. Coolbaugh Street, on a charge of Disorderly Conduct.
Johnson was transported to the Montgomery County Jail where he was booked in. Red Oak Police Department was assisted during the arrest, by deputies with the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office.
(Radio Iowa) – Groups representing corn growers and the ethanol industry are urging Governor Kim Reynolds to veto a bill that would put new restrictions on carbon pipelines. House Speaker Pat Grassley says House Republicans who’ve passed several pipeline-related bills over the past few years are extremely happy the Senate finally passed one this week.
Grassley, as House speaker, is required to sign each bill that passes the House. In a rare move, Grassley held bill signing ceremony with fellow House Republicans on Wednesday night.
Grassley said “…It’s something that we would really have a high expectation of the governor to sign.” Grassley made his comments during taping of “Iowa Press” which airs tonight (Friday) on Iowa P-B-S. The Iowa Renewable Fuels Association and the Iowa Corn Growers Association say the bill will effectively ban carbon pipelines in Iowa. Kelly Nieuwenhuis, a farmer from Primghar who’s a past president of the Iowa Corn Promotion Board, was at the Capitol this week to lobby against the bill.
About three miles of Summit’s pipeline route goes through Nieuwenhuis’s property. Nearly three years ago he signed a contract giving the company access to that section of his land.
Governor Reynolds has until mid-June to sign – or veto — all the bills that passed the legislature.
(Radio Iowa) – The Iowa Supreme Court rules a woman who put money into a bitcoin ATM in what turned out to be a scam can’t get her cash back. Carrie Carlson deposited 14-thousand-100 dollars into a Bitcoin ATM in Cedar Rapids after a call claiming her accounts had been compromised. Carlson ignored a warning from the ATM that the bitcoin had to be deposited into a bitcoin wallet she owned, and put it in another wallet. The Linn County Sheriff’s Office seized the cash from the ATM for its investigation after Carlson notified them of the scam. The Supreme Court ruled that Carlson did not show that Bitcoin Depot had reason to know Carlson was being scammed and the contract between Bitcoin Depot and Carlson is not voidable. It ordered the seized cash be returned to the bitcoin company.
The State Supreme Court also issued a ruling in another case it said is nearly identical to the Carlson case. Shelby Cason deposited 14-thousand-800 dollars into a Bitcoin ATM kiosk, located inside Hawks Smoke Shop in Marion and transferred it to a bitcoin wallet he did not own. The Supreme Court ruled the bitcoin should receive the cash seized from the ATM for the investigation after Cason said he was scammed.
(DES MOINES, IA) – Officials with the Iowa Economic Development Authority (IEDA) Board approved, today (Friday) awards for two companies, which will assist in the creation of 60 jobs and result in $14.6 million in new capital investment for the state. These projects are located in Boone County and Fort Madison. The board also approved assistance for startups in Ankeny, Eldora, Indianola and Iowa City. In addition, a project in West Liberty received a Community Attraction and Tourism (CAT) grant.
United Equipment Accessories, Inc. to expand to Boone County
United Equipment Accessories, Inc. (UEA) is a family-owned company and one of the largest global manufacturers of slip rings, rotary unions and hose/cable reels. The company is expanding its operations to Boone County to support future growth. UEA plans to purchase a 36,000-square-foot facility and make significant improvements. The project represents a capital investment of just over $4 million and is expected to create 25 jobs, of which 10 are incented at a qualifying wage of $32.47 per hour. The board awarded the company a $95,000 forgivable loan and tax benefits through the High Quality Jobs (HQJ) program.
Minnesota manufacturer to expand into Iowa
Virnig Manufacturing, Inc., headquartered in Minnesota, produces attachments for skid steers, compact tractors, compact wheel loaders, mini skid steers and mini excavators. The company plans to purchase a vacant facility in Fort Madison, make improvements and install new equipment. The project represents a capital investment of just over $10.6 million and was awarded tax benefits through the HQJ program. It is expected to create 35 jobs, of which 32 are incented at a qualifying wage of $21.64 per hour.
Awards made to four startups
Ankeny-based Koos Medical Innovations, LLC patented a disposable isolation gown that ensures a custom fit for every patient to reduce the risk of healthcare-associated infections. The innovative design intends to provide more consistent protection than traditional gowns, limiting the spread of infections and saving hospitals additional treatment costs. The company was awarded a $50,000 Proof of Commercial Relevance (POCR) loan for IP development and evaluation, proof of concept work, product refinement and market planning and entry activities.
Terraform Tillage, LLC in Eldora is an agricultural technology company developing innovative solutions for soil management. Their product, the SmartProbe System, integrates a soil compaction measurement tool into an app that allows farmers and agronomists to access real-time data to make informed decisions about tillage, which can reduce fuel costs and enhance soil health. The company was awarded a $50,000 POCR loan for IP development and evaluation, proof of concept work, product refinement, equipment and market planning and entry activities.
BioAxis, LLC, headquartered in Indianola, focuses on biosecurity for the livestock and meat processing industries. Their technologies work to prevent pathogen threats, including antimicrobial-resistant bacteria, used in production facilities. The company was awarded a $50,000 POCR loan for proof of concept work, product refinement and market planning and entry activities.
Iowa City’s LSF Medical Solutions, LLC developed a solution that empowers lung disease patients to monitor their lung function at home remotely with their physicians, reducing the risk of hospitalization. Pneumero, a handheld medical device, assesses several metrics of lung function that support more informed and quicker treatment decisions. The company was awarded a $50,000 POCR for IP development and evaluation, product refinement and market planning and entry activities.
Award recommendations for these funds are made by the Technology Commercialization Committee to the IEDA Board for approval.
CAT grant awarded in Muscatine County
The Muscatine County Fair and Community Foundation of Greater Muscatine were awarded $422,000 to construct the new Muscatine County Event Center in West Liberty, which will include a great room, board room, offices, kitchen space and more. It is expected to attract between 50,000 and 60,000 attendees over the next three years. The total project cost is over $2.1 million.
The CAT program provides financial assistance to communities for the construction of recreational, cultural, educational or entertainment facilities that enhance the quality of life in Iowa. Award recommendations for these funds are made by the CAT Review Committee to the IEDA Board for approval.
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