(Radio Iowa) – A northwest Iowa Republican who’s a state senator has formed an exploratory committee as he considers running for one of Iowa’s four seats in the U-S House of Representatives. Lynn Evans of Aurelia — a Buena Vista University professor who’s a retired superintendent — is serving his first term in the Iowa Senate. His decision to assess a run for congress comes after fourth district Congressman Randy Feenstra announced he’s running for governor in 2026. Evans says Washington is out of touch with everyday Iowans and he’d provide true conservative representation in the U-S House. Evans is chairman of the Iowa Senate Education Committee. He was among the 12 Republicans who forced Senate G-O-P leadership to allow last week’s vote on a carbon pipeline bill.

Democrat Ryan Melton of Webster City says he will run for a third time in the fourth congressional district. In Iowa’s first congressional district, Republican David Pautsch of Davenport plans to challenge Congresswoman Mariannette Miller-Meeks again in 2026. Pautsch, founder of the Quad Cities Prayer Breakfast, ran a low budget primary campaign against Miller-Meeks in 2024 and finished with 44 percent of the vote.

Second District Congresswoman Ashley Hinson, a Republican from Marion, is running for reelection and Democrat Kevin Techau, a former U-S attorney, has announced he’s running in the second district. In the third district — currently represented by Republican Zach Nunn of Bondurant — there’s a Democratic Primary between former Iowa House Minority Leader Jennifer Konfrst) and State Senator Sarah Trone Garriott.

(Radio Iowa) – Iowa Congresswoman Mariannette Miller-Meeks attended Pope Leo’s Inauguration Mass in Rome. Miller-Meeks was part of a bipartisan delegation of 14 U-S House members at the Vatican this weekend. Miller-Meeks says it was an incredible honor to witness the first mass of the first American Pope. Miller-Meeks says it was a moment of faith, unity and deep significance for Catholics like her across the world.

Miller-Meeks has served on the parish council of the St. Mary of the Visitation parish in Ottumwa.

(Greenfield, Iowa) – The Adair County Sheriff’s Office reports three arrests occurred over the past week. At around 3:10-a.m. Saturday, 42-year-old Wade David Harris, of Stuart, was arrested in Stuart for OWI/1st offense. Harris’ vehicle was pulled over for speeding. Before it came to a stop, his pickup went over a curb on Adair Street and onto the grass, where it knocked-over a wooden post. An investigation determined Harris had consumed about a half-dozen beers prior to the traffic stop. Field Sobriety test results showed a Breath Alcohol level in excess of the legal .08-percent. Harris was released from the Adair County Jail later that day, on a $1,000 bond.

There were two arrests in Adair County on May 15th: 55-year-old Ronald Edward Smith, of Des Moines, turned himself-in on a Department of Corrections warrant out of Polk County for Violation of Parole, and was being held without bond; And, 40-year-old Christopher Coy Edwin Chaney, of Des Moines (& formerly of Fontanelle), was arrested at the Polk County Jail, on an Adair County warrant for Violation of a No Contact/Protective Order – Contempt of Court. Chaney was being held without bond in the Adair County Jail, until making an initial court appearance.

(Creston, Iowa) – The Creston Police Department says there were no injuries following a collision Sunday afternoon. The accident at Clark and Walnut Streets happened at around 4:15-p.m., as vehicles driven by 22-year-old Damien Beard, of Creston, and 62-year-old Michelle Jones, of Afton, were traveling in opposite directions. Authorities say Beard was driving a 2009 Chevy Express passenger van with two passengers on-board, eastbound on Clark, and came to the intersection with Walnut Street, where there was a Yield sign.

Jones was driving a 2015 Chevy Equinox west on Clark Street, and approached the same section controlled by a Yield sign. Both vehicles proceeded into the intersection, where Beard attempted to turn north onto Walnut. Jones’ vehicle struck the van on the right rear, causing a total of $2,000 damage. No citations were issued.

(Atlantic, Iowa) — All this month (May, 2025), Cass Health’s Senior Life Solutions program recognizes “Mental Health Awareness Month,” by embracing the theme, “Turn Awareness into Action.” Mental health is vital at every stage of life, and we are dedicated to supporting older adults and their caregivers in our rural communities as they navigate mental health challenges. As mental health is being spotlighted, Senior Life Solutions (SLS) aims to address the unique mental health needs of older adults in our community by encouraging everyone to:

• Challenge Misconceptions: Mental health struggles are not a normal part of aging. They’re treatable, and with the right support, older adults can thrive.
• Share Stories: By sharing personal experiences, we can break down stigma and inspire others to seek help. Stories of resilience and recovery create a powerful ripple effect.
• Support Caregivers: Caregivers are essential to older adults’ well-being. This month, we’re highlighting tips and resources to help caregivers prioritize their own mental health.
• Foster Connection: Small actions, like checking in with a loved one or initiating a simple conversation, can make a big difference in someone’s day.

SLS Program Director Karmen Roland, RN, says “Mental health awareness is just the beginning. Turning awareness into action means recognizing the signs of mental health challenges, supporting caregivers, and ensuring older adults in our rural communities feel valued and connected. Together, we can build stronger, more supportive environments for everyone.”

Cass Health invites you to join us in honoring Mental Health Awareness Month by taking action:

• Learn about the signs of depression and anxiety in older adults.
• Reach out to a caregiver or older adult in your life.
• Explore the resources we offer to support mental well-being in our community.
• If you’re taking steps to improve your mental health but are still struggling or are not sure where to start on your mental health journey, we encourage you to connect with your healthcare provider or reach out to a member of our team today.

Senior Life Solutions is an outpatient program designed to meet the unique needs of older adults experiencing depression and/or anxiety related to life changes that are often associated with aging or a chronic diagnosis. If you or someone you know is struggling with a decline in their mental health, SLS is here to help. Whether through their program, or another service, the SLS team works to identify and address the emotional needs of those in our community and provide support.

For more information or if you or someone you know could benefit from this program, call Senior Life Solutions at 712-250-8100.

(Lewis, Iowa) – The warmer weather is giving people the itch to, get outside and have fun. The Cass County Conservation Department has several things you can do, to get back to nature. Naturalist Lora Kanning says their kayak and paddle-boarding programs this Memorial Day weekend, are one way you can get some fresh air and stay cool.

Paddle-boarding, she said, provides a core workout for your hips and thighs.

The Conservation Department will provide you with a life jacket for the 45-minutes you’ll be on the paddle-board, if you don’t have one. Since paddle-boarding is mostly done on calm water, if the wind is strong, the event may be canceled. Lora Kanning said registration for the paddle-boarding and kayak spots are done online, at mycountyparks.com. Kayaks are available in the sit-in or sit-on-top versions. The programs for both are designed to be introductory, for those who have never experienced paddle-boards or kayaks. Children must be 16-years-of-age or older, and paddlers must weight less than 250-pounds. For the kayaks, users must weigh less than 395-pounds.

Paddle Boarding

The Cass County Conservation Board is also hosting a “Movie in the Park” this Friday, and again the weekend of Labor Day, both at Cold Springs State Park.

The movie “Dog Man” is about when a dog and a police officer are injured together on the job, a life-saving surgery changes the course of history. Half dog, half man, Dog Man is sworn to protect and serve as he doggedly pursues his arch-nemesis: the feline supervillain Petey the Cat. The movies begin at dark, or generally around 9-p.m. You do not have to be a registered camper to attend the showing, and in the event of rain, the movie will be rescheduled.

For more information, call 712-769-2372.

(Creston, Iowa) – Officials with the Creston Police Department report a Union County man was arrested last week on numerous drug charges and three warrants. 37-year-old Christopher Lynn Woollums, of Creston, was arrested Thursday, for: Possess Drug Paraphernalia; Intent Manufacture/Deliver Meth over 5g Under 5kg; Interfere w/ Official Acts; Driving While license Suspended/Cancelled or Revoked; Fail to Affix Drug Tax Stamp – 7 or more grams; Operating under the Influence 1st Offense; Possess Controlled Substance 3rd Offense; Posses Contraband On/In Correction Facility – No Weapon, and 2 counts Possess. Controlled Substance/3rd offense. While serving time in the Union County Jail, Woollums was served three Union County Warrants for Possession of Controlled Substance – 3rd Offense;Possession of Controlled Substance – 2nd Offense, and Possession of Controlled Substance – Marijuana 1st Offense. Woollums was being held in the Union County Jail on bond totaling $59,000.

Saturday morning, 55-year-old Rhonda Jane Thompson, of Corning, was arrested on a Union County Warrant for OWI/1st Offense. Thompson was taken to the Union County Jail where she later posted a $1,000 bond before being released.

Sunday evening, 22-year-old Steven Shane Mills, of Creston, was arrested  for allowing an Animal to run at Large. Mills was cited and released from the scene on a promise to appear in court.

(Radio Iowa) – The torch will be lit to open the annual Special Olympics Iowa Summer Games this week in Ames. It’s a chance for Iowans of all ages with intellectual disabilities to participate in an athletic competition. Megan Filipi is spokeswoman for Special Olympics Iowa. “Our Summer Games is our largest competition of the entire year,” Filipi says. “We host competitions all year round, but the Summer Games is the cream of the crop. We’ve got more than 2,500 athletes, 1,200 coaches, 2,000 volunteers, plus spectators and families, so more than 6,000 people will be coming to Ames for our Summer Games.” She says the athletes will participate in a wide range of activities Thursday through Saturday.

“Athletes compete in bocci, cycling, soccer, tennis and track and field,” Filipi says, “and usually they do swimming as well, but the pool at Iowa State is under construction, so we held a one-off state swim meet instead.” She says the event’s kickoff is always a spectacle. “Thursday night, we have our opening ceremonies at Hilton Coliseum,” Filipi says. “There’s a parade of athletes where all the athletes parade into Hilton by the 11 areas in the state and with their delegation. And then we give out some awards like Athlete of the Year, Volunteer of the Year. We have some special guest speakers and then there’s a big confetti cannon and then we light the cauldron and we kick off the games.”

More volunteers are needed to help out with the games. Learn more at www.soiowa.org.

(Radio Iowa) – Iowa Congresswoman Ashley Hinson, a Republican from Marion, says the cuts in the so-called “Big Beautiful Budget Bill” for Medicaid are only for people who shouldn’t be in the program. “The key I support is making sure this program exists for people who actually need it. What we’ve seen is that over a million illegal immigrants have been getting coverage on Medicaid,” she says.
She says the program is not intended for illegal immigrants. “That’s unacceptable, and that coverage should be going to people who actually need it. And when you look at the provisions in the bill, that is exactly what it’s supposed to do. It kicks illegal immigrants off of taxpayer-funded Medicaid benefits, one-point-four million of them. It also eliminates waste, fraud, and abuse by doing that,” Hinson says.

Hinson says she doesn’t want to touch the benefits for those who really deserve them. “The intent of Medicaid is to protect those with disabilities, seniors, mothers with single mothers with children, not 29-year-old men playing video games on their mother’s couch in the basement,” Hinson says. “We want people getting back to work. If you don’t qualify for Medicaid benefits, you shouldn’t be receiving them, and that includes illegal immigrants.”

IA (R) Congresswoman Ashley Hinson

Hinson made her comments during a conference call with reporters.

(Iowa News Service) – Rural Iowans are asking lawmakers to be more aggressive in fighting for cleaner water in the state’s notoriously dirty rivers, lakes, and streams. Advocates from across the country gathered in Des Moines this month to exchange ideas on how to address the issue.

People from as far away as Maine and Arizona gathered at the Rural Policy Action Summit in Des Moines to address health care costs, a labor shortage in rural America, declining funding for public schools – and manure runoff from large ag operations polluting the state’s waterways.

Iowa Citizens for Community Improvement’s Executive Director Lisa Whelan said ag pollution keeps many lakes closed for recreation in the summer. “We need clean water,” said Whelan. “We are facing a real water crisis here – not only about quality, but also about quantity.”

Lake Okoboji is a popular Tourist Area known as the Great Lakes of Iowa

Corporate ag operators contend they consistently look for ways to be more environmentally conscious, but are often cited for ground and surface water pollution. Beyond clean and healthy water, Rural Democracy Initiative Communications Director Michael Chameides said there was also consensus at the summit on addressing concerns about worker safety, especially in Iowa’s rural towns.

“And so, we saw this concern for agricultural communities where there can be really harsh conditions for farm workers or for workers who are working in meat processing plants,” said Chameides, “but also other small factories, for people sort of needing a safe work environment.”

Chameides said people at the summit also expressed frustration about corporate consolidation and the undue influence of special interest groups in Washington, D.C. having an outsize influence on policies that affect rural Americans.