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Iowa turkey producers will feel impact of COVID hit on Thanksgiving travel

Ag/Outdoor

November 4th, 2020 by Ric Hanson

(Radio Iowa) – Far fewer Iowans are expected to travel for Thanksgiving this year due to the pandemic which will likely mean smaller gatherings around dinner tables — and a potential drop in sales for Iowa turkey producers. Gretta Irwin, executive director of the Iowa Turkey Federation, says many consumers will still be gobbling up turkey, just in different ways.

“This year, we anticipate we’ll have ample supply of turkeys in all variety of sizes, just like we normally do,” Irwin says. “If a group of friends and family are getting together and it’s a smaller group, they can still cook the large turkey and have lots of great leftovers, or they could choose turkey breast options or turkey tenderloins.” The global COVID-19 outbreak forced the cut-back of some turkey production in the Midwest earlier this year and some producers decided to stop raising turkeys for at least six months.

“Some farmers here in Iowa did not place turkeys and will not be processing turkeys come the first of the year,” Irwin says. “Those turkeys never would have been Thanksgiving turkeys. Those would have been turkeys that all would have been further processed so that does not have an impact on the holiday market this year.” The pandemic kept many people home from work and school for several months this year, which meant they were also eating out less frequently. That, too, hit the turkey industry.

“Mostly this summer when a lot of the quick service restaurants stopped serving turkey, places where you buy deli sandwiches and schools, those types of settings,” Irwin says. “That really impacted our ability to keep moving all of our products, specifically, the deli meats, the tenderloins, the breast meat.” Iowa ranks 7th in U-S turkey production, with about 12-million birds raised in the state every year.

Cass County Sheriff’s report (11/4)

News

November 4th, 2020 by Ric Hanson

The Cass County Sheriff’s Office reports two arrests. On Tuesday, 37-year old Quintin John Perdue, of Stanton, was arrested on a District Court warrant for Probation Violation. Perdue was taken to the Cass County Jail and released later that day on $5,000 bond.

And, on Sunday, Cass County Deputies arrested 33-year old Johnathon Dean Napier, Jr., of Atlantic, on a charge of OWI/1st Offense. Napier was taken to the Cass County Jail and released later that day on his own recognizance.

Casino backer expects to open in Omaha, Lincoln next year

News

November 4th, 2020 by Ric Hanson

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — Gamblers could see new casinos in Omaha and Lincoln by this time next year now that voters have ended Nebraska’s longtime ban on the industry. Lance Morgan, the president and CEO of Ho-Chunk Inc., says the corporation plans to spend $300 million to add casinos at existing horse-racing tracks in both cities. Ho-Chunk is the economic development arm of the Winnebago Tribe of Nebraska. Morgan says casino backers and the state’s horse-racing industry want to open casinos as soon as possible and then expand them to include restaurants, hotels and other amenities. Roughly two-thirds of voters approved three constitutional amendments Tuesday to legalize casinos at Nebraska’s six licensed horse racing tracks.

 

State Volleyball Semifinal Schedule/Scoreboard Wednesday 11/04/2020

Sports

November 4th, 2020 by Jim Field

Class 5A Semifinals

(3-2) Iowa City Liberty 25-23-25-23-15, Dowling Catholic 19-25-15-25-12
(3-2) Ankeny 25-19-25-26-15, Pleasant Valley 15-25-22-28-7

Class 4A Semifinals

(3-0) Cedar Rapids Xavier 25-25-25, Western Dubuque 22-23-16
(3-0) West Delaware 25-25-25, Gilbert 19-13-16

Class 3A Semifinals

(3-1) Osage 23-25-25-25 Davenport Assumption 25-24-23-17
(3-0) Mount Vernon 25-25-25, Clarion-Goldfield-Dows 16-22-13

Class 2A Semifinals

(3-0) Denver 25-25-25, Western Christian 22-22-20
(3-0) Dike-New Hartford 25-25-25, Wilton 17-21-16

Class 1A Semifinals

(3-0) Gladbrook-Reinbeck 25-25-25, Council Bluffs St. Albert 20-23-17 (St. Albert ends their season at 15-14) Box Score
(3-0) Burlington Notre Dame 25-25-25,  Gehlen Catholic 19-18-20

AP VoteCast: Iowa voters sour on state of nation

News

November 4th, 2020 by Ric Hanson

(By The Associated Press undefined) – Voters in Iowa made their pick for president while holding negative views about the country’s direction, according to an expansive AP survey of the American electorate. The race between President Donald Trump and Democratic rival Joe Biden concluded Tuesday as the nation remains in the throes of a global public health crisis and mired in the economic downturn it brought on. AP VoteCast found that 43% of Iowa voters said the U.S. is on the right track and 56% of voters said it is headed in the wrong direction.

Here’s a snapshot of who voted and what matters to them, based on preliminary results from AP VoteCast, a nationwide survey of about 133,000 voters and nonvoters — including 2,401 voters and 299 nonvoters in Iowa — conducted for The Associated Press by NORC at the University of Chicago.
TRUMP VS BIDEN
In the race for president, Trump was neck and neck with Biden among voters under 45 but Trump led Biden among older voters. Biden appeared to lead among college-educated voters while voters without a college degree were more likely to prefer Trump over Biden. Voters in cities were more likely to prefer Biden over Trump. Voters in small towns and rural areas were more likely to back Trump over Biden. Biden and Trump were neck and neck among suburban voters.
RACE FOR SENATE
In the race for U.S. Senate, Theresa Greenfield was roughly even with Joni Ernst among voters under 45. Ernst led Greenfield among older voters. Ernst appeared to lead among voters without a college degree. College-educated voters were divided. Voters in small towns and rural areas were more likely to back Ernst. Voters in cities were more likely to favor Greenfield over Ernst. Suburban voters were divided.
FACING THE PANDEMIC
The coronavirus pandemic has spread through the U.S. for roughly eight months, killing more than 230,000 Americans. Overall, 17% of voters said the virus in the U.S. is completely or mostly under control, and 31% said it’s somewhat under control. Fifty-one percent of voters think the coronavirus is not at all under control in this country.
ON THE ISSUES
The coronavirus pandemic was top of mind for many voters in Iowa. Thirty-eight percent said it is the most important issue facing the country today. Voters also considered the economy a major issue, with 29% saying it ranked at the top. Eleven percent named health care, 5% named racism and 5% named climate change.
NATIONAL ECONOMY
Voters were closely divided in their assessments of the nation’s economy. Overall, 50% described economic conditions in the U.S. as excellent or good, and 50% called them not so good or poor.
STAYING AT HOME
Among registered voters who chose not to cast a ballot in Iowa, 21% said that was because they don’t like the candidates, 20% said their vote doesn’t matter and 18% said they are concerned about being exposed to the coronavirus. In Iowa, 75% of nonvoters were younger than 45 and 85% did not have a college degree.

AP created this story automatically using results from AP VoteCast, a survey of the American electorate conducted by NORC at the University of Chicago for Fox News, NPR, PBS NewsHour, Univision News, USA Today Network, The Wall Street Journal and The Associated Press. The survey of 2,401 voters in Iowa was conducted for eight days, concluding as polls closed. Interviews were conducted in English and Spanish. The survey combines a random sample of registered voters drawn from the state voter file and self-identified registered voters selected from nonprobability online panels. The margin of sampling error for voters is estimated to be plus or minus 2.6 percentage points. Find more details about AP VoteCast’s methodology at https://ap.org/votecast.

Republican Hinson ousts Democratic Rep. Finkenauer in Iowa

News

November 4th, 2020 by Ric Hanson

IOWA CITY, Iowa (AP) — Republicans in Iowa have flipped one U.S. House seat and are competing in a tight race to pick up another. Republicans were guaranteed to control at least two of Iowa’s four seats when the House reconvenes in January, up from the one they held during the current two-year session. Republican Ashley Hinson defeated first-term Democratic Rep. Abby Finkenauer in the district that includes Cedar Rapids and much of northeast Iowa. Republican Mariannette Miller-Meeks was competing to flip a second seat that came open with the retirement of Democrat Dave Loebsack. Miller-Meeks’ race against Democrat Rita Hart remained too close to call Wednesday.

 

“Elect A Scrooge” contest underway in Atlantic

News

November 4th, 2020 by Ric Hanson

(9-a.m. News) – The Atlantic Area Chamber’s Annual Scrooge Contest is underway during the month of November. Eleanor Hoover, who passed away in 2019, organized the contest beginning in 2002 just one year after the inaugural Lighted Parade. Scrooge contestants raise money and collect non-perishable food items for the Atlantic Food Pantry. The 2020 candidates include: Brian Ruge, Brown’s Shoe Fit; Tami Shellberg, Atlantic Hy-Vee; Jon Martens, Aunt B’s; and Jeff & Heather Lundquist, Atlantic News Telegraph & Atlantic Community Schools.

Contestants are responsible for collecting and submitting their points to the Chamber by November 24th at noon. The contestant with the most points will be named Scrooge and all proceeds will benefit the Atlantic Food Pantry. Winner of the Scrooge Contest serves as the Grand Marshal in the Lighted Parade on December 5th at 6 PM in Downtown Atlantic. Cash donations are worth 5 points on the dollar and one non-perishable item earns the contestants one point. Donations to a contestant can be made by delivering food or funds to their drop off locations. For more information please call the Chamber at 712.243.3017 or email chamber@atlanticiowa.com.

This year, the Atlantic Food Pantry is asking for a specific list of food items, with a focus on monetary donations due to limited storage space. The money will help them purchase food items as needed, including meat and refrigerated items. The list of needed food items includes:

  • Cream of Chicken/Mushroom Soup; Tomato/Chicken Noodle Soup
  • Ramen Noodles
  • Hamburger Helper
  • Canned Beef Ravioli/Spaghetti O’s
  • Instant Sides (Packages) – Pasta, Sauce or Potato
  • Boxed Cereal
  • Jiffy Corn Muffin Mix
  • Saltine Crackers
  • Canned Fruit
  • Bar Soap
  • Canned Tuna/Chicken
  • Macaroni & Cheese
  • Canned Vegetables
  • Toilet Paper
  • 18 oz. Creamy Peanut Butter
  • Quick Oats (no milk needed)
  • Pancake/Waffle Mix (no milk needed)
  • Pancake/Waffle Syrup
  • Boxed Noodles
  • Pasta Sauce
  • Chili Beans
  • Diced Tomatoes
  • Canned Manwich or Sloppy Joe

Atlantic Area Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Bailey Smith says “Our food pantry has seen a very high increase of individuals and families in need of food assistance this year due to COVID-19. We have such a great group of candidates this year. They’re all very determined people who already do a lot for our community. I have no doubt this will be a successful outcome for the food pantry.”

Past Scrooge titles have been awarded to: Mary Ann Moorman 2007, Dana Halder 2008, Tammy Wise & Janet Huey 2009, Ritchie Anderson 2010, Janet Cappel 2011, Melanie Petty 2012, David Miller 2013, Mark McNees 2014, Ted Robinson 2015, Jon Johnson 2016, Rob Stamp 2017, Rob & Sonya Clausen 2018 and Billie Hoover, Jackie Sampson & Lori Christianson 2019. The contest will run now to November 24th.

Iowa voters reject constitutional convention call by more than 2-to-1

News

November 4th, 2020 by Ric Hanson

(Radio Iowa) – While several close races captured much of the attention in the election coverage, there was a clear decision by Iowa’s voters on calling a constitutional convention. This year’s General Election ballot asked voters if there should be a convention to revise the state’s constitution. It’s a question that’s required to be submitted to Iowa voters once every decade. By a rate of more than two-to-one, the voters said “no.”

The final tallies show 407-thousand people said yes, while 971-thousand opposed the idea. A constitutional law professor at the University of Iowa says such a convention is only appropriate if voters think the system is fundamentally broken and needs significant changes. Iowa’s constitution was ratified in 1857 and has since been amended 48 times.

Man sentenced to life in prison for 2017 Burlington slaying

News

November 4th, 2020 by Ric Hanson

BURLINGTON, Iowa (AP) — The last of of those convicted in the 2017 killing of a Burlington man has been sentenced to life in prison without parole. The Hawk Eye reports that 32-year-old Emmanuel Spann was sentenced Monday in Des Moines County District Court for the killing of 26-year-old Demarcus “Peanut” Chew on Sept. 10, 2017, outside his mother’s apartment in Burlington. A jury in February found Spann guilty of first-degree murder and conspiracy.

Spann was one of five men charged in Chew’s death. Prosecutors say the five men followed Chew from Expose nightclub in Gulfport, Illinois, to his mother’s home in Burlington.

 

Underwood man arrested on Forgery warrant

News

November 4th, 2020 by Ric Hanson

The Mills County Sheriff’s Department reports an Underwood man was arrested Tuesday afternoon at the Pottawattamie County Jail, on a Mills County warrant for Forgery. 23-year old Kaleb Jack Knight was being held in the Mills County Jail on a $5,000 bond.