(Iowa News Service) – A new report by the Georgetown University Center for Children and Families says the Trump administration’s proposed cuts to Medicaid would hobble Iowa’s child-care workforce, where nearly 38-percent of employees who work in the sector rely on federal benefits. Common Good Iowa Executive Director Anne Discher says cuts to Medicaid would further cripple already low child-care worker wages in the state.

Most states, including Iowa, would face a choice between raising taxes to make up for the Medicaid shortfall and reducing education spending, which is the largest share of Iowa’s budget.

Beautiful teacher and group of toddlers sitting on the floor drawing using paper and pencil around lots of toys at kindergarten

The National Association for the Education of Young Children’s Daniel Hains says nationwide, child cares costs are rising for families and the programs that provide services, especially over the past year.

K-F-F Health data show Iowa stands to lose about 731-million dollars in Medicaid funding if the Trump administration cuts are enacted. The administration says it is working to follow through on a campaign promise to lower government spending.

(Omaha, NE) – The Community Foundations of Southwest Iowa have announced the results of their spring 2025 grant cycle, awarding more than $1.3 million to 120 organizations and community initiatives across the region. From historic preservation and public safety to early childhood care and community development, this year’s funded projects reflect a continued investment in the future of Southwest Iowa.

Non-profit and organizations in Audubon County received a total of $144,709 for eight grants. They include:

• The Audubon County Hospital Foundation – $14,760

• The Audubon County Agricultural Society – $10,000

•  The Audubon Recreation Foundation – $10,000

• The City of Exira (3 grants supporting the Exira Community Club, Exira Public Library, and the City) – $44,355

• Brayton Fire Department – $24,108

• Friendship Home Foundation – $41,486

Sunni Kamp, Southwest Iowa Foundations Director, said “We continue to be inspired by the passion and commitment of local leaders in each county,which provides administrative support to the nine-county network of community foundations. Their care and knowledge guide every grant cycle—and together, we’re funding projects that bring lasting improvements to the people and places of Southwest Iowa.”

The Community Foundations of Southwest Iowa are supported by the Iowa County Endowment Fund Program, which allocates a portion of the state’s commercial gaming tax revenue to counties without a state-issued gaming license. Each affiliate is guided by a local advisory board made up of residents who understand their community’s needs and opportunities. Board members review applications, prioritize projects, and ultimately decide how funds are distributed.

Grants awarded through the Community Foundations of Southwest Iowa continue to improve the quality of life in our region. From supporting emergency responders to enhancing parks and community spaces, each grant tells a story of progress and partnership.

Visit swiowafoundations.org to explore past recipients and learn more about future grant opportunities in your county.

(Red Oak, Iowa) – A traffic stop in Montgomery County early this (Wednesday) morning, resulted in the arrest of a Mills County woman. The Montgomery County Sheriff”s Office reports 43-year-old Heather Sue Caddell, of Glenwood, was taken into custody on charges that include Possession of a Controlled Substance/Methamphetamine-1st Offense, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, and Driving Under Suspension.

Caddell was being held in the Montgomery County Jail on $1,000 bond. Deputies were assisted in their investigation by the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office K9 unit and Red Oak Police.

(Radio Iowa) – The often-delayed Real I-D driver’s license requirement for flying goes into effect today (Wednesday). Iowa D-O-T spokesperson Kathleen Meradith-Eyers says it appears a majority of people flying from the state are prepared.

Meradith-Eyers says you will need another form of I-D, such as a passport, to board a plane if you haven’t upgraded your driver’s license. She says it’s a one-time thing.

You now need a Real ID driver’s license with a yellow star to use it to board a plane. (DOT photo)

The gold start in the upper right corner of the license shows it is a Real I-D. It also works if your I-D is on your phone.

Meradith-Eyers says you need to go into a driver’s license renewal station with some extra documents to make your license a Real I-D.

Those just getting their driver’s licenses don’t have to worry.

You can get an appointment to change to a Real I-D at IowaDOT.gov. Meradith-Eyers says they recommend getting it two months before you need to fly.

(Radio Iowa) – There are more than 470-thousand Catholics in Iowa, most of whom will be watching closely as cardinal electors convene in the Sistine Chapel starting today (Wednesday) for the secretive conclave to choose a new pope. University of Iowa religious studies professor Kristy Nabhan (NAB-han) -Warren says millions of dollars in contracts are being traded in online prediction markets as people bet on the next pope’s identity.

For centuries, there’s been enthusiastic speculation about the picking of a pontiff, but betting on the outcome could be grounds for excommunication.

Kristy Nabhan-Warren

Nabhan-Warren says the papal selection process is fascinating to millions around the globe, and she predicts many Iowans will be keeping an open screen on their computers or phones to watch that famous chimney in Vatican City.

Pope Francis, who died April 21st at age 88, was the first Latin American pope and the first pope from Argentina. Nabhan-Warren says his influence will be evident as a successor is chosen.

Francis was also the first pope to be a Jesuit, the first pope from the Southern Hemisphere, and the first born or raised outside Europe since the 8th century — Syrian pope Gregory III.

(Radio Iowa) – Governor Reynolds has signed a bill into law to make it a crime for unauthorized drones to be flown over anything on an Iowa farmstead that covers at least 40 acres. A 2024 has already prohibited drones from flying over animal feeding operations and homesteads. The new law will forbid secret surveillance of farm equipment, crops and any farm animal as well as barns, sheds and other structures on the farm. Representative Derek Wulf, a farmer from Hudson, says it’s an important expansion of last year’s law.

Senator Dan Zumbach (ZUM-bah), a farmer from Ryan, says drones scare livestock.*

It will be a simple misdemeanor to fly a drone over a farmstead — and a serious misdemeanor if the drone can capture audio or video. The law will not apply to farm property that is within city limits.

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Other bills signed-into law Tuesday by Governor Reynolds include:

Washington, D.C., May 6, 2025 — The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) will require States to make certain all records associated with Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits and allotments are shared with the federal government. The announcement was made today (Tuesday), but U-S Ag Secretary Brooke Rollins, who said “President Trump is rightfully requiring the federal government to have access to all programs it funds, and SNAP is no exception. “

Rollins said “For years, this program has been on autopilot, with no USDA insight into real-time data. The Department is focused on appropriate and lawful participation in SNAP, and today’s request is one of many steps to ensure SNAP is preserved for only those eligible.”

On March 20, 2025, President Trump signed Executive Order 14243, Stopping Waste, Fraud, and Abuse by Eliminating Information Silos, requiring agency heads to “take all necessary steps, to the maximum extent consistent with law, to ensure the federal government has unfettered access to comprehensive data from all State programs that receive federal funding, including, as appropriate, data generated by those programs but maintained in third-party databases.”

The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program is federally funded, administered by States, and includes relationships with processors and retailers, among others, all of which are information siloes. Today’s guidance prioritizes program integrity and will allow FNS, for the first time, transparency into the data long only held by States and Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) processors.

(Radio Iowa) – A state board has agreed to pay a four-point-two MILLION dollar settlement to the brother of a 16-year-old who died of starvation in her adoptive parents home in Perry. Radio Iowa’s O. Kay Henderson reports.

(as said) – Investigators say Sabrina Ray was abused and starved to death by her adoptive mother, who’s serving a life prison sentence, and her adoptive father, sentenced to serve 80 years in prison. Sabrina, who died in 2017, and three of her siblings had been in the foster care system. In 2023, two of the siblings were each paid five MILLION dollars to settle their lawsuits against the state. This latest settlement is with a third sibling who allegedly witnessed and suffered abuse in the same home. The lawsuits claimed state officials failed to properly investigate reports that the children were being abused and neglected.

(Council Bluffs, Iowa) – Officials with the Connections Area Agency on Aging report Farmers Market vouchers are available for seniors meeting income requirements. Vouchers can be used at participating area Farmers Markets to buy $50.00 worth of fresh, locally grown fruit, vegetables, herbs and honey. The Vouchers are valid June 1st through October 31st. Connections says they regret that not being able to distribute vouchers at the same level as in previous years. The USDA provided Connections with 1900 sets of vouchers in 2024. This year the Agency received 750 sets of vouchers for its 20-county service area.

Applications will automatically be mailed to anyone that received vouchers in 2024. Individuals will be randomly selected to receive Farmers Market vouchers. Only one set of vouchers per household.

2025 Farmers Market Process:

• Applications will automatically be sent to last year’s voucher recipients
• Applicants must complete an application and meet eligibility criteria to receive vouchers.
• ONE set of vouchers per household is allowed.
• Voucher distribution is limited. Completed applications must be returned no later than May 30th.

Farmers Market distribution will be done by mail ONLY.

Connections encourages citizens to voice their support for the program by contacting your US members of Congress and share why the program is important to you:

Joni Ernst DC Office (202) 224-3524 Zach Nunn DC Office (202) 225-5476

Chuck Grassley DC Office (202)224-3744 Randy Feenstra DC Office (202) 225-4426

(Radio Iowa) – The Dubuque City Council passed an ordinance Monday against feeding or harassing bears. During discussion of the ordinance, the D-N-R’s Ross Ellingson said the idea is take away the things that lure the bear in.

Ellingson said bears are becoming more prevalent in Iowa due to the large populations of black bears in neighboring states.

Brian Preston. (photo from Dubuque Council meeting video)

Dubuque County Conservation executive director, Brian Preston, said there is one bear that now lives near the city.

Preston said they are trying to emphasize that feeding the bears is not a good thing.

People who feed the bears could face a fine of up to 750 dollars. The ordinance could also require a resident to take down a bird feeder to deter bears. Residents are advised to stay away from bears and not follow them to try and get a picture or video. Harassing bears to get them to go away is not allowed under the ordinance, as the expert said that could lead to more unwanted interaction with the bears.