(Atlantic, Iowa) – The Administrator for the City of Atlantic, John Lund, has issued a preliminary agenda for the upcoming July 2nd meeting of the Atlantic City Council. The agenda (shown below) is tentative, and subject to revision no less then 24-hours before the meeting begins at 5:30-p.m., Wednesday, at the City Hall, in Atlantic.

1. Roll Call.
2. Approve Agenda.
3. Pledge of Allegiance.
4. Adopt Consent Agenda Items.
a. Minutes of the June 18, 2025, City Council Meeting.
b. Special Class C Retail Alcohol with Outdoor Services – Winetime LLC. (Sunnyside Pool)
c. Special Class C Retail Alcohol with Outdoor Services – Winetime LLC. (Produce in the Park #1)
d. Special Class C Retail Alcohol with Outdoor Services – Winetime LLC. (Produce in the Park #2).
e. Special Class C Retail Alcohol with Outdoor Services – Standing Room
f. Tree Trimmer Permit – Iowa Timber Solutions LLC.
g. Bills: TBD
5. Public Forum.

6. Order to Approve Fireworks Event Permit for Mark O’Brien for the County Fair at 805 West
10th Street on August 1, 2025 for a Show Beginning Approximately 30 Minutes After Sunset and Lasting for a Period of Approximately 20 Minutes.

7. Order to Approve Fireworks Event Permit for the Mark O’Brien for the County Fairgrounds
Tractor Pull at 805 West 10th Street on August 23, 2025 for a Show Beginning Approximately 30 Minutes After Sunset and Lasting for a Period of Approximately 20 Minutes.

8. Order to Approve Fireworks Event Permit for Mark O’Brien for the Tolton Picnic at 103 West
29 th Street on September 13, 2025 for a Show Beginning Approximately 30 Minutes After Sunset and Lasting for a Period of Approximately 20 Minutes.

9. Order to Approve Street Closing Permit for 4th Street, From Walnut to Chestnut for SHIFT
ATL’s Summer Soiree Fundraiser Event/Dinner on Saturday, August 9, 2025, Starting at 6:00 A.M. and Ending at Midnight.

10. Third & Final Reading of Ordinance No. 1056 “Amending the Code of Ordinances of the City of Atlantic, Iowa by Amending Chapter 6 Entitled ‘City Election.’”

11. Third & Final Reading of Ordinance No. 1057 “Amending the Code of Ordinances of the City of Atlantic, Iowa, by Amending Speed Regulations, Section 63.04(2) of the City Code.’”

12. Third & Final Reading of Ordinance No. 1058 “Amending the Code of Ordinances of the City of Atlantic, Iowa, by Amending Speed Regulations, Section 63.04(2) of the City Code.’”

13. Third & Final of Ordinance No. 1059 “Amending the Code of Ordinances of the City of Atlantic, Iowa, by Amending Speed Regulations, Section 63.04(3) of the City Code.’”

14. First Reading of Ordinance No 1060 “Amending the Code of Ordinances of the City of Atlantic,
Iowa, by Amending Section 70.03 ‘Parking Violations: Alternate.’” (Ordinance 1060 increases the penalties for not paying a parking ticket from $5.00 to $20.00.

15. Resolution #52-25 “Setting Wages for the Employees of the City of Atlantic Animal Shelter for the Fiscal Year July 1, 2025 Through June 30, 2026.”

16. Administrator’s Report.
17. Mayor’s Report.
18. City Council Reports.
19. Adjournment.

AMANA, Iowa (KCRG) – Officials with Whirlpool, Friday, said a change in plans for upcoming layoffs at their plant in Amana: 400 people will be able to keep their job. A little more than two months ago, the company told employees they would layoff 650 people. Later that month, they announced a plan to delay the date of the layoffs, which was originally set for June 1, but did not say when the date was supposed to happen.

On Friday, the company announced only a portion of people would now have to be laid off. It will now mean only 250 people will be without a job, which takes effect on July 28th. In a statement issued to KCRG-TV, The company stressed the change was not related to tariffs. Whirlpool said it’s “committed to supporting affected employees.”

They’ll do so with a transition support program, as well as unemployment benefits with Iowa Workforce Development. The company also says they’re looking to announcing investments in U.S. factories in the future.

DES MOINES, Iowa — Des Moines police are investigating after a body was recovered from the Des Moines River Friday night. KCCI reports Police say they were called at around 8 p.m. Friday to the Des Moines River near the Court Avenue bridge for a report of a person in the river. First responders confirmed a person was in the river, and the person was clearly deceased, according to authorities.

The Des Moines Fire Department’s Water Emergency Team recovered the body. An investigation is underway to determine what led to the person’s death.

(Atlantic, Iowa) –  Officials with the Atlantic Police Department, on Friday, released a report on arrests conducted during a period covering June 13th through the 24th. Beginning with the most recent arrests:

• On Tuesday, June 24th, officers arrested 34-year-old Tera Reyes, of Atlantic, for failure to appear on a charge of 5th degree theft.
• On the 21st, 39-year-old Dave Gorman, of Memphis, TN, was arrested for OWI 1st Offense.
• On the 19th, 45-year-old Mindy Durr, of Atlantic, was arrested for possession of a controlled substance, Marijuana.
• On June 17th, Atlantic Police arrested 46-year-old William Lawson, of Atlantic, for Public Intoxication.

Three people were arrested June 15th, in Atlantic:

• 31-year-old Chris Martin, of Atlantic, was arrested for Disorderly Conduct/fighting, and violent behavior.
• 51-year-old Chad Silence, of Atlantic was arrested for OWI 1st offense.
• 30-year-old Sinomi Rachunap, of Omaha, was arrested for Domestic Abuse Assault, 1st offense.

and, on June 13th, officers with the Atlantic P-D arrested 23-year-old Samfin Ysam, of Atlantic, for Public Intoxication.

(Radio Iowa) – Travel during the upcoming 4th of July holiday is expected to set records both in Iowa and nationwide. AAA-Iowa spokesman Brian Ortner says the motor club is projecting more than 72-million people will be traveling over the Independence Day weekend. That’s up by nearly two-million travelers from last year and more than seven-million from 2019.

“People are going everywhere by car, by plane, by train, by boat,” Ortner says. “Nationally, we’re seeing numbers increase over 2.4% over last year. Bringing it closer to home, driving, we’re going to see about four-million folks take a road trip of 50 miles or more, that’s 50,000 more from last year in our region.”

One thing that’s a bit of a surprise in the forecast, Ortner says the number of people in Iowa and the Midwest who are expected to be traveling by plane during the holiday fell slightly. “We’re still seeing good numbers, but our region has dropped a little bit from last year,” Ortner says. “We’re seeing about 203,000 forecasted to take to the airways for their holiday travel plans, a decrease from last year of about 1,000 or so, or 0.6%.”

Other modes of transportation, including buses, trains, and cruise ships, are expected to pick up any slack from air travel, with a projected nine-percent increase compared to the holiday last year. In addition to sunscreen and your swimsuit, Ortner says there’s something else that will be important to pack for the long weekend.

“However you’re traveling, bring your patience with you,” Ortner says. “With record numbers, there’ll be more people on the road. There’ll be more people in the airports. Plan ahead. Take your time. Get your vehicles checked. Get that routine maintenance done. Most importantly, be safe on the roads. Keep a safe distance from those who are working to get themselves back on the road.”

It’s the law for Iowa motorists to move over if there’s a stopped vehicle with its emergency flashers on, or, if a lane change isn’t possible, to at least slow down and prepare to stop. Ignoring the law could bring a $200 fine and suspension of the driver’s license for up to a year.

(Radio Iowa) – Friends, family and co-workers of Jodi Huisentruit (WHO-sen-troot) gathered in front of K-I-M-T T-V in downtown Mason City this morning (Friday) on the 30th anniversary her disappearance. Investigators believe someone grabbed the news anchor shortly after 4:00 a-m as she left her apartment on the way to work. A spokesperson for Huisentruit’s family who was not identified read a statement to start the event.

The family is also asking people if they know anything that could help solve the case to come forward.

Huisentruit’s close friend Ani (AH-knee) Kruse talked about spending the weekend before her disappearance in Iowa City.

Kruse hopes someone will step forward with the information that solves the case.

If anyone has information about what happened to Huisentruit, they are asked to call the Mason City Police Department at 641-421-3636 or email Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation special agent Ryan Herman at rherman@dps.state.ia.us

(Radio Iowa) – St. Ambrose University in Davenport became the parent organization today (Friday) in the merger with Mount Mercy University in Cedar Rapids. Mount Mercy President Todd Olson says its the first of two steps as the two combine.

Olson says there have been many conversations and steps to get the process to this point.

St. Ambrose University President Amy Novak talked about the benefits of the move.

The final step in the merger is expected to come in September of next year. Novak says the daily work between the two schools will continue.

Novak says she’s heard from parents and some students that there’s a renewed confidence that the schools have a very positive path forward. She says there is also support in the business community for the merger.

(Radio Iowa) – Speaker Pat Grassley has announced he will run for an 11th term in the Iowa House.

O. Kay Henderson reports.

Iowa Congressman Randy Feenstra, a Republican from Hull, is raising money for a campaign for governor and Attorney General Brenna Bird is considering a run for governor in 2026. Earlier this month, State Representative Eddie Andrews of Johnston kicked off a campaign for the G-O-P’s nomination for governor.

House Speaker Pat Grassley on the “Iowa Press” set in May, 2025. (Iowa PBS photo)

State Senator Mike Bousselot (BOOSE-uh-loh) of Ankeny — a former aide to Governors Branstad and Reynolds — has formed an exploratory committee to raise money for a possible run for governor. There’s also likely to be a Democratic Primary for governor in 2026. Rob Sand, the state auditor, and Julie Stauch (STOWCH), an advisor to several Democratic candidates over the past 25 years, both launched campaigns this spring.

(Radio Iowa) – A top Democrat in the legislature is calling on his party to hold its Iowa Caucuses in 2028 before any other state holds a presidential primary. House Minority Leader Brian Meyer of Des Moines says it was a mistake for Iowa Democrats to give in to national party leaders who put South Carolina’s Democratic Primary first in 2024.

Meyer said also….

President Biden, who finished fourth in the 2020 Iowa Caucuses, criticized the way the caucuses are conducted and called for South Carolina to go first instead.

House Minority Leader Brian Meyer (D-Des Moines) (official photo)

The Iowa Caucuses had been the lead-off event for Democrats in a dozen presidential elections.

Meyer notes New Hampshire, which started holding a presidential primary in 1920, ignored the national party’s edict for 2024 and still held its presidential primary first.

Meyer says Iowa Democrats can get rid of the complicated math that’s been used in the Caucuses to determine a winner and just do what Iowa Republicans do — declare the person who gets the most votes the winner. The Iowa Republican Party’s Caucuses were still first-in-the-nation in 2024 and Iowa G-O-P leaders are pushing to maintain that position in 2028.

Meyer says the Caucuses help Democrats register new voters and start precinct level organizing for the General Election. Meyer made his comments during taping of the “Iowa Press” program on Iowa P-B-S. Some Iowa Democrats say the Caucuses have been a distraction from local races and it’s time to give up the fight to have the Democratic Party’s Caucuses go first in 2028.

(Atlantic, Iowa) – The Cass County Sheriff’s Office reports the arrest on June 19th, of 46-year-old Tesha Joy Stevens, of Audubon. Stevens was taken into custody for possession of controlled substance. She was transported to the Cass County Jail and later released on her own recognizance.