The area’s latest and/or top news stories at 7:06-a.m., w/KJAN News Director Ric Hanson

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MASON CITY, Iowa (AP) — A sewer line collapse in Mason City is causing untreated wastewater to flow into the Winnebago River in northern Iowa. The Iowa Department of Natural Resources says the city and its contractor were unable to complete repairs to the sewer on Friday and plan to resume their work on Monday. Sewage is being discharged to a storm sewer that ends up in the river.

The DNR is asking people to keep children and pets away from the riverbanks near the area for at least 24 hours after the repairs are completed. DNR officials say they’re monitoring the situation and will consider “appropriate enforcement action.”

Thunderstorms are expected to develop late this afternoon over northern Iowa, generally between Interstate 80 to Highway 20. Heavy rain is likely with these storms where a widespread 0.50 to 2.00 inches are anticipated with a few localized areas possibly receiving over 3 inches by Tuesday morning. The rainfall rates of 1 to 3 inches per hour are possible at times and the rain may last for a long period over the same location. This could lead to areas of flash flooding by tonight into Tuesday morning. More thunderstorms with heavy rain are anticipated over portions of central to southern Iowa Tuesday into Wednesday and again Wednesday night into Thursday. Finally, a dry period is anticipated by late Friday across the state.

The National Weather Service says this this the last day (for a while) of the HEAT and HUMIDITY today across central and southern Iowa. High temperatures rise back into the 90s with heat index values over 100 degrees this afternoon can be expected. A HEAT ADVISORY is in effect until 7-p.m. for Cass-Adair-Adams-Audubon-Guthrie-Dallas-Madison-Union-Taylor and Ringgold Counties. A cold front sneaks into northern Iowa this afternoon, providing the focus for thunderstorms to develop. A few strong thunderstorms are possible in this location today, with the main threat of large hail and damaging winds. Heavy rain is also likely with the storms late this afternoon into the evening leading to the flash flood potential. An active weather pattern is forecast throughout the work week. Stay tuned for further updates.

Today (Monday) marks the start of a two-week effort to feed the needy in Iowa called “Haul Out Hunger.” The state’s largest pork producer will be filling freezers at food banks, pantries, schools and churches. Allyson Ladd, spokeswoman for the Iowa Falls-based Iowa Select Farms, says they’ll be delivering boneless pork loins by the ton. “School is out for summer so food pantry supplies are at an all-time low,” Ladd says. “We schedule our donations so that it’s timely and so these pantries can have access to fresh, high-quality, protein-packed products like pork when families need it most.”

Ladd says the total donation will be around 60-thousand pounds of pork, or about 30 tons. “The pantries really appreciate the five-pound pork loins we donate,” Ladd says. “From each pork loin, families are going to get about 24 servings of pork, so when it’s all said and done, we’ll have donated about 292,000 servings of pork for families in need here in Iowa.”

The effort is also being made possible by the Deb and Jeff Hansen Foundation. The pork is being delivered through July 2nd. Deliveries at many of the food pantries will be live-streamed on the Iowa Select Farms Facebook page.

(Radio Iowa)

Here is the latest Iowa news from The Associated Press at 3:40 a.m. CDT

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Cities, counties and the state of Iowa are less liable for injuries caused by road maintenance issues after a recent Iowa Supreme Court ruling that upheld a longstanding but controversial legal doctrine. The court in a June 8 ruling said a northern Iowa woman cannot sue Humboldt County for failing to remove a concrete wall a farmer had installed in a roadside ditch to keep cows from escaping.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — An Iowa county gave $844,000 in grants to ten private, religious schools despite a state law prohibiting public funding for such schools. The Des Moines Register reports that Polk County gave the money in 2012 and 2013 to nine local Catholic schools and one Christian school by giving the grants to a corporation that passed the money to the schools.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Residents have begun moving into Des Moines’ newest neighborhood as work continues on apartments and townhomes in the area. The Des Moines Register reports that downtown’s East Village is being transformed by Hubbell Realty Co.’s 16-acre development known as the Bridge District. Developers hope the district will attract homeowners and renters to the city’s core. The neighborhood is slated to have nearly 700 housing units in five years.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Iowa Republicans have picked a state agriculture secretary nominee, but it didn’t come easy. The Des Moines Register reports that incumbent Mike Naig was selected Saturday at the Iowa GOP state convention after four rounds of voting. After each round, the bottom candidate was dropped from the ballot. In the last round, Naig topped Corning farmer Ray Gaesser. Naig faces Democrat Tim Gannon in the November general election.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — An Iowa county gave $844,000 in grants to ten private, religious schools despite a state law prohibiting public funding for such schools. The Des Moines Register reports that Polk County gave the money in 2012 and 2013 to nine local Catholic schools and one Christian school by giving the grants to a corporation that passed the money to the schools.

The money given to the schools came from gambling revenue generated by the Prairie Meadows Casino and Hotel. Mark Stringer of the ACLU of Iowa says that it is unacceptable for state tax money to be intentionally sent to religious schools.
Polk County Attorney John Sarcone says he believes the grants to the private schools were legal, and he said the nonprofit wasn’t set up to get around state law.

The City of Atlantic’s Community Protection Committee (CPC) is set to meet Monday evening at City Hall. During their 5:30-p.m. session, the Committee will discuss and make a recommendation to the City Council, with regard to the administration of tree trimming bills for 1110 Locust Street, and discussion with regard to changes to the City’s Code of Ordinances pertaining to “Tree Trimmers,” and “Trees,” to include a recommendation to the City Council.

At least three area school district Boards of Education will hold their regular, separate meetings, Monday evening. The Griswold School Board meeting begins at 5:30-p.m. in the Central Office at the Middle School/High School Building. The CAM School Board meets at 6:30-p.m. in the CAM High School Media Center, and the Audubon School Board meets in their High School Board Room, beginning at 7-p.m., Monday.

During the Griswold School Board meeting, they’ll act on approving: Fuel bids; Tech Support Bids; Bid specs for Bakery, Dairy, Snow Removal and Trash collection; City Agreements, Student Handbook changes; and an APEX contract with the Glenwood CSD. They’ll also hold discussion with regard to a crosswalk, and the sale of the Elementary buildings.

The CAM School Board will take action on: Principal and salaried employee contracts for 2018-19; an agreement with Casey Computer Consulting; and a request to change lanes on the salary schedule for the 2018-19 School Year. Discussion and possible action items will include: A request to purchase new math curriculum materials; revisions to board polices (series 504.3, 505.8 and 604.6); Facility projects and other matters.

And, the Audubon School Board will act on several matters, including: Student Handbook changes; renewal of a FY 2019 sharing agreement with the Coon Rapids-Bayard CSD for an Elementary Counselor, and renewal of FY 2019 sharing agreements with the Harlan CSD for Transportation and Human Resources positions. They’re also expected to receive from Superintendent Brett Gibbs, an update on Summer Projects.

The City of Atlantic’s Parks and Recreation Department Board is set to meet Monday evening in the Council’s Chamber at City Hall. During the 5:15-p.m. meeting, the Board will receive updates on the Schildberg Development Project, including the West Shelter and East Playground, along with the status of the Community Parks Project (Cedar and Mollett Parks).

Parks Director Seth Staashelm will also talk about an IDALS (Iowa Dept. of Ag & Land Stewardship) Park Project, with regard to approval of an Engineering Services Agreement. Other updates include those pertaining to the entrance sign at Sunnyside Park, Summer Programs, the Park Foreman position, and Schildberg Park campground.