(Radio  Iowa) – Next week may be one of the busiest travel weeks in Iowa history, according to a forecast from AAA Iowa. The motor club’s Brian Ortner says the study estimates nearly 82-million Americans will be leaving home for the Thanksgiving holiday, including six-and-a-half million Midwesterners traveling by car, plane, train, bus or boat.

“When we’re looking at this year, it’s growth over last year in our region, for a total of almost 2% growth,” Ortner says. “Those who are taking the car is growing by about 1.3%, a majority of people are traveling that way from our region, over 5.8 million folks. Three-hundred-six thousand are taking to the air, a growth of almost 2%.”

Ortner says the number of people taking cruises this year bounced 12-percent over last year, and he says plenty of Iowans will be setting sail for Thanksgiving. “Some reasons for that are, affordability, accessibility and obviously, the destination,” he says. “Weather, we’ve been fortunate lately, but usually when we get into Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year’s, weather in our area isn’t always the best. Some of us like snow or cold, but none of us like the ice, and why not be on a boat in the sunshine?”

For road warriors, the current average price for gasoline in Iowa is $2.80 a gallon, which is a full 30 cents below the national average. “We shouldn’t see any significant changes beyond that. There’s some fluctuality going on with the markets, but, looking at the markets today, crude oil, which makes up the largest cost of a gallon of fuel, is trending less than $60 per barrel. So, I would think you’ll see those prices either plateau right now, or even decrease a little bit as we move toward the Thanksgiving holiday.”

The Iowa Governor’s Traffic Safety Bureau is reminding Iowa motorists to buckle up. During Thanksgiving week last year, Iowa had 17 fatal or serious injury crashes, including five that involved people who weren’t belted in.

(Radio Iowa) – The Emmet County Board of Supervisors is seeking a second legal opinion on a proposed settlement with the company that has planned to build the Red Rock Energy Center wind farm. Last December, the Emmet County Board of Adjustment rejected a permit for the project and the company sued. Doug Hanson, chairman of Emmet County’s Planning and Zoning Commission, says the county would sign away a lot if it agrees to settle the lawsuit. “The citizens of Emmet County, you really owe it to them to fight,” Hanson said during the supervisor’s meeting this week.

Emmet County Attorney Melanie Summers Bauler is warning that seeking a second legal opinion would likely be a lengthy process. “Unless you can tell that attorney we’re talking about 7000 pages of discovery, then they don’t have any idea how long it would take them to review,” she said. She says a lengthy delay could derail the negotiated settlement. Supervisor Tim Schumacher says that’s not a comfortable spot for the board, but county officials have heard from a lot of people during public hearings who oppose the settlement, and they’re getting a lot of letters from residents who’re urging the board to sign the agreement and let the wind farm’s construction begin.

“I think it makes sense to get another opinion,” Schumacher said. Schumacher volunteered to reach out to a Des Moines law firm the county has previously used and see how quickly an attorney could review the settlement. The agenda for the Emmet County Board Supervisors meeting on November 25th also indicates the board will again discuss the issues surrounding the settlement.

Invenergy is the Chicago company that has proposed building a wind farm in Emmet and Dickinson Counties. In May, the Dickinson County Board of Adjustment unanimously approved the company’s permit to erect 67 wind turbines in their county. Invenergy is the largest private developer of wind energy projects in North America.

(Clarinda, IA) – Page County Sheriff Charles McCalla, today (Thursday), said his office has officially kicked-off its annual “Operation Blessing” program, which continues a tradition that has brought Christmas joy to local children for more than four decades. Requests for gifts are being accepted now through December 12, 2025. Sheriff McCalla said that should all requests for gifts to be filled and distribute in-time for Christmas.

McCalla says Operation Blessing started in the mid-1980s as an initiative of the Page County Reserve Program, with the goal of making sure every child in rural Page County had an opportunity to receive a gift for Christmas. The program has continued every year since, for over 40 years, adapts to the times and according to community needs. This year, gifts will be delivered just before Christmas Eve.

The program serves children from birth through age 14 who reside in Blanchard, Braddyville, Coin, College Springs, Essex, Northboro, Shambaugh, Yorktown, and the rural areas of Page County. Requests must be made by a parent or guardian, by either calling the Sheriff’s Office at 712-542-5193, or by stopping in person at 323 N. 15th Street in Clarinda. Parents may request both a first and second gift choice, and the Sheriff’s Office recommends selecting one toy and one clothing item. Monetary donations, which help sustain the program each year, are accepted year-round at the Sheriff’s Office. Donations may be dropped off in person or mailed to 323 North 15th Street, Clarinda, IA 51632.

Sheriff Charles McCalla extended his gratitude to the community, as well as the staff at the Sheriff’s Office, Jail, and PAGECOM Dispatch, for their continued support, without which the program would not be able to continue. The Sheriff said also,“We thank everyone who contributes to making this a success each year. May everyone have a joy-filled and safe holiday season.”

(Anita, IA) – CAM Community School District Superintendent Dr. Pam Stangeland, today (Thursday), said no injuries were reported after one of the District’s buses veered-off the road outside of Anita. The incident occurred at around 6:40-a.m. on 740th Street. In a news release on the District’s Facebook page, Dr. Stangeland said no students were on-board at the time, and no other vehicles were involved. The bus  driver was not injured.

Her statement said they believe dense fog was a contributing factor to the incident. Families of students who would have been on-board were notified, and the bus was safely pulled back onto the road, and is currently operating as normal. The incident is believed to have happened when the bus driver over-corrected a steering error.

Read Dr. Stangeland’s full message to parents and district patrons below:

(Red Oak IA, November 20, 2025) – As part of National Rural Health Day, Montgomery County Memorial Hospital + Clinics (MCMH + Clinics) today announced it has earned a 2025 Performance Leadership Award for excellence in Quality. Compiled by The Chartis Center for Rural Health, the Performance Leadership Awards program recognizes top quartile performance (i.e., 75th percentile or above) among rural hospitals.

The Performance Leadership Awards program is based on the results of the Chartis Rural Hospital Performance INDEX®, a comprehensive and objective framework for assessing how rural hospitals are performing. INDEX benchmarks are relied upon by rural hospitals, health systems with rural footprints, hospital associations, and state offices of rural health to measure performance across multiple areas impacting hospital operations and finance.

Ron Kloewer, Chief Executive Officer of MCMH, expresses his sincere gratitude, “We are honored to be chosen for this award, and to serve our patients in rural Southwest Iowa. It is a privilege to be a part of our patient’s healthcare journey, and I am proud of our staff who continues to place immense value on delivering high quality care and loyalty.”

“The areas of quality, outcomes, and patient perspective are cornerstones of healthcare delivery across rural America, and this year’s Performance Leadership Award recipients are establishing a standard of excellence for their rural peers to follow,” said Michael Topchik, Executive Director, Chartis Center for Rural Health. “We are delighted to shine a spotlight on such strong performance and honor the achievement of these hospitals on National Rural Health Day.”

MCMH + Clinics is a county-owned full-service medical campus located in Red Oak, IA, with Rural Health Clinics in Malvern, IA & Villisca, IA. The Red Oak location consists of a 25-bed critical access hospital with inpatient and emergency services, several Rural Health Clinics and an Outpatient Specialty Clinic that is home to over 30 visiting specialty providers. MCMH + Clinics is governed by a seven-member, publicly elected Board of Trustees.

(Atlantic, IA) – Cass County Wellness Coordinator Grace McAfee says, “In a powerful show of collaboration, three Cass County school districts came together for the first-ever Hope Squad Advisor Training on November 18th at the Cass County Community Center in Atlantic, Iowa. The event brought together 22 school staff and administrators who are committed to strengthening mental health supports for students across the county. During the training, 14 new Hope Squad advisors were certified to lead peer-based suicide prevention programs in their schools.”

Hope Squad is a nationally recognized, evidence-based program that empowers students to notice warning signs of suicide, break the silence surrounding mental health struggles, and connect peers to trusted adults. With all three districts joining forces, Cass County is taking a united step forward to ensure every student feels seen, supported, and valued. According to Eric Workman, Hope Squad CEO, their program “Empowers students to look out for one another. When young people feel connected to each other, it changes the school culture in a way that can truly save lives. Cass County is setting an incredible example by investing in a program like ours that thrives when students, adults, and communities work together.”

Recent data from the Iowa Youth Survey underscores just how critical this work is. In Iowa, 30% of teens in grades 6th–11th reported feeling sad or hopeless within the last 12 months. Of those students, 21% said they had experienced suicidal ideation. The local collaborative of mental health community partners stated these numbers serve as a sobering reminder of the mental health challenges facing today’s youth—and the importance of proactive, school-based solutions. The initiative was made possible through the generous support of the Iowa West Foundation, APEX Wind Energy, the Cass County Community Foundation, Cass Health and community supporters who share a vision for a healthier, more hopeful future.

(Photo courtesy Grace McAfee)

Iowa West Foundation CEO Brenda Mainwaring says “The Iowa West Foundation is proud to support Hope Squad across all three Cass County school districts. Our investment has helped leverage generous community support, and we’re encouraged by the momentum it’s created. Empowering young people with the tools to build belonging and care for one another will have a lasting impact on their lives and their rural communities.” Throughout the day-long training, advisors participated in interactive sessions focused on relationship-building, identifying signs of distress, and guiding Hope Squad members through peer support strategies. School administrators also joined portions of the training to learn how the program will be implemented within their buildings.

After the training, advisors will take what they’ve learned back to their school districts to begin the student peer selection process. During this process, students identify peers they feel are approachable, compassionate, and willing to lend a listening ear to those in need. This step marks the beginning of a collaborative movement among all Cass County School Districts to create stronger, more connected school communities. Erin Kilmer Griswold, newly trained Hope Squad Advisor, commented “We believe the students who will be selected as peer leaders are already the ones their classmates turn to. Our students are natural listeners, and I’m excited to give them the tools and confidence to support those conversations in a healthy, informed way and strengthen the well-being of their friends.”

About the Cass County Coalition for Mental Wellness
The Cass County Coalition for Mental Wellness brings together people to reduce stigma, identify mental health gaps, and unite community partners to make a meaningful impact on mental well-being in Cass County. Want to get involved in wellness in Cass County? Please contact Grace McAfee, Wellness Coordinator, at mcage@casshealth.org.

(Creston, IA) – Creston Police and Fire Department personnel responded a little after 5-p.m. Wednesday, to a collision that occurred at the intersection of N. Vine and E. Swigart Streets. According to Creston Police, a Hyundai Sonata driven by 59-year-old Sheila Clausen, of Creston, and a Dodge Nitro driven by 36-year-old Dawn Baddley, of Afton, collided at the uncontrolled intersection. The crash happened as the Dodge was traveling westbound on E. Swigart, and the Sonata was traveling north on N. Vine St. As the Hyundai was passing through the intersection, Police say both driver’s looked, but did not see each others’ vehicles. The Hyundai was struck on the passenger side. Airbags in both vehicles deployed as a result of the collision.

Greater Regional Health‘s Medic Units 1 and 2 were dispatched to assess the motorists for injuries, but neither driver was transported to the hospital. Creston Fire Dept. personnel used hydraulic spreaders (Typically referred to as “The Jaws of Life,”) to access the passenger side of the Sonata. They also removed debris from the scene.

There were no citations issued. Damage to the vehicles amounted to a total of $8,000. Union County Sheriff’s deputies provided traffic control.

(Photo from the Creston FD Facebook page)

(Radio Iowa) – Today’s (Thursday) the American Cancer Society’s 49th annual Great American Smokeout, as Iowa smokers are encouraged to give up the routine for at least this one day, or to make a plan to quit. Studies find the majority of smokers wish they could quit, but it’s a difficult habit to break. Jackie Cale, Iowa government relations director for the society’s Cancer Action Network, says there are plenty of reasons to give up the smokes. “Iowa has the second highest cancer rates in the nation. We’re only behind Kentucky,” Cale says. “Tobacco use in Iowa is still the number-one cause of preventable death. Our smoking rates are higher than the national average, and lung cancer remains among the top three cancers in the state with tobacco use causing over 80% of those cases.”

When the state legislative session opens in January, Cale says her organization plans to lobby lawmakers to boost state taxes on all tobacco products. “Our current cigarette tax is at $1.36 per pack,” Cale says. “What we’re hoping to do is increase that tax by $1.50 per pack with a parallel tax on other tobacco products. It’s been nearly 20 years since Iowa’s cigarette tax has been increased.” If the tax hike were to pass, she says it would generate an estimated 82-million dollars a year for the state, money that could be pumped back into Iowa’s tobacco cessation and control programs. “Increasing the cost of tobacco products is one of the most effective ways to reduce use,” Cale says, “and in turn, to lower Iowa’s lung cancer rates.”

The society’s studies find more than 51-hundred people die from a smoking-related disease in Iowa every year.  “Iowa’s adult smoking rate is at 13.7%, while the U.S. average is 10.8,” Cale says. “Iowa’s youth smoking rate is at 4.7, while the U.S. average is 1.7, so you can see, we’re significantly higher in both.” The Great American Smokeout is a day for people who use any form of tobacco, including e-cigarettes or nicotine pouches, to create a plan to quit. Free resources on quitting can be found by calling 1-800-QUIT-NOW or by visiting Empowered to Quit.

On the web at https://www.cancer.org/cancer/risk-prevention/tobacco/empowered-to-quit.html

(Radio Iowa) – A top U.S. Department of Justice official says antitrust laws exist for a reason and the division she leads is investigating monopolies that could be limiting the prices farmers get for what they sell or controlling what farmers pay for seeds and other inputs. Assistant Attorney General Gail Slater, head of the agency’s antitrust division, spoke to law students and professors at Drake University yesterday (Wednesday). “I chose Iowa very intentionally because we’ve been tasked at the DOJ antitrust division with a few things here and there regarding agriculture,” she said.

President Trump recently ordered the agency to investigate the four companies that dominate the meatpacking industry. Slater says the Department of Justice and the U-S-D-A are also working together to investigate why farmers’ input costs are rising. “According to USDA’s data since 2020, seed expenses have risen 18%; fuel and oil costs increased 32%; fertilizer expenses increased 37%, and interest expenditures for farmers spiked by 73%,” she said.

She says the Department of Justice will follow the facts and go after any bid rigging, price fixing and other anti-competitive business conduct they may find.

(Atlantic, IA) – Atlantic Mayor Grace Garrett and City Council members issued their respective reports toward the tail-end of Wednesday’s City Council meeting. Mayor Garrett spoke about the City’s street resurfacing projects.

The Council’s next regular meeting is at 5:30-p.m. on December 3rd, a date the Mayor reminded them is also when Cass Health in Atlantic will host a public meeting focused on cancer data specific to Cass County.

As previously reported, Ann McCurdy, Director of Marketing and Communications and Chair of the Cass Health Cancer Action Plan Team, says “The Iowa Cancer Registry’s newest data puts Cass County at the top of the list for the highest cancer incidence rate in the state. This presentation dives into the data for our county, and it gives us an opportunity as a community to come together to talk about cancer, share resources and ideas, and it’s a call to action for all of us to tackle this complex issue.” Due to the importance of information to be presented during that meeting, the Atlantic Council agreed to start their meeting at 4:30-p.m. Instead of 5:30-p.m., so that members may attend the “99 Counties” presentation.

The Mayor concluded by wishing everyone a Happy Thanksgiving. In the Council Committee reports, Councilperson Emily Kennedy mentioned the AMU Board will hold a Budget Hearing December 1, at 4-p.m in the downstairs meeting room.

Councilman Mike McDermott reported on the Library Board meeting.

Some of the artwork to be appraised at the Library, McDermott said, is valued at $50,000. The Library’s endowment will cover the cost of the appraisal. Councilman Jeremy Butler said he attended the Airport Commission meeting on Nov. 12th.

Butler said also the Airport Commission got a funding letter from the FAA for a hangar construction project.

A six-bay hangar would cost the Commission about $150,000, but if there’s state money, it could end-up costing nothing. An interesting side note, Butler said two electric aircraft have come through the Atlantic Municipal Airport. The planes have a support vehicle that follow them, allowing those aircraft to recharge about every 150-miles. As we’ve mentioned, Atlantic Municipal Utilities is installing six EV charging stations. Butler says we may see something similar at the airport, in the future, specifically designed for electric aircraft recharging.