(Radio Iowa) — Some financial institutions were forced to close after the stock market crash in 1929 as panicked customers pulled out all of their money. While some Iowans are overreacting during this pandemic — snapping up and hoarding toilet paper, for example — Andrea Dose, director of member services at the Iowa Credit Union League, says most people are staying calm when it comes to their checking and savings accounts. “Have we heard of some folks taking some cash withdrawals, yes,” Dose says. “Have we heard that now that we’re entering a ‘new normal’ that that is lessening, yes.”

In addition to the stress it causes the financial institutions, she says it’s just not a wise practice to take out stacks of cash. If something should happen to that money, if it’s lost or stolen, it’s likely gone for good.  “Every credit union in Iowa is insured so your deposits are safe. Your insurance goes up to $250,000 and even more for joint accounts,” Dose says. “If you have questions about your insurance, never hesitate to reach out to your credit union.”

In this era of social distancing, credit unions are still able to serve drive-up customers while meeting others at the door of the building. Online banking, she says, is flourishing as many people want to avoid leaving their homes. “While these times are extremely unsettling and everybody copes with stress differently, we have no reason to believe that this is going to impact our power or our connectivity to our credit unions,” Dose says. “You have access to your money in new ways that we hope consumers are getting familiar with.”

Interest rates have plummeted in recent weeks, making this an ideal time to buy a house, refinance your mortgage or buy a car. Dose says don’t let fears about COVID-19 keep you from pursuing those dreams.  “Loan demand is high right now with the interest rates being so low,” Dose says. “There are several different channels in which you can do that, many of which are online. There are also some ways that credit unions are closing loans via social distancing measures, so, sitting across a long desk.”

More than one-point-three million people are Iowa credit union members.

On the web at https://www.iowacreditunions.com/

(Radio Iowa) — Officials with the Orange City Tulip Festival have decided to cancel this year’s event due to the spread of the COVID-19 virus. This is not the first time the tulip festival has been cancelled. Back during World War II, the event was also called off. Tulip officials say they want to pause to take care of each other, and find creative ways for the spirit of the festival to live on. In addition to celebrating the 80th annual tulip festival, the town of Orange City was also going to celebrate its Sesquicentennial. Both celebrations were scheduled for May 14th, 15th, and 16th.

Latest Iowa news, sports, business and entertainment at 3:40 a.m. CDT

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Iowa health officials said eight more people have died from COVID-19 in Iowa, and 83 new cases of the disease were reported Sunday. The Iowa Department of Public Health said Sunday that the statewide total of coronavirus cases grew to at least 868, and 22 people in Iowa have died from the virus since the outbreak began. The new deaths included three people in Polk County who were older than 61. The other deaths were reported in Appanoose, Johnson, Linn, Scott and Washington counties. Each of those counties reported one death of a person who was older than 61.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — A pedestrian and a dog were struck by a vehicle and killed in Des Moines on Sunday morning. Des Moines Police say the crash happened around 8 a.m. Sunday in the 1700 block of Beaver Avenue. Officers found the 38-year-old woman and a dog she was walking deceased at the scene. The 49-year-old driver of the vehicle that hit the pedestrian continued driving for several blocks before he abandoned his vehicle and fled. Police said it appeared that the driver intentionally hit the pedestrian after striking a utility pole and driving across several yards. He was arrested on suspicion of first-degree murder and animal neglect.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — The Iowa Supreme Court has issued an order suspending grand jury hearings and criminal jury trials until mid-July in an effort to slow the spread of COVID-19. Chief Justice Susan Christensen issued the order Thursday that says trials and hearings already in progress will continue. But those that have not begun and are scheduled to begin over the coming weeks have been postponed. Non-jury criminal trials, in which a judge issues a verdict, are scheduled to resume June 1 under the order. Grand juries and jury trials scheduled through June are now pushed back until at least July 13.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Police say a 33-year-old woman is Des Moines’ latest homicide victim. Police say officers were called Friday afternoon to an area just blocks southwest of the Drake University campus for reports of a shooting. Arriving officers found the woman unresponsive, suffering from a gunshot wound. The woman, later identified as 33-year-old Catherine Bobbitt, of Des Moines, was taken to an area hospital, where she died. Police say witnesses had been interviewed and investigators were following up on leads, but no arrests had been reported by Saturday morning. Police say Bobbitt’s death is the city’s eighth for 2020.

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — Animal shelters across the U.S. say they’ve placed record numbers of dogs, cats and other animals as people suddenly find themselves stuck at home amid the coronavirus pandemic. If past trends hold, many of those who agree to temporarily care for a pet will ultimately decide they want to keep the animal. Amid an avalanche of bad news, stories of people fostering pets are prompting smiles. A shelter in Denver now says it has a waiting list of 2,000 people wanting to foster. When the Animal Rescue League of Iowa put out a call for temporary homes for 80 cats, it got 160 applications within 12 hours.

DUBUQUE, Iowa (AP) — An Iowa-based furniture manufacturer has laid off 40 workers at its Dubuque corporate location. The Telegraph Herald reports that a letter recently sent to Dubuque city officials from Flexsteel Industries says the temporary layoff was effective March 23 and is expected to last three months. The affected positions are primarily are in sales, customer service or other corporate functions. The letter says the layoff is “in direct response to the COVID-19 pandemic” and the outbreak’s effect on Flexsteel’s business. On March 24, the company announced it was shutting down its Dubuque manufacturing plant for two weeks. The company has about 150 production workers at that Dubuque plant.