(Radio Iowa) – A bill making its way through the legislature would give state agency leaders authority to extend health care coverage to the families of state employees whose death is caused by a traumatic, on-the-job injury. Two prison employees were murdered by inmates trying to escape the Anamosa prison in 2021. The following year the legislature passed a bill to provide state-paid health care benefits to the surviving spouse and children of prison staff and Department of Public Safety officers, including state troopers, who are killed on the job.

The bill now under consideration was prompted by the death of an Iowa D-O-T employee who was struck by a vehicle as he was filling potholes on Interstate 80 in western Iowa. The D-O-T’s Susan Fenton spoke with lawmakers yesterday (Wednesday). “Our employee, Matt Dickerson, was killed in May of 2024 and he left behind a wife and two little children,” Fenton said, “and so this is very much appreciated.” Representative Ross Wilburn of Ames says it makes sense to have a policy that applies to all state employees, rather than to those in certain agencies.

“I think it’s very compassionate to the families and the sacrifice in general that folks make in terms of time and the risk,” he said. Tami Weincek is a spokesperson for the Iowa Department of Administrative Services, the human resources agency in state government that developed the policy outlined in the bill.  “It would include any state employee who was killed in the line of duty,” she said, “and of course the bill does have some caveats.”

The families of state employees who die on the job due to a chronic health condition or their own negligence or misconduct would not be eligible to receive extended health care insurance from the state. The bill has cleared committees in the House and Senate and is being reviewed by the House Appropriations Committee. In the past six years, five state employees have been killed while on duty, including two troopers, two prison employees and the Iowa D-O-T employee from Neola.

(Atlantic, Iowa) – A public hearing was held Wednesday evening at the Atlantic High School, with regard to the 2025-26 Atlantic School District Calendar. The hearing took place during a regular meeting of the Atlantic School Board. During the hearing, there were no comments from the public, but some of the school board members shared their input.

Superintendent Dr. Beth Johnsen said the proposed calendar has school starting on August 25^th, because the normal start date of Aug. 23^rd is on a Saturday this year. The calendar includes Homecoming on Oct. 3^rd, Parent-Teacher conferences on the 29^th & 30^th, the holidays (which include flex-days for teachers, such as on Dec. 23rd). Dr. Johnsen said….

Board member Jodi Stowater-Goodrich said she wasn’t too keen on having a shortened Spring Break, because she thought it would interfere with a lot of families’ plans. Dr. Johnsen explained how that portion of the proposed calendar came to be.

The calendar was a discussion item only, so no action was taken. In her report to the Board, Superintendent Johnsen reflected on the announcements earlier this week, with regard to an alleged “Threat of Terrorism” incident.

She mentioned also the news about the hiring of a School Resource Officer (SRO).

The Board discussed with District Administrators, a District Careeer Academic Plan, and under action items, approved a Memorandum Of Understanding (MOU) with the Green Hllls AEA for 2025-26. They also approved an annual agreements with Iowa Western Community College, and Timberline Billing Services, with regard to Medicaid and an Addendum. The Atlantic School Board approved also, Sponsorships for Industrial Tech Club.

The District Career Academic plan and a list of graduates for 2025 were also approved.

As far as personnel are concerned, the Board approved the resignation or retirement of:

• Brooke Lamp Middle School Volleyball; Fall Season
• Daniel Johnmark, Para
• Charisma Burg, Para

They also approved the following Recommendation to Hire:

• A 2025 Summer School Supervisor
• Summer Weight Room Coordinators
• Baseball and Golf 2025 season volunteer coaches
• Fall Sport coaches.

(Council Bluffs, Iowa) – The Iowa West Foundation (IWF) continues to inject funds into non-profit organizations that retain residents and attract visitors to Council Bluffs, while also adding to the housing stock to allow more people to call Pottawattamie County home. The Board of Directors for IWF recently approved $3.9 million in grants and initiative funding, more than $500,000 of which will support arts and sports entertainment events, while upwards of $2 million will contribute to creating and rehabbing housing units.

Grants to the Pottawattamie County Historical Society, which manages the RailsWest Museum and Squirrel Cage Jail, along with operating funding for the Hoff Arts & Culture Center through Pottawattamie Arts, Culture, & Entertainment will allow both organizations the capacity to manage and elevate visitor experiences. An additional grant to the Omaha Sports Commission, in partnership with the Council Bluffs Convention & Visitors Bureau, will expand events at sports venues and facilities in Council Bluffs. The partnership already attracts events such as the US Open Badminton Championships, USA Boccia National Championships, and the Corgi dog races at River’s Edge Park.

“This grant will unlock incredible opportunities for our local sports venues and facilities,” said Mark Eckman, Executive Director of the Council Bluffs Convention and Visitors Bureau. “By strategically activating our venues like the Field House, Sports Plex, and Mid-America Center, we can attract more dynamic events that bring visitors to our community, boost local businesses, and showcase Council Bluffs as a premier destination for sports tourism. We’re excited to continue working with the Omaha Sports Commission to create memorable experiences for athletes and fans alike.”

Two awards totaling $1,500,000 will prevent the loss of existing housing, improve the quality of housing in need of repair, and catalyze construction of new housing units. Front Porch Investments received $500,000 toward a revolving loan fund specifically for development of affordable housing in Council Bluffs.  Habitat for Humanity received $1 million for a partnership to acquire distressed or blighted properties in Council Bluffs and convert them to quality, safe housing units. Recognizing that individuals may be displaced by a property acquisition, this program emphasizes a coordinated response with Iowa Legal Aid for any tenants who might be impacted.

“This funding empowers us to proactively address aging and unsafe properties in Council Bluffs,” said Blake Johnson, Executive Director of Habitat for Humanity of Council Bluffs. “By acquiring these homes, we can transform neglected spaces into safe, quality housing for families in need. Our partnership with Iowa Legal Aid and other local nonprofits ensures that if tenants are affected, they’ll have access to vital resources and support during the transition. This is a crucial step toward strengthening our neighborhoods and expanding affordable housing opportunities.”

Partnerships with local casinos Ameristar, Harrah’s, and Horseshoe make it possible for the Foundation to continuously award outcome-focused grants in southwest Iowa communities that support belonging, financial stability, opportunities, and wellbeing. Fees from gaming and income from Foundation investments provide funding for programs and projects that benefit the residents of 14 counties in southwest Iowa.

The Iowa West Foundation has a two-step grants process, with Letters of Inquiry (LOI) accepted year-round. LOIs received by May 1 will be considered in the next cycle with final applications due by May 15^th.

2025 Cycle 1 Grants and Initiatives

712 Initiative/Council Bluffs Chamber
Event Programming
$50,000

Bridges Out of Poverty
Poverty alleviation courses for Southwest Iowans
$90,000

Boys and Girls Club of the Midlands
Operating support for Council Bluffs club
$95,000

Catholic Charities of Des Moines
Operating support for domestic violence & sexual assault services in southwest Iowa
$60,000

City of Essex
Water System Upgrade
$200,000

Jennie Edmundson Memorial Hospital
First Responder Community Health Coach
$100,000

Front Porch Investments
Developing and preserving affordable housing
$500,000

Greater Omaha Chamber Foundation
Metro Region Economic Development Strategy
$275,000 over three years

Habitat for Humanity of Council Bluffs
Housing Acquisition
$1,000,000

Heartland Family Service
Permanent Supportive Housing
$122,000

Historical Society of Pottawattamie County
Capacity Building & Museums Relaunch
$177,750 over three years

Iowa Legal Aid
Eviction Diversion Help Desk
$75,000

Iowa Western Community College
89.7 The River concert at River’s Edge Park
$50,000

Omaha Children’s Museum
School Partnerships and Memberships for southwest Iowa
$35,000

Omaha Sports Commission
Council Bluffs events attraction
$140,000 over four years

Pottawattamie Arts, Culture & Entertainment
Operating support for building expenses
$200,000

Southwest Iowa Leadership Academy
Leadership Camp 2025
$5,000

Together Inc.
Nourish CB Choice Pantry
$500,000 over two years

United Way of the Midlands
Community Impact Fund
$225,000

(Radio Iowa) – Voting is now underway for the Iowa Association of Business and Industry’s second annual “Coolest Thing Made in Iowa” competition. A-B-I spokesperson Kelsey O’Connor says anyone can vote. “It’s designed to really highlight Iowa’s dynamic manufacturing industry,” she says. O’Connor says they had 70 nominations in the first year, and the only item not eligible this year is last year’s winner.

“Everything else is still eligible to be nominated. So just because it didn’t make it last year doesn’t mean it can’t compete again. So we encourage people to re nominate those same products,” she says. O’Connor says as a native of North Carolina she learned a lot about Iowa in the first year, as did the native Iowans she works with. “I got lots of comments of ‘I didn’t know that was made here or in my backyard. In my community.’ There were things like a NASCAR wheel, that was surprising, the custom built pipe organs out of Dobson That was exciting to learn more about them, as well, wine, we saw beer, just a variety of products,” O’Connor says.

O’Connor its’ easy to nominate an Iowa-made product. “If you go to coolest thing, I-A dot-com, you’ll see a nominated product button on the top right corner, and that’s where you go. It’s a fairly easy process. We try to make sure it stays as simple as possible. You just need a product description, a company contact, and a logo and a picture of the product,” she says. They’ll take nominations through April 18th, and then will confirm the products are made here.

“All confirmed nominees will be listed on the website, and you can go in and pick up to four of your favorite items to cast your vote and hoping that they make the top 16. So from the top 16, we’ll go to top eight, top four, and the winner is announced at A-B-I is taking care of business conference, June 11th,” O’Conor says.

A baler from Vermeer Manufacturing was the winner of the first year of the contest.

(Radio Iowa) – A bill that’s won approval in the Iowa Senate would make firefighters and police officers in Iowa’s municipal retirement system as well as state troopers eligible for accidental disability and death benefits if they’re diagnosed with any form of cancer. The proposal passed the House last year and again last month. Joe Van Haalen, president of the Des Moines firefighters’ union, says there’s a great deal of relief now that it’s passed the Senate on a 46-to-one vote.

“A lot of hard work went into it and a lot of pride. Proud of our folks for stepping up,” Van Haalen said. “There’s just been an incredible effort by so many people to get this over the finish line.” Current law limits benefits for thousands of Iowa firefighters and police officers to 14 types of cancer. Senators added a stipulation to the bill — a small increase in what most full-time first responders in Iowa should pay toward their benefits.

“It was a really good way for us to put some more skin in the game and show how important the bill is to us,” Van Haalen said. Firefighters are exposed to cancer-causing chemicals in burning buildings, plus the protective gear they wear contains PFAS — so-called “forever chemicals” that make it water repellent. “The coat and pants that we wear going into fires, a three layered system that’s got a vapor barrier and then an outer barrier and then an inner shell between the two — that stuff is the same stuff that they’re using PFAS in to try to protect us, which is also causing us problems.”

Des Moines Professional FireFighters president Joe Van Haalen spoke with reporters after the bill passed the Senate. (RI photo)

According to the Firefighter Cancer Support Network, firefighters have a nine percent higher risk of being diagnosed with cancer than the general population. More than a hundred firefighters from departments in Fort Dodge, Marshalltown, Mason City and Daveport as well as the Des Moines metro sat in the Senate gallery today (Wednesday) as senators debated the bill — and passed it. Several senators, including Charlie McClintock of Alburnett, spoke directly to them. “I’m so happy to see this bill come forward so we do our part to take care of you after you’ve taken of us for so long,” he said.

Senator Mike Webster of Bettendorf, the bill’s floor manager, says the bill protects the taxpayers as well as first responders. “They save our lives every day and today we get the opportunity to show them that that debt they take out of their lives and the concern and the danger they put themselves in front of, we’re going to take care of you on the backside of that,” Webster said.

The House is expected to approve the adjustment senators made in the bill and send the legislation to Governor Reynolds.

(Radio Iowa) – The new leader of an agricultural products company in north-central Iowa is very aware of the impact the Trump administration’s latest round of international tariffs may have on his business’ bottom line. Tom Mangan is president and C-E-O of Sukup Manufacturing Company, based in Sheffield, which is known for its corrugated metal grain bins.

“Priorities change, sometimes on a day-to-day basis, depending on what’s going on in the world,” Mangan says. “We’ve got a lot of conversation about tariffs. That does have some impact on us, because we’ve got some great customers and dealers in Canada. Also we’ve got a European subsidiary that we get product out to. And then Mexico and Central America is also a big market for us, so a lot of tariff concerns.”

Tom Mangan. (photo from Sukup Manufacturing)

Mangan says most of the company’s products are built with American-made components, including all U-S steel. He says Sukup is growing and now employs more than 800 people. “We put up a new big building here in Sheffield. Over the past five years, we’ve grown to double the size of our Manly operation, into Clear Lake, into Hampton. We acquired two companies just in the past 15 months in Ramco Innovations in West Des Moines, and then also, just within the past few weeks, the manufacturer of our bin stairs, Greene, down in Illinois.”

Mangan is the first non-Sukup family member to run the company since it was founded in 1963.

(Lewis, Iowa) – The Cass County Conservation Board is now taking Pre-orders for the CCCB’s Native Plant Sale.  The order form and payment will be DUE April 30th 2025 at 4-p.m. Forms can be found online https://www.casscountyia.gov/county-departments/conservation-office/

Native Local Eco-type live Plants will be sold. Live plants from nursery will come as small plugs; cells are 5” deep x 2” wide at top, or 4.5”deep x 2” Cone.

Two species of Native grass, and 11 Native Forbs are being offered, including many that benefit Pollinators.! New this year: Rough Blazing Star and Pale Purple Coneflower.

All orders must be picked up during designated times at the Conservation office in Lewis, unless prior arrangements are made. Designated pick up times will be: Thursday May 25th 8 AM-6 PM OR Friday May 26th 8AM-7PM.

Plants not picked up will be donated with NO REFUND.

(Glenwood, Iowa) – The Glenwood Police Department reports two separate arrests. On Tuesday (April 8th), Nicholas Jenkins, of Glenwood, was arrested for OWI/2nd offense, and driving under suspension. His bond was set at $2,000. And, on Wednesday (April 9th), Kayla Yale, of Glenwood, was arrested for possession of drug paraphernalia and possession of a controlled substance/marijuana-2nd offense. She was released on bond.

(Atlantic, Iowa) – A Cass County man faces Felony 1^st Degree Murder and Child Endangerment resulting in death charges, following an investigation into an incident that took place January 4^th, in Atlantic. According to reports, 25-year-old Corbin Michael Loudermilk, of Atlantic, was transferred from Scott County where he was being held, to Cass County. Loudermilk appeared in Cass County District Court April 8^th after charges were filed him last Friday (April 4^th). The Magistrate determined there probable cause to keep him in jail, with bond set at $1-million.

According to the criminal complaint filed January 4^th, a one-month child suffered from head injuries that caused brain swelling and hemorrhaging, as well as hemorrhages to their retinas. The child was taken to Children’s Hospital in Omaha where doctors there stated that the injuries were consistent with head trauma from a possible impact and possibly shaking. The child died two-days later.

During autopsy by the Iowa State Medical Examiner’s Office in Ankeny, natural and accidental causes of death were ruled out. The cause of death was listed as Cerebrospinal trauma, with the manner of death listed as homicide.

According to the criminal complaint, on Jan. 4, Loudermilk was sleeping with the child in a bassinet next to him. The documents allege when the child was checked on a little while later, she was unresponsive.

A preliminary hearing is scheduled on April 17 at 2 p.m. at the Cass County Courthouse. Loudermilk was previously charged with Possession of a Controlled Substance/Marijuana- 1st offense, and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. His preliminary hearing on the Controlled Substance charge was set at April 24th.

(Radio Iowa) – A slate of bills advancing in the Iowa House would eliminate the state sales tax on everyday items like toilet paper and laundry detergent and extend a state tax credit for child care expenses to all Iowa households. House Speaker Pat Grassley is the lead sponsor on these bills and began talking about these moves in January during an appearance on Iowa P-B-S. “What we hear on the campaign trail — the impact that inflation’s having on Iowans and at the state level, we don’t affect monetary policy at the federal level, so what can we control and that’s taxing of items we feel is the quickest way to provide relief,” Grassley said. Republican Representative Christian Hermanson of Mason City has been picked to lead debate on the bill to eliminate the state sales tax on laundry detergent.

House Speaker Pat Grassley (official photo)

“I think every little bit where the state can lean in and reduce the burden of sales tax on a family, on daily necessities like toilet paper or…just detergent in general is probably a good thing,” Hermanson said. This slate of proposals is a priority for House Republicans and were approved by subcommittees early this (Wednesday) morning. “I believe good tax policy is always a priority in the legislature,” Hermanson says. “What our Senate colleagues on the other side of the rotunda do is anybody’s guess.” Republican Representative Craig Johnson of Independence is on the subcommittee that advanced a bill to eliminate the tax on vitamins and nutritional supplements. “Anything that comes to tax reduction should be reviewed and looked at and this is just one step of many that we’ve got going on this session,” Johnson said.

Another bill advancing in the House expands the state tax credit for child care expenses to all families. Under current law, it’s limited to households with an annual income of 35-thousand dollars or less.