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Keep up-to-date with Fox News Radio, Radio Iowa, Brownfield & the Iowa Agribusiness Networks!
(Des Moines, Iowa/Iowa Capital Dispatch) – For the third time in four months, the State of Iowa has fined the state-run Woodward Resource Center for deficiencies in resident care. According to the Iowa Department of Inspections, Appeals and Licensing, the Woodward Resource Center for people with intellectual disabilities was fined $4,250 on March 5 for failing to provide residents with their prescribed diets. That violation was tied to a finding that the Woodward staff provided food that not been cut into small, bite-size portions to a female resident who was known to be at risk of choking. The resident was served a sandwich and whole meatballs on Christmas Eve last year. After the resident began to choke, a worker performed the Heimlich maneuver. After 10 abdominal thrusts, the resident’s airway was cleared.
Because the state did not appeal the state-imposed fine of $4,250, it was reduced 35% to $2,762. The sanctions follow a $10,000 fine that stemmed from a January finding by DIAL that Woodward had placed residents in immediate jeopardy of harm by failing to provide adequate supervision for residents and failing to provide emergency medical responses. According to inspectors, a 22-year-old resident of the home was found dead in the facility shortly before 5 a.m. on Sept. 9, 2024. The young man had been assigned “general supervision” status, meaning the staff was to check on him every 15 or 30 minutes. A review of video footage showed one worker exiting the resident’s room at around 7:32 p.m. the night before, and not reentering the room again throughout the night. Another worker was seen entering the room five times between 10 p.m. and 2 a.m., but with no additional checks made between 2 a.m. and 4:58 a.m.
When the resident was found unresponsive at 4:58 a.m., three residential treatment workers were on the scene but did not initiate CPR per Woodward policy. Eventually, a nurse arrived and attempted CPR. EMTs were summoned, and at 5:43 a.m., the resident was pronounced dead. The cause of death was later ruled to be toxic levels of clozapine – a drug that is commonly used to treat schizophrenia — although no violations related to a drug overdose were cited. According to a report from the Woodward staff, two of the residential treatment workers were fired after the death, and two were disciplined in some fashion. Because the state did not appeal the state-imposed fine of $10,250, it was reduced 35% to $6,500.
A few weeks earlier, in December 2024, Woodward was fined $500 for failing to have reported resident abuse. According to inspectors, surveillance video showed an 18-year-old client seated and rocking in a living room recliner when a worker crossed the room, stepped behind the recliner and tried to push it forward. As the resident clutched the armrests and braced himself, the worker gave the back of the recliner a hard shove toward the floor, and the resident “somersaulted out backwards,” inspectors reported. Because the state did not appeal the state-imposed fine of $500 for abuse, the penalty was reduced 35% to $325.
(Radio Iowa) – Thousands of people lost power as the blizzard swept into the state, Wednesday. MidAmerican Energy spokesman Geoff Greenwood says the extremely high sustained winds and wind gusts pummeled overhead lines. The winds also took down trees and tree debris knocked down overhead lines. On top of that, blocked roads made it hard, if not impossible for crews to get to where they needed to go. Most of the damage was in northwest Iowa. There was less snow as the storm moved to the east, but Greenwood says ice has been an issue in other areas. He says the ice builds up on an overhead line, and changes the airflow on that line, causing it to bounce. Greenwood says that led to some situations where there was a cascading effect with pole after pole after pole taken down.
As of 5:30-a.m. today, PowerOutage.us reported there were 8,400 customers without power in Iowa, with MidAmerican Energy indicating there were more than 5,500 customers without electricity. The Western Iowa Power Cooperative listed more than 1,160 customers were without power early this morning.
https://poweroutage.us/area/state/iowa
(Radio Iowa) – Protests are planned outside main post offices in four Iowa communities late this (Thursday) morning to rally against what the head of the Iowa Postal Workers Union calls a looming “hostile takeover” by the federal government. Kimberly Karol, of La Porte City, is president of the union representing about a thousand Iowa postal workers. She says what’s proposed by President Trump and advisor Elon Musk is illegal and would cause significant harm, especially in rural Iowa. “The Postal Service belongs to the people,” Karol says. “We get to decide how it continues to operate, but that means that we have to speak up and take action, and that’s what the demonstrations are — to educate the public, give them an opportunity to raise their voices and protect the post office as a public institution.”
Karol says the Trump administration has proposed taking over the independent, public U-S Postal Service and transferring it to the U-S Department of Commerce, breaking it up, or selling it off. “The problem with becoming private is that there is no guarantee that the small communities will continue to get services,” Karol says. “People who live in Sheffield or Fairbanks, small communities across the state may no longer get delivery. They may have to go somewhere to pick up their mail.” She says that would create hardship on the elderly, people with medical conditions, people who don’t drive, and many others who’d be in jeopardy of losing their services. Privatizing the post office would have a terrible impact on rural Iowans who depend on the Postal Service, which she says is a vital component for the economic stability of Iowa’s communities.
“The Postal Service has always been designed as a service — to serve the public no matter where you live,” Karol says. “It’s never been designed as a business for profit, and right now, people who are making decisions are treating us like an unprofitable business that needs to be dealt with.” Privatization would lead to closing local post offices and raising rates, she says, and only Congress is authorized to change the structure of the postal service. Karol adds, the U-S-P-S is largely self-funded by the sale of stamps or charges for packages and services — not taxes. She says rural residents, especially, should be outraged. “Their delivery services depends on the Postal Service remaining public, because we deliver everywhere, regardless of where you’re at, regardless of whether or not it’s profitable,” she says. “We set a price point that allows the delivery services across the country to remain affordable.”
Simultaneous rallies are planned at 11 A-M outside the main post offices in Cedar Rapids, Ottumwa, Perry and Waterloo. Nationwide, similar demonstrations are planned in more than 150 locations. The Iowa union is a branch of the American Postal Workers Union, which represents 200,000 USPS employees and is affiliated with the AFL-CIO.
www.apwu.org
(Radio Iowa) – Democrats in the Iowa House Black Caucus are calling on the leaders of Iowa businesses and private colleges to lobby against the roll back of diversity, equity and inclusion programs in Iowa. Bills on the subject cleared the Iowa House with G-O-P support Tuesday and are now under review in the Iowa Senate. Representative Ruth Ann Gaines, a Democrat from Des Moines, is chair of the Black Caucus in the Iowa House.
“Unfortunately many of our constituents have not woken up yet and that’s what our primary job is right, our responsibility — to make sure that they really understand what is in the bills and how it will impact them,” Gaines said. Representative Rob Johnson, a Democrat from Des Moines, represents the Drake University neighborhood. Drake, the largest private university in the state, would be impacted by the legislation.
“We have to stick together on this. We must be unified and we’re asking everyone — write letters, make phone calls, get involved. This is your opportunity,” Johnson said. “If you ever wanted to know if you’re needed, you’re needed now.”
Johnson says diversity, equity and inclusion programs were the answer to moving the country forward and the elimination of D-E-I efforts is a step backward. A Republican who spoke during House debate Tuesday said D-E-I is a racist ideology and D-E-I programs are one reason the country is so divided.
(Radio Iowa) – The Iowa House has passed a bill that would bypass some federal nutrition guidelines for meals served in Iowa schools by getting a federal waiver to emphasize serving animal-based proteins as well as vegetables and fruits. Republican Representative Derek Wulf of Hudson says it’s a critical step to promote Iowa agriculture. “Nobody know nutrition and food better than us here. We’re the bread basket of America,” Wulf said. “…This is just getting back to common sense nutrition knowledge. Our kids are obviously not getting healthier in the past few years, so it’s time to do something drastically different.”
Representative Austin Baeth, a Democrat from Des Moines, says the bill flips the evidence-based food pyramid on its head. “This bill makes Iowa kids guinea pigs,” Baeth said. “…From what we know about nutrition, this is not healthier. This is a hand out to an industry at the expense of the health of our children.” Representative Jeff Shipley, a Republican from Birmingham, says Iowans should set school lunch guidelines.
“The USDA is a big problem when it comes to school nutrition,” Shipley said. “And, yeah, we appreciate their money, but the rules just don’t make sense and they’re out of date and they’re obsolete.” Representative Sami Scheetz, a Democrat from Cedar Rapids, says the legislature should be voting to provide free school lunches to every student. “I think it’s critically important that we first ensure that every kid in this state will be eating a lunch before we start messing with what’s inside of it,” Scheetz said.
Scheetz says current federal law prohibits the U-S-D-A from allowing changes in the nutritional content of school meals and Iowa risks losing 160 million dollars in federal funding for school lunches if the bill becomes law.
(Radio Iowa) – Republicans on a House subcommittee have endorsed a moratorium on state economic development awards to businesses in Iowa’s four most populous counties. Over a million Iowans live in Polk, Linn, Scott and Johnson Counties. Republican Representative Derek Wulf of Hudson says it’s time for a shift.
“Everything we’ve been talking about and everything we’ve been doing in this building to revitalize rural has not worked. It has not worked, folks,” Wulf said. “…Is this the perfect answer? I don’t know. We’ll continue to have that discussion, but something has to happen.” Representative John Wills, a Republican from Spirit Lake, says the state’s four most populous counties already have the infrastructure to keep growing.
“What needs to happen for our rural areas to grow and to advance is for economic incentives to be concentrated in those areas,” Wills said. Business and tourism groups are opposed the bill. Dustin Miller is executive director of the Iowa Chamber Alliance which represents the 16 largest chambers of commerce in Iowa. “These four counties represent 42% of the real GDP for the state,” Miller said. “…Don’t kill the ‘golden goose.'” Sara Allen, a lobbyist for the Iowa Travel Industry Partners, says regional partnerships are key.
“We do have some concerns with this. We are registered against it,” she said. “All of us working together are going to, you know, attract people to visit our state and hopefully grow our GDP.” Craig Patterson, a lobbyist for the Professional Developers of Iowa, says there are other ways to direct state incentives to boost development in rural areas. “The Workforce Housing Tax Credit has a small community set aside that was put in place specifically, you know, to take care of rural Iowa,” Patterson says. “Things like that tend to work a little bit better, in our opinion, than kind of having firewalls.”
The chairman of the House Ways and Means Committee says the bill is likely to be considered — and may be changed — by his committee before the end of the month. According to the Iowa Chamber Alliance, the highest number of state economic development awards go to businesses in cities with populations between five-thousand and 30-thousand residents — but state incentive packages tend to be larger in the state’s largest urban areas.
AMES, Iowa – MARCH 19, 2025 – 7:30 p.m. – The Iowa Department of Transportation, in cooperation with the Iowa State Patrol, has reopened north- and southbound Interstate 29 from Sergeant Bluff to Missouri Valley. The roadway was closed mid-morning due to extremely hazardous driving conditions and downed power lines.
The interchange at Port Neal, exit 135, will remain closed overnight until crews can clear nearby downed power lines.
Other Iowa roads in the area remain listed as “travel not advised” or “partially covered.” Wind and freezing conditions can continue to cause roads to be hazardous overnight. In addition, many secondary roadways are still covered with snow or experiencing downed powerlines.
We’re working to get things cleaned up, but the process will be slow. If you can delay your trip, you are encouraged to do so to help crews more quickly and safely clear the roads.
Be sure to monitor road conditions at www.511ia.org or on the 511 app.
(Des Moines, Iowa/Iowa Capital Dispatch) – Republicans supporting a bill passed Wednesday by the Iowa Senate said the measure addresses a specific concern with favoring unions in local contracts, but opponents argued it will prevent local entities from taking steps to ensure workforce safety through training requirements. Senate File 603 initially largely dealt with eliminating the state’s taxable wage credit and changing the definition of “taxable wages” in Iowa Code.
Under the bill, Iowa employers would not have to pay unemployment insurance taxes on the wages of out-of-state workers, if that state has a reciprocity agreement with Iowa. The Legislative Services Agency reported these changes are expected to result in a $394,000 increase annually to the Unemployment Compensation Trust Fund due to the elimination of the taxable wage credit, and that three full-time positions administering the credit, paid for by federal funds, would be impacted. The bill was amended by the House Tuesday to include a new section related to workforce training, making changes to the Registered Apprenticeship Act.
State agencies and local governments would not be allowed to mandate requirements related to apprenticeship training for contractors, except when required by law. Cities, counties and school districts also would not be allowed to impose other additional “restrictions, qualifications, or requirements” on contractors, subcontractors, developers and apprentices. Republicans supporting the measure said the proposal was added to the legislation as a way to address concerns about local entities — primarily, the city of Des Moines — considering adding a requirement related to contracts for private projects funded with tax increment financing (TIF) dollars.
Rep. Bobby Kaufmann, R-Wilton, said Tuesday the measure will address attempts by local entities to favor contracts with certain entities, like unions or organizations that offer apprenticeship trainings. But Democrats and some Republicans said the language would have much broader impacts. Sen. Charlie McClintock, R-Alburnett, introduced an amendment Wednesday removing the House’s changes, criticizing House Republicans for not running the measure as an independent bill. He said the language would put a significant burden on cities and counties as they make contracts. McClintock’s amendment was voted down 15-32. While supporters of the measure said the House language was specifically targeting the situation in Des Moines, several Democrats said the measure would have larger effects on local government’s ability to put restrictions in place that improve worker safety or efficiency.
Sen. Bill Dotzler, D-Waterloo, said the bill prevents efforts “protecting the public from people trying to do stuff on the cheap,” especially related to local governments giving preference for public contracts related to apprenticeship programs. He argued Republicans were attempting to make the bill about unions when the measure could have bigger impacts on ensuring workers for these projects are properly trained.
Sen. Jason Schultz, R-Schleswig, floor manager for the bill, said the measure is “defending the status quo” rather than making changes to existing procedures as Democrats argued. He also said Iowa lawmakers will bring up a block grant bill later in the session that could address any concerns about conflicts with the workforce bill if needed.
The legislation heads to the governor for final approval.
(Radio Iowa) – Iowa would join 13 states that have banned ranked choice voting under a bill that’s cleared the Iowa Senate with Republican support. Senator Ken Rozenboom, a Republican from Oskaloosa, says a ballot where all candidates in a race are to be ranked from first to last choice would be confusing to voters. “In my view ranked choice voting makes it harder to vote,” he said. “It makes the votes harder to count.”
Democrats in the state senate voted against banning ranked choice voting, which tabulated preferences in rounds, with the lowest vote getter in each round eliminated until a winner gets a majority of votes. Senator Sarah Trone Garriott, a Democrat from Waukee, says ranked choice voting determines the consensus choice. “Politics as usual sets up two choices: one over the other, winner-takes-all,” she said, “which breeds division and only fuels partisanship and breeds political attacks.”
So far this month, Republican governors in Wyoming and Virginia have signed laws that ban ranked choice voting. The bill banning it in Iowa is now under consideration in the Iowa House State Government Committee.
(Atlantic, Iowa) – The City Council in Atlantic will vote during their meeting April 2nd on approving a commitment of $2.5-million dollars in Local Option Sales Tax monies for the issuance of bonds for the proposed Nishna Valley Family YMCA expansion project. The decision was reached after nearly an hour-long teleconference this (Wednesday) evening, with the City’s Financial Legal Counsel, John Danos from Dorsey and Whitney, in Des Moines.
Danos raised several question with regard to the proposed bond issuance, and the Council had questions of their own, directed at Vision Atlantic President Christina Bateman. During their previous meeting, Nishna Valley Family YMCA Executive Director Dan Haynes said if the City doesn’t agree to contribute toward the fundraising effort, it risks losing a grant from the Charles E. Lakin Foundation for the project. He reiterated those comments during the meeting March 19th.
In other business, the Atlantic City Council passed a resolution approving the final plat for the Camblin Hills Development Subdivision. They also passed a resolution approving the job description, FY25 compensation, and posting of a Wastewater Treatment Plant Assistant Superintendent position, which has been “on the books” for quite some time, according to City Administrator John Lund.
Current Wastewater Superintendent Tim Snyder is planning to retire, and wants to train an individual capable of managing the plant. The city’s Personnel and Finance Committee has reviewed the job description of Assistant Superintendent and approved a wage of $33.10/hour for FY 2025. They also recommend the position be posted immediately and for Snyder to set the date of hire at his discretion.
The Atlantic City Council, Wednesday approved also, “A professional services agreement with (former City Clerk) Barb Barrick, to temporarily provide Consulting Services” to the City, since those services are not currently available from Teresa Rotschafer, who is with the Iowa League of Cities, and who helps with necessary reporting, Treasurer’s Report and bank reconciliation. The agreement is in effect until the end of the current Fiscal Year on June 30th, and subject to renewal.
Barrick will be paid $125 per labor hour, along with mileage reimbursement and travel time. The City’s Personnel & Finance Committee met March 7th and concluded it would be beneficial to have Barrick provide temporary professional City Clerk services and finish the training that is necessary for the new City Clerk, Laura McLean, to do all the aspects of her job effectively. City Administrator John Lund recommended the Council approve the agreement since timing is critical, in light of the need to publish the Public Hearing for the budget by no later than April 5th.
The City Council passed a resolution setting the Sunnyside Pool membership fees for the 2025 season. The fees are unchanged from last year, and will remain in effect until the Council determines the need to amend them. On another note, a Public Hearing will be held 5-p.m. March 26th at City Hall, with regard to the proposed Maximum Tax Levy. City Administrator John Lund…
And, in the Council Committee reports, Councilman Mike McDermott reported on a grant the City has received from the U-S Tennis Association.
McDermott is a Council Liaison to the City’s Parks and Recreation Advisory Commission.
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