(Radio Iowa) – A record store owner who’s closely followed the musical trends and passions of central Iowans for two and a half decades says last week’s landmark accomplishment for artificial intelligence is no surprise and no fluke. A song called “Walk My Walk” by a computer-generated blues-country singer called Breaking Rust hit number-one on Billboard’s Country Digital Song Sales Chart. Nate Niceswanger, who opened Z-Z-Z Records in Des Moines in September of 2000, says he’s had -zero- customers come into the store seeking C-Ds or records from Breaking Rust, despite the A-I-created song reaching the very top of that music chart.

“I wasn’t that impressed with the song,” Niceswanger says. “I can see where country fans might take a liking to it, or at least maybe they’re fascinated by the concept of a song that was totally produced by AI, but overall, I didn’t think it was really outstanding. I certainly don’t see the song winning any Grammys.” He predicts A-I-generated songs will continue growing in popularity, as he notes artists have long used computers and technology to aid in their making of music.

“I think this is probably the next logical step in the process,” he says. “If you go back to the ’90s, think about Cher. She had a song in 1998 called ‘Believe’ and she was using a new technology at that time called Autotune, and they took it to ridiculous levels where basically her voice sounded like a computer.” Electronic music festivals have also seen a shift toward more tech in recent years.

(Nate Niceswanger, who opened Z-Z-Z Records in Des Moines – Radio IA photo)

“In the early days of these festivals, you would actually have deejays with turntables and they’d be manipulating the records live on stage,” Niceswanger says. “Now a lot of headliners at these festivals will just set up with the laptop and everything’s pre-programmed. They basically just hit the button to start and they stand up there and they’ll pump their fists and they’ll dance around on stage but they’re not performing any music.”

He also points to the Milli Vanilli scandal of 1989, where the pop duo was caught lip-synching to their hit “Girl You Know It’s True”. It turned out, neither of them sang or played any instruments on their own record. The Grammy award they’d won for Best New Artist was revoked.

(Lewis, IA) – The Cass County Conservation Board has announced a Bat House Workshop will take place this coming Saturday, Nov. 22nd, at Outdoor Educational Classroom near Massena. The workshop begins at 11-a.m.  The Board suggests a donation of $15 per bat house. All ages are welcome to attend and participate, but children must be accompanied by an adult. During the Bat House Workshop, you”ll learn all about Iowa’s bats, and build a small bat house or purchase a kit. Please pre-register by Monday, November 17th, by calling 712-769-2372 or email lkanning@casscoia.us !

A constructed bat house (Cass County Conservation Dept. photo)

The Cass County Conservation Board is also holding a Nature Journaling Workshop next Saturday, at the Outdoor Educational Classroom in Massena. The Journaling Workshop begins at 1-p.m., and is free of charge. All ages are welcome, and again children must be accompanied by an adult. Learn all about nature journaling and techniques we can use. You will also make and take a journal home with you!

Find the Outdoor Educational Classroom by taking Highway 148 south of Massena, Turn Left on Tucson Road and follow it East for about two miles before turning right into the parking lot.

Please pre-register for one or both programs by November 17th. The CCCB hopes you will join Conservation Staff for the educational activities.

(Council Bluffs, IA) – Pottawattamie County attorney Matt Wilber, FrIday, filed a petition to remove Scott Belt from his position as county supervisor. KETV reports, in the petition, Wilber alleges that Belt went to a bar before a Pottawattamie County Board of Supervisors meeting and was drinking. The petition alleges, Belt had a beer and part of a mixed drink. He took the rest with him after the bartender put it in a plastic cup.

The court documents said patrons at the bar said it was “very quickly apparent” that Belt was already intoxicated for coming into the establishment. According to the petition, one person at the bar told him he should not go to the meeting, but Belt responded, saying he was “fine.” The documents indicated also, that there was no audio of the happenings, but it was captured on surveillance cameras.

At the meeting, according to the petition, Belt was having problems speaking when it came to things like leading the Pledge of Allegiance, and he was clumsy, even tripping over a chair leg. The petition said once the word got out about the Nov. 5 meeting, people started coming forward with similar experiences with Belt. It also alleged that Belt had been intoxicated while acting in his official capacity at least seven times in the past 13 months.

According to a Facebook post from the county, Belt resigned from his position as board chairperson effective on Nov. 10th. Matt Wilber says a judge suspended Belt on Friday, Nov. 14th, which leaves the position legally vacant pending a hearing. A committee will appoint a temporary board member until the court rules on the petition to remove Belt. If the petition is dismissed, Belt will be reinstated, and if the court accepts the petition, the committee will appoint a successor for the remainder of the term, which may involve a special election.

(Louisa County, IA) – A four-year-old child was flown to the University of Iowa Hospital and Clinics, Saturday, after being struck by a car in the southeast Iowa town of Wapello. According to the Iowa State Patrol, a car driven by 29-year-old Kateline Marie Lilly, of Wapello, turned into an alley in the 400 block of Jefferson Street at around 6:25-p.m., and struck the unidentified female child who was in the alley, before her vehicle backed-up and stopped in the alley.

The child was flown by AirCare to the hospital. Patrol was assisted at the scene by the Louisa County Sheriff’s Office and Wapello Police.

DES MOINES, Iowa [KCCI] — Influential central Iowa developer, businessman and philanthropist William C. “Bill” Knapp died Saturday morning. He was 99. Knapp Properties, which he founded in the early 1990s, announced his death in a news release.

The company called Knapp a “self-made entrepreneur, visionary developer, and extraordinary philanthropist, (who) leaves behind a legacy that helped shape the future of Iowa and elevated the civic life of generations.”

(Photo: Bill Knapp (from KnappProperties.com)

Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds released a statement Saturday morning following Knapp’s death:

“The city of Des Moines is what it is today thanks to the vision of Bill Knapp, but his impact extends far beyond,” Reynolds said. “A generous philanthropist, WWII veteran, devoted family man, and friend to many, Bill lived his life in service to his country, his community, and his fellow Iowans. Kevin and I offer our prayers and condolences to his wife, Susan, and their family, and our gratitude for Bill’s legacy which will endure for generations.”

KNOXVILLE, Iowa (KCCI-TV) — A Knoxville school associate fired for a post about the late conservative activist Charlie Kirk is now suing the district. KCCI repots Stacey Sumpter says the school violated her first amendment rights. Following Kirk’s death in September, Sumpter posted a comment on her personal Facebook page: “Normally I would say Auf wider sehen; but since that technically means ’til I see you again’ … So since I never wish to see you again, to you; I say goodbye,” the comment reads.

Court records show she was fired days later. Sumpter is asking the court for reinstatement and damages. In a court filing, Sumpter claims she was never given a hearing or other opportunity to present her side of the story. Court documents say “Since her termination, there has been no administrative review that would afford Ms. Sumpter the very due process promised to her by District policy.”

The district says it does not comment on pending litigation.

(Des Moines, Iowa; KCCI-TV]) – Officials with the Iowa National Guard say their mission to help Immigration and Customs Enforcement is being extended. A spokesperson confirmed to us the added assistance will continue to Sept. 30, 2026. The mission has not changed since Gov. Kim Reynolds first directed the Iowa National Guard to assist ICE. At that point, Reynolds said:

“Just as we supported Texas when the Biden Administration left them to defend the border, Iowa will continue to assist in the enforcement of federal immigration laws — this time, by working with the Trump Administration to support U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement officials in our state,” Reynolds said in a news release announcing the mission. “By providing administrative and logistical support, the Iowa National Guard will free up local ICE officials to continue their work outside the office to enforce the law and keep our state safe.”

The National Guard is providing clerical, administrative and logistical support to Iowa-based ICE officials. They will not engage in law enforcement.