(Radio Iowa) – The President of the Board of Regents is responding to questions by lawmakers about whether the state schools have done enough enough to eliminate diversity, equity and inclusion programs. President Sherry Bates made a statement during the Board’s meeting Thursday. “We are all aware, D-E-I has been a central focus during the last two summers and legislative sessions. While we have made significant progress, we need to complete the work,” Bates said. Representative Brooke Boden of Indianola had specifically questioned information about D-E-I on the University of Iowa’s websites. Bates says the U-I has been taking action on the D-E-I issues, and cited an example.

“After working with the Board Office for the past several months, the University of Iowa announced that the three living learning communities will no longer exist after the end of spring semester,” she said. “We understand that some are upset, but to comply with the recent decisions, this is a path forward.” Bates says the efforts need to continue. “While there have been administrative eliminations and restructuring, the universities need to look again to see if there are additional changes that should be made. There has been work done on the university web pages, but a simple search shows there is a lot more work to do,” Bates said. Bates said it may appear to some that nothing has been done, she said this is not the case, but they must continue to work on it.

“I am directing the institutions to pull down any current or archived web pages regarding diversity, equity and inclusion. Once the pages are down, then the universities, in consultation with the Board Office, can determine what pages need to exist but rewritten,” Bates said. Bates said that all three universities have fulfill the February 24th request from the governor. “In her letter, the governor requested that by March 6th, each university identify any existing contract with the federal government that has D-E-I provisions along with the date of the agreement, contracting parties, dollar volume and an estimate of the percentage of the work to be completed,” she said. Bates says the Regents, university administrators, faculty and staff, must examine what they are doing now and what we will be doing going forward to ensure that they are following the spirit of the laws and executive orders on D-E-I.

Bates also mentioned bills in the legislature that would direct the Board to review programs and how they fit with the high demand jobs and workforce needs. “We do not need to wait for a bill. I am directing the Board Office, in consultation with the universities, to begin the review now and to have a full and complete report to the board by its November meeting at the latest,” Bates said. Bates said she knows that there are some who believe the Board and the universities move too slowly in being responsive to concerns that are raised, but said there are many examples to show that that is not true.

(Glenwood, Iowa) – A ban on open burning is in effect until further notice for Mills County. See the press release below from the Mills County Emergency Management Agency:

(Radio Iowa) – Most of Iowa is under a Red Flag Warning from noon today (Friday) through six o’clock tonight, as open burning is strongly discouraged. National Weather Service meteorologist Brooke Hagenhoff says there’s a critical risk as any fires that develop will likely spread rapidly. “For today, we’ve got warm conditions in the upper 50s to low 60s. We’ve got really dry fuels out there, because it’s so early in the season that nothing’s growing, so all the grasses and things are dry,” Hagenhoff says, “and then on top of that, we’ve got really strong winds gusting 45 to 50-plus miles per hour.” The warning covers 91 of Iowa’s 99 counties, all but the far northeastern corner of the state. Hagenhoff says the warm temperatures, strong winds and dry vegetation will create a serious hazard.

“That combination is going to make it really dangerous for any kind of burning that goes on,” she says, “so we definitely want to take care and delay any burning until later this weekend or next week.” More big dips are coming in the weather rollercoaster Iowans have been riding lately. The forecast calls for high temperatures across much of Iowa’s southern half to be in the 60s today, while highs tomorrow may only be in the 30s. “Those ruthless winds are ushering in that cooler air with this cold front that’s going to be coming across here later on this evening, so that’s really the big push,” Hagenhoff says. “So, if you want to enjoy some of the warmer weather, get out there today and do that. It’ll be a little cooler on Saturday.”

The state Fire Marshal’s office shows active burn bans in only five counties, Mills County in the southwest, and four in eastern Iowa: Clinton, Linn, Muscatine and Scott.

DES MOINES – State Treasurer Roby Smith, today (Friday), announced fee reductions for five of seven investment options for IAble (Iowa’s Achieving a Better Live Experience) account owners. The already low-cost program now has lower fees from the previous record-lows set in 2022. IAble accounts provide eligible individuals with a disability an opportunity to have professionally managed investment options at affordable rates.  Smith said he knows “how crucial an IAble account can be to helping individuals with disabilities save for their expenses.” According to Smith, his announcement “is a step in the right direction as we work to provide professionally managed accounts for those who need them.”

Investment options for the Aggressive, Moderately Aggressive, Growth, and Moderate investment options fell to $3.00 (0.30%) per $1,000 invested and the Conservative option fell to $3.30 (0.33%) per $1,000 invested. The Moderately Conservative and Money Market investment options remain at $3.10 (0.31%) and $3.60 (0.36%) per $1,000 invested, respectively.

IAble, administered by Treasurer Smith, provides individuals with disabilities and their support system a way to save money while maintaining crucial benefits for federally means-tested programs such as Supplemental Security Income (SSI) and Medicaid. Funds from IAble accounts can be used tax-deferred to cover qualified disability expenses like assistive technology, support services, medical bills and more. For more details about IAble, review the Plan Disclosure Booklet.

Connect with the Treasurer on Facebook, Instagram and X to stay informed of updates and news.

(Cherokee County, Iowa) – A northwest Iowa school teacher who was convicted of harassment after being accused of trying to insert himself into a student’s sex life has been awarded unemployment benefits. A report in the Iowa Capital Dispatch says in July 2024, Cherokee Washington High School band instructor Joseph Vannatta pleaded guilty to a charge of harassment after being accused by police of engaging in a “scheme of conduct to insert himself in to (a student’s) sexual life.” Police alleged, the student felt he was being “groomed” to have a relationship with Vannatta.

Two months before Vannatta pleaded guilty in the case, he was fired by the Cherokee Community School District. He then filed for unemployment benefits, which the district challenged. A hearing on the matter was held on Feb. 1, 2025, with Administrative Law Judge Sean Nelson presiding.

Earlier this week, Nelson ruled Vannatta was eligible for benefits, finding the school district had not “met its burden to describe the specific incidents that allegedly violated (state law). The only specific act described by the employer, either in exhibits or through testimony, is (Vannatta’s) plan to have this student attend an honor band event in Cedar Falls. Though the circumstances of this student’s attendance at the event, given his poor grades, is suspicious, these circumstances do not prove (Vannatta) used his authority to sexually exploit this student.” In his ruling, Nelson noted the school district was unable to provide specific dates for the incidents in which Vannatta was alleged to have asked the student about his sex life. In addition, Nelson said, the district fired Vannatta before he pleaded guilty to a charge of harassment — which meant the plea couldn’t have been a factor in the decision to fire him.

As part of the 2025 legislative session, state lawmakers have advanced a bill that would alter the definition of “grooming” as used in the bill that was signed into law last year. That law defines “grooming” as the use of “digital or written communication to entice, encourage, or lure a child into committing a sex act.” The new legislation, House Study Bill 46, defines “grooming” as “the process of building trust or emotional connections with a student with the intent to exploit such student.”

Officials with the Board of Educational Examiners told lawmakers the Iowa Attorney General’s Office informed them the current law cannot be applied to cases where the suspect has not engaged in sex with a student.

DES MOINES – The Iowa Department of Natural Resources, Thursday, said the agency was investigating a wastewater discharge at the City of Fort Dodge in Webster County. On February 27th, the DNR Field Office in Mason City received a call from the City of Fort Dodge regarding a wastewater discharge due to a broken force main. The force main, which carries industrial wastewater from the city’s industrial park to the wastewater treatment plant, discharged the wastewater into a tributary of the South Branch of Lizard Creek.

DNR field staff responded to the incident, and upon arrival observed wastewater approximately two miles downstream from where the tributary empties into the South Branch of Lizard Creek. Repairs were underway at last report, and water samples were collected. No dead fish have been observed and the investigation is ongoing. The Iowa DNR will follow up with the city for further assessment.

To report a release after hours, please call the DNR’s emergency spill line at (515) 725-8694. Quick reporting can help DNR staff identify the cause of an incident. The DNR website has more information about spill reporting requirements.

(Creston, Iowa) – The Creston Police Department reports three recent arrests. At around 12:25-a.m. today (Friday), officers arrested 31-year-old Brandon Joseph Stone, of Creston, for OWI/1st offense. Stone was being held in the Union County Jail on a $1,000 bond.

There were two separate arrests Thursday, in Creston: 26-year-old David Cortez Valenzuela, of Lenox, was arrested a little before 9-p.m., for Violation of Probation. He was being held without bond in the Union County Jail, until making an initial court appearance; And, 20-year-old Lucas Lynn Smith, of Creston, was arrested at around 6:20-p.m., Thursday, at his residence. Smith was charged with Harassment in the 2nd Degree, and held on a $1,000 bond.

(Radio Iowa) – Hundreds of students from all corners of Iowa will be in Des Moines this weekend to take aim at winning medals and scholarship money in the 18th annual state archery tournament. Zach Benttine, the Iowa D-N-R’s archery coordinator, says the competition has continued to improve every year, along with the growing field of participants in grades four through 12. “This will be the biggest tournament we’ve had to date. We’ll have almost 2,100 individuals competing in bullseye, representing 140 schools,” Benttine says, “and then 3-D, we have 1,020 students competing, and last year, our record number was 840, so we increased that by 180 archers.” This state division of the National Archery in the Schools Program (NASP) features two types of competition. The bullseye tournament has traditional square targets with colored, concentric rings, while the 3-D tournament has students zeroing in on a half-dozen types of styrofoam animals.

“The standard six targets, no matter if you’re shooting at the Iowa NASP state championships or any of the other 50 states or the national, we have a stone sheep, we have an antelope, we have a white-tailed deer, a bear, a turkey and a coyote,” Benttine says, “so it’s your typical North American animals that you can see almost everywhere in the country.” The top Iowa finishers this weekend will go on to the national tournament. The archery program was launched in Iowa in 2006 with a few pilot schools, and it’s quickly grown. Benttine says there’s a 10-hour curriculum that’s taught at each competing school. The sport, he says, is a tremendous equalizer.

“Anyone can shoot archery, and this gives the kids who maybe don’t wrestle or play basketball or baseball or any of the sports that end in -ball, it gives them an opportunity to feel a sense of their school,” Benttine says, “so they’re still an athlete for their school, so that’s a huge reason we see growth.” The tournament runs today (Friday) through Sunday at the Richard O. Jacobson Exhibition Center and the 4H Building at the Iowa State Fairgrounds. Prizes include more than $10,000 in college scholarships based on performance at the state tournament, while another $13,000 will be awarded outside of the competition to archers based on academics, essays, and other criteria. Teams are also aiming for some $18,000 in archery equipment for their schools.

(Radio Iowa) – The governor’s declared today (Friday) a statewide Day of Kindness, as Iowans are urged to find ways to be intentional with acts that will make someone’s day — or at least make them smile. Kara Matheson, a vice president at the West Des Moines Chamber of Commerce, says the day started as a local event five years ago and quickly went viral. “People in all four corners of the state really latched onto it,” Matheson says, “because who doesn’t enjoy that feel-good moment of being able to do any kind of small act of kindness for a stranger, for a loved one, you name it.” The act can be big or small, monetary or action-oriented, anonymous or direct, and she says Iowans have the ability to swiftly make #IowaKind spread far and wide.

“We’ve seen businesses bring coffee to first responders,” Matheson says. “Let a stranger cut in line in front of you. We always hear about pay it forward in coffee lines. It can be calling or texting a friend or a family member and just telling them how much you have been thinking about them and that you appreciate them.” The chamber’s own event today is called Socks of Love, where people are encouraged to donate new pairs of socks — solo pairs or a multi-pack — to be given to those in need. Last year, the effort netted more than two-thousand pairs. Anyone, anywhere can donate socks by clicking here, (https://www.amazon.com/registries/gl/guest-view/17ROL11RTJHIM) or, during the course of the day, just find some way to do something nice for someone.

This photo of the State Proclamation is from Day of Kindness in February 2024.

“It doesn’t have to cost money, it doesn’t have to take a lot of time, thought or effort. It’s just kind of pausing to think, what small thing could I do to make a difference in someone else’s life?” Matheson says. “Truly, that one act that you can do will have a ripple effect, and it can inspire other people to turn and go and do an act of kindness to someone else.” She says studies show kindness benefits not only the recipient but also the giver.”It really feels good for you as someone who is giving that act of kindness, and of course, it’s going to feel good for the other person who’s receiving it,” Matheson says. “It really is just a ripple effect, and it spreads kindness even outside of this one day where our intention is to keep the focus on it, because I think every day of our lives, Iowans and people everywhere could benefit from more kindness.”

wdmchamber.org/day-of-kindness

(Radio Iowa) – The state Board of Regents approved an increase in the budget for replacement of the windows at the University of Iowa Children’s Hospital. U-I vice president Rod Lehnertz says nearly all of the windows have been replaced after de-lamination and cracking developed that presented potential safety hazards. “We have been prudent in replacing the windows that need to be for safety and operation purposes, but also tried to continue to monitor window systems to make sure we weren’t replacing those that didn’t need to be,” Lehnertz says. He asked the Regents Thursday to approve adding eight more sections of windows to the project.

“In this case, this revised budget moves from the original 45 million to 52-point-five million, which, as the description in the docket information, indicates the vertical slot windows that go nine stories and connecting all the floors would be added to this, effectively replacing all the windows except for those that are on the ground floor,” he says.

The hospital was completed in 2017 and the building has gained national notoriety from “The Wave” where everyone in nearby Kinnick Stadium waves to patients in the hospital after the first quarter of home football games.

The Hawkeye Wave takes place at the end of the first quarter during home football games, (U-o-I Facebook photo)