(Washington, D-C) U.S. Sens. Chuck Grassley and Joni Ernst backed nominees this week who were successfully confirmed by the Senate to serve in the Trump administration. The Iowa Capital Dispatch reports Grassley, chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee, spoke in support of Kash Patel’s appointment as director of the Federal Bureau of Investigations Wednesday as the body voted 51-49 to confirm President Donald Trump’s pick. Two Republicans, Sens. Susan Collins of Maine and Lisa Murkowski of Alaska, voted against Patel, alongside all Democrats and independents.

Patel, a Justice Department prosecutor, made statements criticizing the FBI in his book “Government Gangsters: The Deep State, the Truth and the Battle for Our Democracy,” and said on the Shawn Ryan Show podcast in 2024 that he would “shut down the FBI Hoover Building on day one and reopen it the next day as a museum of the ‘deep state.’”

Grassley defended Patel in comments on the floor Wednesday, saying the root concern of critics “is a fear that he’ll act like Democrats did when Democrats were in power.” The Iowa Republican said the FBI was used as a political tool by Democrats to attack Trump and others, but he believed Patel would not do the same.

U.S. Sen. Chuck Grassley, left, meets with Kash Patel, who was confirmed Feb. 20, 2025 as the new FBI director. (Photo courtesy of Grassley’s office)

“We need to restore transparency, we need to restore oversight and we need to restore accountability at the FBI, particularly on that top floor of the Hoover Building,” Grassley said. “And it’s why those who benefit from the status quo have come so forcefully against him with a relentless smear campaign.  Mr. Patel is a reformer, and we need a reformer in the FBI. We need to restore the public trust and we need to return the FBI to its core mission, which is to keep people on our streets safe.”

The Senate also approved U.S. Sen. Kelly Loeffler as Small Business Administration (SBA) administrator in a 52-46 vote Wednesday. Ernst, chair of the Senate Small Business Committee, has been a major advocate for Loeffler during the appointment process. The two were colleagues when Loeffler was appointed to serve as senator for Georgia in 2020.

Ernst praised Loeffler in appointment hearings, saying her business experience as the former chief executive officer of Bakkt, a subsidary of the financial service provider Intercontinental Exchange, will help her in the SBA role. Loeffler’s husband, Jeffrey Sprecher, is the CEO of Bakkt.

Speaking on the floor Wednesday, Ernst said Loeffler was the “perfect person to increase transparency and accountability at the SBA” and help small businesses across the country.

DES MOINES, Iowa – The U-S Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Iowa reports a Mexican citizen was sentenced yesterday (Thursday) to two years in federal prison for illegally returning to the United States after being deported.

According to public court documents, Juan Carlos Solis Roan, 40, had previously been deported from the United States four times between 2008 and 2020. Solis Roan had been convicted twice of illegal reentry, including in 2019 in the United States District Court for the Southern District of Iowa.

In January 2024, law enforcement encountered Solis Roan, and in March 2024, Solis Roan was convicted in the Iowa District Court for Polk County of contempt for violating his probation for a 2006 drug conviction. There is no parole in the federal system.

United States Attorney Richard D. Westphal of the Southern District of Iowa made the announcement. This case was investigated by the Department of Homeland Security, Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Enforcement and Removal Operations.

(Atlantic, Iowa) – The Atlantic Chamber of Commerce Ambassadors were hosted by Cass Health on Thursday, February 20, 2025, to celebrate the opening of their new coffee shop with a ribbon-cutting ceremony.

Neighbors Coffee & Cafe proudly serves Starbucks products, providing customers with the familiar and beloved flavors of the popular coffee chain. However, unlike a traditional Starbucks franchise, Neighbors Coffee & Cafe is an independent establishment owned and operated by Cass Health. This unique setup allows the cafe to offer a personalized touch and cater specifically to the needs of the community.

“We are thrilled to welcome Neighbors Coffee & Cafe to Cass Health,” said Brett Altman, Cass Health CEO. “This cafe will not only provide a convenient amenity for our staff and visitors but also be a welcome space for the community to gather and connect. With its convenient location, comfortable atmosphere, and commitment to quality, Neighbors Coffee & Cafe is ready to become a favorite destination within Cass Health.”

Pictured Seated (Left to Right): Ann McCurdy, Amanda Bireline, Kolton Hewlett, Jan Namanny, Michele Hansen, Brett Altman, Mitch Whiley, Britney Weirich, Beth Spieker, Shelby Briggs
Pictured Standing (Left to Right): Grace McAfee, Megan Roberts, BJ Hart, Ryan Askeland, Gabby Wahlert, Keith Honke, Dolly Bergmann, Jeremy Butler, Anne Quist, Jen McEntaffer, Krysta Hanson, Shelby Keiser, Bill Saluk, Kathie Hockenberry, Elaine Otte, Emily Kennedy, Kennedy Freund, Emma Langer, Kate Olsen, Tori Gibson, Leah Muhlbaur, Lana Westphalen, Kelsey Beschorner (Photo submitted)

“Tips and contributions from both the café and gift shop go into the Cass Health Foundation fund,” shared Kolton Hewlett, Cass Health CFO. “In 2025, that fund will support the Foundation’s campaign for the Nursing Apprenticeship Program, which is designed to bring more individuals into the nursing profession.”

Neighbors Coffee & Cafe is now open Monday through Friday, 7 AM to 2 PM, to serve the community. The cafe offers a wide range of Starbucks beverages, including lattes, cappuccinos, and frappuccinos, as well as a selection of pastries, soups, and salads made fresh by Cass Health food services.

Neighbors Coffee & Cafe is located in the atrium of Cass Health at 1501 E 10th Street in Atlantic. To learn more about Cass Health and the services they provide, visit www.casshealth.org

(Radio Iowa) – Experts estimate the State of Iowa will need 21-thousand new housing units by 2030. Officials in the community of Garner have taken a preliminary step to try to address their local housing shortage.  “Years ago, we had a housing advisory board and it did get a lot of things done and we thought it’s time to bring a housing board back on.” That’s Tim Schmidt, the mayor of Garner, which had a population of around three-thousand during the 2020 Census. A couple of city council members will serve on the revived housing advisory board, along with local building contractors, bankers and the director of Garner’s Chamber of Commerce.

The mayor says the city’s previous board helped spur development of apartments and single-family homes. “But, as we go around and talk to our different industries and so forth, there is still a need for housing and getting those people to Garner to fill the jobs and get their kids to our schools,” Schmidt said, “so we really want to focus on the affordable workforce housing.” The state’s Workforce Development website indicates there are 15-hundred job openings in Garner or within 25 miles of the city.

According to Realtor-dot-com, there are just eight apartments available for rent in Garner and 20 homes are on the market. Garner’s mayor says the housing advisory board will review a previous study about the housing situation in the city and identify how to help contractors make a profit from building move-in ready homes.

“There are things that we can do to attract those things,” Schmidt says, “and we want to do ’em.” A recent report from a think tank called Common Sense Institute indicated the cost of owning a home in Iowa ranked ninth lowest among all the states, but the tight housing supply is a concern.

This past August, Iowa cities and counties issued over a thousand permits for residential buildings, a nearly 20 percent statewide increase over August of 2023.

(Radio Iowa) – School districts across Iowa are discovering the benefits of having certified facility dogs on campus as a way to enhance student well-being. Sam Doll, a counselor at Oskaloosa Elementary School, is training to be the handler for David, a yellow lab that will arrive at the southeast Iowa school this spring. Doll says facility dogs have an exceptionally positive impact in educational settings.

“There’s a lot of evidence that shows it helps to improve attendance, boosts self esteem, decreases learner anxiety,” Doll says, “all kinds of really awesome benefits.” Facility dogs are extensively trained at the same level as a service dog, she says. David visited Oskaloosa Elementary this week with his handlers from the Wyoming-based “K9s 4 Mobility” to familiarize himself with the building and to meet the staff and some of the nearly-one-thousand students. He’s now back in Wyoming.

“He’s going to be working in a school there, completing his training three to four days a week, and then he’ll be coming back — April 21st will be his first day back here,” Doll says. “They’ll be bringing a trainer to come and train me on how to do all of his commands and his obedience and all those things, so I will be trained for two weeks as a handler.” It costs around 25-thousand dollars per dog in this program, which is being offset by a local corporate sponsor, and the school district, while Doll will help pay for David’s food, vet bills and other incidentals.

She says she’s thrilled to bring the dog into her home and family — and to the school. “He already is very well loved. I’ve been getting fan mail from students, and so it’s just been really fun,” Doll says. “He will be greeting students in the morning. I have plans for him to help support my individual counseling that I do with students, as well as small groups. And he’ll also be visiting classrooms and be a big part of my classrooms that I teach, as far as guidance curriculum.”

Photo by Oskaloosa Schools

Doll envisions initiatives like “Dining with David” and reading programs where students read to the dog to reduce anxiety. Facility dogs are trained to provide skill tasks that help kids to feel empowered, include retrieving items, opening and closing drawers, doors, or cabinets, and modeling appropriate behaviors. Doll says seeing a dog at school can normalize an otherwise intimidating experience for kids. She says David will help students with behavior challenges and boost morale for staff. Dogs are naturally comforting, Doll says, and the benefits are widespread.

“There’s quite a few school districts across the state of Iowa that have facility dogs or therapy dogs,” she says. “There is a difference between the two, but a lot of districts are bringing them on board, and it’s really amazing to see.” David will live with Doll and accompany her to school daily, except Wednesdays, which are his designated day off.

To address potential challenges, like allergies, the school is implementing proactive measures, including air filtration systems.

(Ankeny, Iowa) —A major agriculture equipment manufacturer says it will lay off more than 100 workers due to reduced demand and a weakened farm economy. KCCI reports John Deere says it informed 119 employees at John Deere Des Moines Works in Ankeny that they will be let go as part of three groups of layoffs. The company provided a statement to KCCI, saying customer orders are down and forecasts from the United States Department of Agriculture indicate a decrease in major row-crop cash receipts from 2024.

John Deere says it employs nearly 1,500 workers at the impacted location. This is not the only recent round of layoffs by the company. Nearly 600 workers were let go last year at three midwest factories, including two in Iowa that laid off more than 300 employees. In total, Deere has cut more than 4,500 jobs in the last decade.

(Ames, Iowa) – The Ames Police Department reports the owner of a dog that was found January 14th suffering from bullet fragments to its head, was arrested today (Friday), on Animal Abuse and Animal Neglect resulting in serious injury – charges. Both are Aggravated Misdemeanors.

33-year-old Zachary Bale,of Ames, has admitted to shooting the animal, who Police nicknamed “Good Boy,” and leaving it in a field near Lark Avenue and SE 16th Street in Ames, and transported to a vet clinic, where bullet fragments were found in his skull.

“Good Boy” at his foster home. (Ames Animal Shelter Facebook photo)

“Good Boy” received veterinarian care and medical treatment until Jan. 21st, when he was released to the Animal Shelter. He continues to recover in his foster care home. Bales was booked into the Story County Jail.

(Des Moines, Iowa) – The Iowa Economic Development Authority (IEDA) Board, today (Friday) announced two western Iowa communities were awarded CAT (Community Attraction and Tourism) grants totaling $97,000. Officials say the City of Lenox was awarded $62,000 to pave a three-quarters mile, eight-foot-wide trail. The project combines previously completed sections of an existing trail, totaling nearly three miles. It will connect the trail to the community, offering a more walkable and safe outdoor experience. Total project cost is $313,000.

And, the Cherokee County Conservation Board was awarded $35,000 to construct a trap field support building at the Licklider Shooting Complex in Cherokee. The project will create the necessary viewing areas and modern amenities for spectators during public use and events, including youth shooting competitions that can draw people from the community and region. Total project cost is $185,000.

The CAT program provides financial assistance to communities for the construction of recreational, cultural, educational or entertainment facilities that enhance the quality of life in Iowa. Award recommendations for these funds are made by the CAT Review Committee to the IEDA Board for approval.

The IEDA Board also approved a job creation award for a manufacturer in Sioux Center and four awards aimed at enhancing quality of life and tourism opportunities in the state. The community development grants support two Destination Iowa projects in Des Moines and Manly, and two Sports Tourism events in Newton. See the details below:

Service Trucks International to expand in Sioux Center
Service Trucks International, Inc. manufactures truck bodies used in the mobile equipment repair industry. The company plans to increase capacity at their Sioux Center facility with the construction of a 56,000-square-foot building for the manufacturing of their Tiger Cranes telescoping service cranes, personnel support, indoor product testing and outbound shipping. The project represents a capital investment of $9 million and is expected to create six jobs, of which two are incented at a qualifying wage of $26.24 per hour. The board awarded the company tax benefits through the High Quality Jobs (HQJ) program.

Destination Iowa grants awarded to two projects
The Iowa Soccer Development Foundation plans to build the Pro Iowa Soccer Stadium and Global Plaza. The stadium will house Iowa’s first professional soccer teams and be available to host public events year-round. The four-acre plaza will be a public space for pre- and post-game gatherings and community cultural festivals. When open, the annual economic impact of the stadium is expected to be $13.9 million and the plaza to be $1.3 million. The $79 million project was awarded a $5 million grant.

The Manly Junction Railroad Museum, Inc. is dedicated to preserving the railroad legacy with the construction of a new 19,500-square-foot facility to house the museum and event center, which is expected to attract at least 10,000 visitors per year. The museum will share the history of the rail industry and its impact on the development of the Midwest through unique exhibits, artifacts, tracks and equipment. The event area will seat up to 150 people with outdoor space as well. The nearly $7.3 million project was awarded a $1.818 million grant.

The Destination Iowa program invests in transformational attractions that will bolster the quality of life and attract visitors and new residents. It helps Iowa communities make strategic investments to create and support infrastructure projects for lasting tourism opportunities. Award recommendations for these funds are made by an internal and external review committee and presented to the IEDA Board for approval.

Sports Tourism grants awarded to two events
Newton Community Events, Inc. was awarded $437,500 for the INDYCAR Race Weekend, a double header race event on the national series schedule. Promotion of the two-day event will include national TV, radio and digital ads, targeting motorsports fans and the growth of new fans. The total project cost is $875,000.

Newton Community Events, Inc. was also awarded $50,000 for the NASCAR Cup Series Weekend, featuring three races and other related activities at the Iowa Speedway. The three-day event will focus on local promotions and expand out of state for digital ads. The total project cost is $100,000.

The Sports Tourism program provides financial assistance for projects that market or promote professional, collegiate or amateur level sporting events in Iowa. Award recommendations for these funds are made by the Sports Tourism Review Committee to the IEDA Board for approval.

(Atlantic, Iowa)—The Cass Health Foundation will host their annual fundraising gala on Saturday, March 29th, at the Atlantic Golf & Country Club. The Foundation is currently fundraising to support Cass Health workforce development and educational programs, including the Nursing Apprenticeship Program. Beth Spieker (Speaker), Cass Health Director of Community & Guest Relations, says “The Foundation shifted gears a bit from past fundraisers that have focused on equipment purchases. This year we are dedicating the funds raised to support students in healthcare programs, because we believe it is important to invest in building, supporting, and training the next generation of nurses.

The fundraiser includes dinner, dessert auction, games, and a DJ. The Kentucky Derby is the inspiration for the theme this year, and attendees are encouraged to wear Derby-inspired outfits and hats.

Tickets to the event are limited and available through table sponsorships; RSVPs are due by March 1st. For more information, please call Beth Spieker at 712-243-7545 or visit casshealth.org/donors/gala to view the details or pay online.