DES MOINES, Iowa – Oftentimes, the issue of hunger is associated with people in inner cities, where the cost of living tends to be high. But a new study shows some of the greatest need can be found where America’s food supply is grown and raised. Jon Bailey, director of rural public policy program for the Center for Rural Affairs, authored the report, which examines the use of food stamps, now called SNAP benefits, from 2008 to 2012.

“And what we found is that during that time period, more households in rural areas received SNAP benefits than did households in more urban – both metropolitan and small-city – areas,” he says. During the years reviewed, more than 14 percent of rural households received SNAP benefits, compared to slightly less than 11 percent of urban households.

Another key finding, says Bailey, is that rural areas and small cities have higher percentages of households with seniors and children receiving food support than in larger urban areas. “SNAP is providing a way for those people and those households to meet their food needs, which is important,” he points out, “because those two population groups are probably most at risk of hunger and food insecurity.”

In rural areas, one in nine households has a SNAP recipient who is either under age 18, or an adult 60 years of age or older.

(Iowa News Service)

Here is the latest Iowa news from The Associated Press

SIOUX CITY, Iowa (AP) — Fewer people in Sioux City are reporting dog bites in the wake of a crackdown on pit bulls and vicious dogs. The Sioux City Journal reports that officers responded to 37 percent fewer dog-bite complaints last year than they did in 2007, the year before the city banned pit bulls. The ban included an exception for owners who registered their pit bulls, but no new pit bulls were allowed. More than 550 were registered before the April 2009 deadline. That number has since declined to 163.

DAVENPORT, Iowa (AP) — Police are investigating a fatal overnight shooting of a man in Davenport. The Quad-City Times reports that police were called to the shooting around 12:15 a.m. yesterday. Officers found a man lying unresponsive in a yard. An autopsy has been scheduled.

BURLINGTON, Iowa (AP) — Two South Florida men face felony charges after a shooting outside an eastern Iowa vacation resort and apartment complex. The Burlington Hawk Eye reports that 26-year-old Donald Watkins and 30-year-old Virgil Griggs, both of Miami, were arrested.

IOWA CITY, Iowa (AP) — A well-known Iowa City restaurant is reopening after a basement fire nearly three months ago. The Iowa City Press-Citizen reports that the Hamburg Inn Number 2 will be serving breakfast once again by this morning. The restaurant is a popular spot for students, Iowa City residents and presidential candidates competing in the state’s first-in-the-nation caucuses.

Members of the Atlantic Community School District’s Board of Education will meet Monday evening in the Media Center at the high school, beginning at 7:30-p.m. On their agenda are special presentations from Dan Vargason, with regard to the Costa Rica trip, and FFA Advisor Eric Miller, with regard to the National FFA Convention.

The Board is also set to act on approving: Open enrollment requests; General Education & Special Ed contracts, other contracts and/or Letters of Assignment, Amended Contracts and/or Letters of Assignment, Volunteer Coaching positions, and any resignations.

Other action items include: The second reading of a policy pertaining to Honorary Diplomas; The first reading of a Wellness Policy; The approval of a School Resource Officer (SRO) for the 2014-2015 school year; Approval of… new teacher employment, transportation for extra-curricular activities, and a 2014-15 Contract for a course in partnership with Iowa Western Community College.

At the end of their meeting, the Atlantic School Board will discuss the terms for a Board Self-Evaluation, and their Iowa Association of School Board (IASB) Action Priorities for FY 2015.

SIOUX CITY, Iowa (AP) — Fewer people in Sioux City are reporting dog bites in the wake of a crackdown on pit bulls and vicious dogs. The Sioux City Journal reports that officers responded to 37 percent fewer dog-bite complaints last year than they did in 2007, the year before the city banned pit bulls.

The ban included an exception for owners who registered their pit bulls, but no new pit bulls were allowed. More than 550 were registered before the April 2009 deadline. That number has since declined to 163. Dog experts say it’s not clear whether the decline in reported bites is due to the city’s ban or other factors, such as bites that go unreported.

Pit bull owners say the ban unfairly targets one breed.

Officials with SIRWA (The Southern Iowa Rural Water Association), said that as of Sunday, August 10th, the Boil Water Advisory is still in effect for customers in NW Adams, Montgomery, SE Cass Counties and the Cities of Grant, Carbon, Brooks, Bridgewater and Lyman; account numbers beginning with 047, 048, 081, 082, 084 and 005.

For more information, click on this link: http://www.sirwa.org/html/outages.html

Republican U.S. Senate candidate Joni Ernst stressed an “Iowa nice” message Saturday, during a speech at the Family Leadership Summit in Ames, with the underlying hint that her opponent may not always take that approach. “It’s our Iowa way to walk across the street and help a neighbor in need and additionally when Iowans find themselves at odds with each other, the way we should do business is through words, amicably, with a handshake,” Ernst said.

Bruce Braley, the Democrat Ernst faces in November, and his wife recently had a dispute with a neighbor at the Braley’s vacation property in eastern Iowa. Carolyn Braley went to the Holiday Lake Owners Association meeting this spring to complain about the neighbor’s roving chickens. Congressman Braley called the association’s lawyer to say he wanted to avoid a “litigious situation”, but Braley stressed that he believed chickens are not pets.

Ernst was among the first speakers at the event in Ames which has attracted a crowd of Christian conservatives. Ernst is a Sunday School teacher and confirmation class leader in her home church in Stanton and she made a passage in the Bible, about two of Jesus’s disciples who did not recognize Jesus after his crucifixion and before his ascension, a focus in her speech. “What this does is point out to me and I hope it points out to you also that in our everyday lives there is goodness around us and here in Iowa that is particularly true because we have Iowans that help other Iowans,” Ernst said. “That’s our way of doing business in this state.”

Ernst called her seven-minute speech to the crowd of Christian conservatives “a little detour’ from the campaign trail. Ernst closed with this.  “There is goodness, there is truth, there is support, there is love around each one of us in our daily lives, even though we may not see it,” Ernst said. “Believe me. It is right there in front of you.” Some other Republican candidates on November’s ballot were among the first speakers at the summit, including Governor Terry Branstad, Lieutenant Governor Kim Reynolds, Congressman Steve King and Sam Clovis, the Republican candidate for state treasurer.

(Radio Iowa)

School will be starting soon, and the Cass County Democratic Party wants to help elementary-age children whose families are struggling financially. On August 5th, Sherry Toelle, Chair of the Cass County Democratic Party, presented Larry Hunt, CAM Elementary Principal, with school supplies ranging from pencil-top erasers to rulers to school bags.

Toelle said “The Cass County Democrats want to share their party’s values. We like to give people, especially our most vulnerable—children, a hand up in order for them to achieve their potential and to feel good about themselves. By donating these school supplies, we are giving children who might not be able to have new school bags or other supplies that opportunity.”

Mr. Hunt will distribute the supplies between children at both elementary schools—Anita and Massena.

Police in Red Oak arrested two men overnight Saturday into early this (Sunday) morning, on charges of Public Intoxication. At around 11:30-p.m. Saturday, officers took 62-year old Richard Bruce Dedrickson, of Red Oak into custody, and 45-year old Lynn Kenneth Houtchens, of Red Oak, was arrested at around 1-a.m. Sunday. Both men were brought to the Montgomery County Jail and held on $300 bond, each.

Red Oak Police report also, the arrest early Sunday morning of a woman on an assault charge. 24-year old Maria Ann Cadena, of Red Oak, was arrested for Domestic Abuse Assault, after officers investigated a domestic disturbance at a residence in the 1400 block of Highland Avenue. Cadena was being held without bond, in the Montgomery County Jail.

Sheriff’s officials in Adams County say a Corning man turned himself-in at the Adams County Courthouse, Friday evening. 29-year old Christopher Scott Key was wanted on an active warrant for Domestic Assault. His bond was set at $2,000.

And, an accident Saturday afternoon southwest of Carbon, in Adams County, resulted in one person being sent to the hospital. Authorities say 83-year old Beverly Heaton was driving a Mercury Sable near 1918 Chestnut Avenue just before 2-p.m., when the car slid off the road and hit a utility pole.

Heaton was transported by ambulance to Alegent Health/Mercy Hospital in Corning, for treatment of her injuries.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Just two more seats in the state Senate could give Iowa Republicans complete legislative control for the first time in nearly 20 years, kicking off a new era for conservative policies like tax cuts or abortion restrictions.

But capturing those seats could be a challenge for the GOP, given that there are limited competitive races and Democrats have staved off similar attempts in the past. Currently Democrats hold a 26 to 24 majority in the Senate chamber. Republicans have a solid majority in the state House, with 53 seats to the Democratic 47. That chamber is viewed as likely to remain in GOP hands.

Still, Senate Republican leaders say they’re optimistic about their chances this fall, when half the seats in the 50-member Senate are up.