(Radio Iowa) – Research predicts more Iowans will die from heart attacks during the last week of December than any other week of the year. Rob Gavora, chief administrative officer at MercyOne-Iowa Heart Center in Des Moines, says there isn’t just one reason for the grim outlook, but several, including the stress of the season. “Many folks are obviously indulging in foods or other activities they might not normally be engaging in. Many folks aren’t quite as active during that time of the year as well, with their exercise and things of that nature,” Gavora says. “Many folks who are constantly taking medications or they’re on some type of medication cycle, they maybe take a break or discontinue (the meds) as they’re spending time with family, or traveling.”

Gavora serves on the board of directors of the Iowa chapter of the American Heart Association. He says we need to be aware of the signs of a heart attack or stroke all year long, but it’s especially critical during the next few weeks. “Obviously, during the time of the year with family, friends, many folks have bigger meals or maybe different types of foods they don’t normally have throughout the year,” Gavora says. “Making sure folks stay on the healthy regimen as best as possible, exercising a few minutes per day as well. The American Heart Association recommends at least 20 minutes of exercise per day to really make sure you’re even just walking or moving and getting your cardiovascular health constant.”

It’s important to maintain routines and keep healthy habits, and Gavora says it’s okay to indulge a little, but moderation is key. According to Gavora, one of the most critical factors might be that people ignore important warning signs of a heart attack or stroke. “In Iowa, just like the rest of the country, about 70% of the cardiac arrests that do occur outside of a hospital or healthcare facility generally do happen at home,” Gavora says. “One piece of advice that we always really, really stress is that it’s super important that at least one person within a family or a group does know how to do hands-only CPR.” Especially in rural Iowa communities, E-M-S responses can be delayed and minutes matter, so Gavora says it’s important to be aware of the signs and symptoms and seek treatment right away.

Studies show more cardiac deaths occur in the U.S. on December 25th than on any other day of the year, followed by December 26th and January 1st.

(Radio Iowa) – A spokesman for the Iowa D-O-T says air travel has been up, while highway travel has remained steady. Stuart Anderson says the latest data shows people are making more visits to the state’s airports. “October was another big month and another little bump up compared to last month, but still pretty consistently record numbers compared to past years. Anderson gave an update to the Transportation Commission at their meeting Tuesday and says the impact of the government shutdown on Iowa air travel isn’t yet clear.

“The shutdown went from October 1st through November 12th, certainly in October you can see there weren’t really shut down impacts, but that is pretty consistent. November, I think we’ll see some some influence that’s when we saw more of the impacts on flights being delayed or cancelled across the country. So that might influence the November numbers a little bit,” he says. Anderson says volumes on the state roadways haven’t changed much. “The October ’25 numbers were about one percent higher than October of ’24. Year to date, it’s zero-point-two percent higher than 2024, so pretty flat numbers, but again these are at the higher level where we’re at in recent years,” Anderson says.

One thing on the roadways that has changed is the number of fatal accidents. That number was at 251 through Wednesday (December 10), which he says continues to be a big improvement. “Twenty-three percent lower than the five-year average,” he says. There were 36 traffic deaths in Iowa last December. With the death this (Thursday) morning of a Shenandoah man, to number of confirmed deaths due to accidents this month, is two.

(Red Oak, IA) – Police in Red Oak say a man was arrested this (Thursday) morning on a Class-D Felony charge of Going Armed with Intent. Officers with the Red Oak PD arrested 41-year-old William Christopher Suggs (No address given) in the 1600 block of E. Summit Street.  Suggs was being held in the Montgomery County Jail on a $5,000 cash or surety bond.

(Rural Adams County, IA) – A single-vehicle accident early this (Thursday) morning northeast of Nodaway, in Adams County, claimed the life of a man from Page County. According to the Iowa State Patrol, 37-year-old Michael Dean Wilson, of Shenandoah, died after he was ejected from his 2003 Chevy Silverado pickup as it rolled several times after failing to negotiate a left hand curve westbound on 235th Street, about a mile west of Dogwood Avenue. The pickup entered the ditch before rolling over.  Officials say he was driving above the posted speed limit.

Wilson – who was not wearing his seat belt – died after being transported by Corning Ambulance to CHI Health-Mercy in Corning. The crash happened at around 12:15-a.m.

WINTERSET, Iowa — The historic 1880’s Holliwell Bridge in Madison County, Iowa, located just east of Winterset, is in urgent need of repairs that could cost over $1 million, prompting efforts to have it listed as one of the state’s most endangered properties. KCCI reports Madison County Secondary Roads Engineer Mike Hackett, said he estimates that within ten years, the condition of the Holliwell Bridge might have to be closed to foot traffic, due to structural issues, that include cracking heavy timbers, support beams that are splitting, and other decaying structural components.

Motor vehicles are not allowed to cross the bridge, the last major repairs for which took place 30-years ago, according to Hackett. The Madison County board of supervisors recently voted to apply for the bridge to be listed on Preservation Iowa’s most endangered property list, which could help raise funds and attract donations for its restoration.

If funding and donations are secured, the county hopes to begin repairs on the Holliwell Bridge sometime next year.

(Radio Iowa) – State officials have changed the billing for some speech and physical therapy sessions covered by Medicaid that happen OUTSIDE of a hospital setting. The state’s Medicaid program has reimbursed some Iowa clinics, rehab agencies and individual providers for the duration of patient sessions, in 15 minute increments. Under a change implemented this month, bills are based on a daily rate instead. Iowa Medicaid Director Lee Grossman says it brings Iowa in line with the 2010 Affordable Care Act.

“Anytime we have a federal compliance issue, I think it’s best that we fix that expeditiously,” Grossman said. “…Trying to minimize the potential for any federal clawback, things like that is a big point of emphasis in terms of how we move forward on this.” Critics say for the past 15 years federal officials have never challenged the way Iowa Medicaid has paid for these services. Kelly Heysinger (HIGH-sing-er) of Unified Therapy Services in Dubuque says businesses like hers were just notified in mid-November that the billing change was taking effect December 1st.

“Reimbursement cuts like this will directly reduce access to children with developmental disabilities, infants born prematurely,” Heysinger said, “and adults with disabilities due to illness or injury.” Heysinger is considering stopping in-home visits or reducing the time of each patient’s appointment. “This new reimbursement that we will be receiving will be less than our cost per visit,” she said.

State officials estimate the billing change will save the state nearly half a million dollars a year. Legislators on the committee that reviews state agency regulations say they’ll examine the issue when the Department of Health and Human Services presents the rule outlining the billing change to the panel for review and approval next year.

(Council Bluffs, IA) –  Officials with the Pottawattamie County Sheriff’s Office, Wednesday, released some information about the discovery of a body found in the middle of a road in rural Elliott, Monday afternoon. A Sheriff’s Deputy and rescue crews were called to the scene near 10084 520th Street.

According to Pott. County Sheriff’s Dept. investigator, Sgt. Jim Doty, a deceased female that was found at the scene. She was identified as 65-year-old Nickie Carlson, from Red Oak. Her body was found a little after 3:30-p.m. Her vehicle was found nearby the body on the road. Sgt. Doty said it didn’t appear to have any damage.

An initial investigation determined Carlson died from exposure to snow and cold, but the autopsy results were not yet available to confirm that conclusion. The incident remains under investigation.