(Radio Iowa) – Iowa Senator Chuck Grassley is adding his voice to the bipartisan chorus of lawmakers who are questioning President Trump’s suggestion to import more beef from Argentina to bring down prices. Reports show U-S consumers are paying more than 50-percent higher prices for beef over the past five years, but Grassley says we need to look within, not outside our nation’s borders, for the solution. “I don’t think we ought to be taking more beef from Argentina and I think the president recognizes that he has a problem doing that,” Grassley says, “and that’s why he had the secretary of agriculture make changes in policy that will increase the production of beef in the United States.” Grassley says he and a half dozen other members of Congress met with Ag Secretary Brooke Rollins on Tuesday, and after that meeting, Grassley says he’s convinced the president has the best interests of beef producers in mind.

“He’s opened up more federal land for grazing, help for setting up smaller meat packing plants so that the four big packers that have 85% of the slaughter, we got more competition,” Grassley says. “We’ll help cattle feeders as well as helping consumers.” The Iowa Cattlemen’s Association issued a statement Wednesday saying Trump’s comments about importing more Argentine beef are “disconcerting,” adding, the president “continues to create undue harm to U.S. cattle producers, inhibiting their ability to make smart marketing decisions that directly impact their long-term profitability.” Grassley says cattle numbers in the U-S are the lowest they’ve been in 75 years and he believes Trump’s long-range plan will “reinvigorate” the cattle industry.

“So instead of eating grass-fed beef from Argentina, which is as tough as leather,” Grassley says, “and we’re going to eat corn-fed beef from the United States of America.” Trump posted Wednesday on social media: “The Cattle Ranchers, who I love, don’t understand that the only reason they are doing so well, for the first time in decades, is because I put Tariffs on cattle coming into the United States, including a 50% Tariff on Brazil. If it weren’t for me, they would be doing just as they’ve done for the past 20 years — Terrible! It would be nice if they would understand that, but they also have to get their prices down, because the consumer is a very big factor in my thinking, also!”

OKOBOJI, Iowa (KTIV) – A woman from New Jersey is facing charges after allegedly stealing a Milford, Iowa resident’s identity and withdrawing money from their account. Court documents say on May 23, 2025, 65-year-old Fanny Singer from Paterson, New Jersey, used a fraudulent U.S. Passport at United Community Bank in Okoboji, Iowa. The passport contained the identity of an 89-year-old Milford, Iowa, woman. Authorities say Singer successfully used the passport to withdraw $8,200 from the 89-year-old’s bank account.

According to court documents, Singer later attempted the same act by using a separate fraudulent ID Card at The State Bank in Terril, Iowa. This time, Singer tried to withdraw $9,600 but was unsuccessful and left. In both cases, Singer was dropped off in the area of each bank and walked in. When leaving the banks, Singer left the parking lots and was picked up by a vehicle off bank property.

Investigators learned Singer was acting in part with a criminal enterprise from New York that conducted this same scheme across the United States at multiple banks. Singer is charged with the following:

• 2nd degree theft against an older individual
• 2nd degree theft
• Identity theft
• Forgery
• Ongoing criminal conduct – unlawful activity

(Atlantic, Iowa) – The Atlantic Community School District’s Board of Education held a Special Meeting this (Wednesday) evening in the Washington Elementary School Lunchroom. Prior to diving into their action items, the Board receive a presentation on the English Learner’s Program, from the ELL staff.

Afterward, the School Board approved a change to the Employee Handbook. Superintendent Dr. Beth Johnsen…

They approved a bid of $12,666.86 from Wilson Restaurant Supply out of Cedar Falls, for Hot Well and serving line equipment used the District’s Nutrition Program.

The Atlantic School Board approved an FFA Out of State, overnight trip to Indianapolis, and, as part of their Consent Agenda, approved the following:

• FCCLA Fundraising: Selling Jam from Nov. 1st thru Dec. 1st.
• The hiring of the following personnel:
  • Matt Jacobsen, Substitute Bus Driver
  • Marcella Peck, Preschool Bus Monitor
  • Felicity Swanson, Spec. Ed Para (replacing Lynnae Grandin)
  • Volunteer Coaches for Winter Sports.

The Board then approved the resignation of Makenna Askeland, Middle School Softball Assistant Coach.

The next time the Board will get together (with the possibility of a Quorum), are Town Hall meetings on the proposed bond measures, October 29th from 4-until 6-pm at Washington Elementary, and October 30th in the Middle School Media Center from 4-until 6-pm, also. Those are the last two meetings pertaining to the proposed bond referendums, prior to the November 4th City/School Election. The meetings also coincide with parent-teacher conferences.

The Board’s next Regular meeting is at the High School Media Center beginning at 6:30-pm., on November 12th.

(Corning, Iowa) – The Adams County Sheriff’s Office reports on or about Saturday, October 18th (2025), at approximately 8:52 am, Adams County Dispatch received a report of a vehicle fire at 130th & Elm Ave. Adams County Sheriff’s Deputies, Corning Fire and Corning Ambulance responded to the scene. Authorities say Corning Fire were successfully able to extinguish the fully engulfed blaze of the vehicle. The 2021 Chevy Silverado, was traveling westbound on 130th when it started experiencing power/electronic issues prior to the fire. The driver, Chad Weaver, attempted to put the fire out with an extinguisher but was unsuccessful. No injuries were reported from this incident.

Des Moines, IA – State Auditor Rob Sand today confirmed the Auditor of State Office has received a qualifying legislative request per Chapter 11.5C of the Code of Iowa to review licensing procedures performed by the Iowa Department of Education and the Board of Educational Examiners.

“The State Auditor’s Office received a qualifying request from a legislator this afternoon and, as a result, will perform procedures related to the licensing and background checks of educational practitioners conducted by the Iowa Department of Education and the Board of Educational Examiners.

“This request is unlike a request from legislators earlier this month to reaudit the Des Moines Public Schools, which is a governmental subdivision, and can only be reaudited at the request of an elected official or employee of the entity, or by petition from citizens per Chapter 11.6 of the Code of Iowa.”

(Radio Iowa) – Events are planned in both Iowa and Nebraska tomorrow (Thursday) on what would have been “Tonight Show” host Johnny Carson’s 100th birthday. Roger Sorensen — president of the Johnny Carson Birthplace Society — says there’s no charge tomorrow (Thursday) for tours of the home in Corning where Carson was born.

“His parents were just ordinary people and [he was] born in the least populated county in Iowa in the middle of our country,” Sorensen says, “and then his rise to stardom – it is truly the American dream.” Carson started hosting N-B-C’s Tonight Show in 1962 and signed off the program 30 years later.

Photo from AdamsCountyIowa.com.

“His personality was certainly a warm, Midwestern type of humor and personality,” Sorenson says. Sorenson made his comments on Talk of Iowa on Iowa Public Radio. Carson’s family left Corning when Carson was three and they lived in Avoca, Clarinda and Red Oak before settling in Norfolk, Nebraska when Carson was eight. Activities are planned at the Elkhorn Valley Museum in Norfolk as well.

The museum has a Johnny Carson gallery that includes exhibits about his childhood in Nebraska and his show business career. A Birthday Party featuring jazz music will be held Thursday night at the Museum.

(Radio Iowa) – Winnebago Industries reports a positive fiscal fourth quarter as price increases helped offset weaker consumer demand. The outdoor lifestyle products manufacturer with Iowa factories in Forest City and Lake Mills reports net income for the quarter that ended August 31st of 13-point-7 million dollars. That’s up 153-percent compared to the same quarter last year, with net revenues for the quarter of 777-million, up almost eight-percent from a year ago.

Winnebago CEO Michael Happe says he’s proud of his team’s efforts in delivering solid results for the quarter despite a challenging operating environment.“Following a brief uptick earlier in the summer, RV retail registrations declined in August. On a trailing three month basis, retail demand remains stable and dealer inventories continue to improve,” Happe says. “This environment is contributing to a healthier channel, even as monthly results remain variable.”

Happe says the company is focused on driving volume and profitability in the next fiscal year.  “We expect our Winnebago-branded motor homes business to benefit from new product introductions, like the recently launched Class C Subflyer, alongside stronger dealer partnerships and improved operational efficiency,” he says. “We are positioning the Winnebago-branded travel trailer business for growth as well through innovative products, a revitalized dealer channel, and operational leverage.”

When looking at the full fiscal year 2025, net income was $25.7 million, compared to net income of $13 million in fiscal year 2024. Net revenues were $2.8 billion, a decrease of 5.9% when compared to the previous year.

DES MOINES, Iowa – The Iowa Department of Public Safety’s Office of Drug Control Policy (ODCP) is encouraging all Iowans to participate in the next National Prescription Drug Take Back Day, scheduled for this Saturday, October 25, 2025. This biannual event is an opportunity for Iowans to dispose of unused or expired prescription medications safely and anonymously.

Local law enforcement agencies and pharmacies team up to collect leftover prescription and over-the-counter medication during this one-day event held each spring and fall. During the spring collection in April, Iowans turned in over 7,515 pounds of unneeded medicine. To date, Iowans have safely disposed of over 111 tons of unused medications at these events.

National Prescription Drug Take Back Day provides a safe, convenient, and responsible way to dispose of unused or expired prescription medications, while raising awareness about the risks of opioid misuse and the dangers associated with other prescription drugs.

“Take a few minutes to check your home for any unused or expired medications. Safely disposing of these items helps prevent misuse, accidental overdose, and environmental harm,” says Susie Sher, Bureau Chief of ODCP. “By taking unneeded medications to a designated collection site on National Prescription Drug Take Back Day, Iowans are doing their part to keep our communities healthy and safe.”

Saturday’s events will operate from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at designated sites across Iowa. As part of the National Prescription Drug Take Back program, the DEA also collects vaping devices and e-cigarettes with their batteries removed. For more information or to find a site near you, visit dea.gov/takebackday.

On a year-round basis, Iowans can take excess medications to one of Iowa’s 400 permanent Prescription Drug Take Back locations. For Iowa Take Back details, including education information and collection sites, visit www.dps.iowa.gov.

Iowans needing help with their drug using behaviors or mental health concerns can go to the Iowa Department of Health and Human Service’s YourLifeIowa.org.

(Radio Iowa) – An accused killer who was considered a person of interest in the Jodi Huisentruit case from 30 years ago is now linked to the murders of two other women in neighboring states. Authorities in Wood County, Wisconsin say D-N-A has positively linked suspect Chris Revak to the slaying of 21-year-old Diedre Harm after a night out at a Wisconsin Rapids bar in 2006. D-N-A also links Revak to the murder of 36-year-old Rene Williams of Ava, Missouri in 2007.

Revak, who was originally from the Wisconsin Rapids area, was arrested for the Williams murder and killed himself in a Missouri jail cell while awaiting trial. He was considered a possible suspect in several other unsolved cases, including the 1995 disappearance of Mason City TV anchor Jodi Huisentruit.

Jodi Huisentruit (image via findjodi.com)

The Wisconsin sheriff says the new D-N-A findings won’t bring back the victims, but it may bring some closure to the families.

(Atlantic, IA) – Officials with Cass Health, in Atlantic, have announced Sara Arnold is the newest recipient of the Recognition of Service Excellence (ROSE) Award. A graduate of Creighton University, Arnold has worked as a pharmacist for 20 years— including the last 17 years at Cass Health. She recently was named the new Director of Pharmacy. She was nominated by three different coworkers, which officials say clearly displaying how her customer service is evident across departments and specialties.

One of her nominators, Hospitalist Paul Kerschinske, MSN, ARNP, ACNP-BC, wrote, “[Sara] goes above and beyond to assist all of us in the inpatient floor, and I am sure she is the same with everyone in the building, from the infusion clinic to outpatient clinic to the ED and IPS. It is always a pleasure to work with Sara, and I feel very comfortable going to her with any problems, or just to talk through my thought processes regarding patient medications. If there is something she doesn’t know off the top of her head, Sara is fantastic researching the problem and then, most importantly, following up in a very timely manner.” Another nominator wrote, “No matter how complex the situation, Sara always goes above and beyond to find the best solution for the patient.”

Sara Arnold, PharmD

After being surprised with the award, Arnold commented, “It is such an honor to be thought of by your coworkers that way. I love the diversity in the work I get to do and the growth I’ve been able to experience at Cass Health.  From answering questions from our primary care providers to the emergency room and oncology treatment room, one day is never the same as the last.  My coworkers are some of the most caring, knowledgeable people I know, and they make coming to work everyday fun and rewarding.”

When asked what her secret to great customer service is, she said, “Everyone carries a burden you don’t always get to see.  Grace goes a long way, so treat people the way you would want to be treated.”

The ROSE Award was created to honor and celebrate non-nursing employees of Cass Health who exemplify dedication, compassion, and a commitment to service excellence in carrying out their duties and advancing the goals and mission of Cass Health. The criteria are being knowledgeable and efficient, being compassionate and respectful, working with the care team, and going above and beyond for others.

Nominations can be made by anytime online at casshealth.org/rose.