(Radio Iowa) – The last weekend of winter is just ahead and forecasters say Iowa could be in for one last blast that could drop up to eight inches of snow on parts of northern Iowa. Meteorologist Brooke Hagenhoff, at the National Weather Service, says Iowans may need to reconsider their weekend plans as this sizeable storm could be a doozy. “Starting mainly late Saturday night and then through the day on Sunday, and it could go a little bit into Monday as well,” Hagenhoff says. “This is a large system that’s going to impact much of the upper Midwest, including a large portion of Iowa into Minnesota and Wisconsin.” The forecast is still fluid, but at the moment, it’s predicted northwest Iowa will get up to four inches of snowfall on Saturday night, while northeast Iowa could see up to eight inches.

“We’re still determining what the exact track is going to be. Any small shifts at this point could have some pretty serious changes in the impacts expected across Iowa,” Hagenhoff says. “So as it’s still days out, we’re going to fine-tune that forecast and have more information in the days to come.” The most immediate threat is from the wind, as wide areas of Iowa will be under a High Wind Warning starting at 10 o’clock tonight (Thursday). “The wind is going to shift from out of the south to out of the northwest, and when that happens, we’re going to see an increase in those wind speeds, 55 to 60-plus miles per hour are expected,” she says. “The strongest gusts will be across parts of northern Iowa.”

Also, the National Weather Service is confirming Iowa’s first two tornadoes of the year struck in Tuesday night’s storms in southeast Iowa’s Lee County near Donnelson, causing scattered damage. The first day of spring is a week from tomorrow, on March 20th.

DES MOINES, Iowa [KCCI-TV] — Iowa saw its first tornadoes of 2026 Tuesday night. That’s according to National Weather Service damage surveys conducted Wednesday. NWS data shows two tornadoes formed from a severe storm in Lee County in far southeast Iowa. Both twisters have been rated EF1 on the Enhanced Fujita scale.

The first tornado touched down at 9:05 PM Tuesday just southwest of Donnellson. That’s about 10 miles west of Fort Madison. This tornado lasted just three minutes and traveled a mile and a half, damaging trees and some outbuildings, with peak winds estimated at 100 mph. The second tornado formed about 20 minutes later near a county park east of Donnellson. This tornado traveled two miles with winds of 90 mph. It mostly damaged trees and the exterior of a house.

Iowa’s first tornadoes of 2025 also occurred in the first half of March. Last year began with a brief tornado east of Iowa City near the town of Wilton on March 14. A total of 32 tornadoes eventually struck Iowa in 2025, down significantly from 2024 and below average

DES MOINES, Iowa (IOWA CAPITAL DISPATCH) – The Iowa Senate Ways and Means Committee advanced a measure Wednesday that would impose a one-time tax increase of $173 million on health maintenance organizations (HMOs) in order to address budget shortfalls in Iowa Medicaid.

Senate File 2464, approved 10-6 by the committee, would increase the taxes on HMOs, a type of Medicaid Advantage plan offered by private companies for health care through a specified network, from the current rate of 0.925% of premiums to 3.5% between Jan. 1 and Sept. 30 this year. On Oct. 1, the tax would decrease to 0.95%.

In addition to the tax increase, which lawmakers estimated would provide the state $173 million in one-time funds and $61 million in the years following, the bill also would route $70.3 million from the state General Fund to the Iowa Department of Health and Human Services for the state’s Medicaid program.

The “One Big Beautiful Bill” Act approved by President Donald Trump and Republicans in Congress caps premium tax rates at 3.5%, a threshold Iowa is “well under” due to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services’ requirements on premium taxes. But CMS, in discussions with Iowa HHS, “has provided the opportunity to review the state’s request to temporarily increase the premium tax,” according to Sen. Jesse Green, R-Harcourt.

Under the measure, 85% of the increased taxes would be paid by Managed Care Organizations, or MCOs, the private entities overseeing much of the state’s Medicaid coverage — Amerigroup Iowa, Inc., Iowa Total Care and Molina Healthcare of Iowa — and 15% by other HMO plans.

But private health insurance providers have rallied against the proposal, saying the measure would result in major increases in health care costs. Matt McKinney with the Federation of Iowa Insurers said the proposal would result in a 238% tax hike for health insurance costs. Advocates representing private insurance companies like Wellmark Blue Cross and Blue Shield said the measure would retroactively increase taxes from $11.5 million to $61.7 million in the current year for Iowans covered through the Wellmark Health Plan of Iowa.

Democrats said the measure will result in higher health care costs for Iowans, as these insurance companies shift those costs onto Iowans. Sen. Janet Petersen, D-Des Moines, said she opposed the bill in the subcommittee and committee meetings because it would result in a tax increase for Iowans who receive health insurance through the Affordable Care Act and those who receive private health insurance through the small individual market, for small businesses and other entities.

There are other changes included in the measure aimed at allowing lawmakers to address budget shortfalls. The bill would transfer $296.2 million from the Iowa Taxpayer Relief Fund to make up for funds lost through tax cuts included in the tax and spending bill signed into law by President Donald Trump in July 2025. It would also remove the current 50% limit on how much money can be taken from the Taxpayer Relief Fund to address the difference between state appropriations and revenues.

The measure would remove the cap entirely in the current fiscal year, then move to a 75% cap in fiscal year 2027, and then return to the 50% cap in FY 2028. Petersen said the impact of the tax and spending bill approved by Republicans in Congress, including Iowa’s federal delegation, “is actually gonna be growing.” She said she had “concerns” about making up for the budget shortfalls by “front-loading” costs through the Taxpayer Relief Fund.

Green responded by saying that the Taxpayer Relief Fund transfer is needed because “some of the changes with the Big, Beautiful Bill (weren’t) realized at the time,” and change is needed “in order to make sure that Iowans benefit from those changes” in the federal law.

The House advanced a companion bill, House Study Bill 762, through a subcommittee today (Thursday).

(Radio Iowa) – Governor Kim Reynolds has signed a law that prohibits local governments in Iowa from offering civil rights protections that are outside of what’s included in the state’s Civil Rights Act.  “Locals should follow the state laws, especially when it comes to civil rights,” Reynolds said, “otherwise we have a mismatch of rights out there and we felt that it was the right thing to do.”

Last year, state lawmakers removed gender identity as a protected class in the Iowa Civil Rights Act, prompting some Iowa cities to adopt ordinances that extended local protections to transgender residents. Reynolds says the law she signed ensures all civil rights ordinances at the local level are consistent with state law.

“One of the reasons that we did that is it does have an impact on protecting girl’s sports and making sure that we’re protecting girls in safe spaces — in restrooms and in lockers,” Reynolds said, “and so that was at jeopardy if we have a hodgepodge of mixed laws within our state.”

Laura Bergus, a member of the city council in Iowa City, says local officials are reviewing the law to see if it’s possible to file a lawsuit to block it.  “Every city, every county can have vastly different regulations when it comes to land use, and that has not been a problem, so it’s clear that this is targeted,” Berges said. “It’s clear that this is for the purpose of harming transgender Iowans.”

Over a dozen cities adopted ordinances that prohibited discrimination based on gender identity, but the bill the governor signed into law Tuesday took effect immediately, so none are currently in effect.

(Radio Iowa) – Adam Steen — one of five Republicans running for governor — says rival Randy Feenstra’s fundraising haul and new slate of campaign ads aren’t a concern. “I’ve seen some of his ads. It actually makes us look better when he hits a camera,” Steen said. “…I just looked at one of our first drafts of our TV ads coming out a well. We have no fear. I’m not afraid of who says they’ve got more money. We’ve got momentum.”

Steen says Rob Sand — the Democrat who’s running for governor — will be a formidable opponent and Steen suggests the best contrast for Republicans is someone from Iowa’s evangelical movement. “It will be wonderful to be on a debate stage with him so that we can show the contrast,” Steen said, “and continue to preserve and protect the culture here in the state of Iowa.” A large group of Steen’s supporters crowded into a statehouse office yesterday (Thursday) to watch as Steen filed the paperwork required to get his name printed on the Iowa Republican Party’s Primary ballot.

“We have over 9500 signatures (from) all 99 counties, absolute testimony to just the hard work that we put in as a team, hard work that volunteers put in,” Steen said. “This is a grassroots movement all the way through.” Steen, a businessman, was a state agency director for five years before he launched his campaign for governor in August. He is also a certified Assemblies of God minister — one of three pastors in the G-O-P race for governor.

To win the primary, a candidate must win 35 percent of the vote June 2nd, or the G-O-P nominee for governor will be chosen at the state party convention. “We feel extremely comfortable that our lane is the evangelical Christian conservative lane, we feel very comfortable the business community is our lane, We feel very comfortable with the young people are in our lane,” Steen said. “…We have a very wide lane, we’ve got a very deep lane and I think we’re going to win the primary outright.”

Williamsburg pastor Brad Sherman and Congressman Feenstra have also filed their paperwork for the Primary ballot. The two other candidates who’ve been campaigning are Zach Lahn a farmer and businessman from Belle Plaine and State Representative Eddie Andrews, a pastor from Johnston.

(Council Bluffs, IA) – Officials with the Council Bluffs Police Department are investigation a cutting incident that occurred Wednesday evening, and resulted in one-person being treated at a local hospital.

Authorities say a little after 5-p.m., Officers in Council Bluffs along with rescue personnel responded to a report of a cutting in the 10 block of Bluff Street. Investigating officers learned that a male riding a bicycle cut in front of a vehicle, which resulted in the male and the driver exchanging words. A passenger in the vehicle, 45-year-old Alan Vanheusen, of Council Bluffs, exited the vehicle. He and an unidentified male suspect began fighting.

During the fight, Vanheusen was cut on the right leg by the male suspect, who then fled the area and has yet to be located by
officers, as of the latest report. Vanheusen was being treated for non-life-threatening injuries at the hospital. The investigation is ongoing.

Anyone who witnessed this incident or has information that could assist in this investigation is encouraged to contact the Council Bluffs Police Department’s Criminal Investigation Division at 712-328- 4728 or to remain anonymous, they may call CrimeStoppers at 712-328-7867. On-line tips can be submitted at: https://www.councilbluffs-ia.gov/FormCenter/Police-Department-2/Online-CrimeStoppers-Tip-70.

(Atlantic, IA) – The Atlantic Community School District’s Board of Education held a regular monthly meeting Wednesday evening (March 11), in the High School Media Center. First-off, the Board received a presentation from Megan Roberts, Cass County Public Health Director, and Grace McAfee, Community Wellness Coordinator in the form of an update on the Community Health Assessment. The three top priorities coming from that Assessment were: The County cancer rates; Healthy and Active living; and Mental Health priorities. Roberts said that is still the number one priority for Cass County, based on that feedback.

Grace McAfee addressed the issue of mental health as it pertains to schools in the County, especially with regard to suicide prevention.

Hope Squad Advisors trained the students on what to look out for as far as their fellow students who are struggling with life’s issues. The program is funded for up to three-years, and will be re-evaluated afterward to see if the program is still beneficial to students or if there is something new that might be more effective.

Grace McAfee (Left) and Megan Roberts (Right) speak with the Atlantic School Board March 11, 2026.

They also heard from Superintendent Dr. Beth Johnsen, who spoke about a new, two-year Iowa Western Community College Precision Ag program that will be offered to students this fall, at IWCC’s campus in Atlantic. The idea came about in discussions with IWCC President Dr. Dan Kinney, following passage of a bond to improve Iowa Western’s various campus facilities.

The classes will be offered to the general public as well, not just high school students.

The Board approved their Consent Agenda items, which included the resignation (effective at the end of the current school year) of Megan Andersen – High School Para-educator. And, they approved Recommendations to Hire: Roger Warne – Asst. Track Coach; Mark Andersen – Boys Asst. Soccer Coach; Bryce Casey – JV Baseball Coach, and the transfer of Faye Dreyer to Title 1 Math position for the 2026-27 School Year.

Atlantic Community School District Superintendent Beth Johnsen.

Other, action items that met with the Board’s approval, included:

• Out-of-State travel requests
• An FY27 Cooperative Purchasing – Nutrition Agreement
• FY27 Technology Bids (as presented by Technology Director Roger Warne)
• An FY27 Green Hills AEA Memorandum Of Understanding (MOU)
• A Budget Guarantee Resolution, and,
• They set date for the Second Public Hearing on the ACSD FY27 Budget as April 8th at 6-p.m.; The First Budget Hearing, and that of the School Master Calendar, will be held March 25th at 6-p.m., in the High School Media Center.

And, District Technology Director Roger Warne discussed projects that include an update and expansion of all of the District’s WiFi access points.

Another project is with regard to the fiber optic line from the Middle School to the Schuler and Washington Schools.

New fiber optic lines will be run between the buildings. Warne also mentioned replacing the District’s system of cameras. The current cameras will be used in other places where there currently are no cameras. As mentioned above, the Board approved the purchases and costs associated with those projects.

(Atlantic, IA) – Atlantic Mayor Rob Clausen, Wednesday evening (March 11), issued the Oath of Office to Atlantic’s new City Clerk, Jackie Carl. Here’s a portion of that Oath….

As previously mentioned, Jackie Carl has 21-years of City Clerk experience, having served Moville from 2005-to 2016, and Carter Lake from 2016-to 2026. Last month she accepted a conditional offer of employment, with a FY 2026 salary of $80,000. She will also be credited with 40-hours of vacation time upon hire. Jackie Carl succeeds Laura McLane, who resigned to move with her husband to eastern Iowa. Rich Tupper has been serving as the Acting City Clerk while the full-time position was vacant.

In other business, the Atlantic City Council, during their regular meeting, approved a pay application in the amount of $48,130 to TK Concrete, for the West 22^nd Street Improvement Project.

The City Council awarded the West 22nd Street Improvements Project contract to TK Concrete of Council Bluff’s for $1,421,207.75. There have been no change orders to the project, so the original contract price of $1,421,207.75 remains the total amount to be paid to TK Concrete. This pay application of $48,130.00 will bring the total amount paid for the project to $1,110,957.75, leaving $262,120.00 to be paid to TK Concrete to complete the contract.

City Engineer Dave Sturm updated the status of the project.

He said they’re expecting to wrap-up the work sometime in April. The Council passed a Resolution “Establishing Signatories to City Checks and Payables.” The official signatories include:

Mayor Rob Clausen

City Administrator John Lund

City Clerk Jackie Carl

Deputy City Clerk Rich Tupper, and

City Coordinator Amanda McEntaffer.

(Radio Iowa) – Many areas of the state got a quick taste of snow this (Wednesday) morning, and now the forecast is calling heavy winds to blow in. National Weather Service Meteorologist Brooke Hagenhoff says the snow accumulations were around an inch in most areas. “The most remarkable thing really was how quickly it fell and then disappeared. We went through kind of a six hour period where we went from no snow to an inch of snow and back to no snow again,” she says.

Hagenhoff says whatever moisture we got from the snow is going to soon be blown away. “We’re looking at wind gusts between 35 to 45 mile per hour during the daytime on Thursday,” she says. “And we actually have a red flag warning out for those winds along with dry conditions. And so we’re worried about any burning that could happen tomorrow.” Hagenhoff says the winds will have some staying power Thursday.

As we move later in the day, we’re actually expecting winds to continue to increase and switch direction. And so overnight, they’ll transition to out of the northwest and increase. We’re expecting wind gusts from 50 to 60 mph possible late Thursday night through Friday morning,” Hagenhoff says. It might seem like the snow that came and melted would keep things from being dry, but she says the winds are going to take care of the moisture left behind.

“The wind as it starts to increase kind of through this evening and gradually increase into the day on Friday or on Thursday should be able to dry out those fuels pretty quickly,” she says. “We’re also looking at the relative humidity on Thursday is going to be between 20 to 30 So very low across the area, which will help to dry out fuels and create just dry air conditions.”

She says two areas of the state are at the greatest risk for fire issues. “Mainly western and southwestern Iowa are the largest concerns. We could certainly see those conditions start to creep towards central Iowa and further east, kind of across into southeast Iowa. But certainly western Iowa is going to see the driest conditions,” she says.

The red flag warning advises against any outside burning due to the dry, windy conditions.

(Radio Iowa) – A move to raise the speed limit to 60 on Iowa highways where the posted speed is 55 has passed another hurdle in the statehouse. The bill cleared the Iowa Senate in March of last year and a House subcommittee advanced it this (Wednesday) afternoon. Representative Megan Jones of Spirit Lake says there’s a lot of interest among House Republicans in passing a bill to hike the speed limit.

“And the senate, certainly, in sending it over send us a message that they’re interested in increasing the speed limit,” Jones said, “and so I think we need to have this conversation on a bigger level and make sure that Iowans know that we’re at least entertaining the conversation.” The Iowa Department of Public Safety is registered on the legislature’s website as undecided on the bill, but Josie Wagler — the department’s legislative liaison — suggested a recent study by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety could be a warning sign.

“Their analysis of 25 years of changes showed that each 5 mile per hour increase in the maximum state speed limit was associated with an 8% increase in fatality rates,” Wagler said. “So if that 8% increase were to be applied to Iowa’s fatality county from last year that would be about 20 additional fatalities.” The number of traffic deaths in Iowa last year was the lowest in a century.

Representative Jones, who is chair of the House Transportation Committee, says it seems like Iowans are doing the right things when it comes to highway safety.”And so if we can continue to be mindful of the things that keep us safe on the roads, then maybe we can increase the speed limit and get us there a little bit faster.”

The State Police Officers Council opposes increasing the speed limit on Iowa highways. The speed limits on the interstates that run through Iowa were raised to 70 in 2005.