(Radio Iowa) – The Ag Committee in the U.S. House has passed an 800-page Farm Bill that would set federal agriculture and food assistance program rules and spending for five years. The 2018 Farm Bill expired in 2023, but congress could not agree on a new version, so it approved extensions — and some program updates were included in the “One Big Beautiful Bill” President Trump signed last summer. Democrats say the Farm Bill that’s proposed is flawed because it does not include change U.S. tariff policies or make year-round E-15 sales federal policy.

The House Ag Committee’s Republican chairman says those decisions are outside of the committee’s jurisdiction. Iowa Congressman Randy Feenstra, a Republican from Hull who’s been leading negotiations on a separate E-15 bill, says it’s unreasonable for Democrats to demand that those items be included in the Farm Bill. “Here’s the thing: farmers and ranchers, they want our help. They want this bill. They need it because it’s the next step. I would have loved to have done it in 2024. We had bipartisan support in 2024, but it didn’t happen. Then we tried it in 2025 and now it’s 2026,” Feenstra said.

“Are we going to come together and get this done or not?” Feenstra is a member of the House Ag Committee. Iowa Congressman Zach Nunn, a Republican from Ankeny, is on the panel, too, and he says the Farm Bill that cleared the committee Thursday will provide certainty to the farming community. “But the Farm Bill is only part of the equation for Iowa’s 87,000 family farms and hundreds of thousands of farmers across our country. They need certainty when it comes to things like biofuel policy,” Nunn says. “…We owe it to our farmers, our families and our friends to deliver certainty and stability in the market and that means year-round, nationwide E15.”

Seven Democrats joined Republicans on the committee to advance the Farm Bill, making it eligible for debate in the U.S. House. The proposed Farm Bill includes a provision that has been introduced in the Iowa legislature. It would shield pesticide manufacturers that follow E-P-A labeling guidelines from lawsuits alleging the chemicals cause cancer.

(Radio Iowa) – A sixty-five acre tract of land in southwest Iowa near the Missouri border is being donated to Taylor County, providing a natural space that will be preserved and turned into a public use area for future generations to enjoy. County Conservation Director Zoie Lecy says life-long county resident Jim Gamel is one of the last members of his family who still lives in the area.

“Twenty-seven acres of that has been in his family since 1973, so he’s had this in his family for a long time,” Lecy says. “He just wants to pass down something from his family and let the families of Taylor County and the residents of Taylor County and the surrounding counties have an opportunity to have something that they’ll enjoy and think back on his family legacy for a long time.”

The land is located in the Ross Township and is part of the larger Gamel farm of about 100 acres. Lecy says plans are in the works for what will be called the Gamel Recreation Area. While row crops were grown on the land at one time, Lecy says it has been mostly used for pasture, with some timber that could also present future hunting opportunities.

“In the middle of that property is a pretty decent sized ditch that we would like to utilize into a smaller lake, probably like a 3.5 acre lake,” Lecy says. “We’d also like to bring in camping and there’s an opportunity for hunting and we’ll bring in some trail systems and stuff like that.” Lecy says contractors have begun scoping out the area for the lake and dam development, with seasonal crews expected to come in later this year to tackle tree removal and create more space for trails.

She adds they also hope to have a variety of aquatic life in the lake, including bluegill, bass, catfish, and crappies. Lecy says the project is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for the county to expand its parks and recreational areas. “A lot of people don’t have the opportunity or the money or the means to be able to donate something like this to the county,” Lecy says. “This opens up a whole new world for conservation as we get to start a park that’s fresh to do what we think would be best for the people of Taylor County and the communities around it.”

She says the gift is very important to Gamel, “to be able to give back to those families and people of this county and community that’s been a part of his whole life.”

CARSON, Iowa – March 6, 2026 – Crews from the Iowa Department of Transportation’s Creston construction office need to close the U.S. 59 bridge over Iowa 92 in Carson on Monday, April 6, until late October, weather permitting, so the bridge can be removed and replaced.

When the bridge and roadway is closed, you will need to follow a marked detour route that uses U.S. 6, Iowa 48, and U.S. 34.

(IOWA CAPITAL DISPATCH) – Bills to prohibit cloud seeding in Iowa, raise the punishment for animal torture and require state prioritization of vehicles with biodiesel fuel capacities were sent to the Senate following House approval Thursday. House File 2640 would prohibit the intentional emission of air contaminants for the purpose of “affecting the temperature, weather, climate or intensity of sunlight.” The bill would prohibit geoengineering practices, or methods to reduce the impacts of climate change by releasing certain properties into the atmosphere. One form of geoengineering, called cloud seeding, involves the release of silver iodide crystals into certain types of clouds to trigger rain or snow.

The U.S. Government Accountability Office holds that while several states utilize cloud seeding technology, its benefits are “unproven.” A similar bill has also advanced in the Senate, though the bills are not identical. The House adopted an amendment that struck the first portion of the bill, which would have required public airports to submit regular reports on aircraft at the terminals with equipment that could emit weather-changing particles into the atmosphere. The amendment also specified that the aerial application of agricultural inputs, like pesticides or fertilizers, would not be affected by the bill.The bill passed with a vote of 59-26 along party lines.

The House voted unanimously Thursday to pass House File 2348, which would elevate animal torture from an aggravated misdemeanor to a class “D” felony in Iowa. The bill alters code to specify that someone is guilty of animal torture if they perform actions that intentionally crush, burn, drown, suffocate, impale or subject an animal to serious injury or death. Class “D” felonies are punishable with up to five years confinement and fines of $1,025 to $10,245, according to the bill

Another bill, passed from the House Thursday, would require that diesel engine passenger vehicles leased by the state be manufactured with the capacity to run high blends of biodiesel fuel.House File 2671 provides that diesel engine vehicles rented or leased by the state must be capable of running on B-20, a blend with 20% biodiesel fuel, or higher blends. This brings biodiesel requirements for leased and rented vehicles in line with state requirements for purchasing diesel engine vehicles.

An amendment was added to the bill and adopted by the House to stop the Iowa Department of Administrative Services from limiting the number of events held at the state Capitol complex to one event. HF 2671 passed with a vote of 85-1 with Rep. Mark Cisneros, R-Muscatine, as the sole no.

BRIDGEWATER, Iowa – March 6, 2026 – Effective April 6th (2026), if you travel on Iowa 92 near Bridgewater you need to be aware of an upcoming bridge closure that may affect your trip according to the Iowa Department of Transportation’s Creston construction office.

Crews will need to close the Iowa 92 bridge over the West Fork of the Nodaway River, 1.6 miles east of Adair County Road N-51, on Monday, April 6, until late October, weather permitting. When the bridge is closed, you will need to follow a marked detour route that uses Iowa 148, Adair County roads G-61 and N-72, and Iowa 92.

(Radio Iowa) – The Iowa House and Senate have unanimously approved a bill that sets some state rules for prior authorization — the process insurance companies and government-run insurance programs use before approving a patient’s medical treatment. It sets new timelines for prior authorization decisions. It also says a patient’s doctor appealing denial of treatment or medication for a patient must talk to an insurance company representative who’s an expert in the same area of medicine. Representative Austin Harris, a Republican from Moulton, notes the bill also makes changes that should speed up the process of state approval of health care facility construction.

“It is probably one of the most impactful pieces of legislation that will get down to the governor this year,” Harris said. “It is going to make sure that we expand services and provide quicker care for the people of Iowa.” Senator Kara Warme, a Republican from Ames, says the new prior authorization guidelines are likely to decrease the amount of time doctors spend talking to insurance companies. “We want time for our limited professionals to be in patient care with Iowans,” Warme said.

The bill also makes it illegal for insurance companies to use Artificial Intelligence to authorize or deny medical treatment.

ANITA, Iowa – March 6, 2026 – The Iowa Department of Transportation’s Creston construction office wants to let motorists know about the closure, beginning March 30th, of the Iowa 148 bridge over Interstate 80 (Exit 70) that is three miles north of Anita. Crews need to close the Iowa 148 bridge for approximately five months, weather permitting, so they can remove and replace the bridge deck. When the bridge is closed, you will need to follow a marked detour route that will take you on I-80 in Cass County to Exit 64 and Exit 75 and come back to reach Iowa 148.

The Iowa DOT reminds motorists to drive with caution, obey the posted speed limit and other signs in the work area, and be aware that traffic fines for moving violations are at least double in work zones. As in all work zones, drivers should stay alert, allow ample space between vehicles, and wear seat belts.

The latest traveler information is available anytime through the 511 system.

(Creston, IA) – The Creston Police Department reports two men were arrested on separate charges, Thursday. 38-year-old Christopher Alan Pierce, of Creston, was arrested at around 7:35-p.m. in the area of Poplar and Buckeye Streets, for Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. Pierce was released from the scene with a citation, and on a Promise to Appear in Court.

And, at around 8-a.m. Thursday, 65-year-old David Allen Mick, of Creston, was arrested at his home for Failure to Abate a Nuisance. Mick was also cited, and released on a Promise To Appear.

(Indianola, IA) – UPDATED 12:40-P.M. 3/6/26 SHE WAS FOUND SAFE AND ALIVE – DETAILS TO FOLLOW!

The Warren County Sheriff’s Department reported on their social media page, Thursday afternoon, that a vehicle belonging to a woman missing from Cumming (IA) was found about 70-miles southwest of there, in Ringgold County. A white Toyota Sienna registered to 78-year-old Cheryl Anderson, was found stuck Wednesday night near the intersection of 200th Street and 265th Avenue (Liberty Township Section 26), in rural Ringgold County. A single set of footprints was seen in a direction indicated she walked away from the vehicle. Anderson was last seen during the afternoon of March 3rd, heading toward Norwalk. Prior to her vehicle being found Wednesday, it was last seen on a traffic camera heading west on Hickman Road in Clive, which is in the opposite direction of Norwalk.

Authorities say Anderson has not driven in years. She has Alzheimer’s and is in need of her medication. She is likely unaware of where she is. The woman is 5-feet 4-inches tall, weighs about 180-pounds, has white hair and hazel eyes. She was last seen wearing black slacks, black shoes, a brown sweater and a ball-cap with diamonds (see the photo below).  If you have seen her, or know where she is, please call 9-1-1.

Cheryl Anderson (Warren County Sheriff’s Office Facebook photo)