(Radio Iowa) – The Board of Regents introduced David Cook to become the new president of Iowa State University in November, and he is now on the job. Cook told Radio Iowa he plans to do a lot of listening in the first months. “I’ve kind of outlined 100 days to just listen and learn and get out and talk to people. really better understand what are the opportunities and the challenges and what can this new president do to really help to continue to build on an amazing foundation,” he says. Cook is an Ames native and Iowa State graduate who was president of North Dakota State when he was hired. He replaces Wendy Wintersteen who retired in January. Cook is going to be in Des Moines today (Tuesday) to visit with lawmakers for the first time.

“I think the big issue is when you’re when you’re leading a land grant, it’s going to be, you know, workforce. What’s our role in changing the landscape there and helping to make sure that we’re educating students to make a difference in our state,” Cook says. Cook says his wife has joined him and they’ve already been talking with students to get their thoughts. “To make sure that they can be successful and what can we do to continue to make sure that they’re having a great experience at Iowa State,” he says. The Board of Regents is considering a tuition increase for students at the three state schools. Cook says that is something they will talk with students about.

“I mean, I know affordability, probably on just about every college campus is going to always be critical and that’s going to be something that is very important to me,” Cook says. He says 73 percent if Iowa State students have a scholarship and almost half of their students graduate without debt.

AMES, Iowa (KCRG) – The Ames Police Department has identified the woman and young child allegedly stabbed to death by an attempted murder suspect Friday night. Police say officers responding to a report of a stabbing found 26-year-old Markasia McCuddin and 1-year-old Liam Sanders-McCuddin suffering from multiple stab wounds in the 3900-block of Tripp Street just before 8:45 p.m. on March 13. Both died from their injuries.

Officers located the suspect, 22-year-old Davontrez R. McCuddin, of Fort Dodge, nearby and arrested him. He’s charged with two counts of first-degree murder. The Ames Police Department says there is no ongoing threat to the public.

The case is under investigation.

(Radio Iowa) – Legislators are considering requiring a state study to determine the impact school-provided technology is having on Iowa students and their ability to focus on tasks. Students are not allowed to access their personal cell phones during class time under a state law passed last year, but Republican Senator Jeff Taylor of Sioux Center says students are still using tablets and laptops in the classroom that are owned by the school.

“This heavy reliance in the last 30 years on everything moving toward a digital online computer presence in the classroom, but also at home with laptops sent home with the students I think it is having some certainly some benefits in terms of efficiency and ease of access,” Taylor said, “but I think there are some downsides as well.”

The Senate has unanimously voted to have the Departments of Education and Health and Human Services convene a “working group” of experts and parents to produce recommendations by the end of the year. It’s an alternative to a House approved proposal that would limit daily screen time to an hour a day in elementary classrooms. Andy Conlin is a lobbyist for Cambium Learning Group, a company that offers a variety of programs for digital devices.

“We agree that it’s really important to be thoughtful about technology,” Conlin said. “We don’t think it’s a best practice to put kids in front screens for the sake of putting them in front of their screens, but we also recognize that technology when used intentionally and tied to evidence-based instruction can be a really, really powerful tool.”

Margaret Buckton is a lobbyist for the Urban Education Network and Rural School Advocates of Iowa. She says a daily screen time limitation may be too broad and she points to a software program that’s helping students in Denison be literate in two languages.

“With all of this change upon us at such an incredible pace right, we think really digging into the details and having some experts come back with the technology recommendations is a great way to deal with it,” Buckton said. An annual report issued at an international conference focused on education technology found during the last school year the average U.S. school district accessed nearly 16-hundred “ed tech” tools monthly.

(Radio Iowa) – The Iowa Secretary of State’s staff has reviewed nominating petitions and released the list of candidates who’ve been accepted for the 2026 Primary Elections. Candidates for U-S Senate and governor must submit at least 35-hundred signatures from eligible Iowa voters, including at least 100 signatures in 19 different counties. Democrat Julie Stauch fell short in two counties. State Auditor Rob Sand now has a clear path to the Democratic Party’s nomination for governor.

All five Republicans who’ve been running for governor did meet the signature threshold. They are State Representative Eddie Andrews, Congressman Randy Feenstra, businessman Zach Lahn, pastor Brad Sherman and former state agency director Adam Steen. Iowans can file challenges this week and the state objection panel may remove candidates from the ballot list if flaws are found in their nominating petitions.

There were few surprises in Iowa’s congressional races. Republican Chris McGowan will be unopposed in the fourth district G-O-P Primary. At one time there were four other Republicans campaigning in the district, which is currently represented by Randy Feenstra, who’s running for governor. Democrats Dan Dawson of Lawton, Stephanie Steiner of Sutherland and Ashley WolfTornabane of Storm Lake have been accepted for the Primary ballot in the fourth district.

In the third district, Xavier Corrigan filed on the last day to run against state Senator Sarah Trone Garriott for the Democratic Party’s nomination. Republican Congressman Zach Nunn is unopposed in the third district, but Republican Congresswoman Marianette Miller-Meeks has a primary rematch with pastor David Pautsch in the first district. Democrat Christina Bohannan of Iowa City, making her third bid to oust Miller-Meeks, has a primary opponent: health care worker Travis Terrell of Tiffin.

And, in Iowa’s second congressional district, there are three Democrats on the Primary list — State Representative Lindsay James of Dubuque, pastor Clint Twedt-Ball of Cedar Rapids and Kathy Dolter, a nurse from Dubuque. The district is currently represented by Republican Ashley Hinson, who’s running for the U.S. Senate. Joe Mitchell of Clear Lake, a former state legislator, and state Senator Charlie McClintoch of Alburnette are competing in the G-O-P primary in the second district.

Iowa’s U.S. Senate race is set as well, with Congresswoman Hinson and former state legislator Jim Carlin in the G-O-P primary and Democrats Josh Turek and Zach Wahls — who are both current members of the Iowa legislature — competing for their party’s nomination for the U.S. Senate. Secretary of State Paul Pate says nearly 300 candidates have been approved for the primary elections on June 2nd. There are elections this year in half of the 50 state senate districts and in all 100 House districts. Candidates for county offices have until this Friday to file their nominating petitions.

You can check the races for your local senate and house races here:

https://links-1.govdelivery.com/CL0/https:%2F%2Fsos.iowa.gov%2Fsites%2Fdefault%2Ffiles%2F2026-03%2F2026%2520Primary%2520-%2520Candidate%2520List%2520Database%2520-%2520All%2520Elections_12.pdf%3Futm_medium=email%26utm_source=govdelivery/1/0100019cf8b42f7d-bd676e41-3b6e-4b19-adbf-5285339889b2-000000/Hwb_D5c8IWuL_5IeS1k9gseVgis8YHOrc0xAPpKFihk=448

(Atlantic, IA) – The Atlantic City Council, during their regular meeting Wednesday evening (March 18th) at City Hall, is expected to act on a recommendation from the City’s Personnel and Finance Committee, to appoint Maggie Robinson as the Atlantic Parks and Recreation Department Director. The City has been without a Parks Director since the position was eliminated in the Summer of 2023. The city council authorized the reinstatement of the Parks and Recreation Director position on February 18, 2026, during discussion of the FY2027 Budget.

City Administrator John Lund, in his Council Agenda notes, says Maggie Robinson received her Bachelors in Park & Recreation Management from Northwest Missouri State University and her Master of Business Administration from University of Vermont. “These ensure she brings to the table an understanding of asset inventory methodology,
how to approach asset condition assessment, useful life projections and replacement scheduling,” according to Lund.

Lund added, “Graduating from Atlantic High School and growing up on an Iowa farm, she [Robinson] knows Atlantic’s dynamics, Iowa culture, and rural values. She has strong endorsements from two of the heaviest hitters when it comes to parks, recreation, and family programming, Roger Herring and Dan Haynes.”

In other business, the Atlantic City Council, Wednesday, will act on approving a resolution Adopting Agreement under Iowa Code Chapter 28E between the Atlantic Volunteer Fire Department, the City of Atlantic, Iowa, and Grove Township,
Cass County, Iowa to Provide Fire Protection Services within Grove Township, Cass County, Iowa.” Atlantic currently provides fire protection services to Grove, Bear Grove, Washington, and Pymosa Townships. The existing agreement with these townships was approved by the City Council and Township Trustees on June 19, 2019. The updated 28E agreement with Grove Township establishes an annual contribution of $14,500, an increase from $7,468.74 under the prior agreement.

The City Council’s meeting begins at 5:30-p.m., and is viewable in-person or through the City’s website link at https://cityofatlantic.com/government/meeting-live-stream/

(Radio Iowa) – The Neal Smith National Wildlife Refuge near Des Moines plans to continue environmental education and renovate its visitor center that’s been closed for nearly two years. Educational programs at the refuge were halted when storm damage forced The Prairie Learning Center to shut down in 2024.

During a public open house, refuge manager Scott Gilge said the staff is reevaluating what educational programs to offer while they plan for renovations. Gilge says they plan to cut the size of the learning center in half to keep costs down, but they plan to offer some programs outside of the center to encourage learning opportunities on the grounds.

The public can offer input on the future of educational programs at the refuge through early April.

(Atlantic, IA) – The 2026 Cass County Master Gardeners Horticulture Scholarship application is open, with the deadline fast approaching on April 1.  The purpose of this scholarship is to provide post-secondary funds to individuals who are studying and intend to pursue a career in a horticulture-related field. This $1,000 horticulture scholarship is available to students who are graduating seniors in any of the following Iowa school districts, in which currently reside members of the Cass County, Iowa Master Gardeners (CCMG):  Atlantic, AHSTW, CAM, Griswold, or Red Oak.

The scholarship is also available to graduates, of any age, of any of these school districts. Students of any age studying in a horticulture-related field are encouraged to apply, regardless of the type of program they are studying, as long as they intend to obtain some degree or certificate in a horticultural-related field. The scholarship can be used at any two-year, four-year, or trade school program.

The goal of the Master Gardener program is to support horticulture education and community service.  Cass County Master Gardener members provide many hours of volunteer service and gardening education within their local communities. This scholarship is designed to further that focus on education and community service. Enrollment in a horticulture-related program of study is required for consideration.

Those fields include horticulture, floral design, landscape design, agricultural education, botany, forestry, and more.  The scholarship winner will be selected based upon horticulture-related career goals, history of community service, academic success, and quality and completeness of application. Financial need is NOT a consideration.

Pictured: Luke Irlmeier, 2025 Cass County Master Gardener Scholarship Recipient (photo courtesy Kate Olson, Cass County Extension Director)

The 2025 Scholarship was awarded to Luke Irlmeier, a 2025 graduate of Atlantic High School.  He is currently a student at Iowa State University, studying horticulture with an interest in landscape design.  His interest in horticulture began with gardening in his childhood, expanding as a teenager into tearing up parts of his parents’ yard for landscaping projects, assisting neighbors and other community members with landscaping, and designing and installing a flowerbed around his church’s sign.  Throughout his time in school, Luke was involved in numerous service projects through his schools, church, and community.

The 2026 scholarship is open to any student pursuing post-secondary education during the 2026-2027 school year. A scholarship check will be issued in January 2027, in the student’s name directly to the academic institution, upon receipt of an official grade transcript for the completed Fall 2026 semester, demonstrating a cumulative GPA of at least 2.5 or other successful program completing. A previous scholarship recipient may re-apply, but an individual may only receive a total of two scholarships from this program.

The application form is available through the high school guidance departments of any eligible school district, or on the Cass County Extension website at www.extension.iastate.edu/cass/.  Applications should be submitted to the Cass County Extension Office, 805 W 10th St, Atlantic, Iowa 50022, or emailed to keolson@iastate.edu on or before the April 1, 2026 deadline for consideration. Questions can be directed to Kate Olson at the Cass County Extension Office at 712-243-1132.

The goal of the Master Gardener program, in all 50 states and internationally, is to support horticulture education and community service.  Master Gardeners complete an extensive course study and 40 volunteer hours to become certified.   Once certified, a Master Gardener is required to obtain a minimum of 10 education hours and to provide a minimum of 20 volunteer hours, annually.

In addition to scholarships, the Cass County Master Gardeners also provide gardening grants, host an annual Gardening seminar, coming up this year on March 28, Plant Sales in the spring (May 9) and fall (September 12), a daylong bus trip (May 20), and a summer garden walk (June 21).

The members provide volunteer assistance in various projects including gardens at the Cass County Community Building and fairgrounds, the Cass County Outdoor Classroom, city parks, libraries, churches and other locations; and provide education and service at Produce in the Park, Grow Another Row, gardening with youth, and more. Information on upcoming events can be found by following the Cass County Master Gardeners on Facebook or at www.extension.iastate.edu/cass/master-gardener-program.

(Radio Iowa) – Motorcycles assembled by individuals rather than produced by a recognized manufacturer could legally drive on Iowa roads if a bill that’s moving through the legislature becomes law. The bill passed the House unanimously last week in less than a minute and a Senate subcommittee hearing this (Monday) afternoon on the measure lasted less than three minutes.

Susan Fenton, the legislative liaison for the Iowa Department of Transportation, says the agency’s not opposing the bill, but she says it would let rebuilt off-road motorcycles on the highways. “The concern that we have would be that they won’t meet the federal guidelines and there could be safety risks,” Fenton said. Senator Liz Bennett, a Democrat from Cedar Rapids, says she’s willing to learn a little bit more about the bill, but is reluctant to vote for it at this point.”

“I do have a few concerns with it,” Bennett said. “I’m not sure why we would authorize stuff on the roads that doesn’t meet federal standards.” Republican Senator Mark Lofgren is willing to advance the bill.  “I don’t know much about it, but I’m willing to get it out of committee since I’m not hearing really anything negative on it,” Lofgren said. Lofgren, who’s from Muscatine had to join the hearing by telephone.

The blizzard delayed his trip to the Capitol in Des Moines. “I’ve got the weather problem thing, but I guess they just got (Interstate) 80 opened up,” Lofgren said. “I will be there, but I’ll be late.” A few legislative meetings are being held today, but the House AND Senate have cancelled plans to debate bills today (Monday) as some legislators have been unable to get to the statehouse.

(Radio Iowa/Brownfield Ag News) – An eastern Iowa farmer who’s a past president of the Iowa Corn Growers Association says the price spike in fertilizer is out of control. Lance Lillibridge raises cattle, corn, soybeans and alfalfa in Benton County, near Vinton.  “Jacking up prices of fertilizer 77% on product that’s actually in the states right now and in warehouses because of something that’s happened half a world away, that’s not right,” Lillibridge said. “Somebody needs to get he cuffs slapped on them for that one.”

Lillibridge ordered his fertilizer supply before the war in Iran broke out, but about 25 percent of farmers have not. “We’ve had a problem with fertilizer prices for quite some time now and it hasn’t been dealt with and now that we have a situation, a geopolitical situation it has completely amplified that and it has gone completely out of control,” Lillibridge. “Eventually it is going to hurt everyone down the road if we don’t get this fixed quickly.”

On Friday the U-S Secretary of Agriculture said the White House is looking at every potential avenue to lower fertilizer prices and she’s talking with congress about additional funds for U.S. farmers. According to the American Farm Bureau, 49 percent of the global supply of nitrogen and 30 percent of ammonia comes from the Persian Gulf.

RED OAK, Iowa – The Board of Trustees of the Montgomery County Memorial Hospital + Clinics (MCMH + Clinics) have announced that Michael O’Neal has officially been appointed Chief Executive Officer. His appointment is effective Monday, March 16, 2026.

O’Neal has served as Chief Operating Officer at MCMH + Clinics since November 2021. He brings more than 25 years of healthcare leadership experience, including 13 years as CEO of George C. Grape Community Hospital in Hamburg, Iowa. His background also includes service as Chief Information Officer at Thayer County Health Services in Hebron, Nebraska, as well as distinguished service as a United States Marine and a Nebraska State Trooper. He holds a Master of Business Administration and is a member of the American College of Healthcare Executives. Since joining MCMH + Clinics, O’Neal has played a key role in strengthening hospital operations, advancing strategic initiatives, and supporting staff and providers in delivering high-quality, patient-centered care.

The Board of Trustees unanimously approved his appointment following a formal succession planning process designed to ensure stability and continued growth for the organization. MCMH + Clinics Board Chair, Jill Bergstrom, states, “We are excited to welcome Mike as the next Chief Executive Officer of MCMH + Clinics. We have been fortunate to get to know Mike over the last four years since he was appointed Chief Operating Officer in 2021. His attention to detail, long term planning and active listening will continue to move us forward as we strive to be the regional leader in healthcare. Welcome, Mike!” Mike O’Neal graciously adds, “This hospital and this community mean a lot to me. I’ve had the privilege of working in rural healthcare for many years, and I’ve learned that hospitals succeed because of two things; the people who dedicate their lives to caring for others and the communities that stand behind them. Montgomery County Memorial Hospital has both. We have an outstanding staff and providers, a committed Board, and a community that truly values local healthcare.

Ron Kloewer has led this organization well, and I’m grateful for the opportunity to build on the strong foundation already in place. My focus moving forward is simple: take care of our people, continue strengthening access to care close to home, and ensure this hospital remains a source of pride for the community.”Under O’Neal’s leadership, MCMH + Clinics will continue focusing on strengthening rural healthcare access, investing in advanced technology and facilities, expanding services to meet evolving community needs, and fostering a culture that supports its employees. With a strong leadership team, dedicated staff, and committed Board support, the organization remains well-positioned to build on its legacy while embracing new opportunities for innovation, growth, and excellence in patient care for generations to come.”