AMES, Iowa – Jan. 8, 2026 – The Iowa Department of Transportation is asking for the public’s input about the proposed U.S. 30/59 over Union Pacific Railroad dual bridge replacement and associated roundabouts project in Denison. The DOT says hanges include:

• Eastbound U.S. 30/Northbound U.S. 59 bridge replacement
• Westbound U.S. 30/Southbound U.S. 59 bridge replacement
• U.S. 30 & U.S. 59 south bucket roundabout construction
• U.S. 30 & U.S. 59 middle bucket roundabout construction

Construction is preliminary but expected to start fall of 2028 and end fall of 2031. More information is available here: https://iowadot.gov/news/2026-01-08/tell-us-what-you-think-about-proposed-us-3059-over-union-pacific-railroad-dual-bridge-replacement?utm_medium=email&utm_source=govdelivery

Attend Open House to Share Your Feedback

When: Tuesday Jan. 13, 2026, anytime between 5 and 7 pm

Location: Denison City Hall, 111 North Main, Denison, Iowa 51442

Description: You will be provided with information about the project, and you can talk through your ideas with our staff. There will be no formal presentation. The meeting space is accessible for people with disabilities. If you require more support at the meeting, please notify the contact listed below by Monday, Jan. 12, 2026.

Share Your Feedback by Jan. 26

Learn about the project and share your feedback   You will need to provide your name and email before commenting.

(Red Oak, IA) – A woman from Red Oak suffered suspected minor/non-incapacitating injuries, during a collision Wednesday afternoon, in Red Oak. According to the Red Oak Police report, a car driven by 55-year-old Tanya M. Ross, of Red Oak, was traveling south on N. 6th Street at around 3:10-p.m., while an SUV driven by 36-year-old Steven R. Smith, of Red Oak, was traveling east on Maple Street. The vehicles collided at the uncontrolled intersection, with the SUV hitting the car on the rear/passenger side area. Both vehicles sustained severe damage, according to police, but the SUV was able to be driven away from the scene after the investigation.

Authorities say Ross complained of shoulder pain, and was transported by Red Oak EMS to the Montgomery County Memorial Hospital. Police say Smith was cited for Failure to Provide Proof of Financial Liability (insurance) – accident related.

Damage from the collision amounted to a combined/police estimated $15,000.

(Radio Iowa) – The Iowa chapter of the Alzheimer’s Association is launching a series of free online courses today (Thursday) that are designed to help families that are facing the disease or dementia. Chapter spokeswoman Lauren Livingston says the virtual classes will run most Thursday mornings through June. “It’ll start with a five-part series called The Empowered Caregiver, which teaches caregivers how to navigate the responsibilities of care giving for someone living with the disease through the different stages — early, mid and later stages,” Livingston says. “And then we’ll get into some more topics for people who are interested in brain health and the basics of the disease.” She says the courses aim to help families better understand what to expect so they can be prepared to meet the changes and challenges ahead.

“There’ll be a really good program on managing money, a Caregiver’s Guide to Finances, which is a topic that not a lot of people really think about when they think of care giving,” Livingston says, “but that’s a big part of it, having to take over some of the legal and financial responsibilities for someone.” More than seven-million Americans are living with Alzheimer’s disease, including over 62-thousand in Iowa. Also, more than 11-million family members and friends are serving as caregivers, including over 80-thousand in Iowa. Care giving, she says, can be exceptionally difficult, and the courses can be a big help.

“As they get to those mid and later stages, it can be a little confusing and stressful on how to communicate effectively with the person with the disease, because that changes over time,” Livingston says, “and also understanding some of those changes in behaviors that tend to happen as they progress in the disease, and understanding that and how to respond in the right way that will keep the stress levels down for everyone.”

The courses begin at 11 A-M via Zoom and will continue most Thursdays through June 18th. They’re free to anyone and registration is only required the first time you log in — at alz.org/iowa.

(Radio Iowa) – Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig is proposing the first-ever “Iowa Farm Act” that includes a wide ranging of proposals, from targeted tax relief to promotion of agritourism.

“It’s something that you can actually think of as being akin to a Farm Bill like we would see at the national level. There are some other states across the country that have done similar things,” Naig said. “…I think it brings a focus on the farm economy, on farmers, on agriculture and it also represents kind of the broad range, the diversity of our agriculture.” Naig says the bill was developed after discussions with different groups about their priorities.

“We’ve got provisions in here that affect beekeepers and specialty crop producers, row crop producers, livestock and biosecurity and ag businesses as well,” Naig said. “We bring together that diverse array of ag interests in the form of the Iowa Farm Act.” Naig describes one section of the bill as an attempt to modernize zoning exemptions. For example, if an apple grower decides they want to start making apple cider or hard cider on site, Naig says it would be good to clarify whether that’s still a farming operation or a commercial operation.

“We’re trying to increase those types of operations where we’re seeing farmers able to process and sell director to consumers and do more of that activity on their farms. We think now’s an opportunity to kind of clear the way and provide some clarity around what is a farm operation — what’s included and what isn’t,” Naig said. “And it’s not that we’re looking for a new type of exemption for farms, we’re just looking to clarify some of the activities that you may not have previously thought of, like processing.” The bill includes some “agricultural experience” definitions, in order to boost agritourism.

“Meaning events being held on farms, maybe even being able to stay overnight in a cabin or something on a farm,” Naig said. “And how do we continue to clear the way for that, bring clarity, protect consumers and yet allow for this opportunity expand in the state of Iowa?”

The Iowa Farm Act includes a few tax proposals, too, like expanding a tax break for retired farmers and exempting honey bee purchases from the state sales tax. Naig says there’s no sales tax on livestock sales, but beekeepers have to charge the sales tax on the queen bees they raise and sell to clients, many of whom are in other states.

(Radio Iowa) – Police in Manchester conducting an online sting have recently arrested and accused five men of grooming a minor for sex. A 52-year-old central Iowa man was arrested Monday for attempting to meet with an undercover officer in Manchester, an officer who he believed was a minor. Police say over the past few weeks, Michael Patrick Wiezorek had groomed and sent a list of messages to the undercover officer.

Police say he traveled from Nevada, rented a hotel room, and then traveled to the meet-up location. In November, four other men were arrested as part of the online predator sting. Manchester Police say they’re still evaluating cases and working toward other arrests.

Manchester Police started the undercover operation in September. An officer created social media profiles portraying a 15-year-old in an attempt to catch online predators. Manchester’s Police Chief is hosting a forum at the city’s public library on Thursday, January 22nd at 5 p.m. to advise parents about how to protect their children’s safety online.

(Radio Iowa) – The lawmaker who’s led tax reduction efforts in the Iowa Senate for nearly a decade says the legislature has been in a cycle of putting band aides on Iowa’s property tax system. Dan Dawson, the Republican who’s chairman of the Senate Ways and Means Committee, says it’s time for a fix that will last for decades.

“Any reform that isn’t sustainable and doesn’t the needle on Iowa being one of the worst states for property taxes in the country isn’t worth doing,” Dawson said. “The reason why we’re talking about this isn’t because it polls well. Iowa is the 10th worst state in the country when it comes to property taxes, full stop.”

Governor Reynolds will soon release her proposal for changes in Iowa’s property tax system, perhaps next Tuesday when she delivers an annual speech to the legislature. Dawson isn’t ready to discuss what Senate Republicans might propose this year, but last April Dawson said the key would be limited how much local government budgets can increase year to year. During a recent interview with Radio Iowa, Dawson would only say whatever bill is developed must be comprehensive.

“If you don’t do that, all you are doing is creating a guerilla warfare system of taxpayer-versus-taxpayer,” Dawson said. “They want quality services, but they also want a fair property tax system and the current system we have right now is absolutely not fair.” Dawson says there are only so many levers state lawmakers can pull, but he says lawmakers have an opportunity during the 2026 legislative session to make wholesale changes in Iowa’s property tax system.

(Atlantic, IA) – The Atlantic City Council’s first meeting under the leadership of newly elected and sworn-in Mayor Rob Clausen, Jr., took place this (Wednesday) evening. During their first session of 2026, the Council heard comments from Atlantic resident and parks & recreation advocate Frank Saddlemire, who urged the new administration to revisit the idea of having a Parks Director oversee the Parks and Rec Department.

The last time the City had a full-time Parks and Recreation Department Director, was in May, 2023, when Wyatt Adderton abruptly resigned, citing the work environment and alleged harassment. Saddlemire said previous Park and Rec Directors were instrumental in making the parks what they are today, a place for all to enjoy.

The grants secured by previous Directors have resulted in the development of the Schildberg Campground and sparked continued interest by private citizens to making the Splash Pad a reality. Since that time the Parks and Rec Board was disbanded and replaced with a Parks and Rec Advisory Commission, guided by Coordinator Jeff Christensen, whose title was formerly Assistant Parks and Rec Director.

Atlantic City Council meeting, 1-7-2026

The Council also received a presentation/update from Atlantic Cemetery Board representative Rod Deter, who said 11,000 people are buried in the cemetery. The Board is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization, regulated and audited by the Iowa Insurance Division.

In 2025, Deter said, they only sold 10 plots, which is a decline from years past. He said Board’s number one expense, is personnel, which is 66-percent of their costs, or $64,000 per year. Equipment and maintenance expenses amount to $11,000 per year. Grave opening and closing, and utilities are additional expenses. Deter said their number one source of revenue is from the opening and closing of graves. The City is the second most source of income for the Cemetery Board.

Challenges ahead include finding additional personnel to due the necessary work, keeping equipment running, dead tree removal, flagpole and building maintenance. City Administrator John Lund notes the Atlantic Cemetery receives an annual $30,000 subsidy from the City, the appropriation for which comes from the Local Option Sales Tax (LOST) Progress Fund.

The Atlantic City Council approved the appointment of Roger Poulsen to the Planning and Zoning Commission, who was sworn-in by Mayor Clausen. The Mayor nominated Poulsen to the Commission, which consists of seven members, and serves as an advisory body to the City Council. Members serve five-year, staggered terms. The Commission’s main responsibility is to review and adopt the City’s comprehensive plan, which outlines the long-range development of the community. They also review and make recommendations on matters including: Rezoning; Ordinance amendments and regulations, and other issues, as requested by the Council.

In other business, the Atlantic City Council passed orders:

• Approving First Whitney Bank & Trust as the City’s Official Bank for the City Checking Account for 2026.
• Approving the Atlantic News Telegraph as the City’s Official Newspaper for Legal Publications in 2026.
• and, a Pay Application #5 for $94,872.79 to TK Concrete for the West 22nd Street Improvement Project.

The Council also passed a Resolution (#01-26) “Authorizing Certain Parameters for the Acceptance and Approval. City Administrator John Lund says a parameters resolution allows the debt issuers to finalize a Bond Purchase Agreement within clearly defined limits. The Council approved the structure and boundaries of the bond issues, including: How much can be issued; How long the bond can run; and, the maximum cost, while authorizing Lund to complete the sale, once the bonds are priced. Once the bonds are priced, the final terms are fully documented and incorporated into the City’s financial records. The parameters approach was recommended by the City’s finance attorneys, Dorsey & Whitney.

In his report, Mayor Clausen thanked the citizens of Atlantic for their confidence in electing him to the position, and said he looks forward to serving his first term.

He reminded the public about the City’s Snow Ordinance, and that the Camblin Hills Housing Development Project – which currently has 40 workers on site – is closed to the public.

(Council Bluffs, IA) – The Council Bluffs Police Department is seeking information from anyone who may have witnessed an incident or observed suspicious activity, in the area of 1st Avenue this (Wednesday) morning, that resulted in a woman being shot.

Authorities say at around 8:45-a.m., hospital staff at CHI Mercy Hospital notified police that a woman who suffered a gunshot wound to the chest, had been dropped-off at the facility. Reports indicated a man and a woman left the victim at the hospital before leaving the premises.

An investigation determined the original incident occurred at 602 1st Avenue, in Council Bluffs. Investigators secured the scene and executed a search warrant. During the search, detectives recovered a discharged round from a weapon, a casing, and forensic evidence consistent with the victim’s statement.

As of the most recent press release from the Council Bluffs Criminal Investigation Division, no suspects were in custody. The name of the victim was not being released, and the case investigation remains active. If you have information that may help solve the case, please call one of the following numbers:

• Council Bluffs Police Criminal Investigation Division: 712-328-4728
• Anonymous Tips (CrimeStoppers): 712-328-7867, or, submit your information online to:
  • CouncilBluffs CrimeStoppers Portal.

(Radio Iowa) – The forecast calls for parts of southwest Iowa to have high temperatures this (Wednesday) afternoon in the low 60s, but water temperatures will be much colder, so an expert says to leave your canoe or kayak in the shed, for now. Todd Robertson, the Iowa D-N-R’s river programs water trails coordinator, says it’s easy to be fooled by the sunny, unseasonably warm weather and he reminds, it may feel like April, but it’s still January.

“There’s no way the water’s going to be heating up to a safe level,” Robertson says. “If you don’t have a dry suit, if you’re not experienced in winter paddling, being out there on really cold water in a cold environment, it’s not a good time to go. I know it’s real tempting and you’ve been cooped up all winter, but we just need to wait a little bit longer.” Most Iowa lakes, rivers and streams are still registering water temperatures in the 30s, and seasoned paddlers know to plan for the worst case — which means getting wet.

“When the water temperature is below 60°, that puts you at automatic risk for hypothermia or worse,” Robertson says. “We know it’s really cold. It’s deceiving because you feel like you want to go out there without a jacket and just think you can paddle, but as soon as you hit that water, you’re going to feel cold water shock and it’s going to be a big problem.” The D-N-R offers a series of paddling courses during the warm weather months, and Robertson says they’ll touch on cold weather precautions, but the best way to learn is from another expert.

He says there are plenty of veteran winter kayakers around Iowa who are willing to share their knowledge. “If you can find those groups, whether it be social media or through local paddling clubs, get hooked up with the right people, because you don’t want to paddle alone anyway, you want to go out with three or four really experienced people,” Robertson says. “Just get out there, put your feelers out on social media, you’ll come across some people.” He recommends paddlers always wear a life jacket, let a friend or loved one know where you’re going and when you’ll be back, and bring a dry bag with extra clothing to change into should you get wet.

Find the DNR’s interactive paddling map HERE:
https://www.iowadnr.gov/things-do/paddling-river-recreation/where-paddle

(Radio Iowa) – A Mason City woman is now jailed on charges she went on a naked rampage last month, causing thousands of dollars in damage at a local convenience store. Mason City police accuse 32-year-old Cheri Decker of going into a Casey’s General Store on the morning of December 19th nude and covered in blood. While in the store, Decker is accused of knocking over a shelving unit, breaking glass bottles from the shelves, pushing an employee, and throwing items at employees.

Along with breaking items, multiple consumable items and product packages were covered with blood and had to be destroyed. Due to the amount of blood in the store, on products and on food machines, the store had to close and be professionally cleaned.

Decker is also accused of slapping a person inside the store causing injury. Decker was arrested on charges of first-degree criminal mischief, a Class C felony, as well as assault causing bodily injury and disorderly conduct.