(Radio Iowa) – Federal officials are giving Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds the go-ahead for a pilot project that will supply boxes of food to some low-income families this summer. During the Biden Administration, Reynolds rejected a summer feeding program for low-income households with school children. It extended 120-dollars worth of electronic benefits for grocery purchases. Reynolds instead proposed having the State of Iowa buy healthy food in bulk and provide boxes of food to those families.

The Trump Administration has now granted Iowa a waiver for the governor’s “Healthy Kids Iowa” summer feeding program. Reynolds says the state-run program will provide nutritious, wholesome food and promote healthy eating habits. U-S Ag Secretary Brooke Rollings says state-led innovation in federal nutrition programs is the right thing to do for those in need and for taxpayers.

Under the “Healthy Kids Iowa” program, an eligible family will be able to select 40-dollars worth of food for each school-aged child each month during the summer. Parents will pick up the groceries at food pantries. Iowa Hunger Coalition leaders say they appreciate that more federal resources will be used to provide food for children over the summer, but the group is concerned about barriers parents may face in picking up the food boxes and the additional strain it could place on food pantries already experiencing record-breaking demand.

(Radio Iowa) – A 36-year-old man is charged with causing a diesel fuel spill near Dallas Center, at a site owned by his former employer. Aaron Wayne Peek of Des Moines is charged with theft, criminal mischief and trespassing. The Dallas County Sheriff says video footage from cameras at the site showed Peek, a former employee of the farm company, tampered with an above ground tank early Saturday morning, releasing four-thousand gallons of diesel fuel.

About 10-thousand dollars worth of diesel was spilled and it reached a creek near Waukee.

State officials estimate the environmental cleanup will cost over 100-thousand dollars.

(Creston, Iowa) – The Union County Sheriff’s Office, Wednesday (today) said no injuries were reported following a rollover accident Tuesday night at 210th Street and the t-intersection of Adams/Union Street. The accident happened at around 9:30-p.m., when a 2011 Ford Explorer driven by 20-year-old Samuel J. Henry, of Creston, went out of control as it was eastbound on 210th.

The SUV went into the ditch before rolling over and coming to rest on the driver’s side. Henry was able to free himself from the vehicle. The SUV sustained an estimated $10,000 damage. No citations were issued.

(Creston, Iowa) – Officials with the Creston Police Department today (Wednesday), said two people were arrested on separate charges, Tuesday. 38-year-old Melissa Kay Stephenson, of Creston, was arrested on two counts of Failure To Appear. She was being held in the Adams County Jail without bond, until seen by a judge in district court.

And, 39-year-old Amber Nicole Torres, of Creston, was arrested Tuesday for Public Intoxication/1st offense. She posted a $300 bond and was released.

(KIMBALLTON, Iowa) — The city of Kimballton (in Audubon County) has issued a bottled water advisory for the entire community following a pressure loss.  Officials with the Iowa Department of Natural Resources say on May 7th, Kimballton Public Works reported the system’s wells failed to come online, resulting in the water tower being depleted of water.  Approximately 207 service connections wee affected. City officials have notified residents via Facebook and have also posted notices throughout the community. The system was in the process Wednesday evening of refilling the tower.

The city issued a public notice on April 11 due to manganese above the health advisory level. Although manganese is a common, naturally-occurring mineral found in rocks, soil, groundwater, and surface water, the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has developed a health advisory level for manganese in drinking water of 0.3 mg/L, which is intended to be protective of lifetime exposure for the general population. Further, the US EPA recommends that the general population should not ingest water with manganese concentrations greater than 1 mg/L for more than a total of 10 days per year.

Public works staff have collected manganese samples from the distribution system. Because the city is waiting for sample results to determine next steps, the April 11 public notice is still in effect.

Please do not give the water to adults and children of any age. Adults, children, and infants who drink water containing manganese above the health advisory level may be associated with adverse health effects. Bottled water or an alternative source should be used for drinking, making ice, brushing teeth, and food preparation until further notice.

The water may be used for bathing and other similar purposes.

• Water, juice, and formula for children under six months of age should not be prepared with tap water. Bottled or other water low in manganese should be used for infants until further notice.
• DO NOT BOIL THE WATER. Boiling, freezing, filtering, or letting water stand does not reduce the manganese level. Excessive boiling can make the manganese more concentrated because manganese remains behind when the water evaporates.

The advisory will remain in effect until lab samples have come back negative for bacteria.

(Radio Iowa) – A key G-O-P senator has unveiled a new version of a property tax reform package. It no longer provides a 50-thousand dollar property tax exemption for homeowners. Dan Dawson of Council Bluffs — chairman of the Senate Ways and Means Committee — says that one size fits all number didn’t work, since it would wipe out most property tax revenue for small towns where home values are low.

The bill still sets a two percent limit on city and county budget increases, however it would allow local government budgets to rise during periods of high inflation. Iowa Taxpayers Association executive director Nate Ristow (RISS-toh) says that’s area that needs tweaking.

Travis Squires, a financial consultant with Piper Sandler, says the bill changes how much local tax revenue schools may use to pay off the bonds that are borrowed for school remodeling and new construction.

Senator Dawson says many school districts have cash reserves that are too large and districts could use that to offset lost tax revenue for infrastructure projects. Dawson says the bill is a priority for passage before legislators adjourn for the year.

Dawson discussed his latest version of property tax reform during a senate subcommittee hearing this (Wednesday) morning — and he indicated there may be more changes before the bill is debated in the full senate. The bill currently provides 400 MILLION dollars in property tax relief by increasing state support of public schools in the future. Senator Janet Petersen, a Democrat from Des Moines, says that’s a big promise.

Peterson points to the budget plan Governor Reynolds unveiled in January. It called for about 900 MILLION dollars of withdrawals from state reserves for the state spending year that begins July 1st.

(Radio Iowa) – An eastern Iowa attorney who served two terms in the Iowa House is running for attorney general. Nate Willems, a Democrat from Mount Vernon, says his top priorities would be assisting county attorneys in gaining convictions for violent felonies and protecting Iowans from corporate crimes.

Willems is a practicing attorney in a Cedar Rapids law firm where he has pursued cases of alleged wage theft.

One of his biggest cases involved successfully challenging a University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics policy that delayed paying 11-thousand current and former employees by as much as a month for their overtime work.

State law says overtime pay must be paid within 12 business days of the pay period in which it was earned. Current Attorney General Brenna Bird, a Republican, based her 2022 campaign on the promise she’d sue the Biden Administration over its farm policies, student loan forgiveness and a variety of other issues. Willems questions Bird’s approach.

Bird has said she is considering whether to run for governor in 2026 rather than seek reelection as attorney general. Willems, who is 45, grew up in Anamosa, holds a bachelor’s degree from Georgetown University and earned his law degree from the University of Iowa. Willems served four years in the Iowa House, then lost a 2012 race for a seat in the Iowa Senate by about 550 votes.

(KQWC, Webster City) – The owner of a Hamilton County meat locker faces fraud and criminal conduct charges for allegedly mislabeling meat products and selling them to a Boone County restaurant. Pat Powers reports:

(Iowa News Service) – A new report by the Georgetown University Center for Children and Families says the Trump administration’s proposed cuts to Medicaid would hobble Iowa’s child-care workforce, where nearly 38-percent of employees who work in the sector rely on federal benefits. Common Good Iowa Executive Director Anne Discher says cuts to Medicaid would further cripple already low child-care worker wages in the state.

Most states, including Iowa, would face a choice between raising taxes to make up for the Medicaid shortfall and reducing education spending, which is the largest share of Iowa’s budget.

Beautiful teacher and group of toddlers sitting on the floor drawing using paper and pencil around lots of toys at kindergarten

The National Association for the Education of Young Children’s Daniel Hains says nationwide, child cares costs are rising for families and the programs that provide services, especially over the past year.

K-F-F Health data show Iowa stands to lose about 731-million dollars in Medicaid funding if the Trump administration cuts are enacted. The administration says it is working to follow through on a campaign promise to lower government spending.

(Omaha, NE) – The Community Foundations of Southwest Iowa have announced the results of their spring 2025 grant cycle, awarding more than $1.3 million to 120 organizations and community initiatives across the region. From historic preservation and public safety to early childhood care and community development, this year’s funded projects reflect a continued investment in the future of Southwest Iowa.

Non-profit and organizations in Audubon County received a total of $144,709 for eight grants. They include:

• The Audubon County Hospital Foundation – $14,760

• The Audubon County Agricultural Society – $10,000

•  The Audubon Recreation Foundation – $10,000

• The City of Exira (3 grants supporting the Exira Community Club, Exira Public Library, and the City) – $44,355

• Brayton Fire Department – $24,108

• Friendship Home Foundation – $41,486

Sunni Kamp, Southwest Iowa Foundations Director, said “We continue to be inspired by the passion and commitment of local leaders in each county,which provides administrative support to the nine-county network of community foundations. Their care and knowledge guide every grant cycle—and together, we’re funding projects that bring lasting improvements to the people and places of Southwest Iowa.”

The Community Foundations of Southwest Iowa are supported by the Iowa County Endowment Fund Program, which allocates a portion of the state’s commercial gaming tax revenue to counties without a state-issued gaming license. Each affiliate is guided by a local advisory board made up of residents who understand their community’s needs and opportunities. Board members review applications, prioritize projects, and ultimately decide how funds are distributed.

Grants awarded through the Community Foundations of Southwest Iowa continue to improve the quality of life in our region. From supporting emergency responders to enhancing parks and community spaces, each grant tells a story of progress and partnership.

Visit swiowafoundations.org to explore past recipients and learn more about future grant opportunities in your county.