(Radio Iowa) – A few iconic Iowa State Fair items in a Washington, D.C. museum are giving state fair officials some ideas. Iowa State Fair C-E-O Jeremy Parsons says it’s fascinating to see a replica of the Butter Cow inside the Smithsonian Museum, “but professionally displayed in a museum setting. We definitely need to up the bar on how we display things.” Parsons, though, isn’t ready to say what display changes may be in store on the fairgrounds in Des Moines.

The Smithsonian’s year-long exhibit features what are described by the museum’s curator as works of art from state fairs around the country, including some quilts entered in Iowa State Fair competitions. Forbes magazine includes the life-sized butter cow as one of the exhibit’s show-stopping spectacles. Parsons agrees.

By comparison, the Iowa State Fair’s refrigerated display case for the butter cow is along the east wall of the Agriculture Building. People wait in line to look through windows at the butter sculpture of a life-sized dairy cow.

Sculptor Sarah Pratt and one of the butter cows she has created at the Iowa State Fair. (Iowa State Fair photo)

The Smithsonian’s exhibit of State Fair folk art runs through next September and is one of many events to mark America’s 250th anniversary. Parsons says the 2026 State Fair will mark the occasion, too.

And Parsons and his team are making big plans for the 2029 Iowa State Fair.

The center will be built near the north entrance to the fairgrounds and will explain crop development, Iowa soils and farm equipment as well as jobs in agriculture. Parsons says it’s about thinking strategically about the Iowa State Fair’s role in the future, since data suggests the number of Americans who have NO connection to agriculture will continue to grow.

Parsons recently released a study suggesting year-round activities on the Iowa State fairgrounds in 2024 had a 629 MILLION dollar statewide economic impact. Parsons says while the economic impact is massive, the State Fair is still about the people.

Parsons grew up in Leon and was a high school English teacher before he was hired to direct the Missouri State Fair Foundation. Parsons was director of the the Clay County Fair in Spencer for 12 years before he took on the role of Iowa State Fair C-E-O in 2023.

(East of Humboldt, IA) – A single-vehicle accident in northern Iowa’s Humboldt County, Wednesday afternoon, claimed the life of the vehicle’s driver. According to the Iowa State Patrol, an SUV was traveling east on Highway 3 at around 1:10-p.m., when for reasons unknown, the 2020 Ford Edge crossed the center-line of the road. The driver over-corrected, sending the SUV into a ditch, where it struck a driveway and rolled over a few times before coming to rest.

The driver – who  was wearing their seat belt – died from their injuries. Their name was being withheld pending notification of family, and had not been released as of early this (Thursday) morning.

The State Patrol was assisted at the crash scene by Humboldt Fire Department and Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office.

(Radio Iowa) – Iowans who will be flying over the Thanksgiving holiday need to follow a few basic rules to smoothly navigate through bustling airport security lines. Jessica Mayle, regional spokeswoman for the Transportation Security Administration, says passengers should arrive at the airport two hours before the flight is scheduled to depart, and she says to pack your carry-on and checked luggage with care.

Updated Iowa driver’s licenses have a gold circle and star in the upper right corner, signifying they’re a certified Real I-D.

Des Moines International Airport photo

Mayle says you’ll need to show one of those or a valid passport.

Passengers who didn’t pay extra for the T-S-A Precheck status have had to remove their shoes before passing through security since shortly after the Nine Eleven attacks, but that shoe removal requirement is no longer being enforced.

When packing for the big trip, she says there’s one other important item to bring along:

The T-S-A estimates it will screen nearly 18-million people nationwide during the Thanksgiving week, with three-million-plus expected just on Sunday, which should be the busiest day of the holiday.

(Radio Iowa) – John Deere’s sales slump continues. John Deere’s fourth quarter profits fell seven percent and the company’s C-E-O is warning 2026 may be another tough year for the world’s leading farm equipment manufacturer. John Deere closed the books on its fiscal year November 2nd and the company reports worldwide net sales and revenue dropped 12 percent during that 12-month period. There was an even bigger 17 percent drop in sales of John Deere combines, tractors and other large farm equipment from the company’s Production and Precision Agriculture division.

John May, the president and C-E-O of John Deere, says the company has taken steps to manage inventory and production to weather uncertainty in the ag sector, but the pressure from tariffs will remain in 2026.

(Radio Iowa) – Multiple businesses in downtown Iowa City are being forced to shut down after the building owners racked up more than 26 million dollars in debt. Green State Credit Union moved to foreclose on the buildings including the SpareMe bowling alley and arcade on the first floor of the Chauncey building. Heather Soseman is the general manage and says she was given just a week’s notice to close SpareMe.  “I’m just beat down and exhausted. I’ve just lost my job and my whole team and a part of my heart. This has been six years of my life,” she says. Harry Whittenburg-Nelson is the assistant general manager of the bowling alley.

“I certainly wasn’t expecting it. And just kind of like, sadness,” he says. “A lot of blood, sweat and tears, I guess, into this place. But just kind of sadness, too, for the staff, especially with it being around Thanksgiving, like everybody’s kind of scattered.” Nobody made a bid on the properties at the sheriff’s action, so the assets are back in the hands of the credit union.

SpareMe, the Hotel Chauncey and hotelVetro in the Pedestrian Mall will all be closed by the end of the month. FilmScene, a movie theater that’s also on the first floor of the Chauncey, will not be closing.

(Sidney, IA) – The Fremont County Sheriff’s Office reports the following arrests from November 12, 2025, through November 26, 2025:

(Sidney, IA) – The Fremont County Sheriff’s Office reports the following arrests took place from November 12, 2025, through November 26, 2025:

On Nov. 15^th, 24-year-old Alex William Huberty, of Mitchellville, was arrested in Sidney on charges that include Sexual Abuse by force in the 3^rd Degree – 1^st offense, and Sexual Assault with Bodily Injury. Huberty was released later that day on bond.

On Nov. 12^th, Fremont County Sheriff’s Deputies arrested 66-year-old Raymond Francis DeLeon, of Glenwood, for Possession of a Controlled Substance – 3^rd or subsequent offense, and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. He was released on a cash bond.

On Nov. 15^th, 30-year-old Patrick Mark Hrouda, of Omaha, was arrested in Percival, for Possession of a Controlled Substance – 3^rd or subsequent offense; Keeping a vehicle or premise for a controlled substance; Interference with Official Acts, and for being a fugitive from justice. He remains in the Fremont County Jail.

And, on Nov. 19^th, 51-year-old Christopher Michael Lassabe, of La Plata, MO, was arrested in Fremont County on a hold for another agency. He was later turned over to another agency.

A criminal charge is merely an accusation and the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.

(Brooklyn, IA) – A man who was walking on Interstate 80 in eastern Iowa, Tuesday night, was struck and killed by an unknown vehicle. The Iowa State Patrol reports for reasons unknown,  36-year-old Nicholas Andres Quintero, of Toledo, OH, was in the number 2 lane of I-80 westbound near mile-marker 202, when he was hit at around 5:11-a.m., Tuesday. The Patrol says the driver of the vehicle may not have known they struck a pedestrian.

The accident remains under investigation. The Poweshiek County Sheriff’s Office and Iowa Department of Transportation crews assisted at the scene.

(Greenfield, IA) – The Adair County Board of Supervisors held their regular weekly meeting today (Wednesday). During their session, the Board approved a lone bid from Grantham Sanitation for trash removal at several County sites. Board Chair Nathan Baier…

Grantham also provided refuse service to the County last year.The Board acknowledged the receipt of a Manure Management Plan (MMP) from Glenview Wean-Finish farms, based in Afton. And, they heard from County Treasurer Brenda Wallace, with regard to driver’s license appointments, and new software that will be implemented for that purpose, January 20, 2026.

She stressed the Treasurer’s Office will still accept walk-in’s for driver’s license services. In other business, the Adair County Supervisors approved the appointment of Bill Newbury to the Adair County Conservation Board. He moved to Adair County from Wisconsin in 1999, and serves as the Nodaway Valley High School Archery program Coach. Newbury said he believes conservation to be a part of the community and part of the children’s growing-up through the community. He replaces a Board member who recently passed away.

Adair County Conservation Director Dominic Johnson provided the Supervisors with a conservation update. He said all County park shower houses are closed and winterized for the season. Even though the water was turned-off at the campsite, it will remain available upon request, for campers who need it.

Adair County Engineer Nick Kauffman presented for the Board’s approval and Board Chair’s signature, a resolution to award the W9 Lincoln reinforced concrete box culvert (RCB) project on a local farm-to-market road, to Gus Construction, out of Casey, for their low bid of slightly more than $1.02-million. There were three bids for the project. The Board also passed a resolution setting Dec. 10th at 9:30-a.m., as the time for a public hearing on the vacating of a portion of 332nd Lane in Adair County. The request was formally made by landowners in the area. Kaufmann updated the Board on Secondary Roads Department maintenance and activities.

And, Adair County Auditor Mandy Berg presented for the Board’s passage, resolutions pertaining to fund transfers and internal advance, along with a TIF (Tax Increment Financing) Certification, as well as an Urban Renewal Annual Report. Berg explained the Transfer Resolution is with regard to the transfer of monies from the Debt Service to TIF fund.

With regard to the Internal Advance, Berg said…

The TIF Indebtedness Certification, she said, pertains to valuations and amounts putting another $6.4-million dollars into the TIF account.

The Urban Renewal Report is presented to the State annually, and shows TIF Revenue, Interest and Expenditures, TIF-related projects and other information. The Board approved those matters as presented.

(Creston, IA) –  Officials with the Creston Police Department report the arrest today (Nov. 26th), of 21-year-old Jacob Alan Zachary, of Creston. He was arrested at the Creston/Union County Law Enforcement Center on an outside agency warrant, and charged with nine-counts of Purchase/Possession – Depiction of a Minor in a Sex Act. Zachary was subsequently released on a $45,000 cash bond.