(Radio Iowa) – Governor Kim Reynolds says she and members of the Iowa House and Senate are laser focused on taking action on property taxes during the 2026 legislative session. “Total cost of government — that’s what we’ve really focused on and the impact it has on taxpayers,” There’s a lot of duplication out there. We’ve streamlined at the state level. It’s our expectation that local governments find a way to streamline as well. There’s a lot of that going on already, but there’s a lot of opportunity out there to scale those practices as well.”

Reynolds hosted an hour-long public hearing online today (Friday) and heard suggestions from a variety of interest groups. Iowans for Tax Relief President Chris Hagenow says state officials need to “right size” local government budgets and impose a two percent yearly cap on property tax growth. “There can’t be any loopholes or carve outs for that because as we have seen over and over if you create an escape hatch, local governments will find that often. They’ll find another way to collect that revenue,” Hagenow says. “and it gets back into the problem of how much Iowans are being asked to pay. What is their total cost of government? And that’s what needs to be addressed in this system.”

Hagenow spoke earlier today (Friday) during an online budget hearing hosted by Governor Reynolds. “Property taxes is incredibly complicated and we all understand that,” Hagenow says, “but the solutions here lie not in how we pay property taxes, but how much we pay in property taxes.” Governor Reynolds and key members of the Iowa House and Senate have said property tax changes are their top priority in 2026. Some have floated ideas like freezing taxes for Iowans 65 and older, but Hagenow says that favors one class of taxpayers over another.

“That’s why we think a hard, across-the-board revenue limitation benefits everyone, whether it’s seniors or any other kind of tax type,” Hagenow said. “Let’s just provide a benefit for everyone.” The Iowa Cattlemen’s Association is urging the governor to end a state property tax break for fruit orchards and timber areas. The association’s Kelli Klink says 830-thousand acres are enrolled statewide in this particular exemption. “When land comes off the tax rolls due to the fruit and forest tree reserve exemption, it places a greater tax burden on the Iowa cattlemen who own pasture and do live and work in this state and their communities.”

Representatives of other groups like the Iowa Farm Bureau and the Iowa Business Council told the governor they’re ready to work with her on property tax changes, but did not make any specific suggestions during the public hearing.

(Radio Iowa) – The Iowa Economic Development Board approved a two-million dollar forgivable loan and tax benefits today (Friday) to help the Sioux Honey Association with 130 million dollar expansion. I-E-D-A director Debi Durham calls it a legacy project for the company and for Sioux City.

“It is an incredible investment and it really does secure their future in Iowa for the next hundred years,” she says. Siouxland Chamber president Chris McGowan told the Board the site includes the purchase of an existing warehouse and adjacent property north of the Sioux Gateway Airport. He says the city is part of the investment in the project.

“The City of Sioux City has invested or will invest more than 15 million dollars in this project. They’re leading the way in a very significant way and I believe that underscores the commitment that they have in retaining a company that has been in our community for over a hundred years,” he says. The company intends to renovate the office space in the existing warehouse and construct a new processing plan and raw goods warehouse on the adjacent property.

Sioux Honey will also relocate its Anaheim, California operations to Sioux City and create 39 new jobs and retain 75 jobs. Sioux Honey has grown to become the largest beekeeper co-op in the world.

The I-E-D-A also approved tax benefits for Morrison Weighing Systems to move its operation that produces high-speed weighing and labeling systems from Illinois to Coralville. They plan to invest nearly one-and-a-half million dollars with the creation of 11 jobs. Electro Freeze was also awarded tax incentives to relocate from Illinois to Davenport. The company manufactures food service equipment and will expand operations with the move. The seven million dollar capital investment is expected to bring 200 jobs to Davenport.

(Radio Iowa) – It’s the last weekend before Christmas and the upcoming holiday gatherings could be hazardous, even life-threatening, for Iowa kids who have serious food allergies and food restrictions. Dr. Samantha Knox, a pediatric allergist at Emplify Health by Gundersen, says before you enter what could be a danger zone, contact the party’s host and be up-front in discussing any concerns.

“There could be hidden foods. There could be tree nuts or other nuts and peanuts, tree nuts mixed into things like pie crusts, cookies,” Knox says. “Milk and egg mixed into casseroles and mashed potatoes and a lot of things that are kind of hidden in a way, so we have to make sure that we are discussing with parents and that we are aware of that.” Knox says parents have to be the advocates for their own children, and that may mean preparing and taking your own food to gatherings.

If you’re throwing the party, Knox says to be responsible and plan all snacks and meals accordingly. “As a host, you may want to ask that, of any families, parents, family members, are there any food allergies?” Knox says. “I think increasingly, as I’ve been with family and friends, that is something that we all do, because food allergies can pop up. We’ve got younger kids, we’ve got older, there’s different types of food allergies, or food restrictions, too, and intolerances.” Those intolerances could include restrictions involving dairy or gluten. Knox says it’s important to be vigilant, and it may take a little extra work to keep everyone safe.

“I think it’s always best to either label it, so if you’re crafty, you can make a little sign that says what it contains, so parents can read it, but obviously the kids that might be around mobilizing just keeping it out of reach, and then also making sure that people just know,” she says. “You’ve got to let them know what’s in the food.” It may be easier to put all foods that may contain allergens on a separate table. Knox says a simple rule is, if you don’t know what’s in the food, don’t eat it.

Emplify Health by Gundersen has clinics in Calmar, Decorah, Fayette, Lansing, Postville and Waukon, and a hospital in West Union.

(Radio Iowa) – Iowa D-N-R State Veterinarian Rachel Ruden says the cold weather freezing up waterways likely led to the deaths of Canada geese in southwest Iowa from avian influenza. Dr. Ruden says the birds grouped together on the remaining open water at Green Valley Lake and Lake of Three Fires. “A lot of places really closed up in terms of the open water, closed up in the past week with all the cold weather. Now that it’s warming up again, we can expect that the birds won’t have to congregate in as high of numbers, at least they maybe will distribute, you know more across the landscape, which can really help quell an outbreak,” she says. She says the forecast is calling for warmer temperatures, which would keep the water open and spread the birds out.

“We just have to kind of see where the winter goes, but if this year operates anything like last year, by early January, we really saw. outbreak activities subside,” Ruden says. Ruden says she first heard of mass deaths of snow geese in the Dakotas from avian influenza at the end of November. She says the pattern has been for deaths then happening in Missouri, and these deaths in Iowa are rare. “We have a lot of just eyes on the ground in the Des Moines metro, so we’re usually getting reports out of there. But southwest Iowa and really even southeast Iowa, we just don’t get many reports of mass mortality events south of I-80,” Ruden says. She asks the public to report any sick birds or dead birds.

“Either to the local wildlife biologist for that county or the county conservation officer so we can track those impacts, you know what species are being impacted,” she says. “We primarily see Canada geese, but we certainly see others animals that might be consuming the affected carcasses. So things like Red Tail Hawks are quite common to see also involved in these influenza outbreaks.” Ruden says you shouldn’t handle or touch sick or dead animals. “A lot of people have that impulse to help an animal in need, which is a wonderful impulse, but when there’s a infectious disease that can actually infect people as well, we really we advise you to keep your distance, report it,” she says. Ruden says once you report it the professionals will take over and handle it.

At least 60 geese died at the two southwest Iowa Lakes and testing confirmed it was from bird flu.

(Atlantic, IA) – A Special Meeting of the Atlantic School Board will take place beginning at 8:30-a.m. Monday, Dec. 22nd, in the Middle School Conference Room (1100 Linn St.). During their meeting, the School Board will act on the following matters:

a. Consideration of authorizing the Superintendent to publish the Notice of Intent (NOI) to enter into a Guaranteed Maximum Price (GMP) contract with a Construction Manager at Risk (CMaR), as presented [with regard to District facilities].

b. Consideration of authorizing the Superintendent to publish a Request for Statements of Qualifications (RFQ) for Construction Manager at Risk (CMaR) services on January 7, 2026, pending review by legal counsel.

The next REGULAR meeting of the Atlantic School Board, is on January 14th, 2026, beginning at 6-p.m., in the High School Media Center.

DES MOINES, Iowa – An Ankeny man was sentenced yesterday, December 18, 2025, to three years’ imprisonment for making false declarations in a bankruptcy proceeding. Officials with the U-S Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Iowa say, according to public court documents and evidence presented at sentencing, 61-year-old Louis Grant Peterson, also known as “Chip Peterson,” was the former owner of Legacy Siding and Windows, an exterior construction company based in Ankeny. While operating that company, Peterson engaged in a pattern of taking customer deposits—hundreds of thousands of dollars’ worth—and not completing work as promised. Peterson later admitted to the FBI that he spent the victims’ money on “gambling” and “irresponsible spending.” Peterson had been criminally prosecuted for similar conduct in the past, including a 2024 conviction for theft in the Iowa District Court for Woodbury County in which Peterson received a more than $50,000 down payment and then failed to complete the work.

After accumulating nearly $1 million in unsecured debt, Peterson filed for bankruptcy. In those bankruptcy proceedings, Peterson lied about his employment, businesses, income, bank accounts, tools, equipment, electronics, and jewelry, among other things. Peterson later admitted to the FBI that he had “no idea” where he got the numbers he claimed as income. Peterson further admitted that he had not paid taxes for several years.

Even after being federally indicted, Peterson accepted a $17,000 deposit for a window installation that he never completed. He eventually paid the money back after the victims filed a complaint with the Iowa Attorney General’s Office.

United States Attorney David C. Waterman of the Southern District of Iowa made the announcement. The Federal Bureau of Investigation investigated the case with assistance from the Office of the United States Trustee.

(Atlantic, IA) – The Atlantic Area Chamber of Commerce Ambassadors welcomed Coyote Willow Wind, a wind energy project based in Cass and Audubon Counties, as a new Chamber member on Thursday, December 18th, 2025. The Ambassadors visited with representatives from Apex Clean Energy, the developer exploring the feasibility of the Coyote Willow Wind project, to learn more about the initiative and its potential benefits for the local community. Coyote Willow Wind is a proposed wind energy project designed to generate clean, renewable electricity while supporting economic growth in southwest Iowa. The project is designed to work alongside existing agricultural operations, allowing landowners to continue farming while receiving stable, long-term lease payments that support family farms and rural businesses.

Jared Beckstrom, Senior Development Manager with Apex Clean Energy, shared that landowner partnerships are central to the project’s success. Participating landowners are compensated for turbines as well as access roads and infrastructure, creating additional income while preserving productive farmland. The project is expected to bring local investment during construction and provide long-term jobs to support ongoing operations and maintenance. In addition to landowner benefits, Coyote Willow Wind is expected to generate increased tax revenue that can support local schools, infrastructure, and public services. The project emphasizes transparency and community engagement through open communication, informational meetings, and ongoing outreach to ensure the project reflects local values.

Ambassadors Pictured (Left to Right): Emily Kennedy, Jen McEntaffer, Melissa Ihnen, Lana Westphalen, Sue Liston, Elaine Otte, Kathie Hockenberry, Chris Park, Brittani Santee, Dolly Bergmann, Jennifer Lowers, Kelsey Beschorner, Bre Preis, Grace McAfee, Jeff Christensen, Bryan Pearson, Corey Eberling, Jared Beckstrom – photo courtesy of the Atlantic Area Chamber of Commerce.

The Ambassadors appreciated learning how renewable energy development can strengthen rural economies while respecting landowners, the environment, and community priorities. As a new Chamber member, Coyote Willow Wind looks forward to building partnerships and being an active participant in Cass County.

The Coyote Willow Wind office is located at 405 Market Street in Audubon. For more information, visit https://www.coyotewillowwind.com/

(Creston, IA) – Authorities say a driver’s examination was being recommended following a collision Thursday night in Creston. According to Creston Police, a Mitsubishi SUV driven by 77-year-old Jean LaVonne Craig, of Afton, struck the rear of a Hyundai SUV driven by 46-year-old Rachel M. Claiser, of Creston, as Claiser was stopped on Highway 34 at around 8-p.m., and waiting to turn left into the parking lot of the Dollar General store, when the accident occurred.

After both women pulled into the parking lot to exchange insurance information, Craig left the scene. After leaving the parking lot, an employee of the Casey’s store in Sumner Avenue in Creston reported to police an older woman coming into and out of the store. They said she seemed disoriented, and said she mentioned having been involved in an accident. When a Creston Police Officer arrived at Casey’s, he saw a car with extensive front-end damage, backing out. He spoke with the driver – Jean Craig – who told him that someone had hit her vehicle. Since she did not appear to be impaired or in need of medical attention, Craig was allowed to leave in her vehicle.

Later, a Union County Sheriff’s Deputy went to a location south of Afton and spoke with Craig, to get her statement and insurance information. Damage to vehicles amounted to a police-estimated $5,000 altogether. No citations were issued.

(Radio Iowa) – Record numbers of travelers are expected on Iowa’s roads over the next two weeks, and law officers statewide are launching what’s known as a STEP, or Special Traffic Enforcement Program, later today (Friday) that will last through January 4th. Iowa State Patrol trooper Paul Gardner, who’s based in Fort Dodge, says their goal is to allow everyone to safely reach their destinations. “We will have extra troopers on the road through Christmas and into the new year,” Gardner says. “Our focus will be on preventing crashes involving distracted driving and impaired driving.” Iowa has seen a significant drop in highway fatalities this year and could end 2025 with the lowest number of roadway deaths in decades.

“So we’re going to work diligently to keep those traffic crashes and those traffic deaths down the best we can,” Gardner says. “If you are out celebrating for Christmas and into the new year, please celebrate responsibly. If you’re going to be out celebrating and involving alcoholic beverages, have a designated driver, somebody sober to get you home safely. That could be a friend, family member, an Uber or taxi.” Starting on January 1st, law officers will be able to start issuing citations under Iowa’s new Hands Free law, which says drivers cannot handle a cell phone while behind the wheel. “So up until then, any warnings that drivers were issued from July 1st to January 1st will be on file,” Gardner says. “That means if a trooper runs somebody’s record, it will show that they were warned during that warning period, so that will likely affect the trooper’s decision on whether they issue a citation or not.”

He says the fine will be 170-dollars for motorists who are caught using a cell phone that’s not in hands-free mode.

(Radio Iowa) – Nationwide arrest warrants are being issued for two suspects in connection with this week’s burglary at the Lyon County Courthouse in Rock Rapids. The Lyon County Sheriff’s Office says 39-year-old Brandon Lyle High Pipe and 18-year-old Luciano Eliseo Sanchez are wanted on multiple felony and misdemeanor charges tied to the break-in that happened overnight on December 16th into the 17th. Authorities say no one else was in the building at the time and local, state and federal law enforcement agencies are now working to locate and arrest the suspects.