(Radio Iowa) – A new state law will take effect tomorrow (Tuesday) that will allow 18, 19 and 20-year-olds in Iowa to be able to carry handguns. Art Roche is a board member with Iowans for Gun Safety, which opposes the new law. He says the group is concerned it could put more guns, more easily into the hands of people who may not be equipped to use them responsibly.  “We’re not interested in taking guns away,” Roche says. “We’re interested in being very thoughtful and very deliberate and very careful about how we introduce new avenues of gun availability into Iowans’ hands.”

Richard Rogers is a board member of the Iowa Firearms Coalition and says the law change falls in line with past federal court rulings. He says he thinks denying young adults the ability to carry a handgun leaves them more vulnerable. “Will people abuse their rights? Yes, people abuse their rights all the time, but safety isn’t achieved by stripping rights from responsible young adults,” Rogers says. “What we need to do is foster a culture of personal responsibility and accountability, and that’s what’s going to make us all safer.”

Under the law, the 18, 19 and 20-year-olds will be able to buy handguns or handgun ammunition through private parties in the state, but state officials say licensed gun dealers are still restricted from selling or transferring handguns to anyone under 21.

DES MOINES, IA, June 30, 2025 – The Alzheimer’s Association Iowa Chapter is hosting a virtual education series in July for Veterans and their families, although many of the topics are relevant to anyone facing Alzheimer’s disease and all are welcome to attend. The Valuable Expert Training Series (V.E.T.S.) will be held via Zoom each Tuesday in July from 12 – 1 p.m. The first 30 minutes of each presentation will feature an Alzheimer’s Association education program and the second 30 minutes will feature an expert who will present on a topic around finances, legal information and resources for Veterans and their families.

The schedule of the series is as follows:

·       7.1.25 – Alzheimer’s Association Resources and Conservatorship Information with Deanna Clingan-Fischer from the Guardian Association of Iowa Network

·       7.8.25 – Managing Money: A Caregiver’s Guide to Finances and Guardianship Information with Attorney and Community Educator, Deborah Petersen, and Emily Weiss from Iowa Legal Aid

·       7.15.25 – Dementia Conversations and Power of Attorney Information with Emily Weiss from Iowa Legal Aid

·       7.22.25 – Healthy Living For Your Brain and Body and VA Caregiver Resources with Sarah Greazel from VA Central Iowa Health Care

·       7.29.25 – Exploring Care and Support Services and Iowa Medicaid Information with Attorney, Scott Hartsook

To register for the virtual community forum, visit alz.org/crf.

Today, there are over 7 million Americans living with Alzheimer’s disease, including over 62,000 in Iowa. Additionally, more than 11 million family members and friends are serving as caregivers, including nearly 100,000 in Iowa.

Alzheimer’s Association^®

The Alzheimer’s Association is a worldwide voluntary health organization dedicated to Alzheimer’s care, support and research. Its mission is to lead the way to end Alzheimer’s and all other dementia — by accelerating global research, driving risk reduction and early detection, and maximizing quality care and support. Visit alz.org or call 800.272.3900.

(Atlantic, Iowa) – Sunnyside Park will be the site for celebrating the 4th of July, Friday, in Atlantic. A majority of events for the “Freedom Festival 2025,” will be held on the lower side of Sunnyside Park (near the pool and Splash Pad), with fireworks launched on the north side of Atlantic from the Bike Farm. Atlantic Parks and Rec Advisory Commission member Ali Pieken  says the Festival is a collaborative effort.

Some of the highlights of the event July 4th at Sunnyside Park include a Burger Battle from 5-until 7-p.m., and a Hotdog eating contest along with Slow Pitch Softball, both beginning at 6-p.m. The softball game features Team Greg Young vs. Team Cass EMS. Pieken says there’s something for everyone.

Parking will be available on the Cass County Fairgrounds. Cass County Deputy Sheriff Spencer Walton is in charge of the Burger Battle, where as many as 10 teams or individuals are able to register and show off their creative recipe and grilling skills, because grilling out is one of the best ways to celebrate the 4th of July.

Prizes will be awarded to everyone who participates, with the top awards to the top three burgers as rated by four judges. Each team will get three-pounds of fresh, high-quality ground beef from the Atlantic Locker. Any person, group or business can participate. If you’re interested, please call Spencer Walton at 712-243-2344. Walton says there won’t be any public tasting of the contestant’s burgers, because they don’t want to take business away from the food truck vendors who will be on site to serve their best products.

The approximately 25-minute firework show this year, just as in 2024, will be viewable from the Atlantic Sports Complex across from KJAN, but some of the best viewing is expected to be along the Schildberg Recreational Trail, and near the pedestrian bridge over the East Nishnabotna River, located just west of the KJAN studios, off North Olive Street.

Dan Vargason is putting on the display, which he says they put a lot of hours in, preparing for.

The public will not be allowed on the Bike Farm property north of KJAN, where Steve Andersen will be hosting the show, which will begin at around 9:45-p.m. The City of Atlantic is paying for a portion of the show, but Vargason said 90-percent of the cost comes out of his pocket, and that of his dad, and while not necessary, contributions to help offset the costs are welcome.

More information on the Freedom Festival can be found by scanning this QR code:

(Creston, Iowa) – Police in Creston report an arrest took place early this (Monday) morning. Authorities say 21-year-old Jayden Ronald Vernon Peaveler, of Creston, was arrested in the 600 block of Highway 34, at around 4:37-a.m.  Peaveler was taken into custody for Possession of a Controlled Substance/Marijuana – 2nd offense. He was transported to the Union County Jail and later released on a $1,000 bond.

(Radio Iowa) – Travel during the upcoming 4th of July holiday is expected to set records both in Iowa and nationwide. Triple-A-Iowa spokesman Brian Ortner says the motor club is projecting more than 72-million people will be traveling over the Independence Day weekend. That’s up by nearly two-million travelers from last year and more than seven-million from 2019.  “People are going everywhere by car, by plane, by train, by boat,” Ortner says. “Nationally, we’re seeing numbers increase over 2.4% over last year. Bringing it closer to home, driving, we’re going to see about four-million folks take a road trip of 50 miles or more, that’s 50,000 more from last year in our region.”

One thing that’s a bit of a surprise in the forecast, Ortner says the number of people in Iowa and the Midwest who are expected to be traveling by plane during the holiday fell slightly. “We’re still seeing good numbers, but our region has dropped a little bit from last year,” Ortner says. “We’re seeing about 203,000 forecasted to take to the airways for their holiday travel plans, a decrease from last year of about 1,000 or so, or 0.6%.” Other modes of transportation, including buses, trains, and cruise ships, are expected to pick up any slack from air travel, with a projected nine-percent increase compared to the holiday last year. In addition to sunscreen and your swimsuit, Ortner says there’s something else that will be important to pack for the long weekend.

“However you’re traveling, bring your patience with you,” Ortner says. “With record numbers, there’ll be more people on the road. There’ll be more people in the airports. Plan ahead. Take your time. Get your vehicles checked. Get that routine maintenance done. Most importantly, be safe on the roads. Keep a safe distance from those who are working to get themselves back on the road.” It’s the law for Iowa motorists to move over if there’s a stopped vehicle with its emergency flashers on, or, if a lane change isn’t possible, to at least slow down and prepare to stop.

Ignoring the law could bring a $200 fine and suspension of the driver’s license for up to a year.

(Radio Iowa) – The Iowa Supreme Court wrapped up their term with two rulings on the Second Amendment right to carry a firearm. The first case involved Jordan Cole, who signed a one-year protective order in a Hamilton County domestic abuse case that prohibited him from possessing firearms. Cole was later arrested in Story County for pawning two stolen guns. He appealed the illegal firearm possession charge, saying it violated his rights to carry a gun under the U-S and State Constitutions.

Kevin Woods made the same argument in Polk County after a traffic stop where he was charged with carrying a dangerous weapon while possessing illegal drugs. The Supreme Court ruled Cole voluntarily gave up his right to carry a gun by signing the protective order. The High Court also upheld Woods’ conviction, saying there is no federal or state constitutional right to carry a firearm during a crime.

(Red Oak, Iowa) – Police in Red Oak report the arrest late Sunday afternoon of a man on numerous sexual exploitation charges. Authorities say 42-year-old Kiel Lee Franzen, of Stanton, was arrested following an ongoing investigation in Red Oak.

He was taken into custody at around 4:42-p.m. in the 1100 block of Boundary Street, for seven-counts of child exploitation of a minor, all of which are Class-B felonies. Franzen was being held at the Montgomery County Jail on a $25,000 bond.

Red Oak Police say due to the sensitive nature of the case and involvement of minors, no further information will be released at this time.

(Radio Iowa) – State Auditor and Democratic candidate for governor Rob Sand will be making 14 campaign stops in northwest Iowa this week. Sand launched a 100 town hall tour of the state last week. He asked the first two crowds in central Iowa to sing “America the Beautiful” together. Sand says it’s a unifying exercise at a time when politics seems unhealthy.

“I think people mostly have that impression of politics in general,” Sand says. “It’s a lot of yelling on both sides.” One audience member asked Sand if he’s a strong or a moderate Democrat — and Sand replied that he doesn’t like labels. Sand told Radio Iowa he chose long ago to be in the Democratic Party. “I grew up watching Bill Clinton at the State of the Union brag about balancing the budget and paying down the debt and I thought: ‘I like that. That’s good,'” Sand said. “…My faith is a big motivator for why I signed up as a Democrat. I think that the Democratic Party, at least the way I see it, is the party of the little guy.”

Sand says there are some Republicans he has an easier time working with than Democrats and a lot can get done in a politically divided government, but Sand says with a Republican-led legislature, he’d likely veto some bills.

(Radio Iowa) – Two of Iowa’s U-S House members are among the Republicans posting messages on social media this weekend urging Senators to pass President Trump’s tax, spending and policy package. First district Congresswoman Mariannette Miller-Meeks says the bill keeps the tax cuts that Trump approved in 2017 intact and it provides more funding for border security.

“This is about putting America’s interests first on taxes, health care and on national security,” Miller-Meeks said in a recorded video she posted on her Facebook page. “I’m proud to stand with President Trump and deliver this ‘One Big Beautiful Bill’ to the people of Iowa.” Fourth district Congressman Randy Feenstra posted six messages on social media this weekend, touting the proposed tax cuts on tips, overtime and interest on American-made cars that are in the bill.

“To me, it’s a once in a lifetime bill that’s really going to change our economy,” Feenstra said. Feenstra says the bill will virtually eliminate the estate tax by permanently raising the amount someone can inherit — without paying federal taxes — to 15 million dollars.  “We, for the most part, get rid of the death tax,” Feenstra says. “For me, that’s a double tax, a pilfer tax.”

On Sunday night, Senator Chuck Grassley posted a message online saying he’s been hard at work over the weekend to deliver on Trump’s agenda and prevent the largest tax increase in U-S history. Senators were debating the bill Sunday night. Trump has said he wants to sign the bill into law by July 4th, if possible.