(Radio Iowa) – Many Iowans are taking part in what’s known as “Dry January,” where they abstain from drinking alcohol for the month, and one expert says the gesture can help to set them on a healthier path for the new year ahead. Amanda Westphal, community benefits specialist at Emplify Health by Gundersen, says this is an ideal time to reflect on your alcohol consumption and to consider taking a step back. “January is often a time for folks to look at their lifestyle habits and maybe think about some changes they can make to improve health and well-being for the year ahead,” Westphal says. “Dry January is one kind of tactic or one strategy to look at that specific piece of health and well-being.” She says making a mindful shift away from alcohol can typically bring a variety of benefits, including improvements in one’s physical health.

“You may find that you’re sleeping better at night, and that you are able to focus a little bit more, and you have more energy during the day,” Westphal says. “Other benefits of reducing alcohol would be that mental health and well-being. You may find that you are having less feelings of anxiousness. You’ll find that you’re having a better mood and mental clarity.” She says certain gestures may make it easier to succeed in the Dry January endeavor. “Tap into your support system. Find a friend or a family member that can participate with you. That can help you both stay accountable and give that support for each other,” Westphal says. “You can also look at alternatives. Mocktails are really popular right now. You can also try social activities or activities in general that don’t involve drinking.”

In addition to the physical and mental benefits, there’s also a financial boost from alcohol abstinence — as you’ll save any money that would have been spent on booze.

OTTUMWA, Iowa [WHO-TV] — Police in a southeastern Iowa town have charged two people with animal neglect after said a dog was found dead and another was severely malnourished. The Ottumwa Police Department said it received a tip in December reporting that “two dogs were severely neglected and extremely malnourished.”

According to court documents, a search warrant was executed at the home of 45-year-old Jason Lee Haut and 35-year-old Stephanie Michelle Haut, located in the 700 block of Chester Avenue. During the execution of the search warrant, court documents say law enforcement discovered the body of a Brittany Spaniel, named Delilah, buried in the yard, and an emaciated German Shepherd named Native.

A necropsy found that Delilah had no fat around organs and determined Delilah’s cause of death as malnourishment. Native was seized and transported to a veterinarian, who determined that Native was malnourished to the point that there was permanent damage to its heart muscles, according to court records.

On Monday, the Ottumwa Police Department announced that the dogs’ owners had been arrested and charged with animal neglect with serious injury (aggravated misdemeanor) and animal neglect with injury (serious misdemeanor).

MITCHELLVILLE, Iowa [KCCI] — The City Council meetings in Mitchellville have been indefinitely postponed, after the city failed to achieve a quorum due to recent resignations. Council member Piper LaGrange Brodsack announced her resignation Monday evening, stating in a social media post, that she “Can no longer in good faith continue to represent the city.” Brodsack attributed her decision to the “current political climate” in Mitchellville.

Her post said, she had done her best over the past year to mitigate numerous challenges faced by the City, but in the current political climate of her town, She “and others have faced harassment and threats for doing so.” Piper Brodsack said “I can no longer in good faith continue to represent the city, as I refuse to condone continued hostility toward our residents, staff, and elected officials. I appreciate your understanding of my choice to prioritize the wellbeing of myself and my family at this time. I would encourage our community, especially our community leaders, to reflect on interacting with one another with civility and leading with a servant heart.”

Last week, Mitchellville Councilman Scott Wheeler announced his resignation. In his social media post, he cited “drama during the election and actions taken by the incoming administration” as reasons for his departure.

(Atlantic, IA) — Officials with Cass Health, in Atlantic, say that in an effort to encourage Cass County households to test for radon, Cass Health purchased 500 radon test kits from the American Lung Association that are being distributed for free.  Radon is a gas that can enter homes through the ground, and Iowa has some of the highest radon levels in the country. Radon is invisible and odorless, so testing is the only way to detect it. Winter is a good time of year to test for radon, and the US Environmental Protection Agency has designated January as National Radon Action Month.

Cass Health CEO Brett Altman said in a news release, “We know that radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer, and we know that lung cancer is the deadliest form of cancer. Every homeowner in Iowa should test for radon — regardless of the age or location of their home — to protect the health of everyone living there.”

Radon Test kit (Cass Health photo)

Through a partnership with the Cass County Library Association, radon tests are available at every library in the county. Any homeowner in Cass County can stop by a library to request a free test kit. Homeowners will be asked for a few details such as their name, address, zip code, and phone number. This information may be used to conduct follow-up calls with homeowners about the test and their results and report on how the tests were distributed in each community.

Each kit includes directions on how to use the test and mail it in for evaluation. Results will be sent directly to the homeowner. Cass Health is also providing information with each test regarding what the results mean, mitigation companies, and additional resources to learn about radon. Brett Altman said “Over the past year, Cass Health has started looking more deeply into how we can impact our local cancer incidence rates. Preventing cancer is the ultimate goal, and providing free radon tests is just one way we can start to tackle this huge issue. Over the coming months and years, we will continue to evaluate how we can contribute to cancer prevention through resources like radon tests and community education.”

(Red Oak, IA) – Police in Red Oak, late Monday night, arrested a woman wanted on a warrant, and drug charges. 43-year-old Risa Mae Lutton, of Red Oak, was arrested at around 11:10-p.m., in the 100 block of W. Washington Avenue, for: Possession of a Controlled Substance – Methamphetamine/2nd Offense (Aggravated Misdemeanor); and Interference with Official Acts (Simple Misdemeanor). Lutton was also taken into custody on valid Nebraska warrant for being a Fugitive from Justice.

She was being held without bond in the Montgomery County Jail.

(Red Oak, IA) – The Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office reports a man from Villisca was arrested at around 7:20-p.m., Monday. Authorities say 50-year-old Jason William McCollum was arrested on a warrant for Probation Violation. McCollum was taken to the Montgomery County Jail, and held on a $5,000 bond.

(Radio Iowa) – The Sioux City School Board has unanimously voted to accept the resignation of Superintendent Dr. Juan Cordova. Cordova started the job July 1st and his resignation is effective March 31st. The board met privately for less than half an hour last (Monday) night, then took the vote in public. School Board President Jan George read a public statement.

“Dr. Cordova was placed on administrative leave in November, 2025. The board accepted Dr. Cordova’s resignation to allow both parties to pursue other opportunities,” George said. “The mutual decision follows Dr. Cordova’s licensing issue and professional differences between Dr. Cordova and the board with regards to standards for its superintendent.”

Cordova had worked at schools in Missouri, North Carolina, and Florida and got a temporary state license for school administrators when he started in Sioux City on July 1st.

The Iowa Department of Education issued Cordova an initial Iowa Administrator’s license on the day school started in Sioux City. The Sioux City School Board had granted Cordova a leave of absence in August and he missed the first few days of the school year. The board has named an acting superintendent. Associate Superintendent Angela Bemis will oversee the district’s daily operations during the search for a new superintendent.

(Stuart, IA) – The Stuart and Menlo Fire Departments responded at around 6:20-p.m. Monday, to a structure fire at Rose Acre Farms in rural Stuart, at 1064 Riverside Avenue. The flames were easily visible by motorists on Interstate 80 and elsewhere in the area.

According to a statement issued early this (Tuesday) morning by Stuart Fire Chief Stephen Martinson, crews arrived on the scene shortly after the call was dispatched, and found a fully involved chicken barn with significant structural collapse to three-quarters of the building, which was unoccupied and did not house any chickens at the time of the fire.

Chief Martinson went on to say “Unified command and water operations were established and additional mutual aid was requested,” with crews from Dexter, Casey, Greenfield, Panora, Guthrie Center, Adair Earlham and Redfield all responding to the scene and quickly began fire/ground operations.

Midwest Partnership EDC Facebook page photo – Rose Acre Farms fire 1/5/26

In total, 10 fire departments from Guthrie, Adair and Dallas Counties responded to the call for service, along with law enforcement personnel. Chief Martinson said “Continued assistance provided from our neighbor departments is key to ensuring efficiency and best possible outcomes in these emergency situations. We appreciated all outside resources for their continued support.”

The statement did not say what caused the fire or a dollar amount of the damage. The incident remained under investigation.

Rose Acre Farms is the second-largest egg producer in the U.S. and has several locations across the country, according to the company’s website.

• Exploring opportunities to engage with the federal government to support nuclear energy development and ensure Iowa’s policies and initiatives align with national regulations;
• Assessing emerging nuclear technologies for Iowa’s energy sector;
• Engaging with industry leaders, academic institutions, and others to ensure Iowa develops a highly skilled workforce for the growing nuclear energy sector;
• Engaging with manufacturers and other nuclear energy stakeholders to identify barriers to entry and the partnerships and investments needed to cultivate a nuclear supply chain in Iowa; and
• Evaluating opportunities to enhance economic growth by utilizing nuclear energy.