WASHINGTON (AP) — All 50 states are hosting midterm elections that will determine the balance of power in Washington and state capitals across the nation. Republicans are predicting a massive red wave as anxious Democrats defend their narrow majorities in Congress while facing one of the worst political environments in recent memory. Democrats hope that a backlash against the Supreme Court’s reversal of Roe v. Wade will save them. But as the party in power, they’re struggling to overcome concerns about the economy, crime and President Joe Biden’s leadership. Even if things run smoothly, it may take days or weeks before the final outcome is known in several key races.
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Powerball World-Record Jackpot Pushes Higher: Est. $1.9 Billion For Tonight
Posted on by Sam Parsons
CLIVE, Iowa — The Powerball® jackpot continues to push further into world-record territory, with strong sales in Iowa and across the country driving the giant prize even higher for its next drawing on Monday. The jackpot is now an estimated $1.9 billion annuity, $929.1 million cash option.
The previous record Powerball jackpot was a prize of $1.586 billion won in the drawing on Jan. 13, 2016.
The jackpot has reached this level because it’s been growing for three months. It was last won on Aug. 3.
Three Iowa Tickets Came SO CLOSE
Iowa Lottery players won a total of 101,223 prizes in Saturday’s Powerball drawing, including three tickets that were just one number away from having at least a share of the giant jackpot. Two of those tickets each won a $50,000 prize while the other won $150,000.
The three tickets each matched four of the first five numbers and the Powerball to win a $50,000 prize. But the person who bought one of the tickets also added the Power Play option to their play, which multiplied their winnings to $150,000.
The $50,000-winning tickets were purchased at: Kwik Star, 911 S. 14th St. in Clinton; and K&J Hop-N-Shop, 416 Broad St. in Sabula.
The $150,000-winning ticket was purchased at: Hy-Vee C-Store, 1999 Park St. in Sheldon.
The three prizes can be claimed at any Iowa Lottery office. If the winners have questions before claiming their prize, they are welcome to call the Iowa Lottery at 515-725-7900 or email to: Wmaster@ialottery.com.
Saturday’s winning numbers were: 28-45-53-56-69 and Powerball 20. The Power Play® number was 3.
A player wins the Powerball jackpot by matching all six winning numbers in a drawing. However, there are a total of nine prize levels in Powerball ranging from $4 up to the jackpot, so the Iowa Lottery reminds its players to be sure to check their tickets for all the prizes they may have won.
Retail Locations Setting Up Powerball-Specific Lines
With Powerball sales remaining strong in Iowa and across the country, some retail locations are setting up customer-service lines specifically for lottery sales. That keeps Powerball transactions moving quickly and allows customers with other needs to be helped in a different line.
Sales in the past week demonstrate what has always been the case: Iowa Lottery players buy tickets where they’re already running other errands. Stores with high customer traffic counts sell a lot of lottery tickets and all sorts of other products.
Here are the Top 10 retailers for Iowa Lottery sales in the past week (Sunday, Oct. 30-Saturday, Nov. 5).
- Hy-Vee, 1843 Johnson Ave. NW in Cedar Rapids
- Hy-Vee, 5050 Edgewood Road NE in Cedar Rapids
- Hy-Vee, 1823 E. Kimberly Road in Davenport
- Hy-Vee, 20 Wilson Ave. SW in Cedar Rapids
- Hy-Vee, 2323 W. Broadway in Council Bluffs
- Hy-Vee, 1725 Jordan Creek Pkwy. in West Des Moines
- Hy-Vee, 3600 U.S. Highway 151 in Marion
- Kwik Star, 1001 Blairs Ferry Road NE in Cedar Rapids
- Hy-Vee, 2510 SW State St. in Ankeny
- Hy-Vee, 3221 SE 14th in Des Moines.
Iowa Sales For Saturday’s Drawing
Iowa Lottery players bought more than $5.9 million in Powerball tickets for Saturday’s drawing, including more than $3.1 million in tickets on Saturday alone.
But the average Powerball purchase in Iowa for Saturday’s drawing remained about $7, or about four plays per ticket. Lottery officials were pleased that a lot of people had fun playing and didn’t go overboard.
The Difference These Powerball Sales Will Make For State Causes
The final details won’t be available until later, but the impact of this month’s strong Powerball sales will mean more help for meaningful state causes in Iowa. Powerball players will have played a big part in helping our state.
Each year, 100 percent of Iowa Lottery proceeds go to support state causes. In its latest financial year, the Iowa Lottery raised more than $101.7 million for state programs that help everything from veterans and law enforcement to education, parks and conservation, agriculture, and human services.
Since its start in 1985, the Iowa Lottery has raised more than $2.2 billion for state programs. More details are here: https://ialottery.com/Pages/
Where Can I Watch The Drawing?
The Powerball drawing is livestreamed on the Iowa Lottery website as it occurs at 9:59 p.m. on Mondays, Wednesdays and Saturdays. Video of the latest drawing then remains on the site until the next drawing occurs.
The livestream is on the Powerball page of the lottery’s website here: https://www.ialottery.com/
Things To Consider As You Dream Big
The Iowa Lottery has heard from a lot of people with dreams of hitting big and thoughts about what they would do if they win. To provide specifics about the details that come with a giant lottery win, the Iowa Lottery has produced a video called “You Won! Now What?”
That video is available on YouTube here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?
How Do I Buy A Ticket?
Lots of first-time players are deciding to buy tickets now. Some of them have reached out to the lottery, saying they don’t know how to play and don’t want to appear silly when trying to buy a ticket.
The Iowa Lottery has shared with them that the simplest way to buy a ticket is to ask a clerk at a store for an easy-pick Powerball play. The lottery terminal will select the numbers for that play and the lottery terminal will print out the ticket. Nearly 93 percent of the tickets purchased for Saturday’s drawing were easy-pick plays.
To give everyone a quick brush-up on playing Powerball, the Iowa Lottery has how-to-play videos available here: https://www.ialottery.com/
Office pools and folks buying tickets with friends and family also are seeing a big jump right now. Reminders to help keep lottery group play fun and hassle free are on the Iowa Lottery website here: https://www.ialottery.com/
Please Play Responsibly
And as always, the Iowa Lottery reminds everyone that it only takes one ticket to win. Please play responsibly. The Iowa Lottery keeps “Play Smart, Be Informed” details here: https://ialottery.com/Pages/
Tulip Queen Announcement Party Happening This Weekend
Posted on by Sam Parsons
By Sam Parsons
The city of Pella is holding the announcement party for the 2023 Tulip Time Queen and Royal Court this Saturday.
Residents have multiple options available to purchase tickets between now and then. Tickets are available online through the Pella Historical Museum webpage through Thursday. They can also be purchased at the Vermeer Windmill Gift Shop on Friday and Saturday between 10am-4pm. Remaining tickets will be available at the door the day of the event beginning at 6:15pm.
The Pella Tulip Time Royal Court is the ambassador for Pella’s Tulip Festival. The Court consists of the Tulip Queen and her four attendants. The Queen also chooses two pages and two attendants to join the Court during the festival in May.
Senior girls from the community are nominated by Pella residents, followed by a town-wide vote to select the top twelve finalists. The candidates prepare for a night of interviewing and presentations before 30 judges. Each candidate first interviews with the judges in small groups. Next is the public performance, where each finalist gives a presentation of a talent or interest that depicts her personality. She will also be interviewed by the evening’s Master of Ceremonies. After the tallying of ballots from both the interviews and the public performances, the Tulip Queen and Court are announced.
The 12 finalists for Tulip Queen this year are:
Emma Bogaard
Tatum Carlstone
Samantha Clark
Anna DeNooy
Braelyn Ensor
Jasmine Namminga
Cheyne Plants
Norma Spiker
Bridget Vande Zande
Hailey Van Vark
Avery Verhoef
Ellie Wogen
Election Day is Tomorrow: Review County Auditor Contact Info
Posted on by Sam Parsons
By Sam Parsons
Midterm Election Day is tomorrow. Citizens across the state are encouraged to contact their county auditors if they have any questions about their polling location.
One location in Mahaska County has already announced a change. Residents of the Oskaloosa 1st Ward will now be voting at Bethel Baptist Church instead of the Extension Office Building.
Here is a list of phone numbers for county auditors in our listening area:
Mahaska: 641-673-7148
Marion: 641-828-2217
Wapello: 641-683-0020
Keokuk: 641-622-2320
Monroe: 641-932-2865
Jasper: 641-792-7016
Iowa: 319-642-3923
Poweshiek: 641-623-5443
Jefferson: 641-472-2840
Dolly Parton Gets Inducted Into The Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame
Posted on by Bob Ballard
Dolly Parton was inducted into the Rock And Roll Hall of Fame on Saturday night, and now she gets it. When the nomination was announced, the “Jolene” singer said she didn’t want fans to vote for her.
But, when she walked on stage after seeing the other inductees get their honor, Dolly said “I’m a rock star now! Back when they said they were going to induct me into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, I didn’t really think that I’d done enough to deserve that. I didn’t understand at the time. But this is a very, very special night for me.”
Most of the presenters and performers weren’t shared ahead of time so when Bruce Springsteen, Dr. Dre, Steven Tyler, Pink, The Edge, Alice Cooper, Brandi Carlile, Olivia Rodrigo, and Ed Sheeran hit the stage, the crowd went wild.
Parton was inducted last with Pink and Brandi Carlile singing “Coat of Many Colors,” and Zac Brown and Sheryl Crow dueting on “9 to 5.” Dolly had time to slip into an Elvis-like jumpsuit before performing a new song about being in the Rock Hall. Then she brought out several of the night’s performers including Simon Le Bon, Annie Lennox, Dave Stewart, Pink, Brandi Carlile, Pat Benatar, and Rob Halford for “Jolene.” It brought the house down.
At the very end, Bruce Springsteen and John Mellencamp wrapped the night up with a medley of Jerry Lee Lewis songs as a tribute. They were backed by members of the Zac Brown Band and E Street Band keyboardist Roy Bittan.
Source: Rolling Stone
This day in Country Music History
Posted on by Bob Ballard
- Today in 1994, Kathy Mattea’s album, “A Collection Of Hits,” was certified platinum.
- Today in 1994, Sammy Kershaw’s “Feeling Good Train” album was certified gold. The same day his “Haunted Heart” project was certified platinum.
- Today in 1994, Billy Ray Cyrus’ “Some Gave All” CD was certified for sales of 8-million.
- Today in 1997, LeAnn Rimes’ version of “How Do I Live” was certified double platinum – the only country single ever to reach that mark.
- Today in 1997, LeAnn Rimes’ “Blue” album was certified for multi-platinum sales of 5-million.
- Today in 1997, Shania Twain’s “The Woman In Me” album was certified for sales of 10-million.
- Today in 1998, Garth Brooks’ “Double Live” album was released, the same day new albums from Jewel, Mariah Carey and Whitney Houston hit record stores. After the dust had settled on what record stores called “Super Tuesday,” Garth emerged victorious. He captured the #1 spot on the album charts – and set a first-week sales record of 1.9-million copies.
- Today in 1998, “The Prince Of Egypt – Nashville” soundtrack was released. The album featured songs by Vince Gill, Wynonna, Reba McEntire, Clint Black, Faith Hill and Jessica Andrews.
- Today in 1999, Tim McGraw’s album, “A Place In The Sun,” was certified double platinum.
- Today in 1999, Faith Hill’s Breathe album debuted at the top of both the “Billboard” country and all-genre album charts.
- Today in 2000, Pam Tillis’ “All of This Love” album was certified gold.
- Today in 2000, Alabama’s “For the Record: 41 Number-One Hits” collection was certified quadruple-platinum.
- Today in 2003, Emmylou Harris taped an installment of “CMT Crossroads” at Hammerstein Ballroom in New York.
- Today in 2004, Roger Miller’s “King Of The Road” was recognized at #1 in the CMT special “40 Greatest Road Songs.”
- Today in 2009, Taylor Swift was the guest host and musical guest on NBC’s “Saturday Night Live.”
- Today in 2013, Cassadee Pope earned a gold single for “Wasting All These Tears.”
- Today in 2016, Jon Bon Jovi sang “Who Says You Can’t Go Home” during a Hillary Clinton rally at Independence Hall in Philadelphia the night before the presidential election. Also on hand were Barack Obama, Michelle Obama, Bill Clinton and Bruce Springsteen.
- Today in 2016, Rascal Flatts performed for pediatric patients and family members at Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt in Nashville. The music includes “Fast Cars And Freedom” and “Bless The Broken Road.”
- Today in 2016, Billy Currington’s “Do I Make You Wanna” hit the airwaves.
- Today in 2018, Carrie Underwood collected a gold single from the RIAA for “Cry Pretty.”
- Today in 2020, Luke Combs hit #1 on the Billboard country singles chart with “Forever After All.”
US hiring may have slowed to a still-solid pace in October
Posted on by Sam Parsons
WASHINGTON (AP) — The U.S. jobs report for October will be closely watched Friday for any indication that employers are slowing their hiring — a prospect the Federal Reserve would likely welcome as a sign that the high inflation that is gripping the economy might soon begin to ease. Economists expect the report to show that employers added 200,000 jobs last month. That would represent a healthy gain and would suggest that employers still feel the need to fill many jobs. A substantial hiring gain would also mean that wages will likely keep rising and continue to fuel inflation. Chronic inflation is hurting many households and has shot to the top of voter concerns in the midterm elections.
Pate says Iowans cast paper ballots, so votes can’t be hacked
Posted on by Sam Parsons
By O. Kay Henderson (Radio Iowa)
The state’s top election official says there’s “zero evidence” Iowa’s vote counting systems could be hacked or infiltrated. Secretary of State Paul Pate says every ballot is a paper ballot and none of the ballot tabulators poll workers will use next Tuesday are connected to the internet.
“And we have our unsung heroes, the bipartisan teams of poll workers — your friends and neighbors — that give us that transparency and consistency across all 99 counties, so that we can feel confident in our election process,” Pate said today as he hosted a news conference with federal and state officials who are monitoring election-related threats.
Pate referred to a situation in Arizona, where armed people were observing voters putting their absentee ballots at drop boxes.
“Because of what people are seeing on the news and reports from other states, there’s something I’d like to address — voters we’ve got your back,” Pate said. “You will be able to cast your vote safely and if anyone tries to impede that process in any way, our friends in law enforcement will deal with them. We have these guys on speed dial.”
Iowa Department of Public Safety Commissioner Stephan Bayens said voter intimidation hasn’t “traditionally” been a problem in Iowa.
“In the past, I believe there was one report maybe out of western Iowa of a potential case of either a voter or poll worker intimidation and what we actually found out it was actually a false narrative being spread on social media to discourage people from going to that particular polling place,” Bayens said, “and so, in reality, there was no truth to it.”
About 10,000 Iowans will be working at precinct sites around the state next Tuesday and Pate is urging voters to treat them with respect.
“It’s a very important job they’re doing because they care about elections,” Pate said. “These are your friends and neighbors, the people you go to church with, the people whose kids and grandkids go to the same schools as your kids and grandkids. Our election officials are made up of bipartisan teams in every polling place and they deserve a lot of credit for the job that they’re doing.”
The day after the election, Pate will order a hand count of ballots cast in a randomly selected precinct in each Iowa county. Two statewide races will be identified as the subject of the recounts. Pate said these post-election audits in the past have clearly shown Iowans that the vote tallies announced on Election Night are accurate.
“Come election day when we put those tallies up, we need them to believe in it,” Pate said. “They can’t have a doubt because if they do, our republic has fallen and with that, whether it’s the Chinese or the Russians or the North Koreans, they just won the war without firing a single bullet.”
Pate hosted today’s news conference in the State of Iowa’s Emergency Operations Center. State officials will gather there next Tuesday to monitor and respond to any election-related threats.
Crisis Intervention Services of Mahaska County Among 44 Agencies to Receive Funding to Support Homelessness Assistance Initiatives
Posted on by Sam Parsons
(DES MOINES) – The Iowa Finance Authority (IFA) Board of Directors recently approved more than $4.7 million in federal and state grants to assist 44 agencies with homelessness assistance initiatives during the 2023 calendar year.
Crisis Intervention Services of Mahaska County was on the list of agencies to receive funding. They are set to receive a Shelter Assistance Fund Grant Award of $21,489.
“The homelessness assistance awards announced today will have a direct impact in helping thousands of Iowans in their time of need,” said Iowa Finance Authority Executive Director Debi Durham. “Iowa’s homeless service professionals work tirelessly to help get Iowans back on their feet and into permanent housing and this funding will aid in those efforts.”
The funding is made available through the federal Emergency Solutions Grant program and the State-funded Shelter Assistance Fund. IFA conducted a two-year combined ESG and SAF competition for funds in 2021. Applications were scored in several categories, including project design, experience and capacity, community partnerships, performance, budget and grants management.
Individuals in need of homelessness assistance should contact the coordinated entry system, online at iowahousinghelp.com or by phone at: 833-739-0065. Residents of Des Moines or Polk County should call the local centralized intake: 515-248-1850.
Emergency Solutions Grant Program
The primary purpose of the Federal Emergency Solutions Grant program is to help Iowans and their families quickly regain stability in permanent housing after experiencing a housing crisis or homelessness. Examples of eligible services include street outreach, shelter, homelessness prevention and rapid rehousing (rental assistance paired with case management and supportive services). The program is administered by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development and by the Iowa Finance Authority in Iowa. Twenty-seven agencies were awarded a total of more than $2.9 million in 2023 Emergency Solutions Grant Program funds.
Shelter Assistance Fund
The State-funded Shelter Assistance Fund program provides assistance to help with the costs of operations of homeless and domestic violence shelters, essential services for the homeless and evaluation and reporting services. Thirty-three agencies were awarded a total of nearly $1.8 million in 2023 Shelter Assistance Fund grants.
The awards list is available here.
Mahaska County Polling Locations for General Election
Posted on by Sam Parsons
OSKALOOSA — Polls will be open from 7:00 A.M. to 8:00 P.M. in Mahaska County for the November 8, 2022 General Election.
All locations are your primary/general election polling locations where you normally vote.
PLEASE NOTE: Polling locations may have changed. If unsure of your polling location, contact the Mahaska
County Auditor at 641-673-7148.
Polling Locations:
Adams/Lincoln/Monroe/Spring Creek Keomah Village/University Park: Mahaska County Conservation Environment Learning Center, 2342 Hwy 92, Oskaloosa
Black Oak/Richland/Scott/Leighton/Pella: Leighton Christian Reformed Church, 415 Reid St., Leighton
Cedar/Harrison/White Oak/Eddyville/Fremont/Rose Hill: Fremont Community Building, 107 East Main St., Fremont
East Des Moines/Garfield/Jefferson/West Des Moines/Beacon: Beacon United Methodist Church, 417 Kilburn Street, Beacon
Madison/Pleasant Grove/Prairie/Union/Barnes City/New Sharon: New Sharon City Park Building, 102 West High St., New Sharon
Oskaloosa – 1st Ward: Extension Office Building, 212 North I St., Oskaloosa (EDITOR’S NOTE: It was announced today that the polling site for residents of the Oskaloosa 1st Ward has moved from the Extension Office Building to Bethel Baptist Church, 1407 A Avenue West, Oskaloosa, due to unforeseen circumstances.)
Oskaloosa – 2nd Ward: Gateway Church of the Nazarene, 140 Gateway Drive, Oskaloosa
Oskaloosa – 3rd Ward: Assembly of God Church Gym, 716 South 17th St., Oskaloosa
Oskaloosa – 4th Ward: Senior Center (Old Grant School Building), 715 B Ave East, Oskaloosa
Voters living outside Mahaska County should contact their county auditor for absentee ballots and voting locations.
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