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The Golden Globes return in a 1-year audition

Posted on by Sam Parsons

BEVERLY HILLS, CA. (AP) — After going dark for a year, the Golden Globes return to the air Tuesday on a one-year audition to try to win back their awards-season perch and relevancy to a Hollywood that shunned the awards after an ethics and diversity scandal.

Stars and studios boycotted last year’s ceremony, which NBC opted not to televise, saying the Hollywood Foreign Press Association needed time to make “meaningful reform.” A year later, much — though not all — of Hollywood appears ready to party, again.

Following red carpet coverage (E! will air it live beginning at 6 p.m. EDT), the broadcast from the Beverly Hilton in Beverly Hills, Calif., starts at 8 p.m. on NBC. For the first time, the show will also be live-streamed, on NBCUniversal’s Peacock. When the Globes were on the brink, NBC reworked its deal with the HFPA, putting the awards on a one-year contract and moving the show to Tuesday from its regular Sunday night spot.

Hosting is comedian Jerrod Carmichael, who won an Emmy last year for his HBO special “Rothaniel.” Eddie Murphy and Ryan Murphy are set to receive tributes. Presenters include Ana de Armas (a nominee for “Blonde”), Jenna Ortega (nominated for “Wednesday”), Billy Porter, Tracy Morgan, Jennifer Coolidge (nominated for “White Lotus”) and Quentin Tarantino. Sean Penn will also introduce a message from Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

UNTANGLING THE GLOBES’ MESS

The Globes were plunged into chaos shortly before a largely remote pandemic 2021 awards show when a Los Angeles Times report revealed that the HFPA, then numbering 87 members, had no Black members. A separate New York Times report showed that the group — an often ridiculed collection of little-known foreign journalists based in Los Angeles — paid its members some $3 million in annual salaries, and detailed a litany of ethical lapses in how the organization regularly interacted with potential nominees.

Under mounting pressure, the HFPA pledged to reform, diversified its membership and changed some of the ways it operates. It now has 96 members, including six Black members, along with 103 nonmember voters. Billionaire Todd Boehly purchased the Globes through his Eldridge Industries, and has begun turning the nonprofit group into a for-profit company.

IS ANYONE STILL BOYCOTTING?

Reaction to the Globe nominations last month was muted, with few stars publicly celebrating. But only one nominee has stated emphatically that he will not attend: Brendan Fraser. Though nominated for best actor for his performance in “The Whale,” Fraser said he would not participate in the Globes. In 2018, Fraser said he was groped in 2003 by longtime Hollywood Foreign Press Association member Philip Berk. Berk, who is no longer an HFPA member, denied it.

Eyes will be especially trained Tuesday on Tom Cruise, whose “Top Gun: Maverick” is nominated for best picture, drama. Cruise responded more forcefully to the HFPA revelations than almost anyone in the industry, returning his three Golden Globe awards.

But all studios are again participating in the Globes. As it has for most award shows, viewership to the Globes telecast has cratered. After the 2020 awards were watched by 18.4 million, the 2021 edition managed just 6.9 million, according to Nielsen. Still, the Globes remain a valuable marketing tool for awards contenders, propping up ads for films in the long stretch between the holidays and the Oscars, which air arch 12. Some of this season’s top contenders, including Steven Spielberg’s “The Fabelmans” and Todd Fields’ “Tár,” have struggled attract large audiences.

THE NOMINEES

Martin McDonagh’s feuding friends tale “The Banshees of Inisherin” comes in with a leading eight nominations, including nods for actors Colin Farrell, Brendan Gleeson, Kerry Condon and Barry Keoghan. Daniel Kwan and Daniel Scheinert’s existential action comedy “Everything Everywhere all at Once” is up for six awards, including nods for Michelle Yeoh, Ke Huy Quan and Jamie Lee Curtis.

Several of the past year’s biggest box-office hits are also in the mix. Along with “Top Gun: Maverick,” “Tár” and “The Fabelmans,” the nominees for best picture, drama include James Cameron “Avatar: The Way of Water” and Baz Luhrmann’s “Elvis.”

On the TV side, the public school sitcom “Abbott Elementary” leads with five nominations, including a nod for Quinta Brunson’s lead performance. “The White Lotus,” “Dahmer,” “The Crown,” “Pam & Tommy” and “Only Murders in the Building” all scored four nominations each.

Nominees include: Brad Pitt (“Babylon”), Viola Davis (“The Woman King”), Daniel Craig (“Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery”), Angela Bassett (“Black Panther: Wakanda Forever”), Julia Roberts (“Gaslit”), Donald Glover (“Atlanta”), Bill Hader (“Barry”), Selena Gomez (“Only Murders in the Building”), Kevin Costner (“Yellowstone”), Diego Luna (“Andor”) and Bob Odenkirk (“Better Call Saul”).

USDA Announces Major Program Improvements, Progress, and Investments to Benefit American Farmers, Ranchers, and Producers

Posted on by Sam Parsons

SAN JUAN, P.R. — Yesterday, at the American Farm Bureau Federation annual convention, Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announced several major developments at the U.S. Department of Agriculture that will benefit farmers, ranchers and producers across the nation. 

“At USDA, our goal is to provide all farmers, including new and underserved producers, with the opportunity to receive the assistance they need to continue farming, to build and maintain their competitive-edge, and to access more, new, and better markets,” said Vilsack, who spoke at the American Farm Bureau Federation annual convention today. “Working together we can ensure American agriculture is as resilient as ever and will do so by implementing a holistic approach to emergency assistance, by lowering input costs through investments in domestic fertilizer production, and by promoting competition in agricultural markets.” 

Secretary Vilsack announced that USDA continues to make progress in the following areas by:

  • Assisting producers facing high input costs to access domestic, innovative fertilizer capacity.   
  • Improving risk protection for underserved producers.  
  • Investing in new choices and meat processing capacity for livestock producers.  
  • Providing relief for producers impacted by disaster and the pandemic.

USDA Moving Forward with Fertilizer Production Expansion Program; Publishes Comments on Importance of Increased Competition

USDA will soon begin accepting public comments on environmental and related aspects of 21 potentially viable projects to increase fertilizer production across the United States totaling up to $88 million. These applicants have requested grant funding through the first round of the Department’s newly established Fertilizer Production Expansion Program.  This program is one of many ways the Biden-Harris Administration invests in the agricultural supply chain right here at home. Investing in projects to increase fertilizer production will bring production and jobs back to the United States, promote competition and support American goods and services. Under the leadership of President Biden and Vice President Harris, USDA continues to create a competitive, resilient, secure and sustainable economy to support opportunities for local businesses and people across this nation. The Fertilizer Production Expansion Program is a critical part of that effort.

The Department is considering fertilizer production projects in Alabama, Arizona, Colorado, Florida, Iowa, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, Ohio, Oregon, Texas, Washington, and Wisconsin. In response to prior feedback requesting more time for public comment on the environmental and related impact of USDA-funded projects, USDA is seeking comments from the public on the following questions and projects pertaining to the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA) and Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966 (NHPA).  The 30-day public comment period will close February 8, 2023. Additional information is available at www.rd.usda.gov/fpep-environmental-review-comments.

The Fertilizer Production Expansion Program is part of a whole-of-government effort to promote competition in agricultural markets.  USDA has also released a summary of the comments received through a Request For Information on Access to Fertilizer: Competition and Supply Chain Concerns, which highlights the variety of concerns about the limited competition and dependence of foreign sources for significant amounts of fertilizer.

Improving Risk Protection for Beginning, Veteran, Limited Resource and Minority Producers

The Noninsured Crop Disaster Assistance Program (NAP) provides financial assistance to producers of non-insurable crops when low yields, loss of inventory or prevented planting occur due to natural disasters.  There is a Congressionally mandated fee waiver for basic coverage for underserved producers. However, a previous set of procedures and regulations created a paperwork burden that stood in the way of many producers taking advantage of the basic coverage option.  The recent rule removes barriers and establishes procedures through which an underserved producer with a CCC-860, Socially Disadvantaged, Limited Resource, Beginning and Veteran Farmer or Rancher Certification, on file prior to the applicable NAP application closing date will automatically receive basic coverage for any NAP-eligible crops they plant. Underserved producers on file for 2022 will also receive retroactive basic coverage.  Like all other covered producers, underserved producers will still need to file a notice of loss and apply for benefits.

In addition to the basic catastrophic level coverage under NAP, producers can buy-up higher levels of coverage by paying a premium.  Underserved producers receive a 50 percent discount on any premiums.  Producers who are interested in obtaining NAP coverage for 2023 should also contact their local FSA county office for information on eligibility, coverage options and applying for coverage.  FSA also plans to target outreach to previous producers of NAP-eligible crops to ensure these producers are aware of their options.  For more information, reference our NAP Fact Sheet.

New Programs to fill gaps in 2020/2021 Natural Disaster Assistance (Emergency Relief Program (ERP) Phase 2) and 2020 Pandemic Assistance (Pandemic Assistance Revenue Program (PARP).    

USDA is announcing two new programs that wrap-up and fill remaining gaps in previous natural disaster and pandemic assistance.  To be eligible for ERP Phase Two, producers must have suffered a decrease in allowable gross revenue in 2020 or 2021 due to necessary expenses related to losses of eligible crops from a qualifying natural disaster event. Assistance will be primarily to producers of crops that were not covered by Federal Crop Insurance or NAP, since crops covered by Federal Crop Insurance and NAP were included in the assistance under ERP Phase One.  

To be eligible for PARP, an agricultural producer must have been in the business of farming during at least part of the 2020 calendar year and had a 15% or greater decrease in allowable gross revenue for the 2020 calendar year, as compared to a baseline year. 

The ERP Phase 2 and PARP application period is open from January 23, 2023 through June 2, 2023. For more information, producers should contact their local USDA service center or reference the ERP Phase Two Fact Sheet, PARP Fact Sheet or the ERP Phase Two-PARP Comparison Fact Sheet.    

USDA touches the lives of all Americans each day in so many positive ways. In the Biden-Harris administration, USDA is transforming America’s food system with a greater focus on more resilient local and regional food production, fairer markets for all producers, ensuring access to healthy and nutritious food in all communities, building new markets and streams of income for farmers and producers using climate smart food and forestry practices, making historic investments in infrastructure and clean energy capabilities in rural America, and committing to equity across the Department by removing systemic barriers and building a workforce more representative of America. To learn more, visit usda.gov.

Wild-Harvested Mushroom Certification Classes Set for Spring

Posted on by Sam Parsons

AMES, Iowa – Mushroom gatherers who wish to sell wild-harvested mushrooms can attend one of two certification workshops to be held in March and April.

The certification is a requirement for those selling any of eight state-regulated mushrooms in Iowa, and participants will learn how to distinguish those eight from look-alikes that could potentially be poisonous.

Anyone with an interest in mushrooms and selling mushrooms can attend the workshop, according Chelsea Harbach, plant disease diagnostician with Iowa State University’s Plant and Insect Diagnostic Clinic.

“Certification is a requirement for selling any of these eight mushrooms in Iowa, but others can benefit by improving their knowledge of Iowa mushrooms and how to distinguish one mushroom from another,” said Harbach.

People can be poisoned by eating misidentified mushrooms, according to Harbach.

The common names of mushrooms that require certification to sell are morel, oyster, chicken of the woods, hen of the woods, chanterelles, bear’s head tooth/lion’s mane, pheasant back, and black trumpet.

The in-person workshops will be held March 25 and April 15, from 2-5 p.m. on the Iowa State University campus, inside room 1302 of the Advanced Teaching and Research Building (1302 ATRB).

Iowans who have not been certified to sell morel mushrooms for three or more years much recertify this year. Registration is open to out-of-state individuals who hunt and sell in Iowa, but keep in mind local certification may be required to sell in your home state.

Participants will receive a copy of the Safe Mushroom Foraging guide, an 80-page field guide published by Iowa State University Extension and Outreach, that contains important information about mushrooms found throughout Iowa.

Registration is $60 and can be done online. For the March 25 workshop, register by March 18; for the April 15 workshop, register by April 8.

For more information, contact Chelsea Harbach at pidc@iastate.edu

Pella School Board Hears Update on Early Childhood Center Construction, Reviews Culture Survey Results

Posted on by Sam Parsons

By Sam Parsons

The Pella Community School Board met last night and received an update on the status of their Early Childhood Center from DCI Construction. Structural masonry is expected to be completed within a couple of weeks and foundational work is still ongoing.

The board also reviewed the results from their Cultural Survey from HumanEx. The survey was conducted among faculty and staff to receive feedback from their perspective. Superintendent Greg Ebeling said that this survey has been conducted yearly for several years, with this year’s survey seeing the highest level of participation to date. Among the results reviewed from the survey, 70.52% of respondents reported being both highly satisfied and highly engaged with their job and culture. That number has dipped from the mid-to-upper 70s since before COVID. Some differences were observed between different buildings within the district; Ebeling said that the plan was to meet in February with employees of the various buildings to come up with an action plan to address some of those differences.

The next meeting for the Pella Community School Board will be held on January 23.

Osky Splits Doubleheader at Newton

Posted on by Sam Parsons

By Sam Parsons

The Oskaloosa girls and boys basketball teams suited up for another conference twin bill on Friday; this time, they hit the road to face the Newton Cardinals.

Osky’s girls found themselves in a physical, low-scoring affair to start the night. Both teams played aggressive defense, but in the first half, the officials let the teams play, and as such, the half ended with just 38 combined points as the Cardinals led 20-18.

The atmosphere shifted in the second half when the physical nature of the game began to be legislated with a more hands-on approach. In a short span during the third quarter, Cardinal point Sophia Reynolds, the team’s leader in points, assists, and steals, racked up several personal fouls and found herself with 4 midway through the period. At the start of the 4th, the Indians were still down 25-24, but the opportunity was there for them to take the lead.

They took the opportunity and ran with it. Shots that weren’t falling for the Indians in the first half began to do so in the second, as junior wing Lydia Van Veldhuizen, who was held scoreless in the first half, caught fire with 9 points, most of which came in the fourth quarter. Things went from bad to worse for the Cardinals when Reynolds fouled out, and their remaining players continued to play aggressive defense to no avail; Indians senior Presley Blommers was sent to the free throw line on four different occasions, all in the fourth quarter, and drained all 8 of her free throw attempts. The Indians scored 23 points in the fourth after scoring just 24 in their first three quarters and won convincingly on the scoreboard, 47-33.

The boys game, on the other hand, was handled by the Cardinals from the tip. Blessed with a remarkable amount of experience and team leadership (the Cardinals have 13 seniors on their roster), Newton was able to control both ends of the floor throughout the night. Senior forward Cole Plowman was the centerpiece in the beginning as the Cardinals funneled passes to him in the low post and he accounted for 17 of the Cardinals’ 34 first half points. The Cardinals forced a slew of turnovers on defense in the first half as well, staking a 34-12 lead.

From there, it was time for Newton to hit cruise control. The Indians were able to see some offensive improvement in the second half with better shooting led by junior Aidan Scholes, but the Cardinals never let them back in the game. The final score was 61-39 in favor of the Cardinals to split the doubleheader.

The Osky girls (4-5) will travel to PCM on Monday. The boys (1-8) will host Grinnell on Tuesday.

Girls stats

Boys stats

Mega Millions jackpot rises to $1.1 billion after no winner

Posted on by Sam Parsons

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Another Mega Millions drawing, another night without a big winner. No one hit all six numbers and won the estimated $940 million jackpot, pushing the lottery prize to an estimated $1.1 billion ahead of the next drawing Tuesday night. The numbers drawn late Friday were: 3, 20, 46, 59, 63 and gold Mega Ball 13. The prize is now the third-largest in U.S. history. There have been 24 drawings without a jackpot winner. The winless streak is largely due to the game’s long odds of 1 in 302.6 million. The new estimated prize is for a winner who chooses an annuity paid annually over 29 years. Grand prize winners usually take the cash option, which for Tuesday night’s drawing will be an estimated $568.7 million.

Iowa’s U.S. House delegation finally sworn into office

Posted on by Sam Parsons

By O. Kay Henderson (Radio Iowa)

The four Republicans from Iowa who were elected to serve in the U.S. House were sworn into office at about a quarter ’til one on Saturday morning.

The four Iowans supported Kevin McCarthy’s bid for House Speaker throughout last week as McCarthy negotiated and made concessions to try to win the support of 20 House Republican hold-outs. First district Congresswoman Marianette Miller-Meeks of LeClaire recorded a video early Saturday, after a 15th and successful vote for speaker had concluded.

“Tonight, we elected Kevin McCarthy as speaker of the House. It was a messy process, but it was transparent, out in the open,” Miller-Meeks said. “…Now, let’s get on to doing the work of the people and get this country back on track.”

Second district Congresswoman Ashley Hinson of Marion said in a written statement that McCarthy will be “an incredible speaker” and ensure House Republicans deliver on a “historic agenda.” Fourth district Congressman Randy Feenstra of Hull said he’s encouraged by the deals McCarthy struck this past week that will keep “massive spending bills” from being passed in the U.S. House.

Third district Congressman Zach Nunn of Bondurant, taking the oath for his first term in office, said in a written statement that he’ll “follow through and executive on tough requirements.”

Annual North Mahaska Audit Report Released

Posted on by Sam Parsons

NEW SHARON — Van Maanen, Sietstra, Meyer & Nikkel, PC, Certified Public Accountants released an audit report on the North Mahaska Community School District, in New Sharon, on Friday.

North Mahaska’s revenues totaled $10,116,939 for the year ended June 30, 2022, a 10.5 percent increase from the prior year. Expenses for the District operations for the year ended June 30, 2022 totaled $8,130,711, a 7.4 percent decrease from the prior year. The increase in revenues is due primarily to an increase in Federal grants. The decrease in expenses is due primarily to less spending on construction projects.

Van Maanen, Sietstra, Meyer & Nikkel, PC reported four findings related to the receipt and expenditure of taxpayer funds. They are found on pages 62 through 64 of the full report. The findings address issues such as segregation of duties, and certified enrollment variances. The auditors provided the district with recommendations to address each of the findings.

Both findings discussed above which relate to North Mahaska are repeated from the prior year. The school district’s board of education has a fiduciary responsibility to provide oversight of the school district’s operations and financial transactions. Oversight is typically defined as the “watchful and responsible care” a governing body exercises in its fiduciary capacity.

It should be noted that these findings are not uncommon in smaller governmental entities and many times are cited on an annual basis.

A copy of the audit report is available for review on the Auditor of the State of Iowa’s website at https://auditor.iowa.gov/audit-reports.

Cover Crop Workshop to be Held at Boender Farm near Oskaloosa January 24

Posted on by Sam Parsons

AMES, Iowa—Iowa Learning Farms will host a cover crop workshop on Tuesday, January 24, from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at Steve Boender’s Farm near Oskaloosa. The free event is open to farmers and landowners and includes a complimentary meal.

Cover crops offer many benefits to farmers and landowners including, reduced soil erosion, weed suppression potential, reduced nitrogen and phosphorus loads entering water bodies, and increased organic matter in the soil. When paired with no-tillage additional benefits include increased water infiltration and reduced erosion during heavy rain events.

This workshop aims to equip attendees with best management practices for establishing and managing cover crops to maintain yields during the transition to a higher residue system of cover crops. Additionally, the workshop offers the opportunity to learn more about taking cover crops to the next level for soil health through grazing and relay cropping with soybeans.

Rebecca Vittetoe, Iowa State University Extension Field Agronomist, will share research data on utilizing winter and summer annual forages. Ross Evelsizer, Northeast Iowa RC&D, and Alex Shaffer, Iowa Soybean Association, are partnering on relay cropping cereal rye and soybeans trials and will highlight how to successfully manage the system. A panel of local farmers will share how they are using cover crops in their operations and how they have addressed the challenges of changing their management. Myriam Lafreniere-Landry, Muchakinock Creek Watershed Coordinator, and Joy Van Wyngarden, South Skunk Watershed Coordinator, will provide project updates and share opportunities for participation.

The workshop will be held in a heated shop at the Boender Farm, 2052 275th St, Oskaloosa, IA 52577. The event is free and open to farmers and landowners, though we require reservations to ensure adequate space and food. For reasonable accommodations and to RSVP, please contact Liz Ripley at 515-294-5429 or ilf@iastate.edu.  Attendees will be entered in a drawing for ISU Prairie Strips honey.

Iowa Learning Farms field days and workshops are supported by the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service. For more information about Iowa Learning Farms, visit www.iowalearningfarms.org.

Jason Aldean, Walker Hayes & More To Perform At 2023 RodeoHouston

Posted on by Bob Ballard

RodeoHouston has announced their 2023 lineup and it is filled with many of today’s most popular acts. The world’s largest livestock show takes place from February 28th through March 19th in Houston Texas at the NRG stadium, with proceeds going to support education for youths.

Texas native Parker McCollum will kick off RODEOHOUSTON on February 28, and Luke Bryan closes out the event on March 19th. Sandwiched between these two acts are, just to name a few, Zac Brown Band, Jason Aldean, Walker Hayes, Ashley McBryde, Kenny Chesney, Cody Johnson, and Brad Paisley.

“We are thrilled to welcome back so many talented artists including some fan favorites such as Houston rap legend, Bun B who will be taking the stage alongside some additional iconic southern performers,” Rodeo President and CEO, Chris Boleman, shared. “The level of talent we have in this lineup will get the fans excited, including Texas’ own Parker McCollum, who is helping us kick off this 2023, star lineup on Opening Day.”

Check out the full lineup HERE!

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