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State Treasurer touts ISave 529 educational savings plan

Posted on by Sam Parsons

By Dar Danielson (Radio Iowa)

State Treasurer Roby Smith is celebrating the ISave 529 state educational savings plan today, on May 29th, or “529 Day”.

Smith says there have been some changes made in the plan recently. “We raised the contribution amount that can run off on their Iowa taxes to 58-hundred dollars ($5,800) per individual. Also, they can spend the money that they accrue in there for K through 12 tuition, apprenticeship programs, and trade school. They can even do a student loan repayment up to $10,000 if they’d like,” Smith says.

Smith says you can tailor the plan to how aggressive you want to be in planning for the future. “If they want to have a little bit more risk, they can go ahead and invest in something that covers the entire stock market. If they want to have a little bit less risk, they can do more bonds, less stock market. It just depends what their risk tolerance is,” Smith says. He says the earlier you start, the more money you’ll have to pay for your child’s education. “If you think about this way, if you have 18 years, if you start when you’re a child is first born, and you put in two dollars a day, less than a cup of coffee, you’ll have over $13,000 in contributions by the time they turn 18,” Smith says. “And that doesn’t even count any growth in the investment that they could have.”

Changes in state and federal law now allow you to use that account after your child later in life. “If there’s money left over on the account and you’ve had it open for at least 15 years, you can turn over up to 35-thousand dollars. You can put it into your child’s Roth IRA. Not only do you help them for school, but now you can set them up for retirement,” he says.

Smith says you can start an account with a little as $25 by going to iowa529.com.

Pella, Montezuma Among 33 Schools to Receive Choose Iowa Food Purchasing Grants

Posted on by Sam Parsons

DES MOINES — Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig today announced 33 schools or school districts have received grants to participate in the Choose Iowa Food Purchasing Program for Schools. The one-year pilot program connects Iowa schools with Choose Iowa members to encourage school food service programs to purchase and serve more ingredients and products sourced from local farmers and small businesses.

The pilot program was authorized during the 2024 legislative session and is an initiative of Choose Iowa, the state’s branding and marketing program that identifies and promotes Iowa grown, made, and raised food, beverages and ag products.

“This Choose Iowa pilot program is yet another way we’re connecting Iowa farmers and small businesses with schools to provide fresh, local, and nutritious food to our students. This one-year pilot program saw strong demand from interested schools that far exceeded the available program budget,” said Secretary Naig. “As Choose Iowa continues to expand, we will work to open even more opportunities to connect local producers and school food programs. Choose Iowa’s membership is growing quickly and is already demonstrating how it can be a powerful tool for strengthening and growing our rural communities.”

The school pilot program has a total budget of $70,000, and each school was eligible to apply for up to $1,000 per school building. Both public and private schools were encouraged to apply. Selected schools are required to provide a minimum one-to-one (1:1) financial match. For example, a school receiving $1,000 must provide at least $1,000 from other sources for a total of $2,000 spent on local foods through the pilot program. Choose Iowa received applications from 61 schools or school districts totaling $158,249, an overall request far exceeding available funding.

The following schools, listed in alphabetical order by county of location, received grants:

Appanoose: Moulton-Udell Community School District

Benton: Belle Plaine Community School District

Black Hawk: Bosco Catholic School System

Boone: Boone Community School District

Cass: Griswold Community School District

Clayton: MFL MarMac Community School District

Dallas: Waukee Community School District

Dubuque: Holy Family Catholic Schools

Franklin: Hampton-Dumont Community School District

Grundy: Dike-New Hartford Community School District

Hamilton: Webster City School District

Harrison: Missouri Valley Community School District

Howard: Riceville Community School District

Ida: OABCIG Community School District

Jefferson: Fairfield Community School District

Johnson: Lone Tree Community School District

Lee: Central Lee Community School District

Linn: Center Point-Urbana Community School District

Linn: Xavier Catholic Schools

Marion: Pella Community School District

Mitchell: Osage Community School District

O’Brien: Sheldon Community School District

Page: Clarinda Community School District

Plymouth: Hinton Community School District

Polk: Bondurant-Farrar Community School District

Pottawattamie: Council Bluffs Community School District

Poweshiek: Montezuma Community School District

Ringgold: Diagonal Community School District

Scott: Pleasant Valley Community School District

Sioux: West Sioux Community School District

Winneshiek: Decorah Community School District

Winneshiek: St. Teresa of Calcutta Catholic School

Woodbury: Westwood Community School District

Eligible products that can be purchased include meat and poultry, dairy products (other than milk), eggs, honey and produce. Funding for milk is available through a different federal program. To be eligible for funding through the Choose Iowa Food Purchasing Pilot Program, schools must purchase food from a Choose Iowa member. If selected schools wish to purchase from specific Iowa farmers, they should encourage those farmers or businesses to apply to become a Choose Iowa member. Food hubs that are Choose Iowa members are also eligible for food purchases within the program. Products purchased through food hubs must come from Iowa producers.

Additional details on the school pilot program can be found on the Choose Iowa website. The school program accompanies the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship’s Choose Iowa’s Food Purchasing Pilot Program for Food Banks, which launched last summer to connect food banks with Choose Iowa members to help alleviate hunger within our communities.

Area High School Student Dies in Fatal Head-On Crash

Posted on by Sam Parsons

PACKWOOD – An area high school student was killed in a head-on collision yesterday morning that remains under investigation.

According to traffic records, yesterday morning at around 7:35am, a fatal crash took place on Packwood Road, south of Packwood. Authorities say a 2003 Toyota Camry collided with a 1999 Dodge Ram head-on after crossing the center line for an unknown reason. The Camry was driven by Pekin high school senior Ava Ford, and she was pronounced dead on the scene. She was 17 years old.

The driver of the Ram, who was identified as 40-year-old Clinton Weaver of Lancaster, Missouri, suffered undisclosed injuries and was flown to the University of Iowa Hospital in Iowa City.

The traffic report shows that both drivers were wearing a seatbelt at the time of the crash.

The Pekin School District described Ava as a “passionate, kind and thoughtful student who will be deeply missed by all who knew her.” The district announced that their school counselor will be available in the high school office throughout the rest of this week and next week, ready to provide support to any student or community member who may need to talk. Additionally, a grief crisis team will be on standby.

Ancient DNA reveals a new group of people who lived near land bridge between the Americas

Posted on by Sam Parsons

NEW YORK (AP) — Scientists have identified a new pod of ancient hunter-gatherers who lived near the land bridge between North America and South America about 6,000 years ago.

Researchers are still charting how human populations spread across the Americas thousands of years ago, arriving first in North America before veering south. Groups that split off developed their own collection of genes that scientists can use to piece together the human family tree.

Discovered through ancient DNA, the group lived in the high plateaus of present-day Bogotá, Colombia — close to where the Americas meet. Scientists aren’t sure exactly where they fall in the family tree because they’re not closely related to ancient Native Americans in North America and also not linked to ancient or present-day South Americans.

The new study was published Wednesday in the journal Science Advances.

“Up to this point, we didn’t believe there was any other lineage that would appear in South America,” said archaeologist Andre Luiz Campelo dos Santos with Florida Atlantic University who was not involved with the new research. “This is unexpected.”

Just 4,000 years later, these ancient humans were gone and a genetically-different human clan inhabited the area. Scientists aren’t sure exactly what happened to make them fade away — whether they mixed into a new, bigger group or were pushed out entirely.

Analyzing more genes in South America will help confirm if this new group truly did disappear or if there could be evidence of their descendants elsewhere, said Campelo dos Santos.

Studying these ancient Colombian genes are important to piecing together the history of the Americas since ancient people had to cross this land bridge to settle in and spread across South America.

The area is “the gateway to the South American continent,” said study author Andrea Casas-Vargas with the National University of Colombia.

Weekly Fuel Report

Posted on by Sam Parsons

DES MOINES — The price of regular unleaded gasoline rose 2 cents, averaging $2.95 across Iowa according to AAA.

Crude Oil Summary

  • The price of global crude oil fell this week on the West Texas Intermediate (WTI) by $.16 per barrel over last week, currently priced at $61.89.
  • Brent crude oil fell by $.37 and is currently priced at $65.00.
  • One year ago, WTI crude sold for $80.90 and Brent crude was $81.34.

Motor Fuels

  • As of Wednesday, the price of regular unleaded gasoline averaged $2.95 across Iowa according to AAA.
    • Prices rose 2 cents from last week’s price and are down 32 cents from a year ago.
    • The national average on Wednesday was $3.16, down 2 cents from last week’s price.
  • Retail diesel prices in Iowa fell 2 cents this week with a statewide average of $3.32.
    • One year ago, diesel prices averaged $3.58 in Iowa.
    • The current Iowa diesel price is 22 cents lower than the national average of $3.54.
  • The current Des Moines Terminal/Rack Prices are $1.98 for U87-E10, $2.32 for Unleaded 87 (clear), $2.16 for ULSD#2, $2.41 for ULSD#1, and $1.97 per gallon for E-70 prices.

Heating Fuels

  • Natural gas prices were up $.24 at the Henry Hub reporting site and are currently priced at $3.62  MMbtu.
  • We will continue reporting retail heating oil and propane prices in Iowa in October.

Tips for saving energy on the road or at home are available at energy.gov and fueleconomy.gov.

Search For Missing Eddyville Man to Continue into 5th Day

Posted on by Sam Parsons

EDDYVILLE – Authorities are continuing to search for an Eddyville man who remains missing after his boat hit underwater concrete in the Des Moines River on Sunday.

The search for 47-year-old Waylon Straube of Eddyville continued for a fourth day yesterday, and area officials are now calling the search a recovery effort. Straube was one of two people thrown from a boat on the Des Moines River near the Bussey Bridge; the other, 50-year-old Rosanne Benda, was rescued shortly after the accident by other boaters. 

The recovery effort for Straube remains active.

Uplifting Puppet Co. Unveils the First-Ever Uplifting Puppet Parade in Oskaloosa, Iowa

Posted on by Sam Parsons

OSKALOOSA — Something big, bold, and beautifully handmade is coming to the streets of Oskaloosa! The Uplifting Puppet Co. is thrilled to announce the first-ever Uplifting Puppet Parade, a vibrant new tradition that celebrates creativity, community, and the joy of large-scale puppetry.

The grand parade will march around the historical square in downtown Oskaloosa on Saturday, June 14 at 2:00 PM as part of the annual Oskaloosa Art on the Square event, but the festivities begin well before then. In the days and weeks leading up to the event, artists and neighbors alike will gather for hands-on puppet building, art-making events, and public showcases.
This isn’t just a parade—it’s a community-powered art movement. Everyone is welcome to join in, whether you want to build a puppet, carry a banner, create a costume, or simply cheer from the sidewalks!
This year’s Uplifting Puppet Parade theme is “Fins and Feathers”, celebrating the colorful world of creatures that swim and soar! Everyone is encouraged to create a fish or bird-inspired puppet, mask, or costume to join the fun. As part of the Art on the Square festivities, local artists are decorating downtown windows with the theme “Seas and Skies”, turning storefronts into vibrant displays of underwater and airborne imagination. Parade participants are invited to pose for photos in front of these whimsical windows—dressed in costume or with their handmade puppets—as a joyful way to share their creativity with the community!
Key Events Leading Up to the Parade:
Thursday, May 29 – Meet the Artists @ FACE (Fine Arts and Cultural Events Center)
  • 12:00–6:00 PM – Open Puppet Work Session: See the artists in action and join the creative process.

  • 7:00–9:00 PM – Open Wall/Open Stage Reception & Artist Meet-and-Greet:
    Enjoy an evening of community, conversation, and performance, and meet Piper Smith, visiting artist from Minneapolis, MN, affiliated with the acclaimed BareBones Theatre. Piper brings a wealth of experience in puppetry, spectacle performance, and community-based artmaking. Piper will collaborate with Oskaloosa’s own Brant Bollman, director of Uplifting Puppet Company in the creation of two giant puppets, one fish and one bird. These will be the focus point for each movement of the parade.

June 2–6 – George Daily Youth Camp
  • A weeklong puppet-building camp culminating in a showcase:
  • Friday, June 6 at 4:00 PM – Campers perform with their creations!

June 6 & 13 – Friday After Five
  • Uplifting Puppet Co. tables with info and mini art activities

Saturday, June 7 – New Sharon Spring Festival Parade
  • 11:30 AM – Catch an early glimpse of our puppets in action as they join the parade through downtown New Sharon, IA!
Tuesday, June 10 – Makers Event @ Studio Osky
  • A hands-on evening for teens and adults to craft parade puppets and props
Thursday, June 12 – City Band Concert Table
  • Stop by for details, puppet making, and lastminute signups.
Saturday, June 14 – Parade Day!
  • 10:00 AM – Make & Take on the Square: Craft last-minute creations
  • 2:00 PM – Uplifting Puppet Parade: Let the puppets lead the way around the square!  We will end in the bandstand for dancing and fun.
This first-of-its-kind event is organized by the Uplifting Puppet Co., with support from community partners and a shared belief in the unifying power of the arts. The project celebrates imagination, collaboration, and uplifting the human spirit—one puppet at a time.

‘How did you get here?’ A large elephant seal is found lumbering along a South African street

Posted on by Sam Parsons

CAPE TOWN, South Africa (AP) — A large elephant seal took a wrong turn and was seen lumbering along a street in a coastal town in South Africa early Tuesday, surprising residents and inspiring a rescue effort to get him back to sea.

The two-ton seal, which an animal welfare group said was a young male, was making his way through a suburb of Gordon’s Bay near Cape Town.

Locals came out of houses and recorded videos.

“This is unreal. Hi, bro, how did you get here?” one woman asked.

Police and a local security company attempted to contain the seal by parking patrol cars around him. He rested his huge head on the hood of one car and half-climbed over another before slipping free, crossing a road and carrying on up a sidewalk.

The seal eventually stopped next to a shopping mall. Animal welfare officials worried he was too far from the ocean to find his way back and might become exhausted and dehydrated. They estimated he weighed around two tons (4,400 pounds). Elephant seals can grow to twice that size.

A team of marine wildlife specialists and a city veterinarian sedated the seal and guided him into an animal transport trailer to be returned to his natural habitat at a nearby bay.

The local Cape of Good Hope SPCA later posted a video on social media of the seal making his way down a beach and toward the ocean.

“Sea you later,” the video said.

Iowa Crop Progress and Condition Report

Posted on by Sam Parsons

DES MOINES — Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig commented on the Iowa Crop Progress and Condition Report released by the USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service. The report is released weekly April through November. Additionally, the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship provides a weather summary each week during this time.

“Last week’s cool and soggy conditions sidelined many farmers who were looking to finish planting or complete other field work. Despite the delays, most farmers are grateful to receive the rain as we recharge our soils and give the crops a strong early season boost,” said Secretary Naig. “We expect a less active weather pattern with warmer temperatures and spotty rain in the week ahead.”

The weekly report is also available on the USDA’s website at nass.usda.gov.

Crop Report
Timely rains while needed, limited Iowa farmers to 3.8 days suitable for fieldwork during the week ending May 25, 2025, according to the USDA, National Agricultural Statistics Service. Corn and soybean planting continued but some producers are waiting for warmer and drier conditions to start spraying.

Topsoil moisture condition rated 4 percent very short, 15 percent short, 76 percent adequate and 5 percent surplus. Subsoil moisture condition rated 5 percent very short, 23 percent short, 67 percent adequate and 5 percent surplus.

Corn planted reached 95 percent. Corn emerged reached 76 percent, 6 days ahead of last year’s pace and 2 days ahead of normal. Corn condition rated 0 percent very poor, 2 percent poor, 15 percent fair, 62 percent good and 21 percent excellent. Ninety-two percent of the expected soybean crop has been planted, just over 2 weeks ahead of last year and 8 days ahead of the 5-year average. Soybeans emerged reached 60 percent, 8 days ahead of last year and 4 days ahead of normal. Soybean condition rated 1 percent very poor, 2 percent poor, 17 percent fair, 64 percent good and 16 percent excellent. Ninety-two percent of the State’s oat crop has emerged. Oats headed reached 26 percent. Oat condition rated 0 percent very poor, 1 percent poor, 13 percent fair, 69 percent good and 17 percent excellent.

Forty percent of the State’s first cutting of alfalfa hay has been completed.  Hay condition rated 85 percent good to excellent. Pasture condition rated 68 percent good to excellent.

Oskaloosa High School Junior Joins National Council Advocating for 12 Million Students

Posted on by Sam Parsons

OSKALOOSA, Iowa — Oskaloosa High School junior Linus Morrison is no stranger to local leadership, but this year he’s stepping onto a national stage. Recently selected as one of just 16 students nationwide to serve on the National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS) National Student Advisory Council, Morrison is now helping shape the future of high school athletics and activities across the country.

The NFHS, which governs most high school sports and activities nationwide, launched the student council just two years ago. Morrison is one of eight juniors selected for a one-year term. Eight sophomores were also chosen and will serve two-year terms, creating a rotating leadership model.

“This is the second year they’ve done it,” Morrison said. “They picked eight juniors and eight sophomores. I was one of the juniors who got picked, and I’ll serve for a year.”

The council gives students a voice in decisions traditionally made by adults, including updates to national rules and initiatives that impact student-athletes. The goal is to ensure students’ perspectives are heard, especially in areas like team culture, sportsmanship, and leadership development.

“In years past, they haven’t had a student board,” Morrison explained. “They’ve just had people working there trying to come up with ideas. So they came to us to see what we see in the classroom and in sports, and how to improve that.”

Council members offer input on everything from rule changes and coaching certification processes to educational resources for athletes facing team-related challenges.

“Sometimes, if a student has problems on a team, they have classes for them to take,” Morrison said. “They also have coaching tests and certification materials, and we get to weigh in on all that.”

Morrison’s first experience with the council was an intensive in-person session in Indianapolis, where all 16 student members met for the first time.

“We were one big group for 40 hours straight,” he said. “We really got to know each other fast. It kind of felt like a family.”

That sense of camaraderie is especially important considering the responsibility the students carry. Morrison and a fellow student from Chicago represent Section 4, which includes much of the Midwest. Altogether, the council advocates for millions of students across the U.S.

“I think the number was 12 million students,” Morrison said. “It’s a huge group to represent. There’s a lot of pressure, but I’m super fortunate to have this opportunity.”

Morrison’s path to the national council began with a summer leadership camp hosted by NFHS in July. Around 300 students attended to sharpen their leadership skills and learn more about student involvement in school activities.

“I really loved it,” he said. “I liked the connection I had with all the kids, and I thought, ‘Hey, I kind of want to lead next year.’”

He and a peer filled out a brief application, and soon after, Morrison was notified of his selection to the national council.

His one-year term runs from spring 2025 to spring 2026. In addition to in-person meetings in Indianapolis, the group connects monthly via Zoom to share updates and collaborate on key topics. He’ll return to Indianapolis in July for further work with the council.

While Morrison is still early in his term, he’s already focused on what he hopes to contribute.

“I want to grow on the leadership side of things,” he said. “A lot of what we do ties into athletics, and that’s a big part of who I am. I just want to help improve the student experience.”

He credits Oskaloosa High School for giving him the foundation to pursue opportunities like this.

“Osky has so many opportunities,” Morrison said. “Mrs. Gile does a great job of getting kids out there and showing who they want to be. And the school pushes kids to get involved. That’s a big deal.”

Morrison recognizes the contrast between his experience in a larger district like Oskaloosa and what might be available in smaller schools.

“In a smaller school, they might not have the same resources or connections,” he said. “I really believe Osky has a great culture of getting kids involved, both in the school and in the community.”

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