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Cold Weather Advisory to Take Effect This Evening

Posted on by Sam Parsons

DES MOINES — A cold weather advisory is set to take effect in our area this evening.

The National Weather Service in Des Moines issued the advisory for portions of central, south central, southeast, and southwest Iowa. It’ll be in effect from 6pm this evening until 9am tomorrow morning.

Very cold wind chills of 20 below to 30 below zero are expected. The dangerously cold wind chills could cause frostbite on exposed skin in as little as 30 minutes. The NWS advises all Iowans to use caution while traveling outside. Wear appropriate clothing, a hat, and gloves.

Oskaloosa City Offices to be Closed Today

Posted on by Sam Parsons

OSKALOOSA — The city of Oskaloosa announced that their city offices are closed today (1/20), in honor of Martin Luther King, Jr. Day.

Essential services such as police and fire protection will still be available to serve the community. The city said that their regularly scheduled city council meeting for this week will take place tomorrow, January 21, at 6pm.

Biden won’t enforce TikTok ban, official says, leaving fate of app to Trump

Posted on by Sam Parsons

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden won’t enforce a ban on the social media app TikTok that is set to take effect a day before he leaves office on Monday, a U.S. official said Thursday, leaving its fate in the hands of President-elect Donald Trump.

Congress last year, in a law signed by Biden, required that TikTok’s China-based parent company ByteDance divest the company by Jan. 19, a day before the presidential inauguration. The official said the outgoing administration was leaving the implementation of the law — and the potential enforcement of the ban — to Trump.

The official spoke on condition of anonymity in order to discuss internal Biden administration thinking.

Trump, who once called to ban the app, has since pledged to keep it available in the U.S., though his transition team has not said how they intend to accomplish that.

TikTok CEO Shou Zi Chew is expected to attend Trump’s inauguration and be granted a prime seating location on the dais as the president-elect’s national security adviser signals that the incoming administration may take steps to “keep TikTok from going dark.”

Incoming national security adviser Mike Waltz on Thursday told Fox News Channel’s “Fox & Friends” that the federal law that could ban TikTok by Sunday also “allows for an extension as long as a viable deal is on the table.”

The push to save TikTok, much like the move to ban it in the U.S., has crossed partisan lines. Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer said he spoke with Biden on Thursday to advocate for extending the deadline to ban TikTok.

“It’s clear that more time is needed to find an American buyer and not disrupt the lives and livelihoods of millions of Americans, of so many influencers who have built up a good network of followers,” Schumer said Thursday on the Senate floor.

Democrats had tried on Wednesday to pass legislation that would have extended the deadline, but Republican Sen. Tom Cotton of Arkansas blocked it. Cotton, chair of the Senate Intelligence Committee, said that TikTok has had ample time to find a buyer.

“TikTok is a Chinese Communist spy app that addicts our kids, harvests their data, targets them with harmful and manipulative content, and spreads communist propaganda,” Cotton said.

TikTok CEO’s is expected to be seated on the dais for the inauguration along with tech billionaires Elon Musk, who is CEO of SpaceX, Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg, OpenAI CEO Sam Altman and Amazon founder Jeff Bezos, according to two people with the matter. The people spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss internal planning.

Last week, the Supreme Court heard oral arguments in a legal challenge to the statute brought by TikTok, its China-based parent company ByteDance, and users of the app. The Justices seemed likely to uphold the law, which requires ByteDance to divest TikTok on national security grounds or face a ban in one of its biggest markets.

“If the Supreme Court comes out with a ruling in favor of the law, President Trump has been very clear: Number one, TikTok is a great platform that many Americans use and has been great for his campaign and getting his message out. But number two, he’s going to protect their data,” Waltz said on Wednesday.

“He’s a deal maker. I don’t want to get ahead of our executive orders, but we’re going to create this space to put that deal in place,” he added.

Separately on Wednesday, Pam Bondi, Trump’s pick for attorney general, dodged a question during a Senate hearing on whether she’d uphold a TikTok ban.

Trump has reversed his position on the popular app, having tried to ban it during his first term in office over national security concerns. He joined TikTok during his 2024 presidential campaign and his team used it to connect with younger voters, especially male voters, by pushing content that was often macho and aimed at going viral. He pledged to “save TikTok” during the campaign and has credited the platform with helping him win more youth votes.

Iowa Pork study: Hog industry was worth $15B last year, 120K jobs

Posted on by Sam Parsons

By Matt Kelley (Radio Iowa)

A new study from the Iowa Pork Producers Association finds the hog industry contributed more than $15-billion to Iowa’s economy last year. Association spokesman Kevin Hall says the study, which is done every four years, identified nearly 5,200 pig farms statewide.

“We provide about one-third of the nation’s pork, and that reinforces our position as the number-one pork producing state in the entire nation,” Hall says. “We are vital to Iowa’s economy, creating more than 120,000 jobs for the state, and it really provides a solid backbone for the state of Iowa’s economy and especially our rural communities.”

Among those jobs, the study says 64,000 are in hog production, 39,000 are in hog slaughter, and another 16,000 jobs are in hog processing. Overall, Hall says the pork industry contributed $15. billion to Iowa’s economy last year.

“When we did the study four years ago, it was $11.9-billion in value-added activities, so almost four-billion more now to the state’s economy in 2024 than it was in 2020,” Hall says, “and it just shows that Iowa pig farmers are vital to the state’s economy.”

Next week, a new administration will take over the White House and there’s much discussion about threatened tariffs and the impact on international trade. Hall remains optimistic about the future and the role Iowa pork will play in it.

“We’re going to keep an eye on what’s happening and just keep doing what we’re doing,” Hall says. “Iowa’s pig farmers, they’ve had a rough couple years in terms of their personal economies, but they are still working hard and creating jobs all over the state, 120,000 jobs in the state alone, and they’re just going to keep working hard and producing great pork products.”

The study says the top five Iowa counties for hog inventories are: Washington, Sioux, Lyon, Plymouth, and Hardin. Among those, Washington, Sioux and Lyon counties each have more than one-million pigs.

Grinnell teacher sole Iowa winner of national Milken Award

Posted on by Sam Parsons

By Dar Danielson (Radio Iowa)

A Grinnell elementary teacher won a national award Thursday.

Davis Elementary School third grade teacher Holly Hunter was surprised with the Milken Educator Award by the Director of the Iowa Department of Education and a Milken representative.

Hunter was cited for her creative classroom curriculum and her mentorship of other educators. Hunter is the only Iowa teacher to win the award this year and it comes with a check for $25,000 which she can spend however she wants.

Hunter will attend an awards fforum in Los Angeles this April with other winners from across the country.

OHS Storybook Players to Perform at the Mahaska County Environmental Learning Center

Posted on by Sam Parsons

OSKALOOSA — All ages are invited to a special OWLS program on Friday, January 24th from 11:00 am -12:00 pm at the Mahaska County Environmental Learning Center.

The talented Oskaloosa High School Storybook Players return to perform in the lower level of the Environmental Learning Center. This group will perform their own versions of the Princess and the Pea, the Frog Prince, and Peter Pan. The MCCB says they had a full room for this event last year, so be sure to make your reservations! Reservations are made by contacting MCCB at (641)673-9327 or decook@mahaskacountyia.gov.

The Environmental Learning Center is located at 2342 Hwy. 92, Oskaloosa, IA.  Parking and the program entrance is on the south side of the building.

Trump adviser says president-elect is exploring options to ‘preserve’ TikTok

Posted on by Sam Parsons

WASHINGTON (AP) — Trump’s pick for national security adviser, Florida Rep. Mike Waltz, said in an interview on Wednesday that the president-elect is exploring options to “preserve” TikTok.

Waltz made the comment when Fox News anchor Bret Baier asked him about a report from The Washington Post that said Trump was considering an executive order to suspend enforcement of a federal law that could ban the popular platform nationwide by Sunday.

Last week, the Supreme Court heard oral arguments in a legal challenge to the statute brought by TikTok, its China-based parent company ByteDance, and users of the app. The Justices seemed likely to uphold the law, which requires ByteDance to divest TikTok on national security grounds or face a ban in one of its biggest markets.

“If the Supreme Court comes out with a ruling in favor of the law, President Trump has been very clear: Number one, TikTok is a great platform that many Americans use and has been great for his campaign and getting his message out. But number two, he’s going to protect their data,” Waltz said.

“He’s a deal maker. I don’t want to get ahead of our executive orders, but we’re going to create this space to put that deal in place,” he added.

Separately on Wednesday, Pam Bondi, Trump’s pick for attorney general, dodged a question during a Senate hearing on whether she’d uphold a TikTok ban.

Trump has reversed his position on the popular app, having tried to ban it during his first term in office over national security concerns. He joined TikTok during his 2024 presidential campaign and his team used it to connect with younger voters, especially male voters, by pushing content that was often macho and aimed at going viral. He pledged to “save TikTok” during the campaign and has credited the platform with helping him win more youth votes.

Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship Advises Keeping Pets Away from Sick or Deceased Wild Birds

Posted on by Sam Parsons

DES MOINES — The Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship is advising Iowa pet owners to keep their cats and dogs away from sick or deceased wild birds and animals. Pet owners should also discourage indoor/outdoor cats from hunting wildlife because of the ongoing threat posed by Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (H5N1 HPAI) circulating within wild and migratory birds.

Tips to Help Keep Your Pets Healthy

  • Keep pets away from dead wildlife, including birds.
  • Do not allow your pet to kill or eat wildlife.
  • Do not feed pets raw, undercooked, or unpasteurized frozen or freeze-dried milk, eggs, meat or organs.
    • Cooking or heat-treating pet food to appropriate temperatures inactivates H5N1 HPAI.
    • Freeze dried and frozen unpasteurized pet food is often considered raw and can pose a risk to pets.
  • Keep your pet away from livestock including poultry and dairy cattle.
  • Wash your hands and change your clothes after interacting with livestock and before interacting with pets.

About H5N1 HPAI

H5N1 HPAI is a viral disease that can travel in wild and migratory birds and is often fatal to domestic bird populations, including chickens and turkeys. H5N1 HPAI can also impact dairy cattle and other mammals, including dogs and cats.

The Iowa Department of Natural Resources recently reported a resurgence of H5N1 HPAI within wild and migratory birds in Iowa. Several states have confirmed cases of H5N1 HPAI in cats, with several tied to the consumption of raw milk, uncooked pet food, or interactions with diseased wildlife, including birds. Recently, a predominantly outdoor domestic cat in Hamilton County displayed clinical signs consistent with H5N1 HPAI and tested positive for H5N1 HPAI after the veterinarian ruled out other diseases.

Signs of H5N1 HPAI in Pets

If your pet exhibits clinical signs of HPAI, please contact your veterinarian. Cats and dogs can both get H5N1 HPAI, but cats are more susceptible. Clinical signs may include:

  • Fever
  • Lethargy
  • Loss of appetite
  • Red eyes
  • Respiratory signs (eye or nose discharge)
  • Neurological signs (tremors, seizures, incoordination, blindness)
  • Sudden death

Pet owners should always consult their veterinarians if they have questions about the health and wellbeing of their animals.

Guidance for Veterinarians

Iowa veterinarians should call the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship at (515) 281-5305 if they see cats or dogs displaying signs of H5N1 HPAI and have ruled out other potential diseases.

Food Safety 
It remains safe to enjoy eggs and poultry products. As a reminder, consumers should always properly handle and cook eggs and poultry products, including cooking to an internal temperature of 165˚F. There is also no concern about the safety of pasteurized milk or dairy products. Pasteurization has continually proven to successfully inactivate bacteria and viruses, like influenza, in milk.

Public Health 
There are some instances of humans contracting H5N1 HPAI as a result of their connection to an infected poultry or dairy farm. The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) continues to stress the threat to the general public remains low. To date, there are no confirmed cases of HPAI spreading from human-to-human, dog- or cat-to-human, cat-to-cat or dog-to-dog. Any questions related to public health should be directed to the Iowa Department of Health and Human Services.

Turning Classrooms into Careers: Oskaloosa projects prepare students for the future

Posted on by Sam Parsons

OSKALOOSA, IA — Jestina Falconer and Jackson Sisul, seniors at Oskaloosa High School, are taking hands-on learning to new heights with their Supervised Agricultural Experience (SAE) projects.

Part of the FFA curriculum, these projects allow students to apply classroom lessons in real-world settings, fostering innovation and creativity. The two students have created innovative ventures that reflect their individual interests and foster a unique partnership.

Falconer’s project, AJ Western Accessories, combines her passions for fashion and agriculture to create and sell items like jewelry, hats, and keychains. “Agriculture is more than land and cows,” Falconer said. “I want to educate people about agriculture in ways they wouldn’t expect—through jewelry and accessories.”

Her business, launched in October, offers jewelry, hats, T-shirts, and keychains. She also collaborates with Sisul through a subcategory of her business called J & J Creations. “Jackson does all my engraving work—coasters, leather patches, and wooden keychains,” Falconer said. “He’s even planning to sell some of his fish tank creations through my store. It’s been great to merge our projects under one umbrella.”

The partnership allows Sisul to showcase his talents while expanding Falconer’s business offerings. Sisul’s SAE focuses on aquaponics and fish tank design, reflecting his lifelong interest in nature and biology. “I’ve always loved fish and fishing,” he said. “This project lets me explore how different fish and plants interact in aquatic ecosystems.”

From building an epoxy coral reef tank last year to breeding betta fish, Sisul has expanded his project into redesigning fish tanks for the school’s science department and creating themed tanks for classrooms. “For the Spanish department, I’m designing a tank inspired by an Amazon River basin with fish native to Mexico and South America,” Sisul said. “It’s a way to combine science and cultural education.”

Lessons Beyond the Classroom
Both students credit their SAE projects with teaching them invaluable skills. Falconer said her experience running AJ Western Accessories has been a crash course in business management. “I’ve learned how to file taxes, manage profit margins, and even handle spreadsheets—things I never expected to master in high school,” she said.

For Sisul, hours spent researching fish care and habitat design have developed his patience and problem-solving skills. “It’s taught me how to approach challenges scientifically,” he said.

Their collaboration through J & J Creations has been a natural extension of their projects. “We complement each other,” Sisul said. “Jestina has the business platform, and I bring the technical skills.”

Falconer added, “Our partnership shows how diverse agriculture can be. We’re proving that agriculture isn’t just about farming—it’s about innovation and creativity.”

Looking Ahead

Both students have ambitious plans for the future. Falconer aims to expand her business into an LLC after high school, while pursuing a degree in psychology. “This has been a great way to test my entrepreneurial skills,” she said. “I hope to have two businesses one day.”

Sisul envisions turning his aquaponics expertise into a sustainable business. “I’m considering offering fish tank restoration and design services,” he said. “FFA has shown me how to take a hobby and make it into something meaningful.”

As Falconer and Sisul continue to develop their ventures, their projects demonstrate the power of engaged and transferable learning. From jewelry to aquaponics, these Oskaloosa students are proving that the possibilities within education are as varied as their imaginations.

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