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Feeding America study finds Iowa food insecurity getting worse

Posted on by Sam Parsons

By Pat Powers and Natalie Krebs (Radio Iowa)

Feeding America’s latest annual study shows that the hunger problem in Iowa is getting worse. Food Bank of Iowa CEO Michelle Book says the new “Map the Meal Gap” report covers 2022.

“Twenty-22 is higher, the highest it’s been since 2017, food insecurity in the state of Iowa. But we also know that in addition to what these numbers reflect with 2022 that we’ve seen a 30 percent increase year over year in ’23 and ’24,” Book says. The report shows nearly 11 percent of Iowans and 15 percent of Iowa children aren’t getting enough food.

“Appanoose County is the highest level of food insecurity according to the Map the Meal Gap at nearly 15 percent of the population. Wappello County, where Ottumwa its, comes in a near second at about 14.2% or 5,000 residents in Wappello County being deemed in need of food assistance,” she says. Other counties facing food insecurity issues are Crawford, Lucas, Clarke and Des Moines counties.

Book says Iowa’s wages are not keeping up with the cost of living. “The last thing they spend money on is food at the grocery store, they’ve got to keep a roof over their head. They’ve got to keep an operating vehicle. They’ve got to pay the utilities at the end of the day there’s just not enough money for food,” Book says. The complete report can be found on line at FeedingAmerica.org

Central RED Welcomes Alumnus and Iowa’s Lieutenant Governor

Posted on by Sam Parsons

PELLA — The Central RED Society members will meet Iowa’s Lieutenant Governor Adam Gregg on Thursday, May 23.

Dinner will be served at 5:30 p.m. and the program begins at 6 p.m. in the Boat, Moore, Weller Rooms, Maytag Student Center. The cost is $15, and a cash bar is available.

How did Gregg become Lieutenant Governor for the state of Iowa? From Central College and Drake Law School to BrownWinick Law in Des Moines to the State Capital, it has been quite a journey. Gregg will share past experiences and how they have helped to prepare him for working in state government. He’ll share what have been the triumphs and disappointments along the way and what a typical day looks like for him.

Gregg graduated from Central in 2006, majoring in political science and history. He earned a J.D. at Drake Law School in 2009. Currently serving as Lt. Governor of Iowa, Prior to his recent appointment, Gregg previously served as State Public Defender, responsible for administering Iowa’s indigent defense system. He was an advisor to Iowa Governor Branstad and Lt. Governor Reynolds and an attorney at BrownWinick law firm in Des Moines.

Central RED (Ready to Engage and Discover) is a volunteer-driven, lifelong learning and social organization with an abiding partnership with Central alumni and friends who wish to share knowledge, talents and experiences.

No affiliation with Central is required to join. For more information and to make a reservation, contact Mary Benedict by email at benedictm@central.edu or by phone at 641-628-7641.

Ottumwa PD Investigator Recognized for Victim Services

Posted on by Sam Parsons

OTTUMWA — On May 13, 2024, Ottumwa Police Investigator Jeremy Tosh was recognized by the United States Attorneys’ Offices for the Southern and Northern Districts of Iowa.  Investigator Tosh was selected as a recipient of the Law Enforcement Victim Service Award.  This award is presented to law enforcement officers in Iowa who go beyond the call of duty to help crime victims.  This award is presented as part of Iowa’s celebration for victim services by a law enforcement officer.  

Investigator Tosh was recognized in a ceremony at the Federal Building in Des Moines.  The case leading to this recognition involved multiple immigrant victims and the conviction of two defendants in federal court for various tax and fraud related offenses.     

Sun shoots out biggest solar flare in almost 2 decades, but Earth should be out of the way this time

Posted on by Sam Parsons

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. (AP) — The sun produced its biggest flare in nearly two decades Tuesday, just days after severe solar storms pummeled Earth and created dazzling northern lights in unaccustomed places.

“Not done yet!” the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration announced in an update.

It’s the biggest flare of this 11-year solar cycle, which is approaching its peak, according to NOAA. The good news is that Earth should be out of the line of fire this time because the flare erupted on a part of the sun rotating away from Earth.

NASA’s Solar Dynamics Observatory captured the bright flash of the X-ray flare. It was the strongest since 2005, rated on the scale for these flares as X8.7.

Bryan Brasher at NOAA’s Space Weather Prediction Center in Boulder, Colorado said it may turn out to have been even stronger when scientists gather data from other sources.

It follows nearly a week of flares and mass ejections of coronal plasma that threatened to disrupt power and communications on Earth and in orbit. An ejection associated with Tuesday’s flare appeared to have been directed away from our planet, although analysis is ongoing, Brasher noted.

NASA said the weekend geomagnetic storm caused one of its environmental satellites to rotate unexpectedly because of reduced altitude from the space weather, and go into a protective hibernation known as safe mode. And at the International Space Station, the seven astronauts were advised to stay in areas with strong radiation shielding. The crew was never in any danger, according to NASA.

Wet fields slow corn and bean planting

Posted on by Sam Parsons

By Dar Danielson (Radio Iowa)

Planting progress was slowed again last week by wet conditions.

The U.S.D.A. crop report says there just two days suitable for field work due to the rain. The amount of corn planted went from 47 to 57%, which is now one week behind last year after being just two days back the week before.

Soybean planting moved from 30 to 39% complete. Been planting had been two days behind last year and is now one week behind last year’s pace.

Deadline Approaching for Century and Heritage Farm Applications

Posted on by Sam Parsons

DES MOINES — The June 1 deadline for eligible Iowa farm owners to apply for Century or Heritage Farm recognition is quickly approaching, and the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship is encouraging farm families to apply today.

The program, which was created in partnership by the Department and the Iowa Farm Bureau Federation, honors families who have owned their farms for 100 years and 150 years, respectively. This is the 48th year of the Century Farm Program, which started in 1976 as part of the Nation’s Bicentennial Celebration. To date, more than 21,000 farms from across the state have received this distinction. This is the 18th year of the Heritage Farm Program and more than 1,800 farms have been recognized since this program began in 2006.

The completed applications must be postmarked or received by the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship by June 1, 2024, in order to be included in the August 15 ceremony held during the 2024 Iowa State Fair.

To apply, download and complete the application found on the Department’s website and return it to:

Century and Heritage Farm Program

Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship

Wallace State Office Building

502 E. Ninth St.

Des Moines, IA 50319

You may also request an application from Kelley Reece, coordinator of the Century and Heritage Farm Program, at 515-281-3645 or kelley.reece@iowaagriculture.gov.

To search for previous Century and Heritage Farm recipients, visit the database on the Department’s website. Photos from past recognition ceremonies are also available on the Department’s Flickr website.

Primary Candidate Forum for Mahaska County Board of Supervisors Set for Tomorrow

Posted on by Sam Parsons
OSKALOOSA — The Mahaska County Central Committee is hosting a candidate forum for the Board of Supervisor race between Incumbent Mark Groenendyk from the Leighton area, and challenger Brandon Terpstra of Richland Township.  This race will be decided in the June 4th primary, to choose a Republican candidate for the November ballot.
This event will be held on Thursday, May 16th, at the AEA Extension Building, 212 North I Street, Oskaloosa, at 7 p.m. The Extension Building is right behind Summers Car Credit on A Ave. The auditorium is entered from the south side of the building.
Prepared questions will be asked by the moderator, County Attorney Andrew Ritland, and afterwards, questions will be taken from the floor.
More information is available at https://mahaskagop.net/

‘Judge Judy’ Sheindlin sues for defamation over National Enquirer, InTouch Weekly stories

Posted on by Sam Parsons

NEW YORK (AP) — “Judge Judy” Sheindlin sued the parent company of the National Enquirer and InTouch Weekly on Monday for a story that she said falsely claimed that she was trying to help the Menendez brothers get a retrial after they were convicted of murdering their parents.

The story was first published on InTouch Weekly’s website on April 10 under the headline “Inside Judge Judy’s Quest to Save the Menendez Brothers Nearly 35 Years After Their Parents’ Murder,” according to the lawsuit, filed in circuit court in Collier County, Florida.

A version of the story later appeared in the National Enquirer, a sister publication to InTouch Weekly also owned by Accelerate360 Media. The 1989 Menendez murders in Beverly Hills, California, was a case of some tabloid renown.

Sheindlin said she’s had nothing to say about the case. Her lawsuit speculated that the news outlets used statements in a Fox Nation docuseries made by “Judi Ramos,” a woman identified as an alternate juror in the first Menendez trial, and misattributed them to the television judge.

There was no immediate comment from Accelerate360, whose attempt to sell the National Enquirer last year fell through.

Sheindlin does not ask for a specific amount of damages, but made clear it wouldn’t be cheap.

“When you fabricate stories about me in order to make money for yourselves with no regard for the truth or the reputation I’ve spent a lifetime cultivating, it’s going to cost you,” she said in a statement. “When you’ve done it multiple times, it’s unconscionable and will be expensive. It has to be expensive so that you will stop.”

Sheindlin, who hosted the syndicated “Judge Judy” through 2021 and now hosts “Judy Justice,” has had run-ins with the Enquirer in the past.

In 2017, the newspaper retracted and apologized for stories that falsely claimed she suffered from Alzheimer’s disease and depression and had cheated on her husband.

State budget includes renovations for 72 year old office building

Posted on by Sam Parsons

By O. Kay Henderson (Radio Iowa)

The governor has another week to sign or veto the remaining bills passed by the 2024 Iowa legislature. She’s already approved a billion dollar tax cut and the state spending plans for the fiscal year that begins July 1.

The $8.9 billion state budget is 4.2% higher than the current year’s spending level. The budget for the state’s court system includes a 5%salary increase for Iowa judges. The governor has signed bills that divert $10 million from Iowa’s Area Education Agencies to set up a new division in the Iowa Department of Education to oversee the AEAs. As many as 62 new state employees will be hired for the Division of Special Education.

The budget for the Iowa Department of Natural Resources includes a quarter of a million dollars to address accessibility issues at state parks.

The resolution of a disagreement between Republicans in the Iowa House and Senate means $5 million in state gambling taxes will be used to complete renovations of the Lucas State Office Building. The building, which opened in 1952, is east of the Iowa Capitol. The original plan House Republicans developed for spending gambling taxes did not include funding for the Lucas Building upgrades, while Senate Republicans suggested spending $10 million dollars on the building.

“We originally weren’t funding that project,” Representative Jacob Bossman, a Republican from Sioux City, said, “but are acknowledging this money is necessary to complete the DHHS merger and allow everybody to be housed under one roof.”

In 2022, lawmakers approved the governor’s plan to merge the Departments of Human Services and Public Health, but the agencies were housed in two different state office buildings. The Department of Health and Human Services is the largest agency in state government, with over 5000.

The Lucas building has six floors of office space and is named for Iowa’s first territorial governor, Robert Lucas.

Applications Open for Farm Bureau Federation’s “Grow Your Future” Award

Posted on by Sam Parsons

WEST DES MOINES — Iowa Farm Bureau Federation (IFBF), the state’s largest grassroots farm organization, encourages young farmer entrepreneurs between 18-35 years old with an ag-related business to enter the Grow Your Future Award for a chance to win $10,000. This competition is focused on Farm Bureau members with unique business ventures that tap into niche production, agritourism and other specialty services.

“Our IFBF young farmer committee understands obstacles to farming and the need to diversify to break into agriculture and helped develop this program to recognize creative new businesses,” said Amanda Van Steenwyk, Iowa Farm Bureau’s farm business development manager. “We recognize the challenges that come with entrepreneurism and efforts to bring additional income to the farm, and this award is just one way we can help young farmers grow their businesses.”

Interested entrepreneurs should apply at www.iowafarmbureau.com/growyourfuture by Sept. 1. A panel of judges will select up to six finalists to send to the online public vote.  The public vote will narrow the finalists to three. The top three finalists will compete in a live pitch-off during the 2025 Iowa Farm Bureau Young Farmer Conference on Jan. 17, 2025. Winners will be announced Jan 18.

First, second and third place finalists will receive $10,000, $5,000 and $2,500, respectively. Last year’s Grow Your Future Award winner grows more than 40 different crops in addition to raising meat birds and plans to use her winnings to expand direct-to-consumer marketing and farmers market presence.

“In addition to the Grow Your Future Award, Iowa Farm Bureau has a rich history of supporting rural entrepreneurs in the journey.  IFBF’s Renew Rural Iowa program has mentored nearly 4,000 rural entrepreneurs and business owners while creating more than $150 million in economic impact for rural Iowa communities,” says Iowa Farm Bureau President Brent Johnson.  “The Grow Your Future Award is just one more way to highlight innovation in agriculture and support young, rural entrepreneurs. The crop of applicants are always diverse and impressive, and it’s exciting to see these young farmers’ willingness to explore new opportunities in farming that make Iowa agriculture and our rural communities even stronger.”

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