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Nearly 99% of all Iowa full-time teaching positions filled in 2025-26; National vacancy rate 3 times higher than Iowa

Posted on by Sam Parsons

DES MOINES — The Iowa Department of Education today released the latest data on teaching vacancies across the state for the 2025-26 school year, highlighting the strength and expertise of Iowa’s teacher workforce. Iowa’s number of unfilled teaching positions represents only 1.12% of all full-time teachers in the 2025-26 school year, compared to 3% nationally of all public school teaching positions vacant during the 2023-24 and 2024-25 school years, according to the National Center for Education Statistics.

“Ensuring every child experiences a world-class education is only made possible by having a great teacher with every student in every classroom,” said Iowa Department of Education Director McKenzie Snow. “That’s why Iowa has made strengthening our teacher pipeline and supporting dedicated educators in doing their best work a top priority. Forging multiple pathways to the profession, spearheading historic teacher pay raises, celebrating educators who accelerate student learning, and aligning teacher preparation and professional learning to what we know works for children all demonstrate the national leadership of Iowa and our talented educators.”

Each year, Iowa school districts are required by law to report the number of full-time teaching positions that were advertised but not filled or that were filled with temporary/substitute staff. All 325 Iowa public school districts complied with this requirement for the 2025-26 school year. In addition to national vacancy rates being nearly three times higher than Iowa’s vacancy rates, the latest statewide numbers show a substantial 34% decrease in overall vacancies reported by Iowa school districts from last school year. For the 2025-26 school year, the total number of unfilled full-time equivalent (FTE) teaching positions reported was 434, representing only 1.12% of all full-time teachers—the lowest number reported since this data collection started four years ago. Half of all Iowa public school districts reported no teaching vacancies this year. Prior years’ vacancies represented:

  • 1.75% of all full-time teachers (661 FTE) in 2024-25,
  • 2.03% (763 FTE) in 2023-24 and
  • 2.63% (941 FTE) in 2022-23.

Consistent with national teacher pipeline needs, special education positions continue to have the highest number of vacancies, at 184. Music education with a music endorsement came in next with 35 vacancies. Mathematics and science positions followed at 28 vacancies each.

“Building upon our collective work to strengthen Iowa’s teacher pipeline, we will continue partnering with educators, schools and districts, teacher preparation programs, and communities to deepen support for those endorsement areas and geographies most in need of great teachers,” said Iowa Department of Education Director McKenzie Snow.

This crucial data is also used to identify teacher shortage designation areas with the U.S. Department of Education. States can report critical teacher shortage areas of up to 5% of their full-time equivalent positions. Iowa’s total teacher shortage areas have been well under the 5% federal threshold, meaning Iowa has been able to include every teaching area with at least one vacancy as a teacher shortage area. This year, Iowa was able to include 26 potential teacher shortage areas across various classroom subjects.

“By reporting all possible teacher shortage area designation, teachers serving in these identified areas may become eligible for student loan repayment, forgiveness and other incentives available through state and federal programs,” said Jay Pennington, division administrator of teacher quality and innovation at the Iowa Department of Education. “Since Iowa’s teacher shortage is well below the federal 5% threshold, we are able to report all vacancies as teacher shortage areas, even if there was only one vacancy, further supporting our strong teacher pipeline and workforce.”

Iowa’s success in filling positions has been supported by several initiatives and teacher pathways that invest in growing the teaching profession. Starting in 2024, both new and experienced teachers received historic pay raises, with Iowa investing $96 million in teacher salaries. Additionally, a total of $8.5 million through the Teachers Accelerating Learning Incentive Fund celebrated outstanding teachers with supplementary pay of up to $2,500 per year.

Iowa is committed and intentional in navigating additional opportunities to increase pathways for teacher licensure, supporting districts with tools and resources for recruitment and retention, while ensuring quality of the teacher preparation. Governor Kim Reynolds’ $49 million Teacher and Paraeducator Registered Apprenticeship (TPRA) program partners with 134 school districts to support 1,081 registered apprentices attain an associate degree and become a certified paraeducator or a bachelor’s degree to become a licensed teacher. Other flexible teacher pathways include the Teacher Intern Program, Content Area Specialist Authorization, Native Language Teacher Authorization and Career and Technical Authorization. All four of these pathways maximize an individual’s experience in the field, maintain high standards for licensure, but do not require completion of a traditional four-year teaching degree.

More information on teacher vacancies by school district and the full list of designated shortage areas can be found on the Department’s website.

Oskaloosa City Council Meets for First Time in 2026

Posted on by Sam Parsons

By Sam Parsons

The Oskaloosa City Council held their first meeting of 2026 last night and officially swore in the officials who were elected, or re-elected, in November last year. The oath of office was administered to mayor David Krutzfeldt and council members Ronda Almond, Janet Hermsen, Andy Holmberg, and Javin Sword.

In regular business, the first reading of an ordinance relating to animal control was passed. According to city staff, the ordinance corrects superficial errors in the previous code and eliminates registration requirements for domestic animals within city limits, in addition to instituting a minor fee for dangerous dog appeal requests. The ordinance also allows for alternate enforcement action penalties for certain violations of the code, including animal leash law and animal at-large violations, nuisance animal noise, animal immunization violations, and other violations of the dangerous dog ordinance.

The first reading of a new ordinance addressing abandoned or “junk” vehicles was also passed by the council. The ordinance grants the Oskaloosa Police Department expanded powers to move or impound those vehicles. Police Chief Ben Boeke told the council that, for the time being, these vehicles will be moved to a fenced-off area in the brush dump.

The council also approved a revision to the CORE (Community-Oriented Revitalization & Enhancement) Downtown Improvement Grant Program. City staff said that interest in the program was “substantial,” but several applicants have reported difficulty obtaining multiple quotes for their proposed work, as required. The revision allows for exceptions if an applicant demonstrates a lack of timely response or availability of qualified contractors.

The next regular meeting for the Oskaloosa City Council is scheduled for January 19.

Fatal Rollover Accident Occurs Near Deep River Monday Morning

Posted on by Sam Parsons

DEEP RIVER – A Deep River woman died in a single vehicle accident in icy road conditions yesterday morning.

According to traffic records, at approximately 7:05am yesterday, 45-year-old Kara Westphal was traveling westbound on IA-85 west of Deep River when her vehicle left the roadway on a curve due to the icy road conditions. The vehicle rolled multiple times before eventually coming to a rest.

The crash report shows that Westphal was not wearing a seatbelt at the time of the accident. She was pronounced deceased by authorities at the scene.

Ottumwa Couple Charged with Animal Neglect

Posted on by Sam Parsons

OTTUMWA – An Ottumwa couple was arrested for animal neglect after an investigation into the welfare of two dogs at their residence.

On Tuesday, December 18th, 2025, the Ottumwa Police Department received information concerning the welfare of two dogs.  It was reported that two dogs were severely neglected and extremely malnourished.  

During the course of the investigation, it was determined that one of the dogs had died due to its condition and had been buried in the yard of the residence of the owners.  A search warrant was executed, and the dog was exhumed and examined by a local veterinarian.  A second dog at the residence was observed to be severely neglected and extremely malnourished and was seized and was also examined.

As the result of the investigation, Jason Lee Haut, age 45, and Stephanie Michelle Haut, age 35, of 708 Chester Avenue were arrested and charged with Animal Neglect with Serious Injury (Aggravated Misdemeanor) and Animal Neglect with Injury (Serious Misdemeanor).

Maduro is set to make his first appearance in a US courtroom on drug trafficking charges

Posted on by Sam Parsons

NEW YORK (AP) — Deposed Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro is set to make his first appearance Monday in an American courtroom on the narco-terrorism charges the Trump administration used to justify capturing him and bringing him to New York.

Maduro and his wife are expected to appear at noon before a judge for a brief, but required, legal proceeding that will likely kick off a prolonged legal fight over whether he can be put on trial in the U.S.

The couple will be brought from a Brooklyn jail to a Manhattan courthouse just around the corner from the one where President Donald Trump was convicted in 2024 of falsifying business records.

As a criminal defendant in the U.S. legal system, Maduro will have the same rights as any other person accused of a crime — including the right to a trial by a jury of regular New Yorkers. But he’ll also be nearly — but not quite — unique.

Maduro’s lawyers are expected to contest the legality of his arrest, arguing that he is immune from prosecution as a sovereign head of state.

Panamanian strongman Manuel Noriegaunsuccessfully tried the same defense after the U.S. captured him in a similar military invasion in 1990. But the U.S. doesn’t recognize Maduro as Venezuela’s legitimate head of state — particularly after a much-disputed 2024 reelection.

Venezuela’s new interim president, Delcy Rodríguez, has demanded that the U.S. return Maduro, who long denied any involvement in drug trafficking — although late Sunday she also struck a more conciliatory tone in a social media post, inviting collaboration with Trump and “respectful relations” with the U.S.

Before his capture, Maduro and his allies claimed U.S. hostility was motivated by lust for Venezuela’s rich oil and mineral resources.

The U.S. seized Maduro and his wife in a military operation Saturday, capturing them in their home on a military base. Trump said the U.S. would “run” Venezuela temporarily, but Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Sunday that it would not govern the country day-to-day other than enforcing an existing ” oil quarantine.”

Trump suggested Sunday that he wants to extend American power further in the western hemisphere.

Speaking aboard Air Force One, he called Colombia’s president, Gustavo Petro, “a sick man who likes making cocaine and selling it to the United States. And he’s not going to be doing it very long.”

He called on Venezuela’s Rodriguez to provide “total access” to her country, or else face consequences.

A 25-page indictment made public Saturday accuses Maduro and others of working with drug cartels to facilitate the shipment of thousands of tons of cocaine into the U.S. They could face life in prison if convicted.

It wasn’t clear as of Sunday whether Maduro had hired a U.S. lawyer yet.

He and his wife, Cilia Flores, have been under U.S. sanctions for years, making it illegal for any American to take money from them without first securing a license from the Treasury Department.

While the indictment against Maduro says Venezuelan officials worked directly with the Tren de Aragua gang, a U.S. intelligence assessment published in April, drawing on input from the intelligence community’s 18 agencies, found no coordination between Tren de Aragua and the Venezuelan government.

Maduro, his wife and his son — who remains free — are charged along with Venezuela’s interior and justice minister, a former interior and justice minister and Hector Rusthenford Guerrero Flores, an alleged Tren de Aragua leader who has been criminally charged in another case and remains at large.

Among other things, the indictment accuses Maduro and his wife of ordering kidnappings, beatings and murders of those who owed them drug money or undermined their drug trafficking operation. That included a local drug boss’ killing in Caracas, the indictment said.

Maduro’s wife is also accused of accepting hundreds of thousands of dollars in bribes in 2007 to arrange a meeting between “a large-scale drug trafficker” and the director of Venezuela’s National Anti-Drug Office, resulting in additional monthly bribes, with some of the money going to Maduro’s wife, according to the indictment.

More Iowa casinos pulling out of the water this year

Posted on by Sam Parsons

By Dar Danielson (Radio Iowa)

Several changes are in the works in this new year for Iowa’s casino industry, including more casinos leaving the water for land.

Racing and Gaming Administrator Tina Eick says things have moved right along and the new casino in Cedar Rapids should open in December of this year.  “Certainly a long ways to go, but we’re also 12 months out, and so from our perspective at this point in time, making good progress and have every reason to believe that they will be hitting the commissions expectations for opening on time,” she says.

The Racing and Gaming Commission recently approved the purchase of the Catfish Bend Casino in Burlington by Elite Casino Resorts and Eick says that  transaction will close at the end of January. Elite Casinos also owns the Riverside Casino & Golf Resort in Riverside, the Rhythm City Casino Resort in Davenport, and Grand Falls Casino & Golf Resort in Larchwood. They plan to rename Catfish Bend as the Great River Casino Resort.

The Casino Queen in Marquette was purchased last year by Ballys, and Eick says they are making a change to the state’s smallest casino. “They’re actually in the process of moving their boat operations into a land side facility. And that construction, the licensee is telling us is on track to be completed by March of 2026,” she says.

Eick says another casino boat will also be going away this year. “Casino Queen is a boat, Ameristar is still a boat and Lakeside is considered a moored barge. And those are the last three that are currently over water,” she says. “And Ameristar, they’re going to start a major construction project in about the first quarter, maybe the beginning of the second quarter of 2026 to move that facility to a land site facility as well.”

Casinos were only allowed on riverboats when the law was first enacted, and those boats had to take cruises on the water. That has slowly changed through the years, leading to boats being replaced by land-based casinos.

Tax Abatement Deadline Approaching in Ottumwa

Posted on by Sam Parsons

OTTUMWA — The City of Ottumwa is accepting applications for property tax abatement until January 13, 2026. The residential and commercial property tax abatement programs are designed to encourage improvements and new development by reducing the additional taxes assessed on the improvement.

The residential tax abatement program is available citywide and reduces property taxes paid on qualifying improvements to residential property. Property owners who have completed improvements to residential property or apartment buildings in 2025 can file an application for residential tax abatement. New construction, additions, and remodeling projects that increase the assessed value by at least 10% are eligible activities. Taxes on the improvements are abated for a specific number of years for qualifying residential projects. For single-family homes, taxes on new value can be abated at 100% for three years. The school tax rate does not apply to the abatement. Applications are also being accepted for commercial property tax abatement in the City of Ottumwa. Improvements to new or existing commercial property that increase the assessed value of the property by at least 15% are eligible for tax abatement. Applicants can access a five-year abatement schedule.

The deadline for tax abatement applications is Tuesday, January 13, 2026. For additional information, or to receive tax abatement applications, contact the Planning and Development Department on the Second Floor of City Hall at 105 East Third Street, visit ottumwa.us, or call 641-683-0650.

Oskaloosa City Council to Meet for First Time in 2026 Tonight

Posted on by Sam Parsons

By Sam Parsons

The Oskaloosa City Council has their first meeting of the new calendar year scheduled for tonight. The council will be swearing in the officials who were elected, or re-elected, in November.

On the agenda is the first reading of an ordinance relating to animal control. According to city staff, the proposed ordinance would correct superficial errors in the previous code and eliminate registration requirements for domestic animals within city limits, in addition to instituting a minor fee for dangerous dog appeal requests. The ordinance would also allow for alternate enforcement action penalties for certain violations of the code, including animal leash law and animal at-large violations, nuisance animal noise, animal immunization violations, and other violations of the dangerous dog ordinance.

Another ordinance on the agenda for tonight deals with abandoned or “junk” vehicles. The ordinance would add additional alternative steps for the city to remove abandoned or junk vehicles from public roadways and impound them, granting expanded powers and authority to the Oskaloosa Police Department in addressing these vehicles.

Additionally, the council will consider an amendment to the city’s CORE Downtown Improvement Grant Program and a 28E agreement with the Iowa Department of Revenue. Towards the end of the meeting, the council will be reviewing the results of the community survey that was conducted by the city in December.

The meeting will begin at 6pm this evening in the Oskaloosa City Hall Council Chambers.

Pope opens 2026 with plea for peace in countries bloodied by war, families wounded by violence

Posted on by Sam Parsons

ROME (AP) — Pope Leo XIV opened 2026 on Thursday with a plea for peace, singling out in particular countries “bloodied by conflict” and families wounded by violence.

Leo celebrated a New Year’s Day Mass in St. Peter’s Basilica and then delivered a special noontime prayer from his studio overlooking the piazza, which was full of pilgrims and tourists on the bright, chilly day.

Leo noted that Jan. 1 marks the church’s World Day of Peace and used the occasion to issue a prayer.

“Let us all pray together for peace: first, among nations bloodied by conflict and suffering, but also within our homes, in families wounded by violence or pain,” he said.

After a busy Christmas season, Leo has a few days of rest before he celebrates the church’s Epiphany holiday on Jan. 6. On that day too, he officially closes out the 2025 Holy Year, the once-every-quarter-century celebration that brought millions of pilgrims to Rome.

Immediately thereafter, he is to preside over a two-day meeting of the entire College of Cardinals, the princes of the church who elected him pope, as well as those who are over age 80 and didn’t participate in the conclave but still remain part of the college. Leo is resurrecting a tradition largely eschewed by Pope Francis to convene cardinals every so often to seek their counsel on how to govern the 1.4 billion-strong Catholic Church.

Weekly Fuel Report

Posted on by Sam Parsons

DES MOINES — The price of regular unleaded gasoline fell 4 cents from last week’s price and is currently averaging $2.38 across Iowa according to AAA.

Crude Oil Summary

  • The price of global crude oil fell this week on the West Texas Intermediate (WTI) by 23 cents per barrel, and is currently priced at $57.86.
  • Brent crude oil fell by 88 cents and is currently priced at $61.24.
  • One year ago, WTI crude sold for $72.44 and Brent crude was $74.58.

Motor Fuels

  • As of Wednesday, the price of regular unleaded gasoline averaged $2.38 across Iowa according to AAA.
    • Prices fell 4 cents from last week’s price and are down 38 cents from a year ago.
    • The national average on Wednesday was $2.84, down 2 cents from last week’s price.
  • Retail diesel prices in Iowa fell 1 cent this week with a statewide average of $3.30.
    • One year ago, diesel prices averaged $3.28 in Iowa.
    • The current Iowa diesel price is 27 cents lower than the national average of $3.57.
  • The current Des Moines Terminal/Rack Prices are $1.51 for U87-E10, $1.72 for Unleaded 87 (clear), $2.01 for ULSD#2, $2.46 for ULSD#1, and $1.71 per gallon for E-70 prices.

Heating Fuels

  • Natural gas prices were down 41 cents at the Henry Hub reporting site and are currently priced at $3.77 MMbtu.
  • Propane prices averaged $1.58 per gallon in Iowa.
  • Home heating oil prices had a statewide average of $2.81 per gallon.

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

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