Some central Iowa counties will be able to get state assistance for storm damage under the governor’s latest disaster proclamation. Polk, Dallas, Guthrie, Warren, Lucas and Marion counties are among 18 covered by the measure.
USDA has more than 23-hundred workers helping Iowa farmers deal with the aftermath of the bird flu. There haven’t been any new cases in nearly two weeks, but cleaning and disinfection is still happening at farms struck with the virus.
Iowa has a new Department of Education director…provided he’s approved by the state senate. Ryan Wise was second-in-charge at the department. He replaces Brad Buck, who becomes superintendent of the Cedar Rapids Community School District..
A former West Des Moines elementary school principal improperly used school purchasing cards, according to a state audit. Beth Thornton had purchased airline tickets and hotel rooms for her family with the cards, repaying the amount later. She also spent more than 5-thousand dollars in gift cards for families in need, which is not allowed under district rules.
A former Iowa State University researcher will be sentenced today in federal court on fraud charges. Dong-Pyou Han admitted to making false statements about an AIDS vaccine in research reports…reports used to get millions of dollars in federal grants for the project.
The heads of law enforcement agencies around the state are urging the governor to sign a bill that will upgrade their radio system for emergency communications. The Department of Public Safety says it will cost 68-million dollars to do the work.
Forest fires in Canada are causing a haze in the Midwest, which might make sunsets look cool, but isn’t great for your lungs. The haze has prompted health warnings in Iowa and Nebraska.
The Downtown Farmers Market isn’t taking the holiday off. The market will be open on the 4th of July…which falls on Saturday…and will have sweet corn, starting this weekend.
