USDA is looking into handling carcasses of any future bird flu victims, including prearranged disposal sites. Dale Wiehoff of the Institute for Agriculture and Trade Policy says Iowa could be in for another bout of the virus this fall. 
The state utilities board wants to know why Dakota Access can’t slightly change its route to cut the number of land parcels that would be affected by its proposed oil pipeline. The Texas company is seeking eminent domain on more than 400 properties. A non-jury trial pitting the company against Calhoun County is set for tomorrow.
The Iowa League of Cities is getting a 700-thousand dollar federal grant to see if cities can hit part of their nutrient reduction goals by investing in upstream conservation practices. The state is facing pressure to cut nitrogen and phosphorus pollution by 45 percent under the Iowa Nutrient Reduction Strategy adopted two years ago.
Ames’ city council gave the green light to an amendment to the city’s land use policy. The change is expected to tackle the more-immediate needs of the city. The first phase will focus on policies that can be put in place over the next couple of years, including creating multi-family homes in areas that can sustain that kind of growth.
Wells Fargo is dishing out 60-thousand dollars in grants to non-profit organizations throughout the state. It’s part of the company’s Volunteer Service Award program…recognizing groups that make a different through volunteerism. One team member in Des Moines earned a 10 thousand dollar grant for his work to prepare middle school Latinos for secondary education.
Iowa’s first school-based dental clinic will soon open at Scavo High School, thanks to a pair of grants. The Delta Dental of Iowa Foundation gave the district a quarter of a million dollars for the project, and the Mid-Iowa Health Foundation added another 20-thousand. The clinic will also offer on-site medical and mental health services.
Ankeny’s fire department is getting money from the feds to buy new breathing equipment. The 145-thousand dollar grant will help the department replace 12-year-old tanks with ones that will hold twice as much air and last longer in a fire.
Polk County Veterans Affairs is spearheading an event to help the homeless this weekend. The Homeless Stand-Down kicks off on Friday at the state capital grounds. Area organizations will provide sleeping tents and essential services.
People who say they’re happy to be an Iowan are not joking. A new Wallethub.com survey ranks Iowa as the 8th happiest state. It factored in well-being and workplace environment, among other things. Utah ranked the happiest.
