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Tyson fires 7 managers accused of betting on how many workers would get COVID-19
Tyson Foods fired seven plant managers in Waterloo following an independent investigation into allegations that they privately wagered money on the number of workers who would be sickened by COVID-19. In a statement on Wednesday, Tyson CEO Dean Banks said the firings were “based on the findings” from the investigation, though those details were not […]
Reynolds eases regulations on bars, restaurants and gatherings before holidays
Gov. Kim Reynolds announced Wednesday she is easing coronavirus mitigation restrictions on restaurants, bars and gatherings as Iowa’s COVID-19 hospitalizations and positive cases drop. Bars and restaurants will no longer have to close at 10 p.m. and can resume their normal hours of operation, Reynolds said. Customers will still need to stay seated, limit groups […]
Iowa health care workers receive first COVID-19 vaccinations
Doctors, nurses, hospital executives and custodial staff were among the first people in Iowa on Monday to receive the COVID-19 vaccine, an event hospital officials marked as an optimistic milestone toward the end of the pandemic. By the end of the day, Suresh Gunasekaran, CEO of University of Iowa Hospitals & Clinics, said more than […]
Reynolds says ‘every legal vote’ must be counted in presidential race
Echoing President Trump’s assertion that “every legal vote” must be counted in the 2020 election, Gov. Kim Reynolds said Thursday that Iowa didn’t have the opportunity to join a lawsuit that seeks to delay certification of the election results. The lawsuit, filed by Republican Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton on Tuesday, alleges Wisconsin, Michigan, Pennsylvania […]
Reynolds calls on parents to push for students’ return to school
Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds said Wednesday she wants students to return to in-person classes, but the decision is ultimately up to the state’s Republican-dominated Legislature this upcoming session. During her news conference Wednesday, Reynolds said she is concerned about students lagging behind expected educational attainment levels this year, in comparison to years past. The Iowa […]
Company failed to provide Iowa’s DCI crime lab with 2,000 masks
A personal protective equipment company that was formed by Republican strategists in March failed to supply the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation with the 2,000 surgical masks the agency ordered, according to legal documents. On April 1, the DCI ordered the masks for its crime lab and paid $2,793 for the masks using a credit […]
Iowa attorney general warns of ‘unexpected’ COVID-19 charges
The Iowa Attorney General’s Office is warning Iowans they may see unexpected charges on their credit card statements due to “pandemic” fees. Some businesses are charging additional fees and labeling them “COVID surcharges,” according to the AG’s office. The fees are often associated with additional expenses that business may incur due to the pandemic, including […]
Iowa report details ‘critical populations’ who may be next in line for COVID-19 vaccine
While the first round of COVID-19 vaccines will go to health care workers and those in longterm-care facilities, a new report from the Iowa Department of Public Health outlines other “critical populations” who also should be considered for vaccinations prior to the general public. Gov. Kim Reynolds announced this week that Iowa will receive enough […]
Iowa prepares to distribute first round of COVID-19 vaccines
Iowa is preparing to distribute its first round of COVID-19 vaccines to health care workers and long-term care residents and staff, Gov. Kim Reynolds announced on Thursday. The state is expected to receive enough Pfizer and Moderna vaccines to provide shots for 172,000 people, beginning the week of Dec. 13, Reynolds said. With the limited […]
Cedar Rapids businesses lose more than $133 million from derecho damage
The economic fallout from the derecho that swept across Iowa in August resulted in Cedar Rapids businesses losing more than $133 million, according to a new report released by the city. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration named the Aug. 10 derecho as the most costly extreme thunderstorm in history. Cedar Rapids and eastern Iowa […]
Iowa’s crisis hotline sees major increase in calls in 2020
Since the summer, Drew Martel said people are increasingly calling the state’s crisis hotline, Your Life Iowa. Adults and teens are calling and texting counselors about depression and anxiety. Some are reporting isolation and distress caused by the pandemic. Grief calls are coming from people who lost loved ones to the virus. The number of […]
Iowa schools spent nearly $26 million on COVID-related costs but also saw savings
Iowa school districts reported spending nearly $26 million on unexpected coronavirus-related expenses this last fiscal year, including new technology, personal protective equipment and additional cleaning supplies. But districts also reported $69 million in cost reductions that stemmed from the spring shutdown, saving schools money on transportation, lunch and janitorial costs, according to a November report […]