COVID-19
Reynolds rejects calls for a stay-at-home order, citing Iowa infection data
Gov. Kim Reynolds pushed back Tuesday against suggestions from Iowa mayors that she issue a shelter-in-place order for Iowa. Earlier this week, Des Moines Mayor Frank Cownie urged Reynolds to issue a statewide order keeping Iowans in their homes to minimize the spread of COVID-19. Officials in Cedar Rapids have said Iowans are not doing […]
For Iowa’s rural restaurants, COVID-19 may be their ‘demise’
In Iowa’s rural communities, restaurants serve a higher purpose than offering a plate of food or a cup of coffee. On Iowa’s main streets, restaurants are where celebrations are held, people catch up with their friends or it’s a daily chance to socialize. But these small-town anchors are some of the businesses at the highest […]
Partnership launches site to help businesses find temp workers
The Greater Des Moines Partnership has launched DSM Employment Ready, an initiative to help businesses find temporary workers. The site also will help employees looking for work because of changes caused by the COVID-19 outbreak. The Partnership will maintain a list of Greater Des Moines companies looking to hire. It also will track state and federal assistance […]
Polk County to shelter COVID-positive homeless at fairgrounds
Polk County and partners are setting up a shelter at the Oman Family Youth Inn at the Iowa State Fairgrounds for homeless people who test positive for COVID-19. “When we are sick, we want to be comforted in a place where you feel safe and can get well. For people experiencing homeless, they do not […]
Scientists move to protect gorillas, Iowa’s bonobos from COVID-19
Ever since I visited Rwanda’s mountain gorillas in 2009 and started following a bonobo research center in Des Moines, I’ve cringed any time there is a coronvirus outbreak. And not just because it’s a health threat to people all over the globe. Great apes are susceptible to human respiratory illnesses, whether they are mountain gorillas […]
SBA advice: Don’t wait for Congress, apply now for small-business disaster loan
Small businesses and non-profits that have sustained economic injury because of the COVID-19 disaster should not wait for more action from Congress before they apply for a Small Business Administration economic injury disaster loan. That’s the advice of Jayne Armstrong, Iowa district director for the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA). She spoke Monday night during […]
Iowa DOT bans appointments except for essential services
The Iowa Department of Transportation will make license appointments through May 1 only for people involved in “essential services.” The move was a further tightening of driver’s license processing and other services during the COVID-19 outbreak. Call ahead for an appointment. Visitors will be screened before allowing to enter. Examples of “essential services” are commercial […]
Des Moines bus agency trims schedule during COVID-19 outbreak
Beginning Thursday, the Des Moines metro transit agency DART will end weekday service earlier and reduce the frequency of some bus routes during the COVID-19 outbreak. Nearly every route is affected. Saturday and Sunday service will remain normal. The following temporary changes will take effect on weekday routes: These local routes will shut down at […]
Des Moines closes playgrounds in parks
Des Moines parks are still open, but the playground equipment is off limits until the COVID-19 outbreak wanes, city officials announced. The city parks department made the announcement on its Facebook page, noting that the new coronavirus can live on metal and other hard surfaces for an undetermined time. Many of the playgrounds will be […]
Iowa ‘not quite’ in need of a stay-at-home order
Iowa officials said Monday that an analysis of the latest data on the spread of COVID-19 indicates the state is “not quite” at the point where a stay-at-home order is needed. At a press conference Monday, Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds and public health officials said they’re relying on hospitalization data to indicate if, and when, […]
Absentee voting period extended for mail-in ballots
Iowa Secretary of State Paul Pate is encouraging Iowans to vote by mail for the June primary and he has extended the absentee voting period to 40 days for mail-in votes. The action is in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. It will allow voters more time to send in their ballots and provide county auditors […]
Delta Dental launches $10.5 million aid package for dentists, nonprofits
Delta Dental of Iowa and the Delta Dental of Iowa Foundation have launched a $10.5 million aid package for dental practices and nonprofit organizations. The program for dentists will provide them with 50% of their average claim payments for four weeks. Also, $500,000 will be provided for grants of up to $10,000 each for Iowa […]