News
Pandemic Unemployment Assistance set to expire as jobless claims increase
With two federal unemployment relief programs set to expire this week, the number of newly filed claims for unemployment claims are up in Iowa. For the week ending Dec. 19, there were 7,645 new claims filed in Iowa, an increase of 1,119 from last week’s adjusted numbers. Last week, the number of newly filed claims […]
Abuse and neglect continued in 2020 at Glenwood, even while feds investigated
A state-run home for the disabled that has been the focus of a yearlong federal investigation continues to be cited for poor medical care and resident abuse. The Glenwood Resource Center is the subject of a newly released report from the U.S. Department of Justice that confirms residents of the home were subjected to unauthorized […]
Iowa ranks 6th in nation in recent COVID-19 deaths
Iowa has the sixth-highest COVID-19 death rate in the country, the New York Times reported. In addition, the drop in new cases in Iowa has slowed. Iowa recorded 64 coronavirus deaths and 1,558 new cases Tuesday, the Times reported. The Times reported that Iowa had seen a 23% drop in new cases in the two […]
MidAmerican plans new subscription service with 100% renewable energy
MidAmerican Energy plans to buy a Webster County solar energy development as part of a proposed subscription service that will allow companies such as Facebook to buy power generated entirely with renewable sources. MidAmerican will purchase a utility-scale solar development under development by owned by San Diego-based EDF Renewables North America. Terms were not disclosed. […]
Biden picks former public school teacher as secretary of education
WASHINGTON — President-elect Joe Biden on Wednesday formally introduced his nominee for secretary of education — Miguel Cardona, a veteran of public schools and the third Latino selected for the Cabinet. “We knew we needed an education secretary who truly understands what it’s been like for educators, administrators, families, caregivers and students this past year,” Biden […]
Reynolds: Despite fewer doses coming to Iowa, vaccinations remain on track
Despite an unexpected 20% reduction in the amount of COVID-19 vaccine that Iowa expected to receive this week, Iowa is on track to begin vaccinating residents and workers in nursing homes next week as originally planned, Gov. Kim Reynolds said Tuesday. Speaking at a press conference, Reynolds acknowledged that while Iowa is among two dozen […]
Times: Number of Iowa daily COVID tests fall to lowest level since mid-May
Iowa has been testing fewer people for COVID-19 each day than it had since mid-May, on average, the New York Times reported. That may be one factor in a sharp dip in new cases reported Tuesday, the newspaper noted. The Times’ database shows Iowa had averaged 3,470 tests per day as of Monday, based on a […]
State official: Iowa veterans compare nursing home’s COVID-19 unit to a ‘five-star hotel’
Only 21 residents of the Iowa Veterans Home have contracted the coronavirus this year, the home’s commandant said Monday, adding that some of the residents have likened the facility’s COVID-19 unit to a five-star hotel. Five of the infected veterans at the Marshalltown nursing home have died, Commandant Timon Oujiri said. Speaking at a press […]
Ag groups praise $33B in farm-related pandemic relief aid
The $900 billion pandemic relief legislation passed by Congress late Monday includes $33 billion in aid for farms, broadband, biofuels and nutrition programs. Agriculture groups were quick to praise the bipartisan package, months in the making. The aid includes $11.2 billion Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue will use to “support producers, processors and contract growers,” the […]
Hart challenges 22 ballots in 2nd District race, asks House for full recount
Democratic candidate Rita Hart on Tuesday detailed 22 alleged errors in the 2nd Congressional District race and asked the U.S. House of Representatives to recount the ballots and declare her the winner. Republican Mariannette Miller-Meeks, making her fourth run for the seat, was certified as the winner by six votes by state officials after a […]
Congress passes massive ‘first step’ in pandemic relief with $900B package
WASHINGTON — Congress on Monday night cleared and sent to President Donald Trump the first major COVID-19 relief measure since the spring, a sprawling spending bill that would provide $900 billion in pandemic-related aid but still didn’t go far enough for many Democrats. House leaders divided the bill into two parts and passed the emergency […]
Audit: Iowa Lottery revenues dropped nearly 5% as pandemic isolated gamblers
A state audit has confirmed that the Iowa Lottery saw a dip of just under 5% in operating revenue last budget year and funneled less money to the state general fund. State Auditor Rob Sand’s report covering the budget year ending June 30 included the first few months of the coronavirus pandemic. A 4.86% drop […]