News
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 […]
Lawsuit: Iowa’s biggest credit union is charging improper fees
Iowa’s largest credit union is facing a potential class-action lawsuit alleging it has collected millions of dollars in improper overdraft fees. The lawsuit, filed in Johnson County District Court, seeks class-action status and unspecified damages from GreenState Credit Union, which has more than $5 billion in assets and branches throughout Iowa. The credit union has […]
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 […]
Reynolds offers condolences on death of Dean Borg, ‘a real icon’
Gov. Kim Reynolds offered her condolences Monday to the family of longtime Iowa journalist Dean Borg, who died Sunday in Iowa City of complications of pancreatic cancer. Reynolds called Borg, who had worked at Iowa Public Radio and Iowa Public Television, “a real icon.” Borg hosted “Iowa Press” on Iowa Public Television from its first […]
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 […]
Iowa COVID-19 tally jumps to 105
State health officials on Monday reported 15 more positive tests for COVID-19, bringing the total to 105. Gov. Kim Reynolds has declared an emergency, shutting down many businesses, schools and churches. Many Iowans are staying home to limit exposure to the virus and to help contain the outbreak. At this point, Reynolds has said she […]
Iowa biofuels plants donate materials for prisoners to make hand sanitizer
Two Iowa biofuels plants are the first to provide materials for Iowa prisoners to use to make hand sanitizers the state will distribute for free.
Reynolds: Child care is vital to keep essential workers on the job
Gov. Kim Reynolds on Sunday defended her decision not to close child-care centers, even as schools have closed. She called on schools, community organizations and churches to make their spaces available for emergency child care centers for essential workers. Reynolds also announced Sunday that she has signed another emergency proclamation that closes more businesses and […]