https://www.radioiowa.com/ Iowa's Radio News Network Fri, 15 May 2026 03:21:27 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://cdn.radioiowa.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/LEARFIELD_FAVICON-150x150.png https://www.radioiowa.com/ 32 32 https://www.radioiowa.com/2026/05/15/iowa-hhs-to-replace-1980s-era-software-to-track-adoptions-and-foster-care/ Fri, 15 May 2026 11:00:24 +0000 https://www.radioiowa.com/?p=180133 A new IT system child protective service workers in Iowa rely on to track foster and adoption cases is set roll out in December. The new federally-compliant system, called VISION, replaces the state’s current system which was created in the 1980s, known as FACS. Janee Harvey, director of the Family Well-Being and Protection Division, says […]]]> https://www.radioiowa.com/2026/05/14/wahls-and-turek-in-final-statewide-tv-debate-before-iowas-us-senate-primary/ Fri, 15 May 2026 03:21:27 +0000 https://www.radioiowa.com/?p=180151 The two Iowa Democrats running for the U.S. Senate used their final debate before the June Primary to present themselves as the party’s best General Election option against Congresswoman Ashley Hinson, the likely Republican Party pick for the U.S. Senate. State Senator Zach Wahls of Coralville opened by saying Democrats need to win back the […]]]> https://www.radioiowa.com/2026/05/14/10-million-from-three-donors-for-field-of-dreams-expansion/ Thu, 14 May 2026 21:44:11 +0000 https://www.radioiowa.com/?p=180142 A Dubuque-based trucking company and two northeast Iowa families have donated $10 million to support construction of a professional ballpark and other facilities at a “Field of Dreams” complex in Dyersville. The McCoy Group’s Jim Conley said he moved to Dubuque 31 years ago and was awe struck during his first visit to the Field […]]]> https://www.radioiowa.com/2026/05/14/board-of-education-will-not-rehear-north-polk-a-i-video-case/ Thu, 14 May 2026 20:23:57 +0000 https://www.radioiowa.com/?p=180145 The State Board of Education has denied a re-hearing request for a North Polk middle school student who was suspended for creating and posting online several sexually explicit fake A-I videos using pictures of school staff. The Board’s lawyer Thomas Mayes recommended the board deny the request, because the re-hearing is not for new information. […]]]> https://www.radioiowa.com/2026/05/14/iowa-congressman-feenstra-predicts-senate-will-pass-e15-bill-very-shortly/ Thu, 14 May 2026 17:41:18 +0000 https://www.radioiowa.com/?p=180141 Republican Congressman Randy Feenstra of Hull predicts the U.S. Senate will soon pass the E15 bill that cleared the House yesterday. The margin of the House vote was important, according to Feenstra. “I talked to the Senate leadership last night. They’re really excited because it was a bipartisan measure,” Feenstra said, “so we 120 Republicans support […]]]> https://www.radioiowa.com/2026/05/14/spring-is-the-time-to-be-aware-of-bears-in-iowa/ Thu, 14 May 2026 15:49:00 +0000 https://www.radioiowa.com/?p=180140 The Iowa DNR is reminding those who live in areas where bears have turned up in the past to be ready for them to return. State Furbearer Biologist Vince Evelsizer says we have some bears who overwinter here, but there aren’t any mating couples raising cubs in Iowa. “The bears we get are singles usually […]]]> https://www.radioiowa.com/2026/05/14/southwest-iowa-service-honors-law-officers-who-died-in-the-line-of-duty/ Thu, 14 May 2026 15:20:42 +0000 https://www.radioiowa.com/?p=180138 A memorial service for fallen police officers was held at the Clarinda Cemetery’s Tomb of the Unknown on Wednesday afternoon. The ceremony opened with members of the Clarinda American Legion firing a rifle volley, prior to the playing of “Taps.” Clarinda Police Chief Keith Brothers says officers put their lives on the line every day, […]]]> https://www.radioiowa.com/2026/05/14/iowa-congressman-nunn-lauds-bipartisan-backing-of-e15-bill/ Thu, 14 May 2026 15:04:47 +0000 https://www.radioiowa.com/?p=180135 Iowa Congressman Zach Nunn, a Republican from Ankeny, says there was a last-minute attempt to block Wednesday’s House vote on pro-ethanol legislation. The bill to permanently allow the sale of E15 year-round passed, but Nunn said that came after a failed parliamentary move by lawmakers who oppose it. “I’m so proud of not only the […]]]> https://www.radioiowa.com/2026/05/14/northeast-iowa-high-school-scene-of-active-shooter-drill/ Thu, 14 May 2026 14:34:47 +0000 https://www.radioiowa.com/?p=180134 Iowa schools are required to hold active shooter drills, just like fire and tornado drills, and school staff and first responders held a large-scale drill Wednesday afternoon at West Delaware High School in Manchester. Delaware County emergency management coordinator Mandy Bieber and Delaware County Sheriff Travis Hemesath say they practiced a scenario that involved a […]]]> https://www.radioiowa.com/2026/05/14/musical-show-makes-iowa-debut-turning-audience-of-300-into-one-choir/ Thu, 14 May 2026 11:00:37 +0000 https://www.radioiowa.com/?p=180121 A fully-interactive, internationally-touring show that turns the entire audience into performers is making its first-ever Iowa stop on Friday night, focusing on the music of the British rock band Queen. It’s called “Choir! Choir! Choir!” and co-founder and co-host Daveed Goldman says everyone is given a lyric sheet upon entering the auditorium. “We split the […]]]> https://www.radioiowa.com/2026/05/14/85th-annual-orange-city-tulip-festival-starts-today/ Thu, 14 May 2026 10:29:03 +0000 https://www.radioiowa.com/?p=180126 A northwest Iowa city’s celebration of its Dutch heritage that began with a small flower show in 1936 continues, as the 85th Orange City Tulip Festival begins today and runs through Saturday. The parades at 2 and 6 p.m. every day attract lots of visitors to see the traditional costumes and street scrubbing, but festival […]]]> https://www.radioiowa.com/2026/05/13/year-round-e15-policy-clears-house-with-backing-of-iowas-u-s-reps/ Wed, 13 May 2026 22:59:03 +0000 https://www.radioiowa.com/?p=180131 The U.S. House has passed a bill to scrap an EPA rule and allow E15 to be sold year-round in every state. Congressman Randy Feenstra, a Republican from Hull, said expanded nationwide use of gasoline with a higher blend of ethanol will boost the corn market. “Gridlock in Washington, D.C. has prevented this passage of […]]]> https://www.radioiowa.com/2026/05/13/summit-cuts-200-miles-from-its-proposed-pipeline-route/ Wed, 13 May 2026 20:18:45 +0000 https://www.radioiowa.com/?p=180129 Summit Carbon Solutions plans to shrink the scope of its pipeline project in Iowa by about 200 miles. The company has submitted a revised route plan to the Iowa Utilities Commission. Summit no longer plans to connect its pipeline to ethanol plants in St. Ansgar, Corning, Hanlontown or Shenandoah. That means the pipeline route will […]]]> https://www.radioiowa.com/2026/05/13/appeals-court-orders-new-murder-trial-over-polk-county-court-security-setup/ Wed, 13 May 2026 19:26:41 +0000 https://www.radioiowa.com/?p=180128 The Iowa Court of Appeals has ordered a new trial for a Las Vegas man convicted of second-degree murder based on the security setup in the courtroom. James Wiggins argued he was defending himself when he shot Tyrone Hutchins to death at a Des Moines bar in December of 2022. He appealed the guilty verdict, […]]]> https://www.radioiowa.com/2026/05/13/project-to-create-dozens-of-affordable-family-apartments-in-central-iowa/ Wed, 13 May 2026 18:00:06 +0000 https://www.radioiowa.com/?p=180125 A central Iowa nonprofit group is bringing a new affordable housing development to the Des Moines area. The Oakridge Neighborhood’s $15-million Cynergy project will include 33 affordable family apartments, each with three or four bedrooms. Oakridge President Deidre DeJear says she consistently sees families seeking comfortable and affordable housing in the area. DeJear says, “Our […]]]> https://www.radioiowa.com/2026/05/13/rare-white-fawn-spotted-in-southern-iowa/ Wed, 13 May 2026 15:54:25 +0000 https://www.radioiowa.com/?p=180118 The sighting of white fawn on the Indian Hills Community College in Ottumwa has created a stir in southern Iowa. DNR state deer biologist Jace Elliott says it’s not something you see every day. “We do get reports of white deer periodically throughout the year across the state. So it’s not the first white deer […]]]> https://www.radioiowa.com/2026/05/13/job-seeking-advice-as-thousands-of-new-iowa-college-graduates-appear/ Wed, 13 May 2026 15:04:31 +0000 https://www.radioiowa.com/?p=180116 Commencement in Iowa City is Saturday and some 6,000 new University of Iowa graduates will be hitting the job market under challenging circumstances. Cindy Meis, director of undergraduate career services at the UI’s Tippie College of Business, says many industries across the board are very competitive this year, while recruiting has plateaued. Meis says she’s […]]]> https://www.radioiowa.com/2026/05/13/early-voting-has-begun-in-iowas-2026-primary-elections/ Wed, 13 May 2026 14:56:29 +0000 https://www.radioiowa.com/?p=180115 Today is the first day for early voting in Iowa’s Primary Elections. This is also the first day county auditors may start mailing absentee ballots to Iowans who requested them. Absentee ballot request forms must be in your county auditor’s office by 5 p.m. on Monday — postmarks do not count — and absentee ballots […]]]> https://www.radioiowa.com/2026/05/13/new-state-funds-for-iowa-charter-schools-rule-change-for-homeschoolers/ Wed, 13 May 2026 14:17:26 +0000 https://www.radioiowa.com/?p=180113 A new state law will send public charter schools in Iowa $1.3 million more dollars to boost teacher salaries in the coming school year and a revolving loan fund has been created to provide low-interest loans for charter school facilities. Governor Kim Reynolds signed the law yesterday at Des Moines Prep, a charter school for […]]]> https://www.radioiowa.com/2026/05/13/ui-energy-expert-is-concerned-over-rising-diesel-lng-prices/ Wed, 13 May 2026 11:00:27 +0000 https://www.radioiowa.com/?p=180102 While there’s plenty of grumbling in Iowa over gasoline prices being well north of $4 a gallon, University of Iowa Professor Tyler Priest, who teaches a course on U.S. energy policy, says a much larger problem is coming into focus. “Diesel prices have doubled. They’ve risen much faster than gasoline prices because they’re traded globally […]]]>