https://www.radioiowa.com/ Iowa's Radio News Network Sun, 20 Sep 2026 21:17:45 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://cdn.radioiowa.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/LEARFIELD_FAVICON.png https://www.radioiowa.com/ 32 32 https://www.radioiowa.com/2026/09/21/trees-can-be-ordered-now-as-part-of-one-million-trees-central-iowa-initiative/ Mon, 21 Sep 2026 11:00:08 +0000 https://www.radioiowa.com/?p=182635 Residents of ten central Iowa counties will be able to spruce up their yards with new, high-quality trees for planting this fall with a special deal through a non-profit that’s headquartered in Marion. Megan Schneider, director of Des Moines area programs of Trees Forever, says they’re offering eight species of trees that can be ordered […]]]> https://www.radioiowa.com/2026/09/20/creighton-economist-says-interest-rates-headed-back-to-normal-of-around-7/ Sun, 20 Sep 2026 21:17:45 +0000 https://www.radioiowa.com/?p=182655 Creighton University economist Ernie Goss says the days of 2% or 3% interest rates on home mortages are over. “We all have to get used to these higher rates. We had this long period, about 15 years of unbelievably low interest rates,” Goss said. “Well now they’re headed back to normal and all of us […]]]> https://www.radioiowa.com/2026/09/20/louisiana-senator-offers-prediction-on-iran-wars-end-urges-iowa-republicans-to-elect-hinson/ Sun, 20 Sep 2026 20:58:53 +0000 https://www.radioiowa.com/?p=182651 Louisiana Senator John Kennedy spoke to 1300 Christian conservatives in Iowa this weekend, predicting the war in Iran would be over by spring. “I believe that war will be concluded within the next six months,” Kennedy said. “I think that you will see the price of oil come down and inflation come down with it, […]]]> https://www.radioiowa.com/2026/09/18/sioux-county-supervisors-to-hold-hearing-on-rules-for-data-centers/ Fri, 18 Sep 2026 21:05:13 +0000 https://www.radioiowa.com/?p=182648 The Sioux County Planning and Zoning commission has recommended approval of proposed data center rules and the Board of Supervisors is expected to hold the first hearing on them September 29th. County Zoning Director Shane Walter says the proposal sets some very rigid standards. He says they’ve never held a business to this high a […]]]> https://www.radioiowa.com/2026/09/18/parts-of-iowa-have-already-set-september-rainfall-records/ Fri, 18 Sep 2026 19:40:57 +0000 https://www.radioiowa.com/?p=182645 There’s still more than ten days left in September — but it is already one of the wettest in history for some parts of Iowa. State Climatologist Justin Glisan says the amount of rain so far this month is unprecedented. “It’s been extremely unusual, and I don’t piece those two words together often. But if […]]]> https://www.radioiowa.com/2026/09/18/vance-headlines-council-bluffs-rally-for-iowa-gop-candidates/ Fri, 18 Sep 2026 19:03:53 +0000 https://www.radioiowa.com/?p=182643 Vice President JD Vance headlined a rally in Council Bluffs today to boost Iowa Republican candidates on the November. Vance also touted the Trump Adminsitration’s record on immigration and tax policy as well as trade. “My friends, what’s on the ballot in November is whether we have a government that fights…for Iowa farmers or fights […]]]> https://www.radioiowa.com/2026/09/18/iowa-schools-wary-of-threats-involving-cat-in-the-hat-videos/ Fri, 18 Sep 2026 18:00:09 +0000 https://www.radioiowa.com/?p=182633 Iowa parents and students are being warned about a disturbing social media trend that features sinister versions of a beloved children’s book character. Estherville Lincoln Central Superintendent Andy Armstead says the school resource officer first told him about the videos several days ago. “Our SRO informed me that there was a viral TikTok going around,” […]]]> https://www.radioiowa.com/2026/09/18/iowans-balk-at-gas-price-bounce-and-diesel-is-more-expensive-than-ever-before/ Fri, 18 Sep 2026 13:31:20 +0000 https://www.radioiowa.com/?p=182629 Iowa motorists may be rethinking any planned autumn road trips after gasoline prices took another jump this week, while diesel prices have again hit a record high. AAA-Iowa reports the current statewide average is $4.40 for a gallon of gas, a bounce of 35-cents since last Friday, while diesel is now averaging $6.19 a gallon, […]]]> https://www.radioiowa.com/2026/09/18/iowa-cattlemens-association-unveils-2026-legislative-priorities/ Fri, 18 Sep 2026 13:20:27 +0000 https://www.radioiowa.com/?p=182626 The Iowa Cattlemen’s Association plans to ask the 2026 Iowa legislature to cap and limit interest rates in Iowa’s Beginning Farmer Program. Bryan Whaley, the association’s CEO, said eligibility rules should be expanded, too, to help young farmers acquire land and equipment. “They have a significant struggle to get into cattle production and just farming […]]]> https://www.radioiowa.com/2026/09/18/suspect-extradited-to-iowa-from-tennessee-to-face-child-sex-abuse-charge/ Fri, 18 Sep 2026 12:35:46 +0000 https://www.radioiowa.com/?p=182624 A Tennessee man is facing multiple charges after authorities say he drove to Iowa to sexually assault a girl. The Wapello County Sheriff’s Office says it learned last October that 22-year-old Reuben Justice of Chattanooga, Tennessee, communicated online with a female minor from Iowa under the age of 13. Justice allegedly drove 10-11 hours from […]]]> https://www.radioiowa.com/2026/09/18/sand-asked-in-town-hall-about-legalizing-recreational-marijuana-in-iowa/ Fri, 18 Sep 2026 11:51:57 +0000 https://www.radioiowa.com/?p=182621 Rob Sand, the Democratic candidate for governor, has suggested Iowa should legalize recreational marijuana and adopt the same kind of regulations imposed on alcohol. Sand described the limitations he’d seek during a town hall in Dallas County this week. “Now when I say: ‘Treat it like alcohol,’ I literally mean treat it like alcohol, so […]]]> https://www.radioiowa.com/2026/09/18/regents-approve-naming-uni-center-after-senator-chuck-grassley/ Fri, 18 Sep 2026 11:43:49 +0000 https://www.radioiowa.com/?p=182615 The Board of Regents has approved a new center at the University of Northern Iowa in Cedar Falls that will be named after Iowa Senator Chuck Grassley and his wife. UNI president Mark Nook says the center has been in the works for several years.  “This is a request to really honor his commitment and […]]]> https://www.radioiowa.com/2026/09/18/ui-proposes-research-lab-to-study-more-ways-to-whip-cancer/ Fri, 18 Sep 2026 11:00:20 +0000 https://www.radioiowa.com/?p=182601 The University of Iowa is taking steps toward creating a new institute devoted to developing cancer-fighting drugs. The institute, abbreviated as CANDID, would focus on accelerating new drug development from the lab to early clinical trials. Kevin Kregel, the UI’s executive vice president and provost, says it would be a partnership between the pharmacy school […]]]> https://www.radioiowa.com/2026/09/17/university-of-iowa-iowa-state-university-building-projects-approved/ Thu, 17 Sep 2026 22:55:08 +0000 https://www.radioiowa.com/?p=182619 The University of Iowa has received approval to move ahead with five construction projects, including the renovation or replacement of the Memorial Union parking ramp. UI vice president Rod Lehnertz says the ramp was built in 1964 and the design is outdated. “With a spiral entrance and dead ends on each floor, we often jest […]]]> https://www.radioiowa.com/2026/09/17/drought-monitor-shows-dry-and-drought-conditions-in-15-of-iowa/ Thu, 17 Sep 2026 19:17:42 +0000 https://www.radioiowa.com/?p=182612 The latest Iowa Drought Monitor shows about 15% of Iowa is abnormally dry or experiencing some level of drought conditions, a big drop from a year ago. Last year at this time a quarter of the state was considered to be in a drought or abnormally dry. This week’s Drought Monitor report shows about 7% […]]]> https://www.radioiowa.com/2026/09/17/grassley-hinson-sponsor-awareness-effort-to-help-prevent-stillbirths/ Thu, 17 Sep 2026 18:00:04 +0000 https://www.radioiowa.com/?p=182603 This Saturday, September 19, would become National Stillbirth Prevention and Awareness Day under a resolution being co-sponsored by two of Iowa’s representatives in Washington. Senator Chuck Grassley said the day is needed to raise awareness of treatable conditions that lead to stillbirths. “Unfortunately, one out of every 183 births still tragically result in a stillbirth,” […]]]> https://www.radioiowa.com/2026/09/17/iowas-rural-mainstreet-index-drops-again-in-september/ Thu, 17 Sep 2026 15:45:49 +0000 https://www.radioiowa.com/?p=182607 The Rural Mainstreet Index Creighton University calculates after surveying rural bankers in Iowa and nine other Midwest states has dropped for the fourth time in the past six months. Iowa’s index was in negative territory in August and it has dropped another point-and-a-half this month. “We asked the bankers about the number one cost factor […]]]> https://www.radioiowa.com/2026/09/17/university-of-iowa-researchers-offering-water-testing-for-arsenic-in-6-counties/ Thu, 17 Sep 2026 15:34:17 +0000 https://www.radioiowa.com/?p=182606 A research project at the University of Iowa is offering private well owners in six counties free arsenic testing kits to see if there is a need to offer the kits in all 99 counties. UI professor David Cwiertny helps lead the Iowa Integrated Network for Science, Information and Geospatial Health Tracking, or INSIGHT,  which […]]]> https://www.radioiowa.com/2026/09/17/iowans-are-encouraged-to-ring-in-national-constitution-week/ Thu, 17 Sep 2026 12:26:03 +0000 https://www.radioiowa.com/?p=182599 Thousands of bells will ring across Iowa today in commemoration of the U.S. Constitution being signed on this date 239 years ago. Susan Klein, a member of the Abigail Adams Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution, says there will be a short program at Old Main Bell Tower at Drake University in Des […]]]> https://www.radioiowa.com/2026/09/17/tactile-exhibit-in-central-iowa-makes-deep-space-images-accessible-to-all/ Thu, 17 Sep 2026 11:00:40 +0000 https://www.radioiowa.com/?p=182572 A new exhibit at the Iowa Department for the Blind aims to open the night sky and the spectacle of distant stars, galaxies and colorful nebulas to blind, low-vision, and sighted visitors alike. Denise Bean, youth services librarian at the agency’s Des Moines office, says this traveling exhibit features gorgeous photographs from the James Webb […]]]>