https://www.radioiowa.com/ Iowa's Radio News Network Thu, 30 Jul 2026 15:39:10 +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/2026/07/30/iowa-regents-create-committee-to-oversee-ui-center-for-intellectual-freedom/ Thu, 30 Jul 2026 15:38:12 +0000 https://www.radioiowa.com/?p=181617 The board that oversees the three state universities approved a committee Wednesday to oversee the Center for Intellectual Freedom at the University of Iowa. Board of Regents executive director Mark Braun says the Center’s director will report to the three-person committee.  He says it is required to meet quarterly and the staff will be provided […]]]> https://www.radioiowa.com/2026/07/30/churchill-downs-mulls-sale-of-9-properties-including-sioux-city-casino/ Thu, 30 Jul 2026 14:59:02 +0000 https://www.radioiowa.com/?p=181613 A change in ownership of Sioux City’s Hard Rock Hotel and Casino is possible following yesterday’s financial filing by current owner Churchill Downs, Inc. Churchil Downs filed a form with the Securities and Exchange Commission, stating it’s exploring the sale of nine regional gaming properties, including the Hard Rock in Sioux City. The corporation states […]]]> https://www.radioiowa.com/2026/07/30/grassley-cancels-todays-committee-vote-on-blanches-a-g-nomination/ Thu, 30 Jul 2026 14:47:14 +0000 https://www.radioiowa.com/?p=181610 Senator Chuck Grassley cancelled today scheduled Judiciary Committee meeting to vote on President Trump’s nominee for attorney general. A Grassley spokesperson said late last night that two other Republicans on the committee want “written assurances” from the Justice Department about Trump’s I-R-S settlement before they’ll support having acting Attorney General Todd Blanche serve in the […]]]> https://www.radioiowa.com/2026/07/30/senator-ernst-blasts-faucis-covid-related-decisions/ Thu, 30 Jul 2026 14:07:06 +0000 https://www.radioiowa.com/?p=181607 Iowa Senator Joni Ernst is among those publicly raising objections to pandemic-related decisions Dr. Anthony Fauci made when he was a top U.S. public health official. Ernst questioned Fauci yesterday during a hearing on Capitol Hill. “Dr. Fauci, yes or no: Do you think that human aborted parts should be put into mice for coronavirus […]]]> https://www.radioiowa.com/2026/07/30/even-in-the-steamy-heat-iowans-can-find-ways-to-keep-kids-moving/ Thu, 30 Jul 2026 11:00:51 +0000 https://www.radioiowa.com/?p=181586 Some days it’s just too hot in Iowa to go outside, but research is finding that children who stay active during the summer months see physical, as well as mental, benefits. Katie Schuver, who lectures about physical activity and health promotion, tells Iowa parents they need to keep their kids motivated and moving. “For kids, […]]]> https://www.radioiowa.com/2026/07/29/ground-broken-for-rec-center-at-sioux-citys-camp-high-hopes/ Wed, 29 Jul 2026 22:49:28 +0000 https://www.radioiowa.com/?p=181603 Staff and supporters of Camp High Hopes near Sioux City broke ground Tuesday for their new multi-purpose adaptive rec center. Executive director Sarah Morgan says they’ve seen an increasing demand from kids and adults with disabilities and special needs seeking recreational opportunities.  “The new 14,800 square foot multi-purpose adaptive rec center is our commitment to […]]]> https://www.radioiowa.com/2026/07/29/mobile-unit-in-postville-helping-agristar-workers-file-for-unemployment/ Wed, 29 Jul 2026 22:46:57 +0000 https://www.radioiowa.com/?p=181602 The state’s “Mobile Workforce Center” is in Postville to help employees of the AgriStar meatpacking plant damaged by a massive fire that started early Tuesday. The company has not announced when or if the plant will reopen. A message on AgriStar’s Facebook page said the company is working closely with local, state, and federal officials […]]]> https://www.radioiowa.com/2026/07/29/iowans-book-football-spy-keeps-same-characters-from-baseball-thriller/ Wed, 29 Jul 2026 18:17:42 +0000 https://www.radioiowa.com/?p=181593 A central Iowa TV sportscaster is out with his second book. Scott Reister says “Football Spy” follows the story of the first book that had little league baseball players threatened by a spy. “Same characters, but now it’s football season. They’ve got a new adventure to go on. They’ve got to save someone. And the […]]]> https://www.radioiowa.com/2026/07/29/some-iowans-worries-about-traffic-cameras-may-be-unfounded/ Wed, 29 Jul 2026 18:00:39 +0000 https://www.radioiowa.com/?p=181582 There are no reports in Iowa of any deliberate vandalism of traffic cameras that are used to read license plates, but some Iowans oppose the use of so-called Flock cameras to gather data, fearing it could be misused. Coralville has removed the cameras and a petition drive in Iowa City aims to have them taken […]]]> https://www.radioiowa.com/2026/07/29/nw-iowa-city-approves-final-plat-for-housing-development-new-school/ Wed, 29 Jul 2026 17:28:56 +0000 https://www.radioiowa.com/?p=181591 The city council in a northwest Iowa town with about 3300 residents has approved the final plat and an urban renewal plan for a housing development that’s expected to add over 120 lots in Milford when completed. Developer Doug Holzrichter said the project is now ready to move into the construction phase. “We hope to […]]]> https://www.radioiowa.com/2026/07/29/obama-endorses-iowa-democrat-josh-turek-for-u-s-senate/ Wed, 29 Jul 2026 14:41:37 +0000 https://www.radioiowa.com/?p=181584 Former President Barack Obama has endorsed fellow Democrat Josh Turek’s bid for the U.S. Senate. Turek’s campaign has released a video of Obama and Turek on a basketball court, with Obama saying he knows “a little something about winning in Iowa,” a reference to his 2008 Iowa Caucus victory, followed by his General Election wins […]]]> https://www.radioiowa.com/2026/07/29/inmate-convicted-of-murdering-cedar-rapids-couple-in-1991-dies-in-prison/ Wed, 29 Jul 2026 14:20:41 +0000 https://www.radioiowa.com/?p=181580 An inmate has died after spending the past 34 years in prison for murdering a Cedar Rapids couple. The Iowa Department of Corrections says 77-year-old Gregory Dean Connor died last week at the Iowa Medical and Classification Center. He was convicted of shooting friends Charles and Lorena Martin to death, pouring gasoline on their bodies […]]]> https://www.radioiowa.com/2026/07/29/using-recycled-concrete-to-save-des-moines-415000-on-road-repairs/ Wed, 29 Jul 2026 13:12:23 +0000 https://www.radioiowa.com/?p=181576 At the peak of road repair season, a central Iowa city is now recycling concrete, soil and asphalt to patch up roads and alleys to save money. Jim Scott, operations manager for Des Moines’ Public Works Streets Division, says recycled concrete is turned into a subbase that meets state regulations. It serves as a foundation […]]]> https://www.radioiowa.com/2026/07/29/expert-urges-iowa-parents-to-get-educated-about-vaccines-before-school-starts/ Wed, 29 Jul 2026 11:00:51 +0000 https://www.radioiowa.com/?p=181562 Iowa’s only had one confirmed case of measles this year, but outbreaks are popping up in other states with more than 2,300 cases nationwide. As Iowa parents prepare their kids for the start of school, some are debating what vaccines, if any, they need. Dr. Giridhar Mallya, senior policy officer at the Robert Wood Johnson […]]]> https://www.radioiowa.com/2026/07/29/rob-sand-says-as-governor-hes-consider-raising-tobacco-taxes/ Wed, 29 Jul 2026 09:14:23 +0000 https://www.radioiowa.com/?p=181573 Democrat Rob Sand says if he’s elected governor, he’d consider approving an increase in the state tax on cigarettes and other tobacco products. Sand met with eight members of the American Cancer Society’s Cancer Action Network yesterday. The group supports increasing the state cigarette tax by $1.50 per pack. Sand said he’s not sure what […]]]> https://www.radioiowa.com/2026/07/28/judge-rules-gluba-cutler-ticket-cant-be-on-iowas-2026-ballot/ Tue, 28 Jul 2026 18:45:52 +0000 https://www.radioiowa.com/?p=181570 A district court judge has ruled the Libertarian candidates for governor and lieutenant governor cannot be listed on Iowa’s General Election ballot.  It’s likely the Libertarian candidates will appeal to the Iowa Supreme Court. In June, the State Objection Panel ruled Nicholas Gluba and his running mate Jules Cutler had failed to qualify for the […]]]> https://www.radioiowa.com/2026/07/28/report-finds-12-4-of-iowans-were-food-insecure-in-2024/ Tue, 28 Jul 2026 18:09:07 +0000 https://www.radioiowa.com/?p=181568 Feeding America, a non-profit network of over 200 U.S. food banks, has reviewed the most recent federal data and found at least 400,000 Iowans didn’t have enough to food to eat in 2024 and Tami Nielsen, President and CEO of the Food Bank of Iowa, said given the traffic at Iowa food pantries, that number […]]]> https://www.radioiowa.com/2026/07/28/grassley-is-lobbying-other-republicans-to-okay-blanche-as-attorney-general/ Tue, 28 Jul 2026 18:00:40 +0000 https://www.radioiowa.com/?p=181559 Iowa Senator Chuck Grassley says he’s optimistic acting U.S. Attorney General Todd Blanche will be confirmed this week, despite questions from fellow Republicans about Blanche’s actions on behalf of President Trump. Grassley will chair the Senate Judiciary Committee meeting on Thursday where members will vote on whether to appoint Blanche to the post as the […]]]> https://www.radioiowa.com/2026/07/28/dubuque-firm-plans-3-million-expansion-of-dyersville-warehouse/ Tue, 28 Jul 2026 14:03:26 +0000 https://www.radioiowa.com/?p=181557 A company based in Dubuque is expanding in Dyersville. Suttner America, a supplier and distributor of pressure washer components and accessories, is expanding its operations with a new 30,000-square-foot facility in Dyersville’s 20 West Industrial Center. The more than $3 million facility in Dyersville will increase Suttner America’s footprint by approximately 11,000 square feet, providing […]]]> https://www.radioiowa.com/2026/07/28/toddler-run-over-by-vehicle-in-coon-rapids-flown-to-omaha-hospital/ Tue, 28 Jul 2026 13:58:51 +0000 https://www.radioiowa.com/?p=181555 A toddler was seriously injured Monday evening in western Iowa’s Carroll County after being run over by a vehicle. Several local agencies were dispatched to a home in Coon Rapids at about 8 p.m. and initial reports from Coon Rapids Police say the toddler sustained life threatening head trauma. Authorities say family members immediately administered […]]]>