Gov. Reynolds announced on Friday that all school districts and nonpublic schools will remain closed for the remainder of the school year, which includes the cancellation of spring sports activities."I regret to say that Iowa schools will not reopen this school year," Gov. Reynolds said.School districts will be required to continue to provide continuous learning opportunities for students until the end of the current school year. for continuous learning submitted by school districts across the state on April 13.Gov. Reynolds also announced that the state will waive instructional time...…Gov. Reynolds announced on Friday that all school districts and nonpublic schools will remain closed for the remainder of the school year, which includes the cancellation of spring sports activities."I regret to say that Iowa schools will not reopen this school year," Gov. Reynolds said.School districts will be required to continue to provide continuous learning opportunities for students until the end of the current school year. for continuous learning submitted by school districts across the state on April 13.Gov. Reynolds also announced that the state will waive instructional time...WW…

One of Iowa's few federal parklands is now closed after Gov. Kim Reynolds implemented additional restrictions for the region in which it is located, according to park administrators.Effigy Mounds National Monument, which is operated by the National Parks Service, is closed as of sunset on Saturday, April 18, 2020, until further notice. to prohibit gatherings of any size in RMCC Region 6, which encompasses much of northeast Iowa including where the monument is located. The restrictions were put into place to help limit the spread of the novel coronavirus in the area.The closure means that...…One of Iowa's few federal parklands is now closed after Gov. Kim Reynolds implemented additional restrictions for the region in which it is located, according to park administrators.Effigy Mounds National Monument, which is operated by the National Parks Service, is closed as of sunset on Saturday, April 18, 2020, until further notice. to prohibit gatherings of any size in RMCC Region 6, which encompasses much of northeast Iowa including where the monument is located. The restrictions were put into place to help limit the spread of the novel coronavirus in the area.The closure means that...WW…

Senator Joni Ernst is pushing for local media to qualify for the Paycheck Protection Program, to provide relief during this time when advertising revenue may be decreasing.“Local reporting in Iowa is always vital for our communities, but especially now,” Senator Joni Ernst said. “Iowa families and small businesses depend on access to the latest, reliable information, and our local newspapers, TV, and radio stations play an important role in doing that. Local media, like other small businesses who are facing challenging times, should be able to benefit from the Paycheck Protection...…Senator Joni Ernst is pushing for local media to qualify for the Paycheck Protection Program, to provide relief during this time when advertising revenue may be decreasing.“Local reporting in Iowa is always vital for our communities, but especially now,” Senator Joni Ernst said. “Iowa families and small businesses depend on access to the latest, reliable information, and our local newspapers, TV, and radio stations play an important role in doing that. Local media, like other small businesses who are facing challenging times, should be able to benefit from the Paycheck Protection...WW…

TPI Composites, Inc., has announced it is suspending production at its composite wind turbine blade manufacturing plant in Newton to implement more COVID-19 testing.The Arizona based company said it has reached out to Gov. Reynolds' office to discuss an enhanced testing plan after 28 workers at the Newton plant were confirmed to have the virus.The plan includes pausing production until the middle of next week for a deep clean of the facility and to test all the Newton associates. The company said workers will be paid during this pause in production.…TPI Composites, Inc., has announced it is suspending production at its composite wind turbine blade manufacturing plant in Newton to implement more COVID-19 testing.The Arizona based company said it has reached out to Gov. Reynolds' office to discuss an enhanced testing plan after 28 workers at the Newton plant were confirmed to have the virus.The plan includes pausing production until the middle of next week for a deep clean of the facility and to test all the Newton associates. The company said workers will be paid during this pause in production.WW…

Iowa Attorney General Tom Miller sued an Orange City man for alleged price gouging.This is the first lawsuit filed by Miller's office alleging excessive prices during the pandemic. It alleges that Michael Evan Noteboom, who has the eBay account "mn65," charged excessive prices on more than 250 items on eBay, including toilet paper, paper towels and disinfecting and sanitizing products.The lawsuit was filed April 24 and asks a judge to order a temporary and permanent injunction to stop Noteboom from selling household merchandise on any platform. It also seeks consumer restitution and civil...…Iowa Attorney General Tom Miller sued an Orange City man for alleged price gouging.This is the first lawsuit filed by Miller's office alleging excessive prices during the pandemic. It alleges that Michael Evan Noteboom, who has the eBay account "mn65," charged excessive prices on more than 250 items on eBay, including toilet paper, paper towels and disinfecting and sanitizing products.The lawsuit was filed April 24 and asks a judge to order a temporary and permanent injunction to stop Noteboom from selling household merchandise on any platform. It also seeks consumer restitution and civil...WW…

Organizers of a statewide bike ride that was planned after previous RAGBRAI staffers split off from that organization have cancelled plans for its inaugural ride due to the coronavirus pandemic.Iowa's Ride announced the decision to cancel the ride, which would have taken place between July 12 and July 18, 2020, on their website on Monday night. TJ Juskiewicz, the director of the group, said that they made the decision with the safety of participants and staff in mind after consulting with involved parties.Juskiewicz said that he explored all possible options and would have liked to wait...…Organizers of a statewide bike ride that was planned after previous RAGBRAI staffers split off from that organization have cancelled plans for its inaugural ride due to the coronavirus pandemic.Iowa's Ride announced the decision to cancel the ride, which would have taken place between July 12 and July 18, 2020, on their website on Monday night. TJ Juskiewicz, the director of the group, said that they made the decision with the safety of participants and staff in mind after consulting with involved parties.Juskiewicz said that he explored all possible options and would have liked to wait...WW…

Iowa Secretary of State Paul Pate announced on Wednesday a new statewide initiative to recruit poll workers ahead of the June 2 primary.The initiative specifically asks for younger Iowans to serve due to the fact that Iowa poll workers tend to come from age groups more vulnerable to COVID-19. Pate says that while polling locations in all 99 Iowa counties will be open, fewer poll workers are available. As a result many counties are consolidating precincts.“We need younger, healthy Iowans to help staff our polling locations to ensure a clean, smooth election process," Pate said.Masks, hand...…Iowa Secretary of State Paul Pate announced on Wednesday a new statewide initiative to recruit poll workers ahead of the June 2 primary.The initiative specifically asks for younger Iowans to serve due to the fact that Iowa poll workers tend to come from age groups more vulnerable to COVID-19. Pate says that while polling locations in all 99 Iowa counties will be open, fewer poll workers are available. As a result many counties are consolidating precincts.“We need younger, healthy Iowans to help staff our polling locations to ensure a clean, smooth election process," Pate said.Masks, hand...WW…

WHO Radio and WMT Radio announced they are postponing the June 2020 tractor rides to a later date.WHO Tractor Ride Director Scot Knock said the decision was made based on recommendations of state, national and global health experts and to keep staff and supporters safe.“As much as we all enjoy the annual tractor enthusiast gathering in Eastern Iowa, we have to be cognizant of the current environment.” Matt Kenney, Events Manager for AM 600 WMT said. “Whether we postpone the 21st Annual WMT Great Eastern Iowa Tractorcade originally scheduled for early June for a few months or until 2021, we...…WHO Radio and WMT Radio announced they are postponing the June 2020 tractor rides to a later date.WHO Tractor Ride Director Scot Knock said the decision was made based on recommendations of state, national and global health experts and to keep staff and supporters safe.“As much as we all enjoy the annual tractor enthusiast gathering in Eastern Iowa, we have to be cognizant of the current environment.” Matt Kenney, Events Manager for AM 600 WMT said. “Whether we postpone the 21st Annual WMT Great Eastern Iowa Tractorcade originally scheduled for early June for a few months or until 2021, we...WW…

State officials have identified another nine deaths associated with the illness caused by the novel coronavirus, along with several hundred new cases, according to new statistics provided on Sunday.The Iowa Department of Public Health said that two elderly adults (aged 81 or older) died in Black Hawk County, one elderly adult (aged 81 or older) in Bremer County, one older adult (aged 61 to 80) in Dubuque County, two elderly adults (aged 81 or older) in Poweshiek County, one older adult (aged 61 to 80) in Dallas County, and two older adults (aged 61 to 80) in Polk County. These new...…State officials have identified another nine deaths associated with the illness caused by the novel coronavirus, along with several hundred new cases, according to new statistics provided on Sunday.The Iowa Department of Public Health said that two elderly adults (aged 81 or older) died in Black Hawk County, one elderly adult (aged 81 or older) in Bremer County, one older adult (aged 61 to 80) in Dubuque County, two elderly adults (aged 81 or older) in Poweshiek County, one older adult (aged 61 to 80) in Dallas County, and two older adults (aged 61 to 80) in Polk County. These new...WW…

Hy-Vee announced it's limiting meat purchases at all its locations beginning May 6.Hy-Vee said in a statement:"We continue to work with industry leaders, so we are prepared for any possible fluctuations in product and can best serve our customers. At Hy-Vee, we have product available at our stores but due to worker shortages at plants as well as an increase in meat sales, customers may not find the specific items they are looking for. Because of this, we are going to put a limit on customer purchases in the meat department. Effective Wednesday, May 6, each customer will be limited to four...…Hy-Vee announced it's limiting meat purchases at all its locations beginning May 6.Hy-Vee said in a statement:"We continue to work with industry leaders, so we are prepared for any possible fluctuations in product and can best serve our customers. At Hy-Vee, we have product available at our stores but due to worker shortages at plants as well as an increase in meat sales, customers may not find the specific items they are looking for. Because of this, we are going to put a limit on customer purchases in the meat department. Effective Wednesday, May 6, each customer will be limited to four...WW…