11:29News StoryEnvironmental groups continue to fight a cattle operation planned near a trout stream in northeast Iowa. (Photo by Michael Yero via Unsplash)After environmentalists and others objected to Supreme Beef’s plans to raise 11,600 cattle near Monona and spread manure on farm fields within 30 miles, the Iowa Department of Natural Resources approved the plans.According to its , DNR “carries out state and federal laws that protect air, land and water through technical assistance, permitting and compliance programs.” The agency’s mission is “to conserve and enhance our natural...…11:29News StoryEnvironmental groups continue to fight a cattle operation planned near a trout stream in northeast Iowa. (Photo by Michael Yero via Unsplash)After environmentalists and others objected to Supreme Beef’s plans to raise 11,600 cattle near Monona and spread manure on farm fields within 30 miles, the Iowa Department of Natural Resources approved the plans.According to its , DNR “carries out state and federal laws that protect air, land and water through technical assistance, permitting and compliance programs.” The agency’s mission is “to conserve and enhance our natural...WW…

17:00News StoryXby Perry Beeman, March 30, 2021by Perry Beeman, March 30, 2021Iowa lawmakers are moving to make it a crime, as much as a felony, to use a camera while trespassing at an animal confinement.The Iowa Legislature has moved in recent years to stop workers at the confinements from secretly recording animal abuse and other offenses, then alerting the media and others. Some of those bills have been thrown out in court, but the so-called remain a legal issue. , already passed by the House, is aimed at trespassers, not workers. But some opponents say they fear workers would be...…17:00News StoryXby Perry Beeman, March 30, 2021by Perry Beeman, March 30, 2021Iowa lawmakers are moving to make it a crime, as much as a felony, to use a camera while trespassing at an animal confinement.The Iowa Legislature has moved in recent years to stop workers at the confinements from secretly recording animal abuse and other offenses, then alerting the media and others. Some of those bills have been thrown out in court, but the so-called remain a legal issue. , already passed by the House, is aimed at trespassers, not workers. But some opponents say they fear workers would be...WW…

15:54News StoryThe U.S. House is expected to vote next week on legislation aimed at reducing toxic chemicals in the air, water and consumer products. (Creative Commons photo via Pxhere)Cwiertny said that is a less than satisfactory response to a serious environmental threat.Already, federal tests found high levels of PFAS chemicals at the Iowa National Guard bases at the Des Moines and Sioux City airports.Des Moines hot spotDes Moines International Airport regularly checks for PFAS and other contamination where water runs off the property, Executive Director Kevin Foley said. So far, only...…15:54News StoryThe U.S. House is expected to vote next week on legislation aimed at reducing toxic chemicals in the air, water and consumer products. (Creative Commons photo via Pxhere)Cwiertny said that is a less than satisfactory response to a serious environmental threat.Already, federal tests found high levels of PFAS chemicals at the Iowa National Guard bases at the Des Moines and Sioux City airports.Des Moines hot spotDes Moines International Airport regularly checks for PFAS and other contamination where water runs off the property, Executive Director Kevin Foley said. So far, only...WW…

12:20News Story(Photo by Javier Zayas Photography/Getty Images)Gov. Kim Reynolds the state’s limited mask mandate and capacity limits for businesses on Feb. 7.Cases in the U.S. rose 15% in the past two weeks, to 30.2 million, with 45,552 new cases recorded Sunday, the Times reported. Mexico’s cases fell 18% over the past 14 days, standing at 2.2 million. Canada’s cases rose 40% in the past two weeks, and totaled 965,404 since the pandemic began.An epidemiologist from Boston Children’s Hospital told a lack of full testing may be giving people a false sense of security.“Cases alone may not...…12:20News Story(Photo by Javier Zayas Photography/Getty Images)Gov. Kim Reynolds the state’s limited mask mandate and capacity limits for businesses on Feb. 7.Cases in the U.S. rose 15% in the past two weeks, to 30.2 million, with 45,552 new cases recorded Sunday, the Times reported. Mexico’s cases fell 18% over the past 14 days, standing at 2.2 million. Canada’s cases rose 40% in the past two weeks, and totaled 965,404 since the pandemic began.An epidemiologist from Boston Children’s Hospital told a lack of full testing may be giving people a false sense of security.“Cases alone may not...WW…

15:37News StoryU.S. President Joe Biden signs executive actions in the Oval Office of the White House on Jan. 28, 2021 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Doug Mills-Pool/Getty Images)Xby Perry Beeman, March 4, 2021by Perry Beeman, March 4, 2021An Iowa House committee advanced a bill Thursday after its chief backer declared the measure unconstitutional. , introduced by Rep. John Wills, R-Spirit Lake, is aimed at reviewing presidential executive orders to see if they are constitutional. The bill also would prohibit state and local governments, and any entity that gets money from them,...…15:37News StoryU.S. President Joe Biden signs executive actions in the Oval Office of the White House on Jan. 28, 2021 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Doug Mills-Pool/Getty Images)Xby Perry Beeman, March 4, 2021by Perry Beeman, March 4, 2021An Iowa House committee advanced a bill Thursday after its chief backer declared the measure unconstitutional. , introduced by Rep. John Wills, R-Spirit Lake, is aimed at reviewing presidential executive orders to see if they are constitutional. The bill also would prohibit state and local governments, and any entity that gets money from them,...WW…

12:27News StoryThen-U.S. Ambassador to China Terry Branstad greets Chinese President Xi Jinping, a long-time friend. (Photo courtesy of Land Investment Expo)Xby Perry Beeman, January 12, 2021by Perry Beeman, January 12, 2021Former U.S. Ambassador to China Terry Branstad warned Tuesday that China may stall the Biden administration’s efforts to advance trade negotiations. But Branstad said he hopes his fellow former Iowa governor, incoming U.S. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack, will be able to build on agreements that have helped boost commodity prices in recent months.“China always...…12:27News StoryThen-U.S. Ambassador to China Terry Branstad greets Chinese President Xi Jinping, a long-time friend. (Photo courtesy of Land Investment Expo)Xby Perry Beeman, January 12, 2021by Perry Beeman, January 12, 2021Former U.S. Ambassador to China Terry Branstad warned Tuesday that China may stall the Biden administration’s efforts to advance trade negotiations. But Branstad said he hopes his fellow former Iowa governor, incoming U.S. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack, will be able to build on agreements that have helped boost commodity prices in recent months.“China always...WW…

12:35News StoryIowa Gov. Kim Reynolds addresses reporters on Thursday via Zoom. (Screen capture of Iowa Capitol Press Association event)Reynolds said there were indications a peaceful transfer of power is still possible.Xby Perry Beeman, January 7, 2021by Perry Beeman, January 7, 2021Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds on Thursday strongly condemned the deadly attack on the U.S. Capitol by supporters of President Donald Trump, calling for people to “dial down the rhetoric.”“I want to take this opportunity to again just condemn the actions of those who stormed our nation’s Capitol and chose to incite...…12:35News StoryIowa Gov. Kim Reynolds addresses reporters on Thursday via Zoom. (Screen capture of Iowa Capitol Press Association event)Reynolds said there were indications a peaceful transfer of power is still possible.Xby Perry Beeman, January 7, 2021by Perry Beeman, January 7, 2021Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds on Thursday strongly condemned the deadly attack on the U.S. Capitol by supporters of President Donald Trump, calling for people to “dial down the rhetoric.”“I want to take this opportunity to again just condemn the actions of those who stormed our nation’s Capitol and chose to incite...WW…