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More Than a Third of Iowans Obese, Flooding Continues in SE South Dakota

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Sheriff's officials say flooding around Madison has caused some residents to evacuate.

Lake County Sheriff Tim Walburg urged people not to drive through Madison as crews were busy moving some people from the flooded area. It has received 3 to 5 inches of rain in the latest storm. 

The South Dakota Highway Patrol says flooding closed a section of Interstate 90 near Mitchell.

Meanwhile, residents and business owners in Sioux Falls are dealing with the aftermath of destructive tornadoes and straight-line winds. Crews worked Thursday to remove fallen trees and debris that have littered streets after three tornadoes touched down.

More than 35 percent of Iowans are considered obese, according to a report by the non-profit Trust for America's Health. This makes it seventh in the nation.

Nadine Gracia is the Executive Vice President of the organization. She says in many places it’s hard to find affordable, healthy food and safe places to exercise.

What we're advocating for is to help promote making those healthy choices, really the easy choice by ensuring those conditions exist in neighborhoods and communities.  

Obesity is linked to an increased risk of type two diabetes, high blood pressure, stroke, and cancer. I’m Natalie Krebs, Iowa Public Radio news.

Iowa’s elected conservationists want to stop farmers from planting into streambanks. The state’s soil and water conservation district commissioners have approved a proposal to mandate 30-foot buffers along waterways.

Laura Krouse is a farmer and a member of the Linn County district. She says the practice of row cropping up to the edges of streams and rivers is jeopardizing water quality in the state.

So the water running through that stream is for everybody. So I think we as citizens have a right to say, no, you can’t pollute this water in that way.

Stream buffers can help slow the spread of sediment, phosphorous and pesticides into waterways. The commissioners plan to lobby lawmakers next session to take up a bill mandating the practice.

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