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News and resources regarding COVID-19

News 7.7.20: Tri-State C-19 Update, Special Election Preview, SD Gov. Noem Exposed and More

CDC

530pm_newscast.mp3
Siouxland Public Media News - July 7, 2020/5:32 p.m.

Siouxland District Health reports a dozen new cases of the novel coronavirus in Woodbury County for a total of 3,245.  There have been 44 people in the county who have died.  Other northwest Iowa counties reporting deaths are Buena Vista County with 11, Plymouth - 5, Dickinson – 3 and one death in O’Brien, Cherokee and Pocahontas Counties.

The State of Iowa  also reported no new deaths as well and more than 400 new positive tests during a 24 hours period.  There have been 721 people in Iowa who have died from complications of COVID-19.

In Nebraska, there are 284 deaths with 37 in Dakota County where local health officials logged four new confirmed cases on Monday for a total of 1,793.  Statewide in Nebraska there are 19,900 positive cases.

South Dakota reports 42 new positive cases for 7,105 in all and 97 deaths.  There are 137 positive cases in Union County.

South Dakota governor, Kristi Noem was exposed to the corona virus during President Trump’s recent trip to the Rushmore State. Noem traveled with President Trump aboard Air Force One on Friday night despite having had close contact with Trump’s son’s girlfriend. The girlfriend tested positive for the virus. Noem's spokesperson says the governor didn't wear a mask on the plane and chatted with the president as the flight returned to Washington, D.C.

JULY 3, 2020
Credit Associated Press
GOV. NOEM AND SEN. THUNE WITH PRESIDENT TRUMP

A  federal judge has ordered the Dakota Access pipeline to shut down until more environmental review is done. The pipeline has been carrying oil for three years.

But, a U.S. District Judge said in April that the pipeline remains “highly controversial” under federal environmental law and a more extensive review was necessary than the environmental assessment that was done.

On Monday, the judge wrote that even though the disruption will be significant, he had concluded the pipeline must be shut down. The Standing Rock tribe presses litigation against the pipeline even after it began carrying oil from North Dakota. 

The Sioux City Council reopened meetings to the public Monday afternoon for the first time in more than three months.  However, this is limited seating to follow social distancing guidelines. 

Credit youtube/City of Sioux City

A call-in option for both the council and public is still available.  The meeting is also shown live on cable and YouTube.

The city council started limited an audience back on March 23rd because of concerns over the COVID-19 pandemic.

On Tuesday, a special election takes place for Woodbury County Supervisor. 

Voters will cast their ballots between Tim Kacena and Justin Wright to fill the spot left open by Jeremy Taylor.  Taylor resigned earlier this year after issues surrounding residency.  Republican Justin Wright is a teacher at North High.  Democrat Tim Kacena is a retired firefighter who recently served in the Iowa Legislature. 

There will be seven polling sites for voters.  They include Clark, Riverside and Nodland Elementary Schools, Long Lines Family Rec Center, Sergeant Bluff-Luton High School, the Moville Community Center and Oto City Hall.

The election was pushed back from April by the Iowa Secretary of State because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Election Commissioner Pat Gill says his office received more than 10,000 requests for absentee ballots for the election.  A majority, 3,800 came from Republicans, 3,100 Democrats and 1,200 registered as other.  The usual turnout for an election of this type according to Gill is 10% or 5,700 total voters with 40% voting by absentee ballot.  Gill says he is pleased with the number of absentee ballots requested.

Senator Charles Grassley told reporters on Monday he doesn’t plan on attending the Republican National Convention because of the coronavirus.  The 86-year-old attended his first convention 40-years ago and hasn’t missed one since.  The RNC was originally planned for Charlotte, North Carolina.  But, President Trump pushed to successfully move it to Jacksonville, Florida after disputes with the governor of North Caroline over wearing masks and social distancing at the convention.

A  federal judge has ordered the Dakota Access pipeline to shut down until more environmental review is done. The pipeline has been carrying oil for three years.

But, a U.S. District Judge said in April that the pipeline remains “highly controversial” under federal environmental law and a more extensive review was necessary than the environmental assessment that was done.

On Monday, the judge wrote that even though the disruption will be significant, he had concluded the pipeline must be shut down. The Standing Rock tribe presses litigation against the pipeline even after it began carrying oil from North Dakota. 

President Donald Trump’s campaign and allies have blocked efforts to expand mail-in voting, forcing an awkward confrontation with top GOP election officials promoting the opposite in their states. The rare dissonance between Trump and other Republican elected officials also reflects another reality the president will not concede: Many in his party believe expanding mail-in voting could ultimately help him. Trump’s campaign has intervened directly in Ohio, while allies have fired warning shots in Iowa and Georgia. Their moves are aimed at blunting Republican secretaries of state in places that could be competitive in November. Presumptive Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden supports mail-in voting.

Little to no precipitation for much of Iowa last week allowed farmers six days suitable for fieldwork. Today’s (Mon) weekly crop report from the US Department of Agriculture says producers used the dry weather to apply fertilizer, spray herbicide, harvest hay and haul grain.

The condition of the corn crop is rated as 85% good to excellent. The soybeans are 84% good to excellent. The report says even with the heat and lack of rain, soil conditions overall have adequate moisture across the state.