Siouxland Public Media Interviews and Features

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A Sioux City homeless shelter closed early for the season, today (Wednesday) because of COVID-19.

Lindsay Landrum (LAN-drum) is the executive director of the Warming Shelter in Sioux City. She says the shelter doesn’t have the ability to quarantine people or staff if they become exposed to the new coronavirus. She told the residents this morning (yesterday/Wednesday morning) that they needed to leave.

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Monona County has its first case of the novel coronavirus, or COVID-19.

This is the fourth such case in Northwest Iowa.  Woodbury County was the first in the region to have a positive case announced over the weekend, followed by Sioux Countynthe following day. A second case was confirmed in Woodbury County this week. 

Today, the state of Iowa increased the number of COVID-19 cases to 124. That is 19 more than yesterday.  There were no new confirmed cases in Siouxland.

Sarah Reisetter from the Iowa Department of Public Health says currently “sheltering in place” in Iowa isn’t necessary for the time being.

Reisetter says people should stay home as much as possible, especially if you are over the age of 60; use social distancing, work from home if possible, stay away from large gatherings and use good personal hygiene.

Today, the state of Iowa increased the number of COVID-19 cases to 124, that’s 19 more than yesterday.  There were no new confirmed cases in Siouxland.

Sarah Reisetter from the Iowa Department of Public Health says currently “sheltering in place” in Iowa isn’t necessary for the time being.

“Shelter in place for two or three weeks will not cause the coronavirus to go away.  That is because the virus is circulating around the world and can be reintroduced from many different places.”

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The number of positive cases of COVID-19 has grown by another 19 in Iowa, bringing the state total to 124 confirmed cases, Gov. Kim Reynolds said today.

The latest report includes cases in Jasper County and Warren County in central Iowa. That means 30 counties in Iowa have positive cases.  Woodbury County has two confirmed cases.

Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds says the State Hygienic Lab now has the capacity of conducting 620 tests.  The announcement comes as public health officials announced one new case of coronavirus in the state, bringing the total positive cases here to 45. 

There has been a shortage of tests nationwide.

Reynolds says the state is working with private companies to try and come up with solutions for shortages in medical supplies.  Reynolds admits she doesn’t know the number of ventilators available in the state but the state is working on the problem.

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Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds has signed an emergency declaration designed to offer an array of relief to state residents as efforts to slow the spread of the coronavirus also slow the economy. 

The state public health emergency declaration, among other things, temporarily suspends collection of property taxes, some home evictions, and certain regulation fees and penalties. It also allows bars and restaurants to sell unopened bottles of alcohol for consumption off-premises. 

Iowa now has 44 positive COVID-19 cases. 

The governor made the announcement at a press conference this afternoon. Yesterday the count was 38 cases of COVID-19 in Iowa.  The respiratory illness is caused by the novel coronavirus.  Reynolds said all Iowans are committed to preventing the spread of the virus.  She also talked about efforts to support the state’s small businesses.

Iowa now has 44 positive COVID-19 cases as of this afternoon. 

The governor gave the update during a press conference today. The previous count, yesterday, had Iowa with 38 cases of COVID-19, the respiratory illness caused by the novel coronavirus.  Reynolds said the state and all Iowans are committed to preventing the spread of the virus.

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Most court proceedings in Iowa are on hold to prevent the spread of the coronavirus — but county clerk of court offices remain open to deal with legal emergencies.

State Court Administrator Todd Nuccio says they are keeping a narrow scope, focusing on emergency matters. He says the court system continues to accept all kinds of filings, but new in-person trials won’t be scheduled until early May.

The Symphony has been postponed but there are still things you can do. Join Steve Smith and Amy Roth and remember to call ahead as some events may have been postponed or cancelled.

Coming up on the Exchange, we talk with  Siouxland health care leaders about how to protect yourself from COVID-19.  Most of the precautions are really just common sense actions. 

Also, today we hear from the owner of Siouxland Magazine Stacie Anderson about next Wednesday's event at the Sioux City Public Museum called "Understanding Homelessness."

We also look ahead to this year’s Faces of Siouxland Multicultural Fair with Karen Mackie of the Siouxland Human Rights Commission.  

The SCSO Concert Master performs for Sioux City Chamber Music on Sunday, also you can head to Snyder's Bend Park for a waterfowl migration watch and The Line Becomes a River is discussed in South Sioux. Plus find out how Picasso might paint you at the Sioux City Art Center.

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  The Iowa Senate has passed a K-twelve school funding deal nearly three weeks after a deadline passed for establishing the funding increase.

It would give a 2.3 percent increase or about 85-million new dollars for base per-student public school funding. Republicans in the Senate first proposed a 2.1 percent increase, and the House and the governor proposed 2.5 percent. 

Democratic Senator Herman Quirmbach of Ames says it’s too little too late, and the state can afford to do more.

This is Kelsey Patterson with the Sioux City Public Library and you’re listening to Check It Out. Today, I’m recommending Beth O’Leary’s debut novel, The Flatshare.

The 63rd Annual Siouxland Home Show continues through the weekend. There are a couple of theater offerings in places other than Sioux City. There's more Chicago Blues at Vangarde. Russ Gifford talks suffragettes at WIT and the USD Symphony Orchestra plays a world premiere.

This is Kelsey Patterson with the Sioux City Public Library and you’re listening to Check It Out. Today, I’m recommending Rough Magic: Riding the World’s Loneliest Horse Race by Lara Prior-Palmer.   

The Orient Express makes a stop at the Postal Playhouse in Le Mars, Lil' Ed makes a stop at Vangarde and Eddie the Duck goes wherever he wants.

This is Jenn Delperdang with the Sioux City Public Library and you’re listening to Check It Out.

Today, I’m recommending Nothing to See Here by Kevin Wilson-- a funny and offbeat novel about “family”.  If you’ve read either of Kevin Wilson’s previous novels (The Family Fang or Perfect Little World) you might know to expect this author to craft an everyday family drama and then introduce one strange element to make us see the story in a completely different way. 

The Symphony awakens from its winter slumber and they rock out to the music of Queen! Also bluesman Mike Zito plays at Vangarde, it's a One-Act Showcast at LAMB and it's Backyard Bird Count Weekend!

This is Billie Voss, with the Sioux City Public Library, and you’re listening to Check It Out. 

Do you have a “Reading Resolution” for the New Year? In this episode of The First Fifty Pages, Jenn and Kelsey discuss realistic ways to help you reach your reading goals, and they might even persuade you to join a book club.  (Spoiler alert: You’re likely to live longer if you do!)

This is Jenn Delperdang, with the Sioux City Public Library and you’re listening to Check It Out.

Shelby Pierce from sits down with Steve as they peek into what's happening in February and this very last day of Januray and they discuss everything from soul singers to snowmen to slacker spiders.

Charlotte’s Web

This is Preston and you’re listening to Check It Out.

Have you ever had to move a long distance, far away from the place you grew up in? Saying bye to the friends you’re used to and having to accomplish the somewhat difficult task in making new ones?  Well, in this week’s book for Check It Out, we are introduced to the unique friendship that is developed between a spider and a pig that is new to the farm in E.B. White’s classic novel, Charlotte’s Web.

Okoboji Winter Games are in full swing at the Iowa Lakes, Dinosaurs light up the Unity Christian Knight Center in Orange City and a comedy troupe takes to the stage at Vangarde.

I’m Mark Munger and you are listening to Check it Out.

A ship set in ice. An axe. A giant disappearing into arctic waters. Such are the uncommon beginnings to an uncommon Western. In the Distance by Hernan Diaz approaches one of the great American genres with a cold but intense embrace.