Siouxland Public Media News

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Lawmakers from Iowa, Nebraska and South Dakota gathered this morning at Western Iowa Tech Community College for the Tri-State Legislative Forum 

Childcare and workforce retention were on the mind of many state and local leaders.  Iowa is often referred to as a childcare “desert.”  Lack of childcare can be a deal-breaker for those who want to take a job in Siouxland. 

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Lawmakers from Iowa, Nebraska and South Dakota gathered this morning at Western Iowa Tech Community College for the Tri-State Legislative Forum 

Childcare and workforce retention were on the mind of many state and local leaders.  Iowa is often referred to as a childcare “desert.”  Lack of childcare can be a deal-breaker for those who want to take a job in Siouxland. 

'Dark money' ties raise questions for GOP Sen. Joni Ernst of Iowa

Documents obtained by The Associated Press reveal an outside group founded by top political aides to Sen. Joni Ernst is working closely with the Iowa Republican to raise money and boost her reelection prospects.

Some legal experts say the degree of overlap between her campaign and the nonprofit Iowa Values could violate the law.

Emails show Ernst fundraiser Claire Holloway Avella asked a donor for $50,000 for the group following an introduction by the senator.  

The organization “One Iowa” works to advance, empower and improve the lives of LGBTQ Iowans statewide. 

This fall, Courtney Reyes was named Executive Director of “One Iowa”. 

She recently visited Sioux City and talked to Siouxland Public Media’s Sheila Brummer about her new post, future goals and her thoughts of inclusiveness in northwest Iowa.

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Some Republican lawmakers are considering a tax package that could include a sales tax increase to fund water quality efforts and outdoor recreation. Voters approved the increase in 2010, but lawmakers haven’t acted to implement it.

Senate Republican Leader Jack Whitver says he’s considering it for 2020, but it would have to come as part of an overall tax reduction. Senate Democratic Leader Janet Petersen says many Democrats have supported the tax increase for conservation and recreation. 

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Industry officials are praising Governor Kim Reynolds for signing an executive order that all new diesel vehicles purchased for state fleets run on B-20 fuel, which is 20% biodiesel and 80% petroleum diesel.

Iowa Soybean Association president Tim Bardole of Rippey says three new state snowplows will run on the blend. Iowa’s 11 biodiesel plants produced 365-million gallons of fuel last year. The association says biodiesel supports about 4,700 Iowa jobs.

There is a new president of the University of Nebraska system. 

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After months of running high within its banks through Sioux City, the Missouri River has begun to recede and will continue to do so.

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers began reducing releases from Gavins Point Dam to the winter release rate on Sunday. Releases as of Wednesday were at 57,000 cubic feet per second and will be reduced 3,000 cfs per day until they reach 27,000 cfs. Releases will remain at that rate through December before being dropped to 25,000 cfs in January for the remainder of the winter.

An Iowa man has been charged with first-degree murder and robbery in Kossuth County Court. 

              The Des Moines Register reports, 35-year old                      Valentino Williams of Coralville is accused of                      shooting a bank employee in Lu Verne                                  yesterday  morning.

Forty-three-year old, Jessica Weishaar of Algona died at the scene she was walking outside of the bank when she was shot and killed.

Williams was apprehended about an hour later.

This week, a new monthly survey of business leaders suggested the economy is slowing down in a section of nine states in the Midwest and Plains, including all three Siouxland State.

The index slipped into negative territory for the first time in a few years.

Economist Ernie Goss from Creighton University oversees the survey that saw a November number of 48.6.  That’s down four points since October.  Any score below 50 shows decline. 

Goss talked to Siouxland Public Media’s Sheila Brummer about the survey and the impact of the trade war on agriculture in Siouxland.

Authorities in northern Iowa say a woman has been shot to death during the robbery of a bank in Kossuth County.

It happened this morning in the town of Lu Verne.

The Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation says the suspect in the bank robbery fled the scene and was later taken into custody.

The Iowa Department of Natural Resources says a deer in Woodbury County tested positive for chronic wasting disease.

The DNR is monitoring the  area where the road-kill animal was found on the south side of Sioux City.  Another test is being done to confirm the findings.