Iowa

Iowans are at an increased risk of health effects from nitrate exposure. Researchers from the Environmental Working Group and Duke University say as many as 12,000 cancer cases each year nationwide may be linked to nitrates in drinking water. In Iowa, fertilizer and manure runoff are primary contributors to nitrate pollution.

The current federal limit on nitrates in drinking water is 10 parts per million. But recent studies suggest the risk of certain cancers and birth defects increases even at lower levels.

President Donald Trump plans to visit western this afternoon.  He starts his trip in Council Bluffs to tour and speak at Southwest Iowa Renewable Energy.  The company produces and sells ethanol.  The president will attend a GOP dinner in Des Moines.

Meanwhile, Democrat Joe Biden is visiting the Hawkeye state today as well.  He will speak at events in Ottumwa, Mount Pleasant and Davenport.

On the weekend, more than a dozen of Biden's Democratic rivals were in Iowa for a party dinner.

The Sioux City Boy Scouts were there to lead the assembly in the Pledge of Allegiance. And the school band from Central High offered some fitting selections. The Sioux City Journal claims there were 300 folks in attendance at the dedication that Sunday afternoon, a goodly crowd of citizenry in 1929. 

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Officials with the state Department of Natural Resources are encouraging Iowans to stay out of Iowa streams until after the waters recede following heavy rainfall and flash flooding that has caused multiple wastewater and manure releases. 

While fast stream currents are the biggest risk for people, DNR officials said, high waters also can carry dangerous debris and bacteria.

Officials in the eastern Iowa city of Davenport say the city is building a bigger flood barrier in the wake of a breach in April that sent floodwaters rushing into downtown streets.

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Iowa's unemployment rate remained at 2.4% in April for the 10th month in a row.

Iowa Workforce Development reported Friday the jobless rate held steady, where it has been since July 2018.

Iowa has the nation's third-lowest rate, behind only Vermont and North Dakota, and tied with New Hampshire.

Nebraska's unemployment rate inched up to 2.9% in April, even though more people entered or re-entered the job market, the state labor commissioner said Friday.

The Nebraska figure had been 2.8% for eight months in a row.

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The U.S. House passed a bill today that would provide billions of dollars for rebuilding and recovery for Americans impacted by natural disasters.

Iowa Congresswoman, Cindy Axne, a Democrat from West Des Moines, spoke on the House floor during the debate.
She says Iowans are doing what they can to recover.

Iowa has reopened a flooded stretch of the Iowa Highway 2 approach to a Missouri River bridge that links southwest Iowa to southeast Nebraska.

The Iowa Transportation Department says concrete barriers have been placed along the edges