Protecting yourself from the sun is about more than avoiding a painful sunburn. Sun exposure can have long-term effects on your health, including increasing your risk of skin cancer.

In this episode of Live Well. Be Well., host Kacie Schumann continues our two-part series on sun safety with Michelle Richert, a nurse and resource coordinator at the Bliss Cancer Center at Mary Greeley Medical Center. Michelle brings a health care perspective to the conversation, sharing information about skin cancer prevention, sun protection, and recognizing when something on your skin may need a closer look.

The conversation explores who is most at risk for skin cancer, steps you can take to protect yourself and your family, and what to consider when choosing and using sunscreen. Michelle and Kacie also tackle some common misconceptions about sun exposure, including whether you can get burned on cloudy or winter days and whether a "base tan" actually provides protection.

Sun Safety and Skin Cancer

Who Is Most at Risk?

Protecting Yourself from the Sun

Sun Safety for All Ages

Sun Safety Myths and Misconceptions

Knowing What to Look For

This is part two of our two-part series on sun safety. Whether you're working outside, spending a day at the pool, enjoying a park, or just going about your daily routine, protecting your skin is an important part of staying healthy.

For more information and resources about melanoma prevention, detection, diagnosis, and treatment, visit the AIM at Melanoma Foundation.

Have a question, topic idea, or someone you would like to hear on the podcast? Send suggestions to [email protected]

When you picture a police officer, you may have a certain image in mind. But there’s no single background, personality, or career path that makes someone a good fit for law enforcement.

In this episode of Ames in Focus, Bill Gebhart sits down with Ames Police Department Major Dan Walter to talk about what it takes to become an Ames Police Officer and why people who may have never considered a career in law enforcement might want to take a closer look.

Dan shares his own path into law enforcement and what has kept him with the Ames Police Department throughout his career. Then, the conversation turns to recruitment, including the qualities the department looks for in applicants, the importance of communication and problem-solving, and why a criminal justice degree or previous law enforcement experience isn't necessarily required.

Bill and Dan also walk through the hiring process, from applying and completing testing to the background investigation and physical requirements. They explore what happens after someone is hired, including academy training, field training, and the process of preparing a new officer to work independently in the Ames community.

The conversation also looks at what makes policing in Ames unique, how the profession continues to change, and the variety of assignments, specialties, training, and advancement opportunities available throughout an officer's career.

In this episode:

You might be surprised by how many skills you've developed in other jobs, classrooms, or life experiences that could translate to a career in law enforcement.

If you're interested in learning more about becoming an Ames Police Officer, including current openings, qualifications, benefits, and the application process, visit CityofAmes.org/Jobs.

In this episode of From Agenda to Action, Communications Specialist Bill Gebhart sits down with Ames Mayor John Haila to recap key discussions and decisions from the Tuesday, Sept. 8 Ames City Council meeting.

They begin with urban deer management, as City Council approved a new approach to managing the deer population within Ames. Mayor Haila explains what was approved, why the issue has become a concern, and what residents should know moving forward.

The conversation then turns to a proposed Sip and Stroll Social District in Ames. Bill and Mayor Haila discuss what a social district is, how the proposal would work, and what Council considered. The proposal will return to City Council at its next meeting for the first reading of the ordinance.

They also look at several planning and housing items aimed at moving housing development in Ames forward. The discussion explores some of the steps the City is taking to encourage new housing opportunities and address barriers to development.

From managing the urban deer population to considering a new way to experience parts of Ames to creating more opportunities for housing, this episode takes a closer look at how City Council decisions and discussions can shape the community.

From Agenda to Action is designed to give residents a clearer understanding of how City Council discussions translate into real-world impacts across Ames.

Regular Ames City Council meetings are held on the second and fourth Tuesday of each month, and all meetings are open to the public.

Get involved:

• Watch meetings live or on demand on the City's YouTube page

Have a topic you would like us to cover in a future episode? Email [email protected].

From Agenda to Action is part of the City of Ames Podcasts network, offering residents a clear and approachable way to stay informed about local government and community decisions.

Spending time outdoors can be great for your health and well-being, but when the temperatures rise and the sun is beating down, staying safe becomes just as important as staying active.

In this episode of Live Well. Be Well., host Kacie Schumann sits down with City of Ames Public Works Director Justin Clausen for part one of a two-part series focused on sun safety. Justin shares a perspective familiar to many Public Works employees whose jobs require them to spend long hours outdoors, even during the hottest days of an Iowa summer.

The conversation explores the challenges outdoor workers face, how employees prepare for hot weather, and the steps they can take to protect themselves from heat and sun exposure. Justin and Kacie also discuss recognizing the warning signs of heat-related illness, responding when someone begins experiencing symptoms, and practical precautions anyone can use when spending extended time outdoors.

Working in the Summer Heat

Putting Safety First

Recognizing Heat Illness

Preparing for Time in the Sun

Sun Safety Myths and Misconceptions

Lessons for All of Us

This is part one of a two-part series on sun safety. Stay tuned for part two as Live Well. Be Well. continues the conversation about protecting yourself while enjoying the outdoors.

Have a question, topic idea, or someone you would like to hear on the podcast? Send suggestions to [email protected]

Most of us don’t spend much time thinking about what happens after we turn on the faucet or flush the toilet. And really, that’s probably a good thing.

In this episode of Ames in Focus, Bill Gebhart is joined by Ames Municipal Engineer Mindy Bryngelson to explore two essential systems working beneath our feet every day: Ames’ water distribution system and sanitary sewer collection system.

Mindy breaks down how these underground networks deliver water to homes and businesses and carry wastewater away for treatment. But keeping those systems working reliably takes much more than pipes in the ground. Aging infrastructure, maintenance, replacement projects, funding, and a growing community all play a role in planning for the future.

The conversation also tackles an important distinction residents may not always realize: where the City’s responsibility ends and a property owner’s begins. Mindy explains service lines and sewer laterals, some of the common problems homeowners can encounter, and what residents should know about lead service lines.

In this episode:

How Ames’ water distribution system works

What happens after wastewater leaves your home

The challenges of maintaining aging underground infrastructure

How the City prioritizes maintenance and replacement projects

Where City responsibility ends and property owner responsibility begins

Common problems with private water and sewer service lines

What Ames residents should know about lead service lines

How water and sewer infrastructure improvements are funded

Planning for growth while maintaining the systems Ames relies on today

The “unsung heroes” of Ames’ underground infrastructure

The next time you turn on the tap or flush the toilet, remember there’s an entire network working behind the scenes to make something remarkably complicated feel incredibly simple.

Learn more about City services and infrastructure projects at CityofAmes.org.

In this episode of From Agenda to Action, host Bill Gebhart is joined by Assistant City Manager Pa Vang Goldbeck to preview key items scheduled for discussion at the upcoming Ames City Council meeting.

The meeting will take place on Tuesday, Sept. 8, at 6 p.m. in the Ames City Hall Council Chambers, located at 515 Clark Ave. Residents can attend in person or watch the meeting live on the City's YouTube and Facebook pages.

We start with the Consent Agenda, where several upcoming community events are represented. Bill and Pa highlight the Sip and Stroll District, Ames High School Homecoming, Iowa State University Homecoming, and the Ames Regional Economic Alliance Fall Classic before moving into some of the larger discussion items on the agenda.

This episode highlights several agenda items that may be of interest to residents and the community. While it does not cover every topic, it offers a closer look at a few of the discussions Council will be considering and what they could mean for Ames. Think of it as your meeting preview, without having to read through hundreds of pages of agenda materials.

In this episode, we discuss:

• Upcoming community events included in the Consent Agenda, including the Sip and Stroll District, Ames High School Homecoming, ISU Homecoming, and the Ames Regional Economic Alliance Fall Classic

From Agenda to Action is designed to give listeners a clearer understanding of what is on the agenda, what decisions Council will be asked to make, and how those decisions may impact daily life in Ames.

Regular Ames City Council meetings are held on the second and fourth Tuesday of each month, and all meetings are open to the public.

Are there agenda items or City Council topics you would like us to discuss in a future episode? Send us an email at [email protected].

Watch City Council meetings live or on demand on the City's YouTube page.

View agendas and meeting materials at www.CityofAmes.org/CityCouncil.

City Council agendas may change up to 24 hours before the meeting time. This podcast reflects the agenda as it exists at the time of recording.

From Agenda to Action is part of the City of Ames Podcasts network, offering residents a clear and approachable way to stay informed about local government and community decisions.

Wellness is about more than exercise. It is about finding activities you enjoy, building healthy habits, connecting with others, and discovering what helps you feel your best.

In this episode of Live Well. Be Well., host Kacie Schumann sits down with Claire Eagan, the new Public Wellness Manager with Ames Parks and Recreation. Claire shares what brought her to the world of fitness and wellness, what interested her in joining the City of Ames, and what excites her about helping people throughout the community live healthier lives.

Claire also talks about stepping into a role previously held by longtime Public Wellness Manager Nancy Shaw, what she has learned during her first few months on the job, and the ideas and perspectives she hopes to bring to the position.

Meet Claire Eagan

Finding Your Own Version of Wellness

Building a Healthier Ames

More Than Exercise

Taking the First Step

Stepping Into a New Role

Looking to the Future of Wellness

Ready to find an activity that's right for you? Explore the full lineup of Ames Parks and Recreation classes, programs, and activities at AmesParkRec.org

Have a question, topic idea, or someone you would like to hear on the podcast? Send suggestions to [email protected]

Summer may be winding down, but swimming in Ames certainly isn’t.

In this episode of Ames in Focus, Bill Gebhart sits down with Ames Parks and Recreation's Recreation Superintendent Courtney Kort to talk about the changing of the seasons for Ames aquatics. Labor Day, Monday, Sept. 7, marks the final day of the season at Furman Aquatic Center, followed immediately by the start of regular seasonal operations at the new Fitch Family Indoor Aquatic Center on Tuesday, Sept. 8.

Courtney takes us on a tour of the new facility and the many ways it was designed to serve swimmers of different ages, interests, and abilities. From the six-lane lap pool and wellness pool to the current channel, zero-depth entry splash pool, body slide, walking area, and community spaces, there’s much more to Fitch than just a place to swim.

They also discuss what residents should know about admission, passes, schedules and programming, along with the community support that helped make the approximately $28 million facility possible and plans to celebrate with an upcoming ribbon cutting and grand opening.

In this episode:

Labor Day, Monday, Sept. 7, is the final day of the season at Furman Aquatic Center. The regular indoor season at Fitch Family Indoor Aquatic Center, 115 N. Elm Ave., begins Tuesday, Sept. 8.

Find schedules, admission information, aquatics programs, and more at CityofAmes.org/Aquatics

In this episode of From Agenda to Action, Communications and Outreach Manager Susan Gwiasda sits down with Mayor John Haila to recap key discussions and decisions from the Tuesday, Aug. 25 Ames City Council meeting.

They begin with a proclamation recognizing Water and Wastewater Workers Week and the important work City employees do every day to provide safe, reliable water and wastewater services to the Ames community.

Susan and Mayor Haila also discuss the next steps for the City's data center study committee, including the committee's purpose and how Ames residents can apply to participate.

The conversation then turns to City finances. They look at how new state legislation is affecting the City's financial planning and discuss potential funding options for new Ames Power infrastructure.

Finally, they provide an update on curbside recycling and discuss an issue that has emerged for a select group of residents since the program began.

From Agenda to Action is designed to give residents a clearer understanding of how City Council discussions translate into real-world impacts across Ames.

Regular Ames City Council meetings are held on the second and fourth Tuesday of each month, and all meetings are open to the public.

Get involved:

• Watch meetings live or on demand on the City's YouTube page

Have a topic you would like us to cover in a future episode? Email [email protected].

From Agenda to Action is part of the City of Ames Podcasts network, offering residents a clear and approachable way to stay informed about local government and community decisions.

Crime prevention doesn't always involve flashing lights or an investigation. Sometimes, it can be as simple as locking your car, recognizing the warning signs of a scam, or speaking up when something doesn't seem right.

In this episode of Ames in Focus, Bill Gebhart sits down with Ames Police Community Resource Officer Nate Rivera to talk about preventable crimes and the everyday steps residents can take to protect themselves, their property, and those around them.

They start with scams, including impersonation calls, romance and grandparent scams, and fake job offers. Nate shares what to do when you suspect someone is trying to scam you, including staying calm, protecting your personal information, ending the conversation, and reporting the incident.

Finally, Bill and Nate discuss the more complex issue of workplace violence, including potential warning signs, the importance of reporting concerns, and how a workplace culture built around awareness, support, and communication can contribute to prevention.

In this episode:

The goal isn't to live in fear. It's to stay alert, trust your instincts, and take simple steps that can reduce opportunities for crime.

Learn more about the Ames Police Department and crime prevention resources at www.CityofAmes.org.