In this podcast I speak with Newton School's Superentendent Tom Messinger in a wide ranging interview. Parents are concerned about school safety and in the past school year the school system has had to enact a couple of "soft lockdowns." In this podcast Tom tells us what the difference is between a soft lockdown and a normal lockdown and what Newton Schools does to keep our schools safe. He also discusses the issue of bullying and how the schools system deals with that issue. He announces who the new Berg Middle School Principal will be. He also talks about how the Iowa Legislature's Property Tax bill effects the school system. If you desire a shorter version of this podcast make sure you check out the shortcast video where we talk specifically about school safety and bullying. Just click on the link below or go to my YouTube channel or outandaboutwithjamiegrout.com

This is a "best of" podcast with Chris from The Newton News. Since this was recorded Chris has been promoted to Editor of the Newspaper. As I mentioned to his boss as she announced his promotion as Newton Rotary, it couldn't happen to a nicer guy. In this podcast we talk about both of our passions, me for radio and his for the newspaper business. His surprise at all the newsmaking things going on in and around Newton when he came to town. And his feelings about the newspaper business ove all.

3 BIG THINGS going on in one day for Thursday 5/28 in Grinnell. This is a Grinnell Happenings podcast where I talk about what's going on in Grinnell. For more information about what' happening in Grinning Google the Grinnell Chamber Of Commerce website. The crew at The Grinnell Chamber of Commerce does a great job of letting you know what's going on in Grinnell. Just click on "events' and you'll be informed.

In this "best of" Out And About With Jamie Grout podcast I speak with long time WHO Farm Broadcaster Bob Quinn. Bob has been on WHO since the early 80.s but before that he was on the air in Ottumwa, Fairfield and at The Iowa State station WOI. Bob and I talk about his history not only at WHO but also his radio history in general. Farmers around the state and the midwest have grown to trust Bob and all the other farm broadcasters over the years at WHO. Someone said to me the other day "Bob seems like such a nice guy!" And I told that person to rest assured that Bob was every bit the sae nice guy off the air as he is on the air. Enjoy this podcast with Bob Quinn and have a great Memorial Day Holiday Weekend!!!!

If you are looking for things to do in Grinnell and are complaining that you can't find anything to do you aren't looking hard enough. Thanks to The Grinnell Chamber of Commerce's web site here's an audio listing of events going on through May 25th. From run-walks to farmers markets to pottery making there's plenty going on in "Grin City." Check it out in this edition of Out And About With Jamie Grout.

I always enjoy having a conversation with Newton Mayor Randy Ervin. He never fails to make some news. In this podcast he tells us what's going on with the vacant Perkin's Restaurant. Erv also talks about how the city plans to deal with The Iowa Legislatures plan on property taxes. He discusses the road trip he and other members of The city and The Newton City Council made to Ames to check out The All Inclusive play ground that Newton is considering adding. He also talks about the cities funding of the Neuter Is Cuter trap and release program and a wide variety of other topics. Don't forget to check out the video where he talks about being an Assistant Coach for the Newton High School Football Team again this year.

Newton has a bad overpopulation problem with dogs and cats. In peticulal with cats. We know first hand because Little Red and I adopted an adorable cat that strayed into our back yard a couple of years ago. Recently Terri McKenny went before The Newton City Council asking for help in funding The Lucy's Pet Pantry "Neuter Is Cuter" program. This is a program that seeks to trap stray release stray cats, then spay or neuter them and then release them back to where they came from. The problem seems to be especially bad in northwest Newton where we live. In this podcast Terri talks about the program and how successful it has been and how they hope that it will become even more successful with the city's help.

Little Red and I LOVE donkeys! A couple years ago my sweetie started showing me videos from a guy who has an animal sanctuary in Spain that takes care of unwanted donkeys and horses. We really fell in love with the donkeys. Then a long time listener and friend Jamie Brennan of Montezuma started posting videos of her donkeys on Facebook. She had one we really fell in love with that is the baby of the donkey family and his name is Duncan. Most recently she posted a video of she and her donkeys on National Donkey Day and a previous video of her donkey's where go got some mud on her face. On this podcast the talks about how she's always been an animal lover and how she and her husband Chris came to having the donkeys. Make sure that you check out the video on the link below or at my website outandaboutwithjamiegrout.com to see just exactly how adorable these donkeys are and check out Jamie's Facebook page to see the video's she posts with the donkey's from time to time.

This podcast is a "best of" podcast with radio's Van Harden. I am lucky enough to get together with a group of radio folks once a month for lunch and normally Van is a part of that group. Van is a great story teller and a heck of a nice guy. When I started doing this podcast I knew I wanted to get Van on the air to talk about some of the promotions he and his partners on the radio had been through and he talks of some of them in this podcast.

In this podcast I speak with Monica St Angelo who is with The Grinnell Area Arts Council. Once again, with the help of great sponsors, she has put together a great list of groups and bands for summer concerts at Central Park in Grinnell. Monica talks about the great line up they have coming up for young and old alike in a wide variety of different musical formats from Latin music to a bag bagpipe band there's something for everyone this summer at Central Park. So bring your blankets and lawn chairs and enjoy the great music presented by The Grinnell Area Arts Council and Summer Music In The Park 2025.