The National Weather Service issued an Air Quality Alert for northwest Iowa through this afternoon. The wildfires near Lake Winnipeg, Canada, drifted southward and will move through Sioux Falls and the Sioux City area. There were six out-of-control fires near Lake Winnipeg in Canada as of noon yesterday, with the biggest measuring more than 300 square miles. Those sensitive to smoke or with existing health conditions could experience health effects due to the smoke. The U.S. Drought Monitor

A Siouxland Sheriff’s office is mourning the death of one of its own. The Burt County Sheriff says Deputy Justin Smith passed away yesterday after a battle with COVID-19. Deputy Smith has been a member of the Burt County Sheriff's Office and since 2008. He also served as the Police Chief of Decatur, Nebraska. The Burt County Board of Supervisors has requested that all flags in the county be lowered to half-staff. COVID-19 hospitalizations continue to climb as state health officials reported this

The National Weather Service issued a heat advisory today for the entire state of Iowa, most of South Dakota and a large portion of Nebraska. The heat advisory is in effect until 9 p.m. for Siouxland with a heat index near 110. Governors from all three Siouxland States slam the CDC’s announcement on Tuesday urging both vaccinated and nonvaccinated people to wear masks due to a surge of cases of COVID-19. The CDC also advises children in schools wear masks this fall. South Dakota Governor Kristi

Dave Muhlbauer , a former Crawford County Supervisor and farmer from Manning/Manilla is also running as a Democrat for the U.S. Senate seat currently held by Senator Chuck Grassley. Maulbauer was in Sioux City this week and stopped by the Siouxland Public Media studios for an interview with Sheila Brummer. Last week former Iowa Congresswoman Abby Finkenauer announced plans to run for Republican Chuck Grassley’s U.S. Senate seat in 2022. The 32-year-old Democrat released a campaign video where

Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds called new revised guidance from the CDC surrounding wearing masks “not grounded in reality or common sense.” Reynolds issued a statement shortly after the CDC recommended fully vaccinated people wear masks indoors in areas of the country where the virus is circulating widely. She still encouraged people to get vaccinated, but went on to say she’s concerned the guidance will be used as a vehicle to mandate masks in states and schools, something she does not support.

The U.S. Supreme Court legalized same-sex marriage in the summer of 2015. Author Sasha Issenberg explored the topic for his new book “The Engagement: America’s Quarter-Century Struggle Over Same-Sex Marriage”. Issenberg is long-time journalist who worked for many publications including the Boston Globe, Bloomberg Politics, New York Magazine, and more. He is currently the Washington correspondent for Monocle. Siouxland Public Media’s Sheila Brummer recently interviewed Issenberg about his book,

Leaders of national and Nebraska teachers unions are pushing back on critics of critical race theory and defending curriculum based on it. They accuse opponents of trying to prevent teaching kids the truth about racism in America. The National Education Association adopted a statement of support for CRT at a nationwide virtual gathering of teachers that included more than 80 Nebraska representatives. State Democrats are calling on Governor Kim Reynolds to fill the vacant seats on the Iowa State

304 News 072621 State Democrats are calling on Gov. Kim Reynolds to fill the vacant seats on the Iowa State Board of Public Health. The bipartisan board oversees state health department policy and advises the governor on public health issues, including the COVID-19 pandemic. But it was unable to meet earlier this month as seven of its eleven seats are vacant. The next few weeks could be key in the direction of Iowa’s drought, according to the Iowa Department of Natural Resources. The Iowa DNR’s

Sioux City is transforming into an oasis for local artists. Later this afternoon a grand opening takes place for Art SUX one of the venues taking part in Siouxland Public Media's "Art Walk". Local artist and member of the Art SUX Gallery Betty Skewis-Arnett chats with Siouxland Public Media’s Sheila Brummer on the emerging art scene in Siouxland.

Iowa Democrat Abby Finkenauer is running for Republican Chuck Grassley’s U.S. Senate seat. The one-term former congresswoman hopes her blue-collar credentials will propel her forward in a state that has grown more conservative over the years. The 32-year-old offers a stark contrast to the 87-year-old Grassley, who was elected to his first Senate term eight years before Finkenauer was born. Despite losing her House seat in 2020 after one term, Finkenauer remains a youthful prospect in the Iowa