SPM News

A public meeting is scheduled this afternoon to address homelessness in Sioux City. The gathering at City Hall scheduled for 1:15 comes after a protest at last week’s City Council Meeting surrounding the removal of a homeless camp near 4 th and Wesley Parkway. The information gathered will be shared with the Inclusive Sioux City Advisory Committee who will then provide recommendations to the City Council on ways to improve current practices. Tomorrow morning, local leaders are scheduled to hold

Tonight, the Sioux City Community School Board meets to discuss the district’s Return-to-Learn plan and Pandemic relief funding. Students started last school year with a hybrid model of learning with two days in the classroom. That continued for a few weeks and again after the winter break. The meeting starts at 6 p.m. The third round of Elementary and Secondary School Emergency money or ESSER includes $38 million dollars. Board member Dan Greenwell sent a statement to Siouxland Public Media

This week on The Exchange, we hear from Native American tribal leaders about the treatment of the homelessness in Sioux City. Also, with cases of COVID-19 increasing in Iowa and Woodbury County, we talk with public health leaders about what we can do to protect ourselves. And we talk with the author of a new book about a long ago racial incident created by white supremicists that mirrors the behaviors seen at the January 6 at the Captial building in Washington. We look forward to African Night

1204 News 080621 The University of Nebraska has announced updated coronavirus protocols in response to a rising number of cases in the state and guidance from the CDC. All vaccinated faculty, staff, students and visitors to its campuses are encouraged, but not required, to wear face masks indoors. Unvaccinated people should continue to wear masks. Masks are required indoors for all people at the University of Nebraska Medical Center. University officials strongly recommend vaccinations for

UnityPoint Health announced today it will require its more than 33,000 team members to be vaccinated against COVID-19.The three-state health system also continues to urge all eligible individuals to get their COVID-19 vaccination as soon as possible. MercyOne Medical Center announced that all staff would need to be vaccinated in early July. UnityPoint will require all employed team members, regardless of whether they provide direct patient care or not, to be fully vaccinated by Nov. 1, 2021.

News noon 080521 Updated national maps now show there are two areas of extreme drought in Iowa. Radio Iowa reports The state climatologist said the northwest and east-central Iowa areas have "missed out on widespread, heavier rains." According to the National Drought Mitigation Center, conditions deteriorated significantly in several large patches in Iowa and Minnesota over the past week.

Education leaders in South Dakota say that as the new school year approaches the state doesn’t have enough teachers and support staff, a situation they attribute to the coronavirus pandemic. The State Education Secretary says every school district in South Dakota is dealing with staffing shortages with several teachers deciding to retire earlier than planned due to COVID-19. The Superintendent of the Sioux City Community School District is one of three local leaders scheduled to speak at a news

Education leaders in South Dakota say that as the new school year approaches the state doesn’t have enough teachers and support staff, a situation they attribute to the coronavirus pandemic. The State Education Secretary says every school district in South Dakota is dealing with staffing shortages with several teachers deciding to retire earlier than planned due to COVID-19. The Superintendent of the Sioux City Community School District is one of three local leaders scheduled to speak at a news

Training is extremely important for police officers and deputies. This week a special program provides high-level lessons to some four-legged law enforcers as well. Siouxland Public Media’s Sheila Brummer shares details and sounds of this intense instruction. Local businessman Ryan Callaghan of RP Constructors helped cover the $20,000 pricetag for the training. The training sessions for the dogs and officers continue through tomorrow. * Special thanks Sioux City Police Officer Andrew Dutler for

Youngsters from the Omaha Tribe are learning lessons surrounding their history and culture this week. Siouxland Public Media’s Sheila Brummer traveled to Macy, Nebraska for this first of its kind event.