Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds signed an executive order this morning restoring voting rights to felons. “This is a cause so many Iowans worked on for years. It boils down to our fundamental right for redemption and second changes.” Iowa was the only state banning felons from voting, unless they appealed directly to the governor. The order applies to people who have completed their sentence, including probation and parole. It excludes people who convicted of murder or manslaughter, but they can

This week on The Exchange, we talk with Republican Senator Joni Ernst and her opponent Theresa Greenflield. Both candidates have been raising record levels of campaign funds, and recent polls show Ernst and Greenfield in a very tight race. Also on the program, the Sioux City Council this week approved the purchase of body cameras after years of debate. Supporters say the re-evalution of police tactics and equipment after the murder of George Floyd in Minneapolis in May was a motivating factor in

Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds says if schools ignore her order to provide at least 50 percent in-person learning, they’ll have to make up the time at the end of the year. “Schools that choose not to return to school for at least 50 percent in person instruction are not defying me. They are defying the law.” A law passed late in the legislative session states that schools cannot primarily use virtual learning unless the governor allows it by proclamation. Reynolds says individual families can choose

Health officials have reported nine new positive cases of COVID-19 in Woodbury County. The Siouxland District Health Department said Tuesday the new cases were reported out of 73 new tests. No deaths were reported, a day after two deaths increased the county's death toll to 50. Iowa Department of Public Health data showed that as of this morning, Woodbury County has had 3,653 total cases of COVID-19. The Dakota County Health Department reported three new cases today, increasing the county's

Body Cam Vote 080320 Today the Sioux City Council voted unanimously to approve a resolution awarding a purchase order of more than $260,000 dollars for 120 body worn camera units, and all necessary equipment to operate and maintain the system. Sioux City Police Chief Rex Mueller said the body cameras will be operational by the end of the year. “So we are going to make this transition as soon as possible, but set fall as a date, because there are unanticipated things, the delivery piece. But as

The number of deaths in Woodbury County due to complications of COVID-19 has now reached 50, according to Siouxland District Health. The health department reported the two who died were a middle-aged woman between the ages of 41 and 60 and an older man between 61 and 80-years old. However, the state coronavirus website showed another death for a total of 51 in Woodbury County. There have been a dozen deaths in Buena Vista County, eight in Plymouth, four in Dickinson and 2 in Sioux and one in O

Just a day after officials launched an effort to increase enforcement of distancing orders in bars and restaurants, a state agency reported there had been 705 new confirmed cases of the coronavirus. As of this morning, another 11 people had died of the virus in Iowa. Governor Kim Reynolds announced yesterday that a $1,000 fine would be imposed on bars that fail to enforce social distancing requirements when more than ten are gathered. Restaurants will get a warning. Repeat offenses could result

The coronavirus continues to spread in Iowa. Another 11 people with COVID-19 have died, and there have been nearly an additional 705 confirmed cases, the state reported Friday, according to the state's Coronavirus.Iowa.gov website. There have been 865 deaths because of the coronavirus in Iowa. Polk and Woodbury Counties continue to have the highest number of cases of the virus. Woodbury County has tallied 3612 cases and 47 deaths, and no new deaths or cases yet today. Nebraska had accounted for

304 news. 073020 Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds released guidance this morning saying that Iowa schools would have to see a coronavirus positivity rate of at least 15% in the county where they are located before they could request to transition a school building or district to fully online learning. The guidance from the Iowa Department of Public Health and Iowa Department of Education includes four levels of community transmission of COVID-19 within a school, requiring escalating response measures as

This week on The Exchange, as students, teachers and parents prepare to go back to school after nearly six months interruption becuase of the Coronavirus, we talk with Sioux City Community Schools Superintendent Dr. Paul Gausman. Gausman talks about how the schools will stay safe, and part of that strategy is requiring face masks for everyone. He also discusses contingency plans if the virus does ramp up in Woodbury County. Some students will learn virtually from home. Also today, we remember