SPM News

20921 News Iowa reported another 35 COVID-19 deaths and an additional 713 confirmed cases today as the number of counties with a high 14-day positivity rate continued to decrease. At 10 a.m. today, the state was reporting 5,145 COVID-19-related deaths, according to the state's coronavirus.iowa.gov website . In Woodbury County, there have been 18 new cases added to the total case count in the last 24 hours and no new deaths. Iowans will no longer be required to wear masks or social distance at

020821 404 An Iowa House subcommittee has approved a one-time appropriation of 30 million dollars for schools that have been in-person during the pandemic. Any district that allowed at least 50 percent of students to attend in-person could qualify for payments, but the schools that offered the most days of all in-person learning would receive the largest share of funding. Supporters say it would help cover the cost of mitigating COVID-19 in the classroom. But, Melissa Peterson of the Iowa State

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State health officials reported 804 new positive cases in Iowa between 10 a.m. Thursday and 10 a.m. Friday, according the coronavirus.iowa.gov website. There has also been another 44 COVID-19 deaths in Iowa in the last 24 hours, bringing the state's death toll to 5,067. Iowa's 14-day positivity rate decreased to 9.3% to 9.1% since Thursday. Woodbury County has marked another grim milestone, surpassing 200 COVID-19-related deaths. Today, Siouxland District Health says 201 residents have died from

020521 304 Today, the Iowa Department of Public Health was reporting another 34 COVID-19 deaths and an additional 804 confirmed cases in the state. At 10 a.m. today, the state reported 5,067 COVID-19-related deaths, an increase of 34 since yesterday. Woodbury County has marked another grim milestone, surpassing 200 COVID-19-related deaths. Today, Siouxland District Health says 201 residents have died from the coronavirus in the county. IDPH data show there have been more than 13, 3oo cases of

Gov. Kim Reynolds says state officials are looking into why Iowa has one of the lowest vaccination rates per capita in the country. Iowa is moving into vaccinating those in phase 1-b, but it ranks near the bottom in the country for the number of first doses administered and its vaccine allocation. Gov. Kim Reynolds says state officials are reaching out to counties and health providers to determine what's slowing down the vaccination process. You know, they're hesitant to schedule appointments

Former Iowa Governor Tom Vilsack facing questions today by the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry. Vilsack who served as U.S. Secretary of Agriculture during the Obama Administration is also the President Biden’s choice for the position. This morning, U.S. Senator Joni Ernst asked Vilsack his position on biofuels in light of President Biden’s excelleration toward electric vehicles. Vilsack says there is room for both. Ernst says Vilsack will bring a unique perspective since

Siouxland District Health Department announced Monday all appointments for public COVID-19 vaccination clinics to be held Feb. 10 and 12 at the Tyson Events Center have been filled. The health department is holding additional clinics February 17th, February 24th, and March 3rd. Appointments for these clinics are not available yet, but will open up when we know the amount of vaccine we will be allotted. Those eligible for vaccination are : Individuals that are 65 years of age or older • First

A new monthly survey shows continued economic improvement in nine Midwest and Plains states, but business leaders indicated the coronavirus pandemic is still hurting business. Creighton University economist Ernie Goss oversees the survey. He estimated a rosier economic outlook in the coming months, citing an increase in the survey's confidence index. The overall index for the region in January suggests improved growth, coming in at a strong 67.3 from December's 64.1. Any score above 50 on the

Schools will have to offer in-person classes full-time under a bill signed this morning by Governor Kim Reynolds. She signed the measure at the state capitol with parents who have pushed for in-person learning. The law gives school districts until February 15 th to transition to all in-person classes. The Sioux City Community School District announced this week, the Iowa Department of Public Education approved permanent virtual schooling for students in the district. Superintendent Dr. Paul