Gov. Kim Reynolds says Iowa’s meatpacking plants will stay open. She warns shutting them down would be devastating for farmers and the food supply. “At some point we’re going to be talking about euthanizing hogs and we’re not that far from it.” On Monday, the state confirmed four new death and 257 new cases for a total of 3,100. Woodbury County saw the biggest one day jump in cases of COVID-19. There are 32 new positives for a total of 75. More than a third are between the ages of 18 and 40.

Parents of many students across Siouxland are now wrapping up a fifth week of trying to teach from home. An award-winning educator provided Sheila Brummer with advice on helping our young ones during this national health crisis. Many parents might feel a bit overwhelmed taking over the role of teacher and Sioux City Principal Amy Denney says that’s expected. “Allow yourself some grace with this. This was something we didn’t have time to prepare for or plan ahead.” Denney, the principal of Perry

Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds announced all schools will be closed through the end of the academic year. She says it was a hard decision to make but the state hasn’t hit a peak for COVID-19 yet. Reynolds also says the illness has claimed the lives of four more people for a total of 64 Iowans. There are 191 new cases, including four new cases in Woodbury County. Out of 27 confirmed cases in Woodbury County, 17 have been the criteria to be released from monitoring and isolation. The governor does

The COVID-19 pandemic has now claimed 60 lives in the state of Iowa after Governor Kim Reynolds announced seven more deaths today. She provided an update at a news conference this morning. There were 146 new cases for a total of 2,141. That includes one more person in Woodbury County for a total of 23 positive cases. Reynolds also increased restrictions for northeast Iowa after that region of the state reached a level 10 out of 12 for infection. But, she stopped short of a “stay-at-home” order.

This week on The Exchange . . . We hear from several Siouxlanders about their experiences in the coronavirus pandemic. We talk with a Siouxland woman who is recovering from COVID-19. And we speak with a UI medical student from northwest Iowa who is volunteering with new telemedicine clinic for people on low incomes and immigrants. And a mental health professional talks about how to deal with the stress caused by social distancing and fear of COVID-19. We take a look at how funeral homes are

The investigation continues into deadly attack by a South Carolina man on his mother and sister at an apartment building near Morningside College on Tuesday night. As Siouxland Public Media’s Sheila Brummer reports, the murder victim is being remembered for her kindness. “In spite of what we are all going through, this comes up and you are like wow, you are in a place of disbelief.” The head of the local NAACP, Ike Rayford, says he first met Lisa Belk 25-years ago at Mount Zion Church. “She was

A man from South Carolina is behind bars in Sioux City accused of murdering his mother and hurting his sister. Officers were called to an apartment building near Morningside College last night and found two people with stab wounds. Thirty-year-old Paul Belk faces charges of first-degree murder and willful injury. Fifty-five-year-old Lisa Belk was killed. Her daughter was treated and released from the hospital. Detectives say the incident started from sort of disturbance, but are still

Iowa saw the biggest daily increase of COVID-19 cases today and six additional deaths. Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds reported 189 new cases for a total of 1,710. Eighty-six of those new cases are tied to an outbreak at a Tyson Foods pork processing plant in southeast Iowa. A total of 186 workers there have tested positive so far. The plant temporarily suspended operations last week and will continue to stay closed until at least next week. Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds says it still appears the peak

There are 138 more cases of COVID-19 in South Dakota for a total of 868. Fifty-seven of the new cases are linked to an outbreak at a packing plant in Sioux Falls. Siouxland Public Media’s Sheila Brummer talked to a union leader in Sioux Falls about the issue and the impact on facilities in the state of Iowa. Almost 300 people who work at the Smithfield Foods Plant in Sioux Falls tested positive for COVID-19. B.J. Motley is the president of the local union of the United Food and Commercial

On Monday, the Iowa Department of Public Health reported two deaths and 123 new cases of COVID-19; that includes two more in Woodbury County for a total of 20. Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds says a large amount of the deaths are from people living in long-term care facilities. She also took a moment to give a message to employees at facilities across the state. “You are more than caregivers. You are heroes on the front lines. Thank you for showing up and caring for others like you would for your own