022120 304 A new survey of Midwest bankers suggests they're optimistic about the economy over the next few months. That’s thanks to the signings of the U.S.-Mexico-Canada trade agreement and the China trade agreement. The latest Rural Mainstreet Survey showed the overall index for February declined to 51.6 from 55.9 in January. Any score above 50 suggests a growing economy, while a score below 50 indicates a shrinking economy. Creighton University economist Ernie Goss oversees the survey. Goss

A new survey of bankers in rural parts of 10 Plains and Western states, including all three Siouxland states, suggests they're optimistic about the economy over the next few months. Creighton University economist Ernie Goss oversees the Rural Mainstreet Survey, and he says the signings of the U.S.-Mexico-Canada trade agreement and the China trade agreement have boosted economic confidence across the region. The overall February survey index declined, however, to 51.6 Organizers say scores above

022020 504 There is a possible case of the mumps in northeast Nebraska. The Northeast Nebraska Public Health Department sent a letter this week to parents in the Laurel-Concord-Coleridge School District about the contagious disease. The possible case in the school district hasn’t been confirmed yet. A bill requiring some Medicaid recipients to work in order to maintain health coverage is moving to the floor of the Iowa Senate after passing in committee today. People between 18 and 64 years old

022020 532 A bill requiring some Medicaid recipients to work to keep their health care coverage is advancing to the Iowa Senate floor. The bill was passed in committee today. Lawmakers removed part of the bill that would have enforced stricter income limits for food assistance. The bill mandates that people between 18 and 64 years old need to prove they are working or volunteering at least 20 hours per week unless they qualify for an exemption. Opponents say missing a deadline could cause some

022020 404 Health officials are looking into a possible mumps case at a school in northeast Nebraska. The Northeast Nebraska Public Health Department sent a letter this week to parents in the Laurel-Concord-Coleridge School District about the contagious disease. They recommend young people be immunized against the mumps. They also say women who are pregnant and people with weakened immune systems are at increased risk of complications from the mumps. The possible case in the school district hasn

The 63 rd annual Siouxland Home Show kicks off next Thursday, February 27, 2020 at the Sioux City Convention Center. The Executive Officer of the Home Builders Association of Great Siouxland, Terri Schelm talked to Siouxland Public Media’s Sheila Brummer about this year’s event, new trends and the outlook for the industry in the region. For more information on the Home Show check out siouxlandhba.com or the Facebook page for the Home Builders Association of Greater Siouxland.

022020 304 The 57 Americans who've been held in quarantine at a Nebraska National Guard camp are preparing to leave Thursday and are in good health, a federal health official said. They landed at Omaha's Eppley Airfield on Feb. 7, having flown from the Wuhan region of China, the center of the COVID-19 outbreak. They soon were bused to Camp Ashland southwest of Omaha, where they've been biding their time with daily health checks, staying in hotel-style rooms and having no contact with soldiers in

The latest attempt to lower property taxes in Nebraska faces an uncertain future as lawmakers squabble over whether it would hurt K-12 public schools that rely heavily on the revenue. Lawmakers debated the measure for nearly three hours Wednesday but failed to reach a vote before they adjourned for the day. A leading supporter says she believes she has enough votes to pass the complex bill but cautioned that lawmakers need more time to discuss and understand everything it does. Lawmakers in the

A special event is coming up this Saturday night for Lamb Arts Regional Theatre in Sioux City. Diana Wooley and Dave Madsen sat down with Siouxland Public Media’s Sheila Brummer to talk about the evolution of the theater in Sioux City. For more information on “Broadway Inside Out” taking place this Saturday night in Sioux City go to the website lambtheatre.com .

021920 504 A House panel has tabled a bill that would ban Iowa health care providers from trying to change a child’s sexual orientation or gender identity. Committee Chair Bobby Kaufmann, a Republican, says he wants to keep working on legislation to ban conversion therapy for LGBTQ children. The Iowa Court of Appeals has rejected two cases challenging a law that restructured the state judicial nominating commission. The law was passed late in last year’s session. It gave the governor a ninth