SPM News

An Iowa Public Health Department official says the state did not contribute data to a federal report on coronavirus cases at the state’s meatpacking plants. The state says it did not have enough time to do so. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention released a report this week that found 87 percent of workers who were infected at the plants were racial or ethnic minorities. Iowa was one of six states that did not contribute data to the report. Alex Carfrae (car-fray) of the state health

Sioux City public schools are set to open on August 24. However, the surge in Coronavirus cases this week, teachers and parents are concerned about safety. Nearly 700 new cases reported yesterday, and seven deaths. During an online forum last night focused on A Safe Return to Schools, University of Iowa Professor of Internal Medicine Dr. Eli Perencevich answered questions preventing the spread the virus in schools. Perencevich said he was disappointed that state leaders were not requiring all

Locally, there are 11 new cases of the novel coronavirus in Woodbury County, for a total of 3,282. Dakota County reports five more positive cases for 1,805. In the three counties in the Sioux City Metro area there are 83 deaths in all, with one in Union County where they also logged 140 cases. Seven more Iowans have died from COVID-19 and 669 more have tested positive for a total of 739 deaths and more than 33,200 positive cases. There are 11 new cases in Woodbury County and the number of deaths

The state of Iowa reports seven more Iowans have died from COVID-19. There are more than 400 new cases as well, including 9 more in Woodbury County for a total of 3,261 and 44 deaths. Statewide there are more than 32,300 positive cases and 732 deaths. In Dakota County, there are a total of 1,800 cases after three new ones were added today. Nebraska has seen 20,100 confirmed cases and 282 deaths. There have been 43 positive cases in Dakota County in the past two weeks according to the state’s

The COVID-19 pandemic disrupted higher education with colleges and universities trying to navigate through a new normal of change and uncertainty. Siouxland Public Media’s Sheila Brummer talked to the leaders of Western Iowa Tech Community College, Morningside and Briar Cliff University. They explore the fallout from the outbreak, education impact and what is potentially in store for this fall.

Coming up on The Exchange today we talk with the winner of the special election to fill the seat once occupied by Republican Jeremy Taylor. Taylor resigned in January when it was shown that his primary residence was not located in his district. Republican Justin Wright defeated Democratic State representative Tim Kacena to serve out the remaining 18 months of Taylor's term. Also, we talk about demagoguery in politics with an author who has just written a biography of of Joe “Tailgunner” McCarthy

Woodbury County Auditor Pat Gill reports confusion at the polls today in a Special Election to fill an opening on the Board of Supervisors. Gill says as of 11 this morning, 184 people cast their ballots in person at a total of 7 polling spots in District 2. However, almost the same amount of people have showed up to vote, forgetting they already filled out an absentee ballot for the same election. The Special Election was originally set for April 14 th and Gill says more than 10,000 people

Siouxland District Health reports a dozen new cases of the novel coronavirus in Woodbury County for a total of 3,245. There have been 44 people in the county who have died. Other northwest Iowa counties reporting deaths are Buena Vista County with 11, Plymouth - 5, Dickinson – 3 and one death in O’Brien, Cherokee and Pocahontas Counties. The State of Iowa also reported no new deaths as well and more than 400 new positive tests during a 24 hours period. There have been 721 people in Iowa who have

Dakota County Health officials report one more death due to COVID-19 and two confirmed cases for a total of 1,785 and 37 deaths. There are 44 deaths in Woodbury County and a 11 new cases for a running total of 3,192. Union County has 124 positive cases. The Iowa Department of Public Health reports an increase in positive coronavirus cases. There were almost 700 new cases, the biggest jump since late May. There were no new deaths for 717 in all and almost 30,000 positive cases. South Dakota

With everything going on in the world it’s hard to believe the 4 th of July holiday is almost here. This year, one of summer’s biggest attractions isn’t happening due to the COVID-19 pandemic. On this week’s edition of “The Exchange” we talk to the co-founder of Saturday in the Park. Dave Bernstein provides an update on the postponed festival and his thoughts of almost 30-years of music and merriment. Plus, hear highlights from last year’s extravaganza, where 25,000 joined forces for the party