SPM News

On Thursday, May 28, 2020, MercyOne Siouxland Medical Center and UnityPoint Health-St. Luke’s sent out a daily joint statement saying the medical centers are providing care for 88 COVID-19 patients. Siouxland Public Media had a chance to talk to the President and CEO of UnityPoint Health-St. Luke’s Lynn Wold about the COVID-19 Pandemic.

Welcome to this special edition of The Exchange. I’m Mary Hartnett and with Sheila Brummer. On Wednesday, we held a we held a live Zoom forum with the Republican 4 th District Congressional candidates. The primary election is next Tuesday, June 2 nd . The 4 th district is the largest geographically, spanning 39 counties. Here is that forum. Candidate List 4th District Congressman Steve King of Kiron State Senator Randy Feenstra of Hull Former Woodbury County Supervisor Jeremy Taylor, Okoboji

An update from Siouxland Public Media on concerns raised by disability advocates concerning Test Iowa. The Disabilities Resource Center of Siouxland and Executive Director Don Dew contacted the Governor and Iowa Department of Public Health a week ago to say there was no planning for the Test Iowa program to include people with disabilities. Testing requires someone to drive through the site. A week later, Governor Kim Reynolds said Test Iowa isn’t the only option. “It’s another tool in the tool

The number of COVID-19 cases in Buena Vista County jumped by more than 400 on Tuesday, making it the county with the highest number of cases per capita in the state. Governor Kim Reynolds says so far no businesses have met the criteria for an outbreak, which is 10 percent of workers testing positive. Reynolds says the state is not planning to list business outbreaks on its COVID-19 website where long-term care outbreaks are published. Also, business outbreaks will not be announced publicly

At her daily news conference on Tuesday Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds announced the easing of more restrictions put in place to stop the spread of COVID-19. On Thursday bars can reopen at 50% capacity. Next Monday, casinos, speedways, racetracks bowling alleys, amusement parks and outdoor music venues can open. Also, sports gatherings of more than 10 people will be allowed. However, there some restrictions in place and guidance for people at higher risk of the disease. Governor Reynolds says the

Now that the Governor just opened up Test Iowa for anyone who requests a test, there is concern not everyone can actually receive one. Siouxland Public Media’s Sheila Brummer with more on an issue faced by some in the disability community. You may know J.J. Stone as the producer of Siouxland Public Media’s Hip Hop Show Moonwalk Radio . Stone also serves as a member of the Human Rights Commission and was appointed by former Governor Terry Branstad to the State Advisory Council for Brain Injuries

The number of people in the Sioux City metro area who have died due to complications of COVID-19 is 43. One more death was reported in Woodbury County; a man between the ages of 61 and 80. There have been 26 deaths in Woodbury County and 17 in Dakota County. Dakota County Health officials reported six new cases for a total of 1,585. There were no new deaths reported for the past two days. Siouxland District Health Department also confirmed 43 additional cases in Woodbury County for more than 2

Nebraska Governor Pete Ricketts plans to ease more restrictions for public gatherings for a majority of the state on June 1 st . The move does not include Dakota County a spot impacted by an outbreak at the Tyson Foods plant in Dakota City. Nebraska will let bars, zoos, movie theaters and swimming pools reopen and allow small concerts and auctions to resume. Ricketts says he’s trying to strike a balance between public health and the need to move back toward normal life as people grow restless.

Democratic Senate Candidate Michael Franken talks with Mary Hartnett on The Exchange

Democratic Senate Candidate Kimberly Graham talks with Mary Hartnett on The Exchange