SPM News

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

In the age of the COVID-19 pandemic, there are many uncertainties. Siouxland Public Media’s Sheila Brummer talked to one local mental health provider on ways to ease the upheaval in our lives. Susanna Shell-Philips works as a mental health therapist in Sioux City. “A very important time to be grateful for all of our connections and the people we love.” Shell-Phillips says it’s important to stay informed on the latest coronavirus updates, but don’t immerse yourself in all of the news. Try to

On Thursday, Iowa saw the largest single-day increase in confirmed cases of COVID-19, adding 125 for a total of 1,270. In Woodbury County, a dozen people have tested positive; including one woman from Sioux City who talked to Siouxland Public Media’s Sheila Brummer about her experience with COVID-19. Jessica Lenz says her symptoms started on the night of March 30 th . “The first day I was fine and then I went to work and it just hit me. I spiked a fever of a 100.5 and I just felt exhausted, more

The Iowa Department of Public Health reporting two more people have died from complications of COVID-19. There are 118 additional cases, including three extra in Woodbury County for a total of 15 positive cases. The statewide total of positive cases is 1,388. Several staff members from the Sioux City Police Department did test positive for the virus. However, the PD isn’t releasing any more details. A spokesperson says officers will still provide essential services and take precautions to

Iowa had its largest single-day increase in confirmed cases of COVID-19 today, adding 125 new positive tests for a total of 1,270. Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds is urging residents to focus on what they can do individually to stop the spread of the coronavirus and less about whether she will order further restrictions to fight the outbreak. Reynolds told reporters that “sometimes everyone is getting so hung up on the metrics” guiding the state’s response, including whether local stay-at-home orders may