102219 304 The struggling farm economy has Congress taking action aimed at preventing a mental health crisis. The Senate’s two farmers, Iowa Republican Chuck Grassley and Montana Democrat Jon Tester, have introduced a bill to increase mental health services for farmers and ranchers. Grassley says the goal is to prevent suicide—something that exacerbated suffering during the 1980s farm crisis, and that is still a threat to farmers and ranchers. Grassley’s hopeful rural communities and farmers

The pit bull ban in Sioux City is one step closer to ending. The city council voted 3 to 2 yesterday to repeal the 11-year-old ban. At a public hearing yesterday, former city councilman Jim Rixner, who helped pass the ban, was one of only a couple to speak to keep it. “ And if someone is bit, not only will they sue the owner, they will probably find an attorney who said, ‘you had an effective ban on these dogs and you repealed it, therefore you’re liable’.” A third vote in a couple of weeks will

The governors of Iowa, Nebraska and South Dakota say they believe President Donald Trump still supports Midwest farmers. All three were in Siouxland for the Tri-State Governor Conference held in Dakota Dunes. Some ethanol industry advocates are frustrated about a proposal the EPA released last week to account for lost demand for renewable fuels because of small refinery waivers. At a news conference following a meeting in South Dakota, Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds said President Trump is committed

A new arson charge has been filed against a volunteer firefighter already facing trial in northwest Iowa. Buena Vista County court records say 25-year-old Brent Mack is charged with arson and burglary. His attorney declined to comment today. Mack is accused of setting a fire in September of 2017 that gutted three buildings in downtown Newell, where he lives. Mack is awaiting trial next month in Sac County, where he and two others are accused of setting a corncrib fire in August, just outside of

A long-time journalist for the Sioux City Journal has passed away at the age of 72 of October 17, 2019. Lynn Zerschling covered several beats during her 28-year career with the newspaper. She made an impact on her colleagues and friends like Sioux City Journal Editor Bruce Miller. Miller says Zerschling worked hard, loved her job and making difference in the community. Zershling retired in September of 2013, but you could still see her work every Sunday in the “From the Archives” section that

The lethal injection protocol that was used in 2018 to execute a Nebraska prisoner survived a legal challenge Friday from death penalty opponents who had hoped to overturn it to prevent the state from carrying out capital punishment. The Nebraska Supreme Court sided with state officials who adopted the new protocol in 2017 to allow the state to resume executions. Nebraska and other states have found it increasingly difficult to carry out executions because many drug companies don't want their

101719 504 Minnesota and the Dakotas have seen snow and rain in recent weeks that have hampered an already difficult harvest. But much of the Corn Belt has somewhat recovered from heavy rains in the spring and summer, with experts predicting good yields from what did get planted. Steve Nicholson, a grains and oilseeds analyst with Rabobank in St. Louis, says that even though many farmers are still struggling, he believes the markets would be a lot more unsettled if a total disaster was looming.

101719 404 Sioux City Animal Control confirmed they are investigating a dog bite that may have involved a pit bull, according to the Sioux City Journal. The news comes on the heels of the Sioux City Council's 4-1 vote on Monday of moving forward a motion that would repeal a controversial, decades-long ban on pit bulls. Police assisted animal control Wednesday afternoon as they confiscated a dog they believed bit a person in the arm and hand last week. The person was treated at a local hospital.

101718 304 A hearing with the Iowa State Medical Board and a Sioux City Plastic Surgeon has been postponed. A hearing before the board is being rescheduled at the request of Dr. Smith. A new date hasn’t been set yet. The Iowa State Medical Board says Dr. Adam Smith failed to provide appropriate care to 17 patients from December 2014 to September of 2017. Dr. Smith told Siouxland Public Media News after the medical board action in July, he expected to be vindicated. (Several former patients

A candlelight vigil took place Wednesday night for nurses at MercyOne who are in the middle of a contract dispute with the hospital. Supporters fill the parking lot of the Sugar Shack Bakery located near MercyOne Hospital. There’s a bit of dancing. And, speeches by local politicians, including State Senator Jackie Smith. “This is Sioux City, we have your backs.” Here’s City Council Member Rhonda Capron. “If you treat your employees right they going to bring it back to you and treat you right and