SPM News

022420 Noon Woodbury County leaders hope voters will approve building a new $50.3 million jail on the outskirts of Sioux City. The new larger jail would replace a building built in 1987 that is dealing with a number of mechanical problems. Consultants have identified $22 million in upgrades that are needed in the current jail's heating and cooling system. County Supervisor Keith Radig says it makes sense to invest in a new facility instead of repairing the current jail. Voters will decide March

Courtesy, the Nevada Democratic Party Edit | Remove 022120 504 Nevada Democrats are hoping to avoid a repeat of the chaos that ensnared the Iowa caucuses, as voters gather across tomorrow to make their presidential preferences known. Earlier this month, a rushed effort by Iowa Democrats to deploy a mobile app for caucus volunteers to report initial results on their personal cell phones ended in failure. Democrats in Nevada were going to use the same app developer as Iowa did but quickly

022120 432 Siouxland Community Reads begins in a few weeks. The program is taking over from One Book, One Siouxland. That program chose one book to read and reflect on each year. Siouxland Community Reads will feature more books and more programming. At a press conference, this morning at the Sioux City Public Library, Readers Services Specialist Kelsey Patterson listed the books being offered by the program this Spring. “The Line Becomes a River,” by Francisco Cantu, “Station Eleven” by Emily

022120 404 Gov. Kim Reynolds says today she is ok with a state board's recommendation to change the level potency of legally available medical marijuana products. Some lawmakers wanted to allow higher amounts of THC. THC is the chemical that makes recreational marijuana users high. Lawmakers have been searching for a bill that would meet Reynolds' approval after she vetoed a proposal last year that would have expanded the state's medical-marijuana program. Speaking on the Iowa Press television

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.