After many delays, Congress has passed a large disaster aid package with help for communities nationwide, including many in Iowa that are recovering from major flooding. Iowa Republican U.S. Senator Chuck Grassley says some on-farm losses not automatically covered by disaster aid now will be eligible. 0604grassleyaid That included my amendment to add on-farm storage grain, so they can qualify for disaster. You’ve seen the burst grain bins. This is the language the Department of Agriculture told

060319 532 The Iowa Attorney General’s Office says it has set up a hotline for people to call in and report clergy abuse. The office says 8 trained advocates will take down information from survivors. The office also has 10 alternates to answer calls. Tim Lennon is a Sioux City native with the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests. He’s been asking for this. (0603lennon 0:12) We understand that because most victims never come forward, there needs to be easy access for them to report some

060319 504 The Iowa Attorney General’s office is asking each of the four Catholic dioceses (DY-uh-siss-es) in the state to submit their records on clergy sex abuse. In letters to each of the dioceses (DY-uh-siss-es), Attorney General Tom Miller asks them to volunteer several documents. They include a list of all clergy who have been accused of sexual abuse, how each diocese defines a credible accusation, and any documentation of reports of abuse. Tim Lennon is a Sioux City native with the

060319 432 Iowa Attorney General Tom Miller today has requested information related to clergy abuse records from the state's four Catholic dioceses in Davenport, Des Moines, Dubuque, and Sioux City. Miller is asking the dioceses to voluntarily share records related to abuse allegations, diocesan review boards, and settlements by Aug. 1. The Attorney General's office also launched a hotline for survivors to report abuse, the news release said. The hotline number is 855-620-7000. Miller says he

060319 404 Iowa Attorney General Tom Miller today announced that his office has requested information related to clergy abuse records from the state's four Catholic dioceses. Letters were sent to officials in Davenport, Des Moines, Dubuque and Sioux City, ask the dioceses to voluntarily share records related to abuse allegations, diocesan review boards, and settlements by Aug. 1. The Attorney General's office also launched a hotline for survivors to report abuse, the news release said. The

060319 1204 Flood concerns in Siouxland are fading. After cresting at 30.32 feet early Saturday morning, the Missouri River had fallen more than half a foot as of Sunday afternoon and is expected to continue dropping over the next few days. Data accumulated by the National Weather Service station in Sioux Falls shows the Missouri River had been at flood stage – 30 feet in depth – since around 8 a.m. Friday. The river dropped below flood stage early Sunday morning around 6. Regardless, the waters

Dismal weather conditions with heavy rain and cooler days prevented many Siouxland farmers from finishing their planting this season. Siouxland Public Media reports it’s a critical time for producers to get into the fields. “It’s 22.5 acres and about 5 areas under water.” Mark Held stands by his farmland two miles south of Hinton, along Highway 75 in Plymouth County, Iowa. You can’t miss it. Instead of dry land it looks like water-front property. “We have one field south of Hinton here. We call

053119 504 Ten members of Sioux City’s Urban Search and Rescue team were deployed to southwest Iowa early this morning, according to Radio Iowa. The crew took its rescue equipment and an amphibious vehicle. Captain Ryan Collins of Sioux City Fire Rescue says the team will help FEMA make damage assessments in the Sidney area. The unit was activated by Iowa Homeland Security. The National Weather Service warns flooding will continue in southwest Iowa along the Missouri River for several more weeks

053119 432 The Iowa Supreme Court has affirmed a state regulator’s 2016 decision to allow the Dakota Access Pipeline to be built diagonally across the state. ‘Court also upheld the use of eminent domain to make way for the pipeline against the objections of landowners. Landowners and the Sierra Club sued the pipeline and the Iowa Utilities Board because they said the pipeline doesn’t meet the legal standard of “public convenience and necessity” and presents serious environmental risks. The

053119 404 Authorities in Sioux City keeping a close watch on rising water levels. The Iowa DOT has closed a portion of Hamilton Boulevard at Interstate 29, and the southbound on-ramp and off-ramp to I 29. The Sioux City Public Boat Ramp is closed and access to Chris Larson Park from Hamilton Boulevard has been impacted. Also, there are portions of I- 29 still closed in western Iowa, one mile south of Missouri Valley to the south of Omaha. And from Pacific Junction all the way to the Missouri