SPM News

A northwest Iowa man has pleaded not guilty to charges related to the July death of a man injured in a car crash. Thirty-eight-year-old Darrick Toel, of Le Mars, pleaded not guilty in Woodbury County District Court to charges of vehicular homicide and operating while intoxicated. Toel was the driver of a vehicle that crashed into a tree on the evening of July 1. His passenger, 37-year-old Ryan Toel of Struble, was injured and died two days later. An Iowa agency is keeping secret a list of about

Over the Labor Day Weekend thousands of people gathered at Riverside Park for ArtSplash. After a slower start on Saturday because of rainy weather, Sunday brought out a huge crowd and about a dozen people shared their thoughts on this annual Sioux City festival with Siouxland Public Media’s Sheila Brummer. On the final afternoon at ArtSplash Siouxland Public Media caught up with the Development Coordinator for the Art Center, Erin Webber-Dreeszen. She’s in charge of the annual event and says

090219 532 A Remsen woman who had been reported as missing has notified authorities that she is safe in Vermont. Twenty-seven-year-old Nicole Ann Trometer contacted Iowa law enforcement agencies at 12:30 p.m. today to tell them she was in Vermont. She later confirmed her identity at the Franklin County Sheriff's Office in Vermont, and the missing person investigation in Iowa was closed. Trometer told authorities that she had willingly traveled to Vermont with Daniel Kittredge. She was reported

090319 504 Slow or no economic growth is expected over the next several months in nine Midwest and Plains states, according to a new report from business supply managers. The report issued today says the Mid-America Business Conditions Index dropped below growth neutral in August, hitting 49.3 compared with 52.0 in July. The index had remained above growth neutral for 32 straight months. Creighton University economist Ernie Goss blamed the slowdown on weak farm and manufacturing sectors,

090319 432 The ongoing trade dispute with China is likely to cost Nebraska’s farmers $943 million in lost revenue this year, according to the Nebraska Farm Bureau. However, the bureau says those losses will be partly offset by aid payments from the government. But, the bureau says the lost revenue will add to the financial pressure on farmers in the state and hurt Nebraska's economy. And the global economic slowdown and restrictive tariffs are part of the reason for stalled growth in nine

090419 404 A new report suggests slow or no economic growth over the next several months in nine Midwest and Plains states. The report issued today says the Mid-America Business Conditions Index dropped below growth neutral in August, hitting 49.3 compared with 52.0 in July. The index had remained above growth neutral for 32 straight months. Creighton University economist Ernie Goss oversees the survey, and he blamed the slowdown on weak farm and manufacturing sectors, produced in part by

An August survey of business supply managers suggested slow or no economic growth over the next several months in nine Midwest and Plains states, in part because of trade skirmishes. The Mid-America Business Conditions index dropped below growth neutral in August to hit 49.3, compared with 52.0 in July. The index had remained above growth neutral for 32 straight months. The survey results are compiled into a collection of indexes ranging from zero to 100. Survey organizers say any score above 50

083019 532 It looks like virtual caucuses won’t be happening next year in Iowa. The Iowa Democratic Party is scrapping the process that would have allowed participants to caucus with their phones. The decision comes following recommendations from the Democratic National Committee. State party chair Troy Price says they take the DNC’s concerns over hacking seriously. But at the end of the day, I don’t believe that we should be developing a system that would put us in a position to have anyone who

083019504 The Iowa National Guard is ready to help with recovery from Hurricane Dorian in Florida once it becomes clear what kind of response is needed. Major General Ben Corell was recently appointed as commander of the Iowa National Guard. Speaking on IPR’s River to River, Corell said he’s been in touch with guard leaders coordinating the response and is waiting to see how the storm develops. We need to see what the damage is from this incident, what the needs are, who can supply what.

083019 432 It looks like virtual caucuses won’t be happening next year in Iowa. The Iowa Democratic Party is scrapping the process that would have allowed participants to caucus with their phones. The decision comes following recommendations from the Democratic National Committee. State party chair Troy Price says they take the DNC’s concerns over hacking seriously. But at the end of the day, I don’t believe that we should be developing a system that would put us in a position to have anyone who