051019 432 Gov. Kim Reynolds has named a corporate attorney who has contributed money to her campaign to a state commission that nominates candidates for positions on the Iowa Supreme Court and the Iowa Court of Appeals. Reynolds on Friday named Dan Huitink (HOY-tink) to the state judicial nominating commission. Huitink is a lawyer for Vermeer Corp. in Pella and is a former assistant U.S. attorney. Democrats have criticized the change, saying Republicans want to stack the courts in their favor

051019 404 The U.S. House passed a bill today that would provide billions of dollars for rebuilding and recovery for Americans impacted by natural disasters. Iowa Congresswoman, Cindy Axne, a Democrat from West Des Moines, spoke on the House floor during the debate. She says Iowans are doing what they can to recover. Iowa has reopened a flooded stretch of the Iowa Highway 2 approach to a Missouri River bridge that links southwest Iowa to southeast Nebraska. The Iowa Transportation Department

A new report says a nearly $200 million decline in Nebraska's agricultural exports in 2017 was driven by President Donald Trump's threats to impose tariffs on U.S. trading partners. The Nebraska Farm Bureau report attributes the drop to decreases in soybean and corn exports, while beef and pork exports both increased in 2017. The findings come as Trump imposed his latest tariff hike on Chinese goods Friday. A bill to legalize marijuana for medicinal purposes in Nebraska has advanced out of a

“Back to Ickey Nickel Trivia, I am your host Big Daddy. Thank you so much for coming out tonight.” Usually, on Wednesday nights at the Ickey Nickel, the focus is on 20 questions over a beer or two. “Which musical film has the opening lyrics ‘I have chills they’re multiplying’?” “I think we won this round.” But, on a recent visit, the owner of the establishment wants the answer to a more challenging topic. “The value went from $480,000 to $700,000 and something.” I am floored they can even say

050919 532 The Iowa Department of Transportation will conduct a public information meeting on May 21 to talk about proposed improvements to the Gordon Drive viaduct in Sioux City. The viaduct was completed in 1937 and expanded to four lanes in 1966. The improvement project stretches from Fairmount Street to Virginia Street. The meeting is set for 5 p.m.-7 p.m. in the Sioux City Convention Center, The Iowa Citizens for Community Improvement non-profit group is holding a meeting in Sioux City

050919 504 FEMA has approved 12 million dollars in payments to people recovering from Iowa floods, and more than 1,800 people have registered with the agency for help. Those are the latest numbers reported today (Thursday) to the governor’s flood recovery board. The FEMA money includes home rebuilding grants and rental assistance. Governor Kim Reynolds says those numbers will climb once the Davenport area is added to the federal disaster declaration. 0509reynolds: 10 “You know, we want to make

The economic toll from Mississippi River flooding in Davenport could run as high as $2.5 million a month. That’s according to local economic officials. That number includes lost wages and business loses but doesn’t include property damage. The statement is part of an application sent to state and federal officials for assistance. A temporary flood barrier failed on April 30, allowing floodwaters to cover several downtown blocks. Scott County is still waiting for federal officials to declare the

050819 504 Federal disaster officials are asking Iowa homeowners whose homes were damaged by flooding and only recently became accessible to contact FEMA for a home inspection. The Federal Emergency Management Agency is seeking to update cases for homeowners in Woodbury, Monona, Harrison, Fremont, Mills, Pottawattamie and Shelby counties whose houses were either surrounded by flood waters or otherwise cut off since flooding began on March 12. The request applies to homes that FEMA housing

As United Healthcare prepares to leave Iowa at the end of June, state Medicaid director Michael Randol says the department is working to ensure a smooth transition for Medicaid recipients currently enrolled with that company. Randol says United Healthcare will not leave the state before June 30th and will be responsible for all claim until then. Medicaid recipients affected by its departure will be mailed notification this week. Healthcare company Iowa Total Care is set to join the state’s

050819 404 The Iowa Department of Transportation opened travel on flood-damaged Interstate 29 between U-S Highway 34 and the Missouri border this morning. DOT transportation planner, Scott Suhr says the opening comes after a lot of effort. He told Radio Iowa that the contractor’s been there working for the last several weeks and has made significant progress. It won’t be completely opened up to two lanes in each direction, He says drivers will have to use caution on that portion of the road.