SPM News

070119 404 Legislative advocates for reforming Iowa’s medical cannabis program say today they will keep fighting for much-needed reforms vetoed by Governor Kim Reynolds. Democratic State Senator Joe Bolkum of Iowa City said he and others called on their Republican colleagues asking for a special session to overturn what he called the misguided veto of modest improvements to Iowa medical cannabis program. Bolkum1: 20 “We need to get to work right away on fixing our law. Today we call for an

Residents of Nebraska and Iowa probably don't need an advisory to inform them: It's hot outside. But the National Weather Service has issued heat advisories for both states, warning residents who venture outside to take it easy and stay hydrated in the oppressive heat. An excessive heat warning has been issued for the northeastern corner of Nebraska and northwestern Iowa — including Sioux City — with heat index values expected to rise to between 105 degrees (40.56 Celsius) and 110 degrees (43.33

Siouxland Public Media's Sheila Brummer looks into summer brain drain and how to fight it. Also, we hear about a grant to Sioux City schools from singer Barry Manilow. And a new book takes a critical look at the world-renowned Iowa Writers' Workshop. Additonally, a visit to the Black Hills with a longtime guide there.

062819 532 The National Weather Service in Sioux Falls has issued a heat advisory for Sioux City. The advisory is set to last through 8 p.m. this evening. Temperatures in Sioux City are expected to climb to 92 degrees this afternoon, with a heat index as high as 101 degrees, cooling off only slightly in the evening hours. The overnight low will be 71 degrees. Another heat advisory is set to take effect from 1 to 9 p.m. tomorrow when the heat index climbs even higher into the triple digits. The U

062819 504 South Dakota-based Sanford Health today announced a planned merger with West Des Moines based UnityPoint Health. Unity Point has a hospital and clinic in Sioux City. The transaction should be complete by the end of this year, pending regulatory reviews. The merger would make the company one of the 15 largest non-profit health systems in the country. Today marks the first day Iowa Total Care joins the state’s Medicaid system as a managed care organization. the company will be the state

062819 432 The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers estimates that repairs to flood-damaged levees and other infrastructure along the Platte and Missouri Rivers will cost far in excess of $1 billion. The Omaha World-Herald reports that Corps spokesman Matt Rabe says the first 61 of 108 projects deemed eligible for federal funding will cost $1 billion. The Corps has received more than 150 project applications, and more are expected to roll in. South Dakota-based Sanford Health and Iowa's UnityPoint

062819 404 One the state’s largest healthcare providers announced today it is pursuing a merger with South Dakota-based Sanford Health. West Des Moines based UnityPoint Health has a hospital and clinic in Sioux City. The transaction should be complete by the end of this year. That’s pending regulatory reviews. The merger would make the company one of the 15 largest non-profit health systems in the country. The two companies together will produce more than $11 billion annually in operating

062719 532 It’s been very hot this afternoon in Siouxland and forecasters say it will be even warmer tomorrow and through the weekend. We can expect highs in the mid to upper nineties, with high humidity. The National Weather Service in metro Des Moines Radio Iowa that combining that kind of heat and humidity, means at heat indices getting into the low 100s tomorrow and into the weekend. As yet, no advisories, watches or warnings have been issued in Iowa due to the heat, but that could change

062819 504 Flooding along the lower Missouri River could get worse in the next few days because recent rain is contributing to the amount of water being released into the river. The National Weather Service says the forecast calls for more than an inch of rain Tuesday night and Wednesday in eastern Nebraska and western Iowa. But officials with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers say the river will remain below the levels it hit in March when flooding caused significant damage in Iowa, Nebraska,

062719 432 It’s very hot this afternoon in Iowa and forecasters say it’ll get even hotter tomorrow and through the weekend. In Siouxland, we can expect highs in the mid to upper nineties all weekend. The National Weather Service in metro Des Moines says temperatures are going to be getting up into the 90s across the state along with the humidity that’s already in place. The service told Radio Iowa that combining that kind of heat and humidity means at heat indices getting into the low 100s