SPM News

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.

A judge is considering his verdict regarding a 19-year-old Sioux City resident accused of stabbing to death his ex-girlfriend and another man. Testimony ended this week in the nonjury trial of Tran Walker. He's accused of killing 17-year-old Paiten Sullivan and 18-year-old Felipe Negron Jr. Police say Walker was in a car with the other two in January of last year when he stabbed Sullivan and then Negron when he tried to intervene. Walker has pleaded not guilty to the two counts of first-degree

050719 532 Republican Governor Kim Reynolds will likely soon face a lawsuit over a provision she signed into law that would restrict publicly-funded health insurance from covering surgeries for transgender Iowans. If she approves a bill that restricts the attorney general’s authority, a lawsuit will likely follow that, too. Several new laws in recent years have faced court challenges, and some have been struck down. Asked why this seems to be happening a lot, Reynolds says it’s part of the

050719 504 Republican Governor Kim Reynolds signed a provision into law last week that would restrict publicly-funded health insurance from covering surgeries for transgender Iowans because that’s how it was before in Iowa. Republican lawmakers passed the provision in response to an Iowa Supreme Court decision pointing out Medicaid must cover transition-related surgeries under the Iowa Civil Rights Act. 0507reynoldshhs: 16 “The narrow provision that says that the civil rights act does not

050719 432 Republican Governor Kim Reynolds may soon face a lawsuit over a provision she signed into law. It would restrict publicly-funded health insurance from covering surgeries for transgender Iowans. If she approves a bill that restricts the attorney general’s authority, a lawsuit will likely follow that, too. Several new laws in recent years have faced court challenges, and some have been struck down. Asked why this seems to be happening a lot, Reynolds says it’s part of the process.

050719 404 Republican Governor Kim Reynolds says she signed a provision into law that would restrict publicly-funded health insurance from covering surgeries for transgender Iowans because that’s how it was before. Republican lawmakers passed the provision in response to an Iowa Supreme Court decision pointing out Medicaid must cover transition-related surgeries under the Iowa Civil Rights Act. Reynolds signed it into law last week. 0507reynoldshhs: 16 “The narrow provision that says that the

The Dakota County officials approved paying $1.5 million to cover damage done during flooding back in March. The Sioux City Journal reports the plan passed yesterday by Board of Commissioners would allow the county to borrow the money to pay for roads and bridges. The move was done to help pave the way for federal money to eventually cover the costs. The Sioux City City council approved paying for a new scoreboard for the Tyson Events Center. The cost $877,000. It’s expected to be installed by