SPM News

050219 404 It looks like you are most likely to contract the West Nile virus from the pests buzzing around western Iowa, according to a study on mosquitoes in Iowa. Iowa State University entomologist, Ryan Smith, says this is the first time they’ve been able to get an idea of the pattern of West Nile transmission. Smith says the ecology of the western counties is a big factor. He says one species of mosquito really likes farmland area — especially irrigated farmland. The fast-rising Mississippi

The Sioux City Farmers Market launched its 11 th season on May 1, 2019. “Elsie, look at the flowers.” The local Farmers Market is a family affair for Cassie Chilton of Sioux City. “I brought my daughter Elsie and mother Karen.” Chilton strolls along with her 5-month-old with grandma looking on. “We love it. Last summer we came almost every weekend. I usually don’t come on Wednesday, but today I was able to. We get some honey, some coffee, maybe popcorn and fresh eggs. Becky Kempers is the Market

Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds signed a bill today laying the groundwork for the first statewide children’s mental health system. The law directs the state’s mental health regions to come up with a plan to provide comprehensive services for children by April 2020. Among other things they must give access to therapy, medication management, crisis response and inpatient treatment. The Air Force is raising its cost estimate to $420 million to repair and replace structures damaged at Nebraska's Offutt

Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds signed a bill today laying the groundwork for the first statewide children’s mental health system. The law directs the state’s mental health regions to come up with a plan to provide comprehensive services for children by April 2020. Among other things they must give access to therapy, medication management, crisis response and inpatient treatment. The Air Force is raising its cost estimate to $420 million to repair and replace structures damaged at Nebraska's Offutt

050119 532 Governor Kim Reynolds says there has been a lot of input on whether she should sign or veto the sports gambling bill recently approved by the Iowa Legislature, according to Radio Iowa. Reynolds says many people don’t want to see her sign the bill into law. “They’re concerned about addiction to gambling and the impact that this may have. Others say the state needs to take control. The governor says she is treating the gambling bill like all the others and will go over it with her team

050119 504 Governor Kim Reynolds signed a bill today that creates a children’s mental health system in Iowa. Reynolds said that today marks a major milestone for mental health in our state. Reynolds spoke to a large crowd in the statehouse rotunda moments before she signed the bill into law. The bill establishes a new 24-hour hotline that parents may call to find mental health services for their child. It creates a new state board to oversee development of more options for children who need

050119 432 Iowa Sen. Charles Grassley says Congress won't consider a new trade deal with Mexico and Canada until President Donald Trump lifts tariffs that have prompted other countries to take actions that have hurt U.S. farmers. Speaking today with reporters, Grassley said Trump must end steel and aluminum tariffs before Congress will ratify a United States-Mexico-Canada trade agreement. Farmers in Iowa and across the country have been hurt by reciprocal tariffs placed on agricultural products,

050119 404 Iowa’s mental health regions have until next April to figure out how to fill the gaps in mental health services available to children. But they won’t get any additional funding to do it – at least not this year. The mandate comes after Governor Kim Reynolds signed a new law today (Wednesday) laying out the first statewide children’s behavioral health system. Reynolds says some of the services the law calls for are early diagnosis, therapy, and a family crisis hotline. But the children

Presidential candidate Joe Biden continues his tour across Iowa today with stops in Iowa City and Des Moines The former vice president was in Cedar Rapids Tuesday where he told a group of a few hundred he wants to rebuild a crumbling middle class. A new report says an April survey of business supply managers suggests there will be solid economic growth over the next three to six months in all three Siouxland states. The report issued Wednesday says the Mid-America Business Conditions Index

042329 532 The longest-serving Republican in the Iowa Legislature says he'll become a Democrat. Rep. Andy McKean announced his decision today, saying one important factor was the presidency of Republican Donald Trump. McKean says he can't support Trump, and if his behavior and leadership is the new normal, "I want no part of it." McKean, a 69-year-old retired attorney from the eastern Iowa city of Anamosa, first entered the House in 1979 and served seven terms. He left the legislature but