Iowa’s Governor, Secretary of Agriculture, and both U.S. Senators have gone to bat for the state’s egg producers. They’ve asked the United States Department of Agriculture to include egg producers in the Coronavirus Food Assistance Program. Iowa is the nation’s largest egg producer, home to more than 58 million egg-laying hens…about one in six eggs consumed in the U.S. each year comes from Iowa. More on this topic when I’m joined by Dustin Hoffmann of the Iowa Agribusiness Radio Network just after 9:30 this morning on KXEL Live & Local.
The latest Iowa Crop Progress and Condition report shows planting is almost complete. 95-percent of soybeans now planted, that’s three weeks ahead of last year, two weeks ahead of average; meanwhile, 98-percent of corn is planted, two weeks ahead of last year, and one week ahead of the five-year average.
The Linn County Board of Supervisors has given final approval to an all-terrain vehicle ordinance, allowing those vehicles to be operated on most county roads. Supervisors Stacey Walker and Brent Oleson voted yes, while Ben Rogers voted no. The ordinance will go into effect tomorrow, but may be amended in coming weeks to add more roads to the list where ATVs will still not be allowed to operate. Those operating the ATVs must have a valid driver’s license, be at least 16 years old, and be wearing a helmet. The ordinance will only apply in unincorporated areas of the county. Municipalities can set their own rules regarding ATV use.
The City of Waterloo is hosting a webinar training program for Waterloo human resources professionals and business owners…this is tied to the so-called “Fair Chance” or ban-the-box ordinance that goes into effect in the city on July 1. The training will start at 8:30 a.m. on Wednesday, June 17 and will provide resources to explain how Waterloo businesses will be affected and help them comply. Legal challenges are still on-going regarding the ordinance, which was approved by the Waterloo City Council in October of last year.
The Iowa Department of Public Health reported an additional 60 cases of COVID-19 and six more deaths over a 24 hour period yesterday. The state was reporting a total of 20,012 confirmed cases and 564 total deaths since the pandemic began. The number of new cases is down compared with the previous day.
Tuesday’s Iowa Primary was a record, according to Iowa Secretary of State Paul Pate…more than 500,000 voters cast ballots, beating a 26-year-old record of 449,490. Pate thanked Iowa Homeland Security and Emergency Management and the Iowa National Guard for delivering masks, gloves, and hand sanitizer to the counties so Iowans could vote safely at the polls. Every county will now conduct post-election audits in randomly selected precincts to help ensure the integrity of the vote. All results remain unofficial until canvassing is completed, and the results are certified later this month.
The Iowa Legislature has returned to finish work left when the coronavirus pandemic surfaced in Iowa in March and prompted state officials to close the state Capitol. Lawmakers began work Wednesday and are expected to meet for at least two weeks to complete work on a budget for the fiscal year that begins July 1, and address policy measures on which House and Senate leaders reach agreement. Temperatures will be checked at the door and masks will be provided. Meeting rules have been established to allow lawmakers to be at least 6 feet apart. Committee meetings and floor debates will be streamed on the internet.
At a Senate Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship hearing yesterday examining COVID-19’s impact on small businesses, U.S. Senator Joni Ernst highlighted the success of the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) in helping Iowa’s local employers keep employees on the payroll and the bills paid. But Ernst also noted that the program is expiring and without additional help, many Iowans will find themselves out of work. Ernst also cited examples of Iowa business owners who submitted Economic Injury Disaster Loan program applications more than two months ago but still haven’t heard anything back from the Small Business Administration (SBA).
A 15-year-old Des Moines female has been arrested and charged in juvenile court with murder in connection with the death of a Des Moines man earlier this week. Police were called to an apartment just after 5:30 Monday afternoon on a report of a possible suicide. When officers arrived, they found the body of 37-year-old Zachary Brooks. Investigators say the manner of death does not appear to be suicide but have not released how he was killed.
Iowa’s only amusement park, Adventureland in Altoona near Des Moines, opened its gates for the first time this season yesterday. It’s open only for season pass holders through today; general public admittance at 50 percent capacity will be allowed starting tomorrow. Social distancing guidelines will be in place. Not all attractions will be open at once during Adventureland’s reduced hours from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. because some may need deeper sanitation; the park is also still trying to hire a full staff for the season.
