George, Iowa — A Fulda, Minnesota man is bringing two memorial walls that he created to George this Memorial Day Weekend to honor prisoners of war and those missing in action from both the Korean and Vietnam wars. Read more
Report: Iowa’s Alcohol-Related Deaths Rose By 30% During First Year Of COVID
Statewide Iowa — There were more “substance misuse” deaths across the country during 2020 than in any other single year, according to a report from a nonprofit, nonpartisan group, though Iowa’s numbers were slightly less grim.
Rock Valley Man Arrested For Two Felonies
Rock Valley, Iowa — A Rock Valley man faces two felony charges following an investigation into an alleged incident that occurred New Year’s morning. Read more
Iowa Legislature Votes To Erase Certain Taxes During Final Days
Des Moines, Iowa — Before the Iowa Legislature adjourned for the year early Wednesday, legislators voted to erase income taxes on the one-thousand dollar bonuses Governor Reynolds distributed to teachers and police out of federal pandemic funds. The bill also erases sales taxes on some feminine hygiene products as well as diapers for babies and adults. Read more
Iowa Blood Rushed To Texas Following Elementary School Shootings
Statewide Iowa — Blood donated by Iowans was rushed to Texas following Tuesday’s mass shooting at an elementary school that left at least 19 children and two adults dead. Another 15 children and four adults were wounded. Danielle West, spokeswoman for the Des Moines-based LifeServe Blood Center, says Iowa is answering Texas’ call for help, even though blood is very scarce here.
LifeServe is part of the Blood Emergency Readiness Corps, a coalition of more than 35 blood centers across the U.S. that have committed to collecting extra blood units on a rotating, on-call schedule. The 20 units of Iowa blood being sent to South Texas Blood & Tissue won’t mean any Iowans are denied an important surgery, but it does ratchet up the urgency.
An appeal is going out to all Iowans who are left wondering, “What can I do,” following the Texas shootings, as they can make a difference.
LifeServe is the sole supplier of blood products to 129 hospitals across Iowa, Nebraska, and South Dakota.
Lawmakers Approve Some Regulations For Pharmacy Benefit Managers
Statewide Iowa — The last bill to clear the legislature this year gives Iowa’s insurance commissioner authority to collect more data about companies called pharmacy benefit managers. Read more