CEDAR RAPIDS SCHOOL LEADERS AND STATE EDUCATION OFFICIALS HAVE AGREED ON A PLAN TO BEGIN THE SCHOOL YEAR SEPTEMBER 21ST. DAMAGE TO MANY SCHOOL BUILDINGS CAUSED BY THIS MONTH’S DERECHO WILL REQUIRE WEEKS OF REPAIRS. GENERALLY ELEMENTARY BUILDINGS WERE LESS IMPACTED, SO STUDENTS IN YOUNGER GRADES ARE LIKELY TO HAVE THE OPTION TO ATTEND IN-PERSON CLASSES. ALL CEDAR RAPIDS MIDDLE AND HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS WILL OPEN THE YEAR WITH ONLINE INSTRUCTION.
BRIAN HUTCHINS OF THE IOWA DNR SAYS ASBESTOS IN MANY HOME PRODUCTS IS A CONCERN AS PEOPLE CLEAN UP AFTER THIS MONTH’S DERECHO. THE PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT FOR COVID-19 WON’T PROTECT FROM THE CANCER-CAUSING SUBSTANCE, AND DOESN’T COMPARE WITH WHAT PROFESSIONALS USE. HUTCHINS SAYS KEEPING REMOVED PRODUCTS INTACT AND WETTING DOWN SURFACES TO REDUCE DUST WILL HELP LIMIT ASBESTOS EXPOSURE.
SENATOR JONI ERNST HIGHLIGHTED ISSUES LIKELY TO RESONATE WITH FARMERS AS PART OF HER WEDNESDAY SPEECH DURING THE VIRTUAL REPUBLICAN NATIONAL CONVENTION. IOWA AG GROUPS HAVE CHALLENGED THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION TO DO MORE FOR ETHANOL AND BIODIESEL. THEY SAY ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY POLICY HAS LET REFINERS OFF THE HOOK FOR USING BILLIONS OF GALLONS OF BIOFUELS.
A LAPORTE CITY MAN WAS JAILED AFTER A VIOLENT DOMESTIC INCIDENT. AUTHORITIES ALLEGE THAT 25-YEAR-OLD DILLON TALASKA STABBED HIS MOTHER MULTIPLE TIMES, REQUIRING MORE THAN THREE DOZEN STITCHES. AFTER THAT, THERE WAS A STANDOFF BETWEEN TALASKA AND POLICE, WHICH LASTED FOR MORE THAN TWO-AND-A-HALF HOURS BEFORE HE WAS TAKEN INTO CUSTODY. TALASKA IS CHARGED WITH DOMESTIC ASSAULT AND CAUSING SERIOUS INJURY.
SECRETARY OF STATE PAUL PATE SAYS COUNTY AUDITORS CANNOT SETUP DROP BOXES TO COLLECT ABSENTEE BALLOTS AT REMOTE LOCATIONS. MORE THAN A THIRD OF IOWA COUNTIES HAD REPORTEDLY PLANNED TO DO SO AHEAD OF THE NOVEMBER ELECTION. PATE’S OFFICE IS SEPARATELY CLAIMING THAT SOME ABSENTEE BALLOT REQUEST FORMS SENT BY COUNTIES MISUSED VOTERS PERSONAL INFORMATION. LINN, JOHNSON, AND WOODBURY COUNTIES SENT FORMS WITH MANY BLANKS ALREADY FILLED-IN, WHICH CONFLICTS WITH RULES PASSED BY THE IOWA LEGISLATURE THIS SUMMER.
CHANGES TO THE ROUTINE CAUSED BY THE CORONAVIRUS HAS MEANT WORKING MORE – AND IN MORE WAYS – AT HOME. TIFFINY O’DONNELL IS CEO OF CEDAR RAPIDS-BASED WOMEN LEAD CHANGE AND SAYS WOMEN ARE CARRYING THE LOAD. O’DONNELL SAY COMPANIES ARE MORE FOCUSED THAN EVER ON PRODUCTIVITY AT A TIME WHEN THEY MIGHT NOT BE SEEING EMPLOYEES FACE-TO-FACE ON A DAILY BASIS.
STARTING TOMORROW, THE UNIVERSITY OF NORTHERN IOWA WILL RELEASE NEW COVID-19 DATA TO THE CAMPUS COMMUNITY AND THE PUBLIC. INFORMATION ABOUT POSITIVE TESTS FROM THE SCHOOL’S ON-CAMPUS HEALTH CLINIC WILL BE POSTED ON UNI’S “FORWARD TOGETHER” PAGE. HOWEVER, DETAILS FROM TESTING SERVICES OR SELF-REPORTING WILL NOT BE INCLUDED. UNI STUDENTS AND STAFF ARE BEING ASKED TO PARTICIPATE IN DAILY HEALTH SURVEYS.
WOMEN LEAD CHANGE CEO TIFFANY O’DONNELL WAS ON KXEL THIS WEEK. SHE SAYS WORKING FROM HOME DURING THE CORONAVIRUS PANDEMIC MEANS BEING A SELF-STARTER. O’DONNELL’S KXEL LIVE AND LOCAL APPEARANCE WAS IN THE CONTEXT OF THIS WEEK’S WOMEN’S EQUALITY DAY. HEAR MORE AT KXEL.COM.
SENATOR JONI ERNST SPOKE TO REPUBLICANS ACROSS THE COUNTRY LAST NIGHT DURING THE PARTY’S NATIONAL CONVENTION. AFTER SPEAKING ABOUT STORM DAMAGE IN THE STATE THIS MONTH, SHE PIVOTED TOWARD AGRICULTURE. ERNST WENT ON TO TOUT ADMINISTRATION TRADE DEALS WITH JAPAN, CANADA, AND MEXICO. THE CONVENTION WRAPS UP TODAY.
