Gov. Kim Reynolds announced the state is reopening its Iowa Small Business Relief Program for bars and taverns that were ordered to close under last week’s proclamation…that includes businesses in Black Hawk, Linn, Johnson, Polk, Story and Dallas counties. These are the counties with the most virus activity according to state data. Reynolds said the bars and taverns affected may be eligible for a one-time $10,000 grant to assist with short term cash flow. The governor reasserted at a news conference yesterday that individuals of all ages need to act to limit the spread of COVID-19, rather than waiting for some order from the state.
Effective today, the Courier newspaper is temporarily closing its building to the public due to the current spike of COVID-19 cases in Black Hawk County. The building will remain closed until the county is no longer a hot spot for new coronavirus cases.
The Des Moines Police Department is investigating its 16th homicide so far this year…the latest came when a man was shot yesterday afternoon. Authorities said they believe the victim and suspect knew each other, but the matter remains under investigation.
Iowa State University fans planning to attend the first Cyclone football game of the year on September 12…now have free time on their schedule. Just 48 hours after it announced it would allow 25,000 fans into the stadium, which seats 61,000…ISU athletics director Jamie Pollard announced yesterday afternoon those plans are off. Pollard said he was informed that no fans would be allowed in a conversation with ISU president Wendy Wintersteen Tuesday night, who cited community feedback for the change in plans. A decision regarding allowing fans at the home game set for October 3 will come at a later date.
Officials at the University of Iowa say their commencement ceremonies for the fall semester will be held online, just as was the case in the spring. The university said the decision was made to ensure the health and safety of students and employees in the wake of the ongoing novel coronavirus pandemic. Officials say while December’s ceremonies may seem like a long way off, it was better to make the announcement as early as possible.
The recent spike in COVID-19 cases in counties with colleges and universities has alarmed many, but Gov. Kim Reynolds said yesterday the state is tracking those new so-called hot spots, just as they have all along during the pandemic. U.S. Surgeon General Dr. Jerome Adams will talk in detail about COVID-19 efforts in Iowa and across the U.S. during the 10 o’clock hour of KXEL Live & Local today…listen to the full interview at kxel-dot-com.
Linn County emergency management officials have announced that even though the wind may gust at 40 mph today…they will not sound outdoor warning sirens for that alone. Since the derecho, that 40 mph level would trigger the sirens due to unstable trees and branches posing a threat. With the cleanup progressing, now the sirens will only sound if winds are associated with a dangerous storm or other normal siren criteria.
Simpson College officials asked the Indianola Police Department to investigate the person who joined a virtual meeting of the Simpson College Black College Union on Tuesday night and started chanting racial epithets at the group. Simpson officials called the incident “hate-bias” and said if a Simpson student is responsible, that person faces suspension or expulsion from school. Classes were canceled yesterday at Simpson as students held a rally.
