From the KCRG-TV9 Newsroom:
After declining federal funding to help feed children this summer, Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds is now asking for federal funding next summer, but with a catch. It would fund school meal sites instead of providing families money directly for food–much like the program it ran this summer. This year, the governor turned down the $29 million, citing childhood obesity and poor nutritional standards for the program. It gives low income children $40 a month on a debit card that can only be used at grocery stores for food. Iowa’s program would offer three monthly boxes of food for families below 200 percent of the poverty line at distribution sites statewide, with delivery service available for Iowans with transportation needs. The state argues its project with the food boxes would give families more food at a lower cost.
Deere and Company is reporting higher than expected earnings after announcing a slew of layoffs in recent months. The company posted a $1.7 billion profit for the past three months despite a 17 percent drop in sales. The company noted efforts to reduce costs, which included more than a thousand layoffs in Iowa alone.
Planned Parenthood of the Heartland dismissed its lawsuit against Iowa’s new abortion law. That law went into effect last month after Iowa’s Supreme Court ruled there’s no constitutional right to an abortion in Iowa. Planned Parenthood said it seized every opportunity to challenge the law in court, but said continuing this case at this moment would not improve or expand access to care.
There is one week left for Iowans impacted by severe weather to apply for FEMA disaster assistance. Iowa was hit by severe storms, tornadoes, and flooding on April 26 and 27, and May 20 and 21. Cedar and 13 other counties qualified for the assistance.
