DYERSVILLE, Iowa (KCRG) – The city of Dyersville says its three hotels can’t keep up with demand. The new hotel would go up just off of Field of Dreams Way, near highway 20, which, for reference, is not near the Field of Dreams movie site. That location is causing some concerns for parents living in the area. City officials say the location is the perfect spot for a hotel. The property has been zoned commercial for years and it’s near the highway, but it’s also adjacent with the local elementary school. The city says the location is a prime spot for a much-needed hotel. And that the land owners can do what they want with the land since it is zoned commercial. The mayor said as of today, the process of building that hotel at that location will continue as planned. The hotel is expected to open by midsummer of next year.
WASHINGTON (IOWA CAPITAL DISPATCH/KCRG) – Farmers with Modern Ag Alliance, a coalition that has been pushing for the adoption of pesticide labeling policies that would make it more difficult to build cancer-related lawsuits against pesticides, fear the impact of an upcoming “Make America Healthy Again” report they believe will target pesticides. The farmers said on a press call Wednesday an attack on pesticide chemicals, specifically mentioning glyphosate in the widely used Roundup herbicide, would be “a terrible development for American agriculture” and lead to higher food costs for the American consumer. U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. testified Tuesday to U.S. senators and said there is not a “single word” in his agency’s upcoming report that “should worry the American farmer.” A report on the impact of a farm bill that doesn’t allow the use of glyphosate found that consumer food inflation would increase 2.4 times.
INDIANOLA, Iowa (KCRG) – Simpson College has begun looking for an interim president after its previous president, Jay Byers, passed away in April. The college says it plans to have an interim president in time for the beginning of the 2025-2026 school year. “Our intent is to move forward with both prudence and expediency,” said Board of Trustees Acting Chair Terry Lillis. “We will leverage our extensive network of contacts to identify strong candidates who would be best positioned to lead Simpson through this challenging time of transition.” Currently, board chair Terry Handley serves as Simpson College’s acting president. Handley transitioned into the role after Byers’ passing in April.
CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa (KCRG) – Iowa DNR is assuming Ellis Harbor in Cedar Rapids will be far busier this weekend than it was on Wednesday, not only because of the change in weather, but because of the upcoming holiday weekend. “All of us are probably going to be out working whether it’s conservation officers or park rangers, our staff is going to be out and busy making sure people are safe and doing what they need to do and also helping people who are out there,” said Iowa DNR Conservation Officer Travis Graves. But while many will be going to popular recreation areas, one outdoorsman says he will be fishing in more remote areas. “Less pressure, fishing pressure from people. A little easier to catch fish,” said Jeff Buckley. In the meantime, Iowa DNR prepares to make sure anyone at any park is safe.
