Gov. Kim Reynolds announced yesterday that she was discontinuing regular COVID-19 news briefings, and will instead use her regular weekly news conference to provide necessary updates. At one point, the briefings were seven days a week, and the governor became emotional at the end of the final coronavirus briefing in thanking Iowans for their prayers and support. Before that, the governor noted that the rate of Iowans testing positive, and the rate of hospitalizations, have both gone down.
A new survey of bankers in rural parts of Iowa and 9 other Plains and Western states suggests the economy remains weak in those areas due to the coronavirus outbreak. The overall economic index for the region more than doubled to 37.9 in June from May’s 12.5, but it remained at a weak level. Survey organizers say any score below 50 suggests a shrinking economy, while a score above 50 suggests a growing economy. Creighton University economist Ernie Goss said crop prices remain low, and more than one-third of the bankers surveyed expect that to be a significant challenge over the next year.
Police have arrested a Waterloo woman in connection with a February collision that left a bicyclist dead. Police on Thursday charged 26-year-old Frankie Mae Price with leaving the scene of a fatal accident after the Feb. 2 incident that killed 45-year-old Gerrick Terrell Stotser of Waterloo. Stotser was riding his bike just after 12:30 early that morning when he was struck by a vehicle that then drove away. About an hour later, Price called authorities and said she’d hit someone. An investigation found her car was damaged.
As the spring coronavirus outbreak runs its course in Iowa, Gov. Kim Reynolds noted yesterday that 21 long-term care centers are coming off an outbreak list. And state epidemiologist Dr. Caitlin Pedati told reporters public health officials will continue to monitor trends to address any spike proactively. Yesterday was the final state news briefing dedicated to COVID-19 developments.
More than 9,500 people filed first-time unemployment claims last week in Iowa, and the number of continuing claims still tops 150,000. The number of new claims was a little higher than last week but the number of continuing claims was down by about 3,500. The highest number of new claims came from workers employed in manufacturing.
A shooting during an overnight party in Cedar Rapids has left a 20-year-old man dead. Cedar Rapids police say officers were called just after 5 o’clock Thursday morning to a home, where a fight during a party resulted in gunshots. Officers who arrived found a man inside the home who had been shot in the upper body. The man was taken to a hospital, where he was pronounced dead. Police say the shooting happened amidst a large party.
Lucas Jones, the police officer involved in the 2016 shooting that left a Cedar Rapids man paralyzed, has been discharged from the Cedar Rapids Police Department for violating rules and policies of the department. The CRPD said in a statement that an investigation began in February of this year and that Jones has been on administrative leave since early May. Details on what exact rules he violated or what instance brought about the investigation were not released. Jones had come under scrutiny after the November 2016 shooting of Jerime Mitchell but a grand jury cleared him of any wrong doing.
Gov. Kim Reynolds says Iowa is recovering strongly from the coronavirus pandemic and that its economy is set to grow. Reynolds has named several business executives to a recovery advisory board that she says will help chart a course for an economic comeback. Reynolds also said she expects the board will set the foundation for the 2021 legislative agenda.
The Governor’s Feeding Iowa Task Force has partnered with the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship, Iowa State University and the Iowa Food Bank Association to provide beef products for food insecure individuals around the state. The effort is called “Beef Up Iowa” to address meat shortages due to COVID-19 and processing backlogs. It’s similar to the “Pass the Pork” effort that started last month. Iowa State University staff and students will process cattle from FFA and 4-H producers around the state who have had limited processing options. The meat will then be distributed to food pantries across the state to benefit food insecure individuals.
And as we are just two weeks away from Independence Day comes word that the Coralville fireworks show will be held, but with changes…including a new location that allows for social distancing, ample parking, easy access and visibility from a wide area. The show will be on Saturday, July 4th at the Coralville Youth Sports Complex starting at 9:45 p.m. Those attending will be asked to observe social distancing guidelines.
