The global pandemic slowed the economy…but a new survey of Iowa business leaders suggests optimism. More than 60 percent of those surveyed anticipated making capital expenditures in the third quarter. The COVID-19-related economic shutdown has made it difficult for businesses to expand or hire new workers. But the new quarterly survey of members of the Iowa Association of Business and Industry suggests optimism on that front. The new survey also shows optimism regarding projected sales, as well as capital expenditures, in the third quarter of this year. More with Mike Ralston, president of the Iowa Association of Business and Industry, on a future edition of the Iowa Business Report program, weekends on KXEL.
Data posted by public health officials Monday indicated 26,048 Iowans now test positive, an increase of 183 cases in the previous 24 hours. One additional person died, bringing the state total to 686 deaths.
The Floyd County Medical Center in Charles City says members of its staff have tested positive for COVID-19. The hospital did not identify how many positive tests there have been or when they happened.
Hawkeye Community College announced Monday it will resume in-person classes this fall with classroom modifications for social distancing and other safety measures. Classes will be delivered in a variety of options, including face-to-face, hybrid, and online. Delivery formats will vary by program to meet specific requirements. The fall semester will begin as planned on Monday, August 24, and will follow the originally scheduled academic calendar.
Normally, crowds would be gathering in Cedar Rapids for the annual Freedom Festival, a two-week celebration leading up to Independence Day. The event was not able to be held this year due to COVID-19, but a virtual version of the event is now underway, including the sale of the annual festival buttons for $5 each. That’s according to Karol Shepherd, events and marketing director of the Cedar Rapids Freedom Festival. Listen to the full conversation from yesterday’s KXEL Live & Local program by going to the podcast section of kxel-dot-com.
One of the men charged in the stabbing death of a man who was found buried at a Cedar Rapids home has entered pleas of guilty to lesser charges. 34-year-old Drew Wagner entered guilty pleas yesterday to voluntary manslaughter and four other charges in connection with the December 2018 death of Chris Bagley. Wagner originally was charged with first-degree murder. Bagley’s body was found buried at a home in southeast Cedar Rapids on March 1, 2019. A second suspect, Drew Blahnik, is awaiting trial on first-degree murder charges. Another man is charged with obstruction and abusing a corpse and a fourth man is serving a jail sentence on a connected drug case.
The Waterloo Bucks have announced that their 2020 season will begin on Wednesday, July 1 with their home season opener the next day. The season will be starting about six weeks later than scheduled; the revised schedule has Waterloo playing against five other teams in a Minnesota/Iowa pod. The season will now end August 20. Due to social distancing restrictions, seating capacities will be limited, and fans are encouraged to wear masks when not in their seats.
Incumbent U.S. Sen. Joni Ernst issued a statement Monday morning saying she wants to debate Democrat challenger Theresa Greenfield six times ahead of November’s general election. The Ernst campaign wants two debates each of three months starting in August. Greenfield’s campaign said that she looks forward to debates this fall, but did not specifically respond to whether or not they agreed to the six proposed by Ernst.
Former Vice President Joe Biden will be the keynote speaker at an Iowa Democratic Party fundraiser in July, party officials announced Monday. The party’s annual “Hall of Fame” dinner is scheduled for July 26 and will be held virtually due to pandemic concerns. Last year’s Hall of Fame event in downtown Cedar Rapids attracted 19 presidential candidates…but Biden was not one of them.
The University of Iowa announced Monday it has paused ticket sales for the 2020 football season. Only individuals who have renewed season tickets and completed per-seat contributions by June 30 will be included in potential Kinnick Stadium seating plans. Officials said new season tickets and all single-game ticket sales have been halted until a clearer picture of Kinnick Stadium capacity and social distancing requirements are determined. There is also a report that the Story County Board of Health may ask Iowa State University to not allow any fans at Cyclone football games this fall.
