Iowa Reports 25 Deaths Associated From Influenza
(Des Moines) — The Iowa Department of Public Health says 25 flu-related deaths have now been confirmed across the state. Deputy State Epidemiologist, Ann Garvey, says 11 of the flu deaths happened in the last week of January.
All but one of the flu victims had an underlying condition, and 19 of those who died were elderly residents who were 81 or older.
Doctor Garvey says you should put off visiting elderly friends and relatives if you have the flu.
Garvey says the flu isn’t the only illness that’s been hitting Iowans.
Iowa is not alone in seeing the flu numbers go up.
Garvey says the vaccine this year appears to be doing a good job.
The flu is a respiratory illness caused by viruses. Symptoms may include fever, headache, tiredness, cough, sore throat, nasal congestion, and body aches.
Illness typically lasts two to seven days, and often puts healthy people in bed for days. Flu deaths have been reported in all regions of Iowa. Here is a breakdown: Central (seven deaths); Northeast (four deaths); Northwest (two
deaths); Southwest (eight deaths); Southeast (one death); Eastern (three deaths).
Health Clinics Wonder About State- Run Family Planning Program
DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – As the Iowa Legislature rushes to pass a bill to remove funding for Planned Parenthood, some health clinics that could see an increase in patients say they haven’t heard anything about a new state-run family planning
program that could take effect within months.
The GOP-backed legislation flew through the Senate on Thursday and now moves to the House. The bill hinges on rejecting millions in federal Medicaid dollars in order to eliminate state funding for Planned Parenthood.
Republican lawmakers contend the new program will allow more rural health clinics to offer family planning services. However, representatives for some of those facilities say they’re not familiar with the state’s plans. While some clinics say they’re capable of helping more patients, they are confused about how
the new system would work.
Upmeyer Says Iowa House May Address Arbitration Rules
(Des Moines) — The speaker of the Iowa House says the changes she and her fellow Republicans will propose in Iowa’s collective bargaining law will likely mirror legislation that cleared the House in 2011. THAT bill would have eliminated layoff procedures from being part of union contracts, giving managers the authority to fire any worker, regardless of seniority. House Speaker Linda Upmeyer says it’s been 40 years since Iowa lawmakers have taken a “thoughtful look” at collective bargaining rights in Iowa.
The 2011 bill that cleared the Republican-led House also would have required state workers to pay more for the cost of their health care. THIS year, Governor Branstad has suggested a statewide health care pool for all union contracts, including contracts for local police and teachers. Upmeyer says Branstad “raised a good point” and that’s an “option” being discussed, but Upmeyer is indicating Republican legislators do NOT intend to make that move MANDATORY.
In addition, Upmeyer is suggesting the G-O-P will pursue changes in what arbitrators may consider when union representatives and management cannot agree.
Under current law, arbitrators must either choose the final offer from the state or the final offer from the union. Upmeyer says arbitrators do not take into account whether the state or local government can afford the contract.
Upmeyer says Republicans also want to give arbitrators the authority to compare public-sector wages with wages in the private sector when ruling on government employee contracts. Upmeyer made her comments Friday during taping of the “Iowa Press” program on Iowa Public Television. Unions protested the collective bargaining changes Upmeyer and other Republicans sought in 2011 and the bill was blocked by Democrats in the Iowa Senate. This year, though, Republicans are in total control of the legislative branch and the state’s Republican governor is receptive to these proposals. Unions in Iowa have already begun to lobby against changing Iowa’s collective bargaining law. During a January 5th news conference, a teacher from Cedar Rapids accused Republicans of targeting unions because organized labor has traditionally supported Democrats.
Iowa’s Income Level Shows Slight Increase
(Des Moines) — New data indicates Iowans, in general, are earning more income — but the growth rate is modest.
The Pew Charitable Trust released a “Fiscal 50” report on all the states, tracking a wide variety of data. The report shows Iowans’ personal income grew six-tenths of a percent in the past year. That’s about the national average. The report shows Iowa has a greater share of its population in the workforce than
most any other state. Nationally, about 78 percent of adults who’re under the age of 55 are working. In Iowa, 86 percent of the people in that “prime working age”
category ARE working. Like 32 other states, the Pew report found tax payments to the State of Iowa declined last year. However, the report found the State of Iowa has enough cash in reserve that the state could operate for 45 days on that cash reserve alone.
Dance Marathon Sets New Fundraising Record
IOWA CITY, Iowa (AP) – Marathon dancers have raised nearly $2.6 million for the University of Iowa Children’s Hospital.
The Iowa City Press-Enterprise reports (https://icp-c.com/2kEAcvI ) that the record topped the previous record of more than $2.4 million raised last year.
More than 2,300 dancers packed into the main lobby of the Iowa Memorial Union at the university campus in Iowa City. From 7 p.m. Friday until 7 p.m. Saturday, they gave up sleep, caffeine and the luxury of sitting down for 24 hours straight.
A Dance Marathon news release says each dancer raised at least $500 to participate. The money supports pediatric cancer patients at the hospital.
—
Train Derails Near Dubuque
DUBUQUE, Iowa (AP) – Canadian Pacific Railway says its rail line south of Dubuque is back in operation after a derailment.
The railroad says 26 cars from a 99-car train derailed around 6 a.m. Sunday about 10 miles from Dubuque. The derailment shook several nearby homes, but none was hit and no injuries were reported. At least eight of the cars already have
been put back on the tracks.
The Dubuque County Sheriff’s office says the train of empty sand cars was headed north when the derailment occurred. The cause of the accident is being investigated.
—
