ATHLETES ACCUSED OF SPORTS BETTING
The Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation confirms seven athletes from the University of Iowa and Iowa State University are facing sports gambling charges. The D-C-I says three current and one former Cyclone are charged — with the most prominent being starting quarterback Hunter Dekkers. Three from the U-I are charged, including former baseball player Gehrig Christansen, backup kicker Aaron Blom, and former basketball player Ahron Uhlis. All seven are charged with tampering with records related to the investigation. The D-C-I alleges that each tried to hide that they were using a sports betting account. They claimed the account belonged to someone else. The D-C-I says more charges may be filed as the investigation continues.
JULY ECONOMY
The monthly survey of supply managers in Iowa and eight other Midwestern states shows both the state and regional economies took big falls during July. Creighton University economist Ernie Goss says it’s a warning sign for the economy in the months ahead, as the overall Business Conditions Index indicates a significant slowdown is looming in the Midwestern manufacturing sector.
The index is measured on a zero-to-100 scale, with 50 being growth neutral. \
The survey shows the Midwest economy dropped from 50-point-8 in June to 46-point-1 in July, while Iowa’s economy fell much further, from 55-point-4 in June to 46-even in July.
Despite some recent optimism about the U-S economy’s overall performance, the survey shows the region’s supply managers estimate there’s almost a 50-50 chance of a recession in the second half of this year.
Goss expects what he’s calling “a rolling recession” to impact certain sectors of the economy, especially commercial real estate and manufacturing.
The overall index for the region was the lowest overall reading since the beginning of the pandemic in May of 2020, he says. Only about one in five supply managers reported job gains in July as it remains challenging to find and hire qualified workers due to low unemployment rates and what Goss calls “labor hoarding.”
The Creighton survey shows the impact of inflation is continuing to lessen. The July survey recorded its lowest inflation gauge reading since December of 2022. Still, Goss says the supply managers they surveyed expect wholesale prices to rise by nearly five-percent over the next 12 months.
Another key area to watch is the real estate market. While new home sales are growing dramatically, he says existing home sales are not good and prices are falling.
According to data from the U.S. International Trade Association, Iowa exports expanded by 7.5% in the first five months of this year compared to last year, while the state’s leading export, machinery manufacturing, expanded by more than 34% from 2022 to 2023.
DENSE FOG ADVISORY THIS MORNING
A Dense Fog Advisory is in effect this morning until 10 am, for the KLEM listening area. The National Weather Service in Sioux Falls says visibilities of one mile or less will be common. This advisory extends into all of northwest Iowa, and adjacent portions of Nebraska, South Dakota, and Minnesota. If driving this morning, you are urged to slow down, use your headlights, and leave plenty of distance ahead of you.
K-9 TRIALS
Le Mars will host a police and sheriffs K9 event next week. Le Mars PD Chief Kevin Vande Vegte says the USPCA Regional K9 Handler Trials are part competition, part certification for the K9s and their handlers.
Teams will come from all over the Midwest
The dogs are of a variety of ages
Teams of handlers and K9s will take part in three categories of competition next week: Obedience, Box Searches, and Apprehension
Vande Vegte encourages people to observe the events at the two sites: Le Mars high school practice football field, and Rejoice Church, but there are some precautions to observe, so as not to distract the teams.
It was a big effort to organize the K9 Handler Trials, on the part of the Police Department and Sheriffs Office and the community..
SPECIALTY CLINICS OPEN
The new specialty clinics area at Floyd Valley Healthcare is now open. CEO Dustin Wright says construction is complete on the lower level of the new addition.
There is now direct access to the clinics.
Specialty clinics at Floyd Valley Healthcare now have room to expand.
Wright says it will take a little time to get used to the new layout.
Some familiarity has been built into the expansion.
Construction on the physical therapy department upstairs should be ready by fall. The remodeling of the current physical therapy department will be finished early next year
IOWA NATIONAL GUARD SOLDIERS SENT TO TEXAS
More than 100 Iowa National Guard soldiers are on their way to Texas to provide security at the southern border Governor Kim Reynolds has announced 109 Iowa National Guard soldiers will be in Texas until September 1. She said their mission is to deter illegal border crossings and prevent Mexican cartels from getting drugs across the border. Reynolds plans to send Iowa State Patrol officers to Texas on August 31st for a month. They will work alongside Texas law enforcement officers, but she has not revealed how many state troopers will be going.
ORGAN DONATION SYSTEM MISMANAGED
Iowa Senator Chuck Grassley is applauding legislation that’s passed the House and Senate which aims to break up the monopoly that controls how donated organs are delivered — or not delivered — to people who desperately need transplants. Grassley says one non-profit group, the United Network for Organ Sharing, has cornered the market since the 1980s, determining how hearts, lungs, livers and other vital organs are harvested and used. The system has led to “mismanagement” according to Grassley, and 200-thousand deaths. Under the bill, which President Biden is expected to sign, the federal Health Resources and Services Administration will step in and allow other non-profits and for-profit groups to bid on taking over parts of the system to break the monopoly.
ATHLETES FACE SPORTS GAMBLING CHARGES
The Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation confirms seven athletes from the University of Iowa and Iowa State University are facing sports gambling charges. The D-C-I says three current and one former Cyclone are charged — with the most prominent being starting quarterback Hunter Dekkers. Three from the U-I are charged, including former baseball player Gehrig Christansen, backup kicker Aaron Blom, and former basketball player Ahron Uhlis. All seven are charged with tampering with records related to the investigation, as the D-C-I alleges that each tried to hide they were using a sports betting account by claiming the account belonged to someone else. The D-C-I says more charges may be filed as the investigation continues.
