FEENSTRA AND HINSON DISCUSS BIRD FLU
Iowa Congresswoman Ashley Hinson and Congressman Randy Feenstra say they are working to help producers hit by the bird flu. Hinson, a Republican from Marion says it was the topic of a recent meeting of the Ag F-D-A Appropriations Committee. She says they talked with from U-S-D-A, APHIS, and animal research about what needs to be done to combat avian influenza. Hinson one issue is a pilot program that’s designed to help with stopping the critters that get into these facilities that help spread the disease. They also discussed helping producers with their losses. Republican Congressman Randy Feenstra of Hull says he recently talked with the new U-S Ag Secretary about the issue. He says they’ve lost 21 million birds over the last several months in western Iowa. They are looking at vaccines and solutions to try to mitigate this issue.
EPA LETS E15 BE SOLD IN MIDWEST THIS SUMMER
The Environmental Protection Agency has announced it will let a higher blend of ethanol be sold this summer in Iowa and seven other Midwestern states.
The sale of fuel with a 15 percent blend of ethanol has been prohibited nationwide in the summer due to concerns it could worsen smog levels. Bills have been introduced in congress to make the year-round sale of E-15 a permanent federal policy. E-P-A Administrator Lee Zeldin says in the absence of congressional action, the agency is considering emergency waivers. He announced late Friday that E-15 may be sold in the Midwest this summer. Iowa elected officials, farm groups and the ethanol industry praised the decision.
MIDWEST BANKERS PESSIMISTIC ABOUT ECONOMY, TRADE, AND TARIFFS
A monthly survey of bank C-E-Os in Iowa and nine other Midwestern states shows a dismal outlook. The Creighton University report shows the February score fell to 38 on a zero-to-100 scale, where 50 is growth neutral. Creighton Economics Professor Ernie Goss says the new numbers are reminiscent of the COVID-era, and he cites struggling commodity prices as one of the big reasons for the continuing slump. About 71-percent of bankers surveyed expect livestock ranchers to experience positive cash flow or net income in 2025, while nearly half expect grain farmers to experience negative cash flow. Goss says President Trump’s recently-announced tariffs on products from Canada and Mexico have bankers concerned. Only nine-percent of those surveyed expect positive outcomes from Trump’s tariffs. Another factor is continuing cases of high-path avian influenza in poultry in Iowa and other parts of the Midwest.
SITZMANN VOTES FOR SAFETY BILLS
Two bills affecting safety sensitive jobs and drug testing in Iowa businesses have passed out of the House Labor and Workforce Committee. Committee member Travis Sitzmann, whose district includes part of Plymouth County, favored the bills.
One bill allows businesses to make these determinations.
Another bill also loosens drug testing requirements for these positions. The bill passed out of committee, to the House floor.
CAR CRASH SUNDAY AFTERNOON
Le Mars Fire Rescue was called to an accident on Plymouth Street Sunday afternoon. A Facebook post says a vehicle had drifted off the road and caused a chain reaction accident which damaged a light pole, sheared a fire hydrant, and pushed a parked vehicle into a house. The accident occurred at the corner of Plymouth Street and 3rd Ave. SW. No one was hurt.
IEDA APPROVES SPORTS RELATED GRANTS
The Iowa Economic Development Authority board approved state funding for several sports-related projects Friday. I-E-D-A spokesperson Kanan (Cannon) Kappleman says the I-E-D-A board approved a Community Attraction and Tourism Grant for Cherokee County.
She says the money will help improve the use of the facility.
The facility is used for use all kinds of adult and youth shooting competitions.
UI CONSIDERS ABANDONING NATURE AREA
The University of Iowa is reviewing its lease on the MacBride Nature Recreation Area to determine whether it makes sense to keep the nature area for economic and educational purposes. Connie Mutel (mew-TELL), a retired U-I hydro science and engineering professor, says the area is valuable to thousands of K-through-12 students who participate in the university’s Wildlife Instruction and Leadership Development Program. Mutel says the area is also important for environmental research on things like climate change and loss of biodiversity. The Army Corps of Engineers has leased the land to the U-I since the 1960s. A ten-member committee started its review in September and is examining the area’s usage and maintenance. Campus members can provide input until March 14th. The review is to be complete by May 1st.
