Plymouth County Democrats to Protest Medicaid Cuts in Le Mars
Plymouth County Democrats will gather in Le Mars to next week to protest proposed cuts to the Medicaid program and support of rural hospitals on, The group’s Facebook says the protest is scheduled Tuesday, July 1st at 5:15 p.m. at Foster Park.
The U.S. House of Representatives has proposed cuts and changes to Medicaid. The changes include requirements for adults receiving Medicaid including those up to the age of 65, as well as the parents of children over age 10 for those children to receive medical insurance.
The protest will begin at 5:15 p.m. at Foster Park, Sixth Street and Central Avenue South, in Le Mars.
Drought Conditions Ease Across Iowa
The latest Drought Monitor shows continued improvement in the state following more rain.
The monitor shows 45 percent of the state has no drought conditions, that’s up from 31 percent last week. Just 20 percent of the state was without drought at the start of this year. Around nine percent of the state has moderate drought, down from around 12 percent.
The driest conditions are on the east and western edges of the state, with the southeast and south-central areas with the most counties with moderate or abnormally dry conditions. Nearly 55 percent of the state is listed as abnormally dry, which is down from nearly 69 percent last week. The data for the report is taken through Tuesday, and does not show the impact of the most recent rains.
Reminders about the Dangers of Lightning
Plenty of thunderstorms have rolled over Iowa lately and the experts at the National Weather Service are offering some reminders about the dangers of lightning.
Meteorologist Ashley Bury says it’s a wise move to stay “weather aware,” especially when potentially severe storms may be moving in. Bury says you should make sure that you have at least some way to keep an eye on radar, seeing if there’s any storms on the way, and if there are, make sure to find shelter.
In 2024, there were no reports of any lightning injuries in Iowa. Studies find there are about 25-million cloud-to-ground lightning strikes every year nationwide, while lightning kills an average of 51 people each year in the U-S. Bury says most Iowans have a weather app on their phones that will help them to stay vigilant.
Other tips include: Don’t use corded phones. Stay away from windows and doors. Don’t touch electrical equipment or cords. Avoid touching metal plumbing. Also, water inside a house is a good conductor of electricity, so don’t wash your hands or dishes, take a shower or bath, or do laundry, during a thunderstorm. The Weather Service says only about 10% of people who are struck by lightning die.
Pasture Walk July 10 at Hospers
Participants will learn how to get started in the cattle raising businss and manage grazing at Pasture Walk event July 10 at the Justin Boersma farm in Hospers.
ISU extension beef specialist Beth Doran said these events provide a hands-on learning experience where livestock producers can assess pasture health, exchange ideas, and discover innovative practices.
Participants will be out in a pasture, says Doran, where producers will have a chance to hear from specialists, but also to interact, and do some hands-on things.
Doran adds the Pasture Walk will also give producers a chance to connect with experts on how to finance their pasture improvements.
Participants in the pasture walk will aslo be able to learn about a new pasture and rangeland insurance plan that could help out when producers are not getting enough rainfall.
The pasture walk takes place July 10 at the Justin Boersma farm, 4347 390th St., in Hospers. Register by July 2 by calling Sioux County Extension at 712-737-4230 or emailing Beth Doran at doranb@iastate.edu. Participants should dress for the outdoors and bring a lawn chair.
There is no charge for the pasture walk thanks to support from ISU Extension and Outreach; the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service; and Soil and Water Conservation Districts in Lyon County, O’Brien County, Osceola County, and Sioux County.
Sioux City Area State Senator Dies After Battle with Cancer
Republican State Senator Rocky De Witt of Lawton has died of pancreatic cancer at the age of 66.
De Witt iworked for MidAmerican Energy for 22 years. He was elected to the Iowa Senate in 2022 after serving six years on the Woodbury County Board of Supervisors. De Witt served in Senate District 1, which covered most of northern Sioux City and Lawton in Woodbury County.
Governor Kim Reynolds says De Witt made a profound impact in the state legislature, all while heroically battling cancer. Senate Republican Leader Jack Whitver says De Witt was a passionate defender of constitutional rights who will be deeply missed by his colleagues.
De Witt’s last speech in the legislature was on April 15th — about a proposed constitutional amendment to require supermajority votes to pass income tax increases in the Iowa House and Senate.
