Latest news with #NationalBalloonMuseum
Yahoo
07-04-2025
- General
- Yahoo
National Balloon Museum makes progress one-year after fire
INDIANOLA, Iowa — One year after a fire delayed the grand reopening of the National Balloon Museum, its staff is planning for a new opening day. Last year, the Indianola museum was undergoing renovations and planned to reopen on April 6, 2024. However, an electrical fire just one week before set the timeline back. The museum's operations manager, Kendra Minks, said that while the fire started in an outlet close to the entrance of the museum, the smoke ruined everything that was inside. Over the last year, they stripped the building down to its studs and rebuilt, according to Minks. The museum will still follow the same layout they planned to have last year, a timeline that will take the public through the history of hot air ballooning. Renaissance Faire returns to Ames next weekend The stained glass window was one of the only things that was saved in the fire, which Minks said they're grateful for because the artist who created it has since passed away. A local artist repainted a mural at the museum's entrance, which was ruined in the fire. They still need to finish the flooring before they can redecorate. The total cost of restoration so far is just shy of $2 million. Minks said most of the restoration efforts came through insurance. The community is also helping play a role in restoring the museum. Donations from the public will be used to purchase new artifacts and display items. All the artifacts that were in the museum during the fire are currently in Michigan being restored, cleaned, and assessed. Minks said they're not sure yet how many of these artifacts will be back on display. 'We aren't totally for sure yet what everything will look like, how it will look. We'll know all that once everything returns from Michigan, and we have a chance to just look at it, feel it, touch it, and just get a feel for the condition that it's in,' said Minks. When construction finishes inside, Minks said they will return the artifacts and decide what can stay on display. Other items will be returned to the folks who donated them. West African village drumming brings dozens to Waukee library A poker tournament and silent auction in October helped the museum raise $5,000. People outside of Iowa are also helping. The Winker Family donated $250,000 to the museum in October. 'We were not expecting it. So, it was a complete surprise, and we were just astounded at the generosity of the Winker family and appreciate everything that they have donated,' said Minks. Staff is tentatively planning to reopen The National Balloon Museum in time for the National Ballon Classic this year, which starts on July 25. Community members can still donate to the museum to help purchase new artifacts. National Balloon Museum makes progress one-year after fire Work ahead for Iowa lawmakers after second funnel week narrows focus Forecast: Raindrops and warmth ahead Families experiencing child loss gather for Walk With You Gala DSM service members watch USS Iowa submarine commissioning Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
07-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Work ahead for Iowa lawmakers after second funnel week narrows focus
DES MOINES, Iowa — The second funnel week of the 91st Iowa General Assembly was a little less eventful than the first, but some major bills have been kept alive. Gov. Kim Reynolds' bill to have a statewide phone ban policy in schools remains actionable, as well as a bill requiring 80 hours of work a month for those able to receive Medicaid. A bill relating to the use of eminent domain around carbon pipelines is also still alive in the Iowa Senate, but the final language will be the breaking point. Republican Speaker of the House Sen. Pat Grassley said, 'Our ultimate objective is going to be protecting landowners and if we don't feel that we're giving those proper protections to landowners, it's going to be really hard to come to any level of agreement, I think.' 'I think it's… we're at a point where we have some language that we can all agree on. I think…you know as well as I do that to advance a bill you have to have 26 votes. So, we've gotten to a point where we have 26 people willing to step up and advance some property rights,' said Republican Senate President Amy Sinclair. Homewi$e: Who is on your home buying team? Some bills killed by last week's deadline include liability protections for pesticide manufacturers in the state, pay increases for the governor and state lawmakers, and some language surrounding diversity, equity and inclusion offices at private schools. The DEI topic, in general, remains alive with one bill out of the Senate advancing. Democratic leadership is frustrated no party priorities advanced that they say would help Iowans. House Minority Leader Jennifer Konfrst said, 'We're disappointed, broadly, that there's been nothing done to help everyday Iowans' pockets. I mean, I can just say the legislation we put forward to lower childcare costs, to lower housing, to ensure that Iowans get a property tax rebate. They could still do that if they like, we've got a plan ready to go. 'There are states where they actually require that every bill gets a subcommittee at least. I would love to see that happen here so that we can at least get a hearing and have, so that Iowans that elected us can understand what the alternatives are even if they don't move forward from that,' said Senate Minority Leader Janice Weiner. May 2nd is the 110th day of the session and when it is scheduled to end. The massive property tax bill still has a lot of work to actually reach the finish line this year, and it's something that leadership says could bleed into the next legislative session. National Balloon Museum makes progress one-year after fire Work ahead for Iowa lawmakers after second funnel week narrows focus Forecast: Raindrops and warmth ahead Families experiencing child loss gather for Walk With You Gala DSM service members watch USS Iowa submarine commissioning Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
