Latest news with #NorthwestIowa
Yahoo
15-07-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
‘I think we've got set up for a really decent crop,' Ideal weather excites Siouxland farmers during the growing season
SIOUX CITY, Iowa (KCAU) — With the growing season in full swing, farmers are continuing to work hard to ensure a great crop yield this fall, and according to experts, recent weather is setting them up for quality crops. Cooler temperatures and good rainfall have been a blessing for farmers. 'Our crops are actually doing extremely well in this area, Western Plymouth County,' said Randy Kroksh, a Plymouth County farmer. 'We've dealt with some really difficult growing seasons for the past handful of years, and compared to that, things are looking really nice right now,' said Leah Ten Napel, the Northwest Iowa field agronomist with Iowa State University Extension and Outreach Program. According to the U.S. Drought Monitor, portions of Northwest Iowa are abnormally dry, a significant improvement from the moderate to severe drought conditions from early spring. 'So we've been really spaced out with the rainfall, we haven't had crazy warm conditions for long periods of time, so especially critical right now during pollination. Now we have slightly cooler temperatures so that the crops are not stressed during this time,' said Ten Napel. Story continues below Top Story: 185th Air Refueling hosts surprise birthday party for 100-year-old veteran Lights & Sirens: Sioux City woman found guilty of killing grandmother Sports: Ras Vanderloo announces retirement after 14 seasons as head coach of Sioux City East boys basketball Weather: Get the latest weather forecast here 'I mean, the month of June we had over six inches of rain, and right now at this point in July, we're over four inches of rain. Ten inches of rain in six weeks, that's pretty good,' said Kroksh. On top of cool temps and spaced-out rainfall, insects haven't been a problem for farmers so far this year. 'Right now, those pressures are fairly low, but I still really encourage people to be out in scouting because those can pick up at any time, really,' said Ten Napel. 'Had some aphids, of course, in the alfalfa, so we've had to spray after our first cut in Alfalfa, and I'll spray again here for a second cutting. But as far as corn, we'll be doing some scouting for a gray leaf spot, tar. As soybeans, we're looking for some aphids at this point in time and some spider mites and other stuff like that,' said Kroksh. While there's still a couple of months until harvest, Kroksh said he's hopeful for a good yield. 'I think we've got set up for a really decent crop, but there's a lot of things that can happen from now until the first of October, so with God by our side and stuff, you know, a little prayer and stuff we'll kind of keep the diseases and insects and that kind of stuff away and hopefully get a decent crop,' said Kroksh. Randy wants to emphasize that farmers will still need plenty of rain until harvest season for a good yield. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
09-07-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Republican state Sen. Lynn Evans drops bid for Iowa's 4th Congressional District
Republican State Sen. Lynn Evans has dropped out of the race for Iowa's 4th Congressional District. Evans, of Aurelia, launched an exploratory committee on May 17 as he considered a congressional bid. He announced Wednesday, July 9, that he would instead seek reelection to the Iowa Senate in 2026. "After visiting with hundreds of Iowans over the past six weeks, and much self-reflection, my passion remains with our work in the Iowa Senate and at the Capitol in Des Moines," Evans said in a news release. "I remain grateful for this opportunity given to me by my constituents. I intend to earn their continued support between now and next November." Evans' announcement comes the same week that Iowa House Majority Leader Matt Windschitl, R-Missouri Valley, announced he would seek the Republican nomination in the 4th District. Siouxland Chamber of Commerce President Chris McGowan announced his campaign in late June. Iowa's 4th Congressional District is the most conservative of Iowa's four congressional districts, spanning 36 counties in northwestern Iowa and along the full western edge of the state. The seat is expected to be open in 2026 after incumbent Republican U.S. Rep. Randy Feenstra filed paperwork May 12 to form an exploratory committee to run for governor. Evans was elected to the Iowa Senate in 2022, representing Senate District 3, which includes Buena Vista, Osceola and O'Brien counties and portions of Cherokee and Clay counties. He chairs the Senate Education Committee. Evans touted the work he has done in the Iowa Senate on education issues, restricting abortion, cutting taxes, passing "fiscally responsible budgets" and limiting eminent domain use. "This work will continue over the next few years, and I remain as committed to this work as I have been since entering the Iowa Senate in 2022," he said. Democrat Ryan Melton, who ran against Feenstra in 2022 and 2026, had announced he would run again in 2026. But he suspended his campaign in June, citing changes to his health and employment status. Democrat Ashley WolfTornabane announced her campaign on July 4. Stephen Gruber-Miller covers the Iowa Statehouse and politics for the Register. He can be reached by email at sgrubermil@ or by phone at 515-284-8169. Follow him on X at @sgrubermiller. This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: GOP Sen. Lynn Evans won't run for Iowa's 4th Congressional District
Yahoo
18-06-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Ryan Melton suspends campaign for Iowa 4th Congressional District
Ryan Melton announced Tuesday he is suspending his campaign for the 4th Congressional District seat in Iowa. (Photo by Robin Opsahl/Iowa Capital Dispatch) Ryan Melton, a Democratic candidate for Iowa's 4th Congressional District who ran in 2022 and 2024, has suspended his campaign due to personal matters, including his job and family. Melton announced the suspension on social media Tuesday, saying it was one of the 'toughest decisions' he's ever made. 'It was an honor to fight the good fight on your behalf, and I will continue to, just in different ways,' Melton said in his post. 'It's the biggest sacrifice I've ever made for the greater good, but I don't regret a single minute, and am proud of the fact that the party out here in the 4th is in a much better place now than it was when I first began running.' SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX Reasons he gave for stepping out of the race included recently losing his job at Nationwide Insurance due to company reorganization and the need to find a new job to support his family, as well as dealing with a health concern. He added he wants to stay home for his wife and 6-year-old son. Incumbent U.S. Rep. Randy Feenstra, who won elections against Melton for the district in 2022 and 2024, has launched an exploratory committee for a possible gubernatorial run in Iowa. Sen. Lynn Evans, R-Aurelia, has made a similar move for the 4th Congressional District. The district spans much of northwest Iowa and includes Ames, Council Bluffs and Sioux City. Between his two campaigns, Melton said in his post his vote shares across the district's 36 counties either stayed steady or grew, a fact he is proud of achieving as someone with a full-time job, family and no funding from political action committees representing corporate interests. Melton said in his post he's been happy to hear from first-time political candidates from across the state who have reached out, and said he'll be rooting for them. He also encouraged everyday people to run for office, even if they don't know how everything works or don't have the funds or industry support to get their name out there right away. 'We need more working people that struggle every day along with most Americans to run for every office, and I'll always make time for you if you want to call me to inquire,' Melton said in his post. 'Also, even if you are in a district that may seem unwinnable on Election Day, run anyway, because if you tell the truth and run as a sacrifice for the greater good, you'll find so many wins out there.' Travis Terrell, a Democrat running in Iowa's 1st Congressional District, said in a social media post Melton was one of the first people he called — and one of the few who responded — when launching his campaign. Melton made 'an extremely powerful point' in his announcement that more working people need to get out and run for office. 'We need working class voices to fight, let's be honest, the rich and powerful are not going to save us when they're the one's holding us down,' Terrell said in his post. 'It takes real people to power real change. Thank you Ryan.' SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE
Wall Street Journal
28-05-2025
- Business
- Wall Street Journal
The Estate Tax Wrecks U.S. Farms
Jolene Riessen's children may lose the farm if Congress doesn't extend the Trump tax cuts. Ms. Riessen, 64, is a widow. She plans to leave her Northwest Iowa farm to her two sons, who are in their 30s. Ms. Riessen estimates the value of her farmland and equipment—including four tractors, two combines and a planter—at $14 million to $19 million. The 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act raised the federal estate-tax exemption from about $5.5 million to $11 million, and inflation adjustments have brought it up to nearly $14 million. But the increase was temporary and, unless it's renewed, will revert next January to the pre-2017 level indexed to inflation, or about $7 million. The tax bill passed by the House would set the exemption at $15 million—permanently and with annual adjustments for inflation.
Yahoo
27-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Northwest Iowa schools receive STEM grants
SIOUX CITY, Iowa (KCAU) — A couple of northwest Iowa school districts received grants from the Iowa Governor's STEM Advisory Council and the State Department of Education to expand career-connected opportunities for students this summer. Storm Lake and Harlan Community School District were awarded up to $20,000 each. Students ranging in grades 4th through 12th in Storm Lake can take part in innovative work-based learning courses. Harlan students can participate in multiple career exploration sessions and an in-depth experience highlighting STEM, depending on the grade level they're in. State officials say a total of more than $200,000 was awarded to 12 STEM BEST Program model partner schools. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
