*On the heels of the possibility of Congressman Randy Feenstra not running for reelection in Iowa’s 4th congressional district, a Republican from Northwest Iowa has launched an exploratory campaign to run for that seat.
Lynn Evans is a state senator from Cherokee County, who in a release announced he is assessing becoming a candidate. He describes himself as a common sense conservative, and said Washington is out of touch with people.
Evans is a former teacher and school district superintendent who is a state senator for District 3, which includes parts of five counties.
“Iowans deserve true conservative representation—someone who understands rural values, works hard, and puts people ahead of politics,” he said.
*Additionally, Governor Kim Reynolds is waiting for an answer from federal officials on a request that would restrict access to some foods through the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance program in Iowa.
If approved by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, SNAP participants would not be able to buy food products that are subject to state sales tax.
The list includes sugar sweetened beverages with less than 50 percent juice, candy, and some granola bars, as well as plants and seeds that can be grown for food.
Luke Elzinga is the board chairman of the Iowa Hunger Coalition. He says the state’s waiver request contributes to stigma around SNAP participation.
“I think what this gets at is this idea that our state government has that low-income Iowans cannot be trusted to make the best food choices for their family, and we just fundamentally disagree with that,” Elzinga said.
In the waiver request, Iowa officials say the state wants to refocus SNAP on what they call it's “designed intent” and to encourage participants to purchase healthier foods.
If approved, the modifications are expected to go into effect January 1st.
*In another request to federal officials, South Dakota US Senator Mike Rounds is again asking the Department of Interior to open a tribal law enforcement training center in the Great Plains.
Currently, prospective officers are sent to the Indian Police Academy in New Mexico for training. Rounds sent a letter to Interior Department Secretary Doug Burgum on Monday, saying sending people so far away in New Mexico “is a barrier to recruitment.”
Rounds told Burgum, who is a former governor of NOrth Dakota, that prospective officers are opting to work for non-tribal agencies.
This is the second time in two years that Rounds requested the Interior Department to open a location in the Great Plains.
*In other news, the City of Sioux City has partnered with Gilchrist Foundation and artist Jill Wells for an installation of a mural that will be along West Seventh Street near Wesley Parkway.
The mural will focus on music and the importance of being involved in the community. It will be the fourth mural installed within the West 7th area since 2021.
Work on the mural began on Saturday. While the mural is being completed, PBS will be on site to document the process.The mural is expected to be completed by July 2025.
*Additionally, two long standing nonprofit child care providers in Sioux City are now teaming up towards the goal of better serving Siouxland families.
Mary J. Treglia Community House Preschool and Mary Elizabeth Child Care & Preschool have formed the Mary Education Partnership, in recognition of that shared name in their two organizations.
The Mary Education Partnership is now taking students, and an official said Monday that they expect to get more students in the back-to-school season in late summer.
The arrangement, which is a partnership and not a merger, allows both to successfully serve more young children within the community. The two organizations are located within a few blocks of one another at 900 Jennings St. and 814 Court St.
The Mary Education Partnership provides programming for 2- to 5-year-olds, along with before- and after-school services for students in kindergarten through fifth grade. Preschool for 3- to 5-year-olds is offered at both locations, and child care for 2-year-olds and before- and after-school services are hosted by Mary Elizabeth.
