Author: Allison Jacobs

The Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship and the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) have detected a case of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (H5N1 HPAI) in a multi-species backyard flock in Washington County. This case is Iowa’s fifth detection of H5N1 HPAI in 2026.

About H5N1 HPAI in Birds

H5N1 HPAI is a viral disease that affects both wild and domestic bird populations. H5N1 HPAI can travel in wild birds without those birds appearing sick, but is often fatal to domestic bird populations, including chickens and turkeys.

Heightened Biosecurity 

The Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship is strongly encouraging Iowa poultry producers and backyard flock owners to continue bolstering their biosecurity practices and protocols to protect their flocks. The Department has numerous biosecurity resources to reference on its website.

Suspected Cases in Poultry 

If poultry producers or those with backyard birds suspect signs of H5N1 HPAI, they should contact their veterinarian immediately. Possible cases must also be reported to the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship at (515) 281-5305.

Clinical signs of H5N1 HPAI in birds may include:  

• Sudden increase in bird deaths without any clinical signs
• Lethargy and/or lack of energy and appetite
• Decrease in egg production
• Soft, thin-shelled and/or misshapen eggs
• Swelling of the head, eyelids, comb, wattles, and hocks
• Purple/blue discoloration of the wattles, comb, and legs
• Difficulty breathing
• Coughing, sneezing, and/or nasal discharge (runny nose)
• Stumbling and/or falling down
• Diarrhea

Food Safety 

It remains safe to enjoy eggs and poultry products. As a reminder, consumers should always properly handle and cook eggs and poultry products, including cooking to an internal temperature of 165˚F.

Wild and Migratory Birds

The Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) asks those who find 20 or more sick or dead wild birds in a small area to report their findings to local DNR Wildlife Management staff.

Public Health 

The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) continues to believe the threat to the general public remains low. Any questions related to public health should be directed to the Iowa Department of Health and Human Services.

List of Confirmed Cases

As H5N1 HPAI detections are confirmed by the National Veterinary Services Laboratory (NVSL) in Ames, those cases are added to tracking websites located on the USDA APHIS website.

On February 18^th, 2026, Dylan Earl Lumsden, age 49, was arrested without incident for Dissemination and Exhibition of Obscene Material to a Minor and Grooming. This arrest resulted after a 7-month long investigation by the Louisa County Sheriff’s Office. Lumsden was released on bond and is awaiting trial. The Louisa County Sheriff’s Office was assisted by the Des Moines County Sheriff’s Office.

A criminal charge is merely an accusation, and the defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

The deadline to become a candidate for the election of an Interim Henry County Attorney is fast approaching. Anyone wishing to run in the special election must submit their paperwork by Friday, March 6.

This paperwork consists of an Affidavit of Candidacy Form, and a Nomination Petition Form with 50 signatures from registered voters living in Henry County. These forms, available from the website of the Iowa Secretary of State, may also be acquired at the Henry County Auditor’s office, in the County Courthouse in Mt. Pleasant.

As it stands, only two candidates have registered: Abbie Liechty- a current assistant attorney and former general private practice attorney at Bell, Ort & Liechty Law Offices- and Becky Wilson- a lawyer for 10 years and a paralegal for 7. Anyone seeking to join the race will have to move fast.

AMES, Iowa – As winter lingers, many gardeners are looking for ways to get their hands dirty. Starting seeds indoors gives gardeners greater control over growing conditions, resulting in healthier, more resilient transplants.

“It’s fun to get a head start on the upcoming garden season by starting seedlings indoors,” said Aaron Steil, consumer horticulture specialist with Iowa State University Extension and Outreach.

To be successful, gardeners must provide the right conditions for seedlings to thrive and develop into stocky, resilient plants.

Time it right

Resist the urge to sow too early. Steil warns that seedlings started too soon often become lanky and transplant poorly. Check the seed packet for the recommended indoor growing period, then count backward from your frost‑free date to determine when to start.

In much of Iowa, planting of frost‑tender annuals and vegetables happens from late April to early May. Cool‑season crops that tolerate light frost can be planted a bit earlier, in early to mid-April, so they can be started indoors sooner. “It’s important to plan before you plant,” Steil noted.

Choose the right growing medium and containers

Start with a lightweight, porous and disease‑free seed‑starting mix. Steil recommends commercially prepared soilless germination mixes designed for seedlings. Sow seeds in flats, cell packs, peat pellets, soil blocks or repurposed containers. “What you use is up to you, as long as it is clean and has drainage holes,” he said.

Sow like a pro

Use new seeds packaged for the current season, as older seeds, especially those more than 2 or 3 years old, often germinate poorly. Seeds can be sown in rows in a flat or tray and carefully transplanted to individual containers when they develop true leaves. “This approach is good for small seeds or those with inconsistent germination rates,” said Steil. Alternatively, seeds can be sown directly into individual containers, sowing several seeds per pot and thinning them later. This approach is well-suited for larger seeds.

Check the seed packet for sowing depth. Many are planted 1/4 inch deep and can be placed on the soil surface and lightly covered to ensure they are at the right depth. Small, fine seeds or those that require light to germinate are planted at a depth of 1/8 inch or less. “For these seeds, place the seeds on the surface and gently press them into the germination medium to ensure good seed to soil contact,” advised Steil.

Provide the best growing conditions

After sowing, water from below by submerging the container until the medium is fully wet, then let it drain. This prevents the seeds from washing or dislodging.

“Warm soil temperatures promote better, faster germination,” Steil explained. “After emerging, the seedlings grow best in cooler temperatures around 65 F. This promotes stout, transplant‑ready plants.”

To maintain high humidity, cover the container with a clear dome or other covering, and water lightly only if the soil surface dries out. Remove the cover as soon as seeds germinate, and ensure good ventilation and air circulation to prevent damping‑off diseases.

After germination, provide 12–16 hours of bright light each day to prevent stretching or leaning. Even with a sunny window, seedlings often grow best under supplemental light. Keep them 6–12 inches above the plants and raise the grow lights as seedlings grow.

Care and prepare seedlings

When seedlings graduate from a germination tray to individual pots, transplant them into a well‑drained potting mix. Fertilize regularly with a 1/4‑strength water‑soluble all‑purpose fertilizer. This will help to produce stockier transplants, provided enough light is available. Keep the growing medium moist but not soggy, checking daily and watering thoroughly when the surface is dry to the touch.

About two weeks before planting day, harden seedlings by gradually introducing them to outdoor conditions. “Start by putting them outside on cloudy days or in a shaded location, then after a few days, move them into more light and exposure,” said Steil. This important step helps seedlings transition from the ideal conditions indoors to the bright sunlight, cool temperatures and windy conditions found outside.

For more information on starting seeds indoors, visit ISU Extension and Outreach Yard and Garden and related resources, including:

• How to Successfully Start Seed Indoors
• Guide to Starting Seed Indoors
• Germination Requirements for Annuals and Vegetables
• Growing Indoor Plants Under Supplemental Lights
• Yard and Garden: Iowa State University Extension and Outreach 

Shareable photo: seed starting

The Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship has detected two cases of the highly pathogenic avian influenza in flocks in Keokuk and Van Buren counties.

These flocks are categorized as multi-species backyard flocks. A spokesperson with IDALS said the Keokuk County flock had about 85 birds and the Van Buren County flock had about 45 birds.

These are the third and fourth HPAI outbreaks in Iowa in 2026. The previous two outbreaks were both in Kossuth County, one in a flock of chickens and game bird pheasants and the other at a mixed species game bird hatchery.

Iowa has not seen an outbreak of the H5N1 bird flu in a commercial bird flock since the beginning of December 2025, when it was detected in a Hamilton County commercial turkey flock of nearly 18,000 birds.

According to the USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, or APHIS, the ongoing outbreak of the virus has impacted more than 195 million birds since the outbreak began in February 2022.

IDALS, in a news release about the recent detections, urged producers to continue practicing heightened biosecurity measures like reducing exposure to wild animals and limiting the number of people visiting a facility, to help prevent the spread of the virus.

Producers should also seek veterinarian care if they notice sudden bird deaths, lethargy, swollen heads, decreased or thin-shelled egg production or any other symptoms of highly pathogenic avian influenza.

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention continues to rate the public health risk of HPAI as low as there is no known person-to-person spread.

Marshalltown police say they’ve made an arrest in connection to a deadly shooting over the weekend.

Allen Hart, 29, of Mount Pleasant, is charged with intimidation with a dangerous weapon, and two counts of reckless use of a firearm.

This comes after a shooting Sunday morning in the 100 block of North 11th Avenue in Marshalltown.

A criminal complaint says Hart shot several rounds into a home toward several victims.

One victim died and their identity has not been shared publicly.

Three others were taken to the hospital for injuries and have since been released.

Police said there is no indication that this was a random act.