Governor Reynolds Reflects on 2025 Legislative Session Achievements

By Hayden Douglas · Monday, May 19th, 2025 at 8:38 am CDT

Governor Kim Reynolds praised the 2025 legislative session as a success, highlighting sweeping accomplishments in healthcare, education, and tax reform.

“I’m proud of the work we did this session to expand on the strong foundation we’ve built,” Reynolds said, citing efforts to boost rural and maternal healthcare, create 460 new medical residency slots, and establish Iowa’s first paid parental leave program for state employees.

Education reforms focused on raising civics and math proficiency while limiting cell phone use during class. Tax cuts remained a priority, with a major reduction in unemployment insurance taxes projected to save businesses nearly $1 billion over five years.

Reynolds defended the state’s fiscal strategy, clarifying that the much-discussed “deficit” is actually an intentional return of surplus funds to taxpayers. “That’s what the Taxpayer Relief Fund is for,” she said, noting the fund’s $3.75 billion balance.

Looking ahead, Reynolds said her administration will continue targeting property tax relief and streamlining state government, with $250 million already saved through alignment initiatives.

Key bills passed this session include:

  • HF 972: Rural healthcare investment
  • HF 782: Cell phone-free school policies
  • SF 647: Cancer research funding
  • HF 889: Paid parental leave for state employees
  • SF 22: Hands-free driving law
  • SF 615: Medicaid work requirements

Governor Reynolds concluded, “We’ll keep making smart, responsible investments while ensuring Iowans keep more of what they earn.”

Joyce Ann Mueller Westerbeck

By Hayden Douglas · Monday, May 19th, 2025 at 7:50 am CDT

Joyce Ann Mueller Westerbeck, 75, of New London, died Thursday, May 15, 2025 at the University of Iowa Hospital in Iowa City.  She was born April 21, 1950 Ft. Madison to James Eugene and Lila Lee Coleman Mueller.  She married Rex McCreight, they divorced. She then married Richard Gill, they divorced.  On May 16, 1986 she married Michael Allen Westerbeck and they were married for nearly thirty nine years when he died April 10, 2025.

She attended Mt. Pleasant High School.  Joyce was in dietary management for most of her life.   She was dietary manager at Arbor Court for many years and most recently in the dietary department at Silver Palms in Mt. Pleasant.  She was a member of New London Christian Church where she taught Sunday School and was very involved in the church. She volunteered for the “Big Sister” program in Mt. Pleasant.  Joyce embroidered a baby blanket for every new baby in the family; loved time spent with all of her children and grandchildren and enjoyed attending their events.

Survivors include her children Sandra Lynn (Kip) Esbaum of Lowden, Iowa, Patricia Jo Gill-Jones of New London and Travis Eugene (Amy) Gill of Salem; step-daughters Melissa Anne (Chris) Anderson and Jennifer Jayne (Damon) Loyd both of New London;  seven grandchildren, Samuel (Alexis) Loyd, Layney (Judah) Cooper, Gaige (Maureen) Gill, Claire Jones, Laettner (Jalen) Esbaum, Elle (Mathew Meline) Esbaum, Pavin Esbaum; two great-grandchildren, Mac and Mara Gill; brothers Jim Jr (Debbie) Mueller and Tommy (Cynthia) Mueller, both of Mt. Pleasant; sisters Sharrie Ryan of Keokuk, Vicki (Arnie) Anderson of New London, Cindy (Greg) Riley of Mt. Pleasant, Terri (Gene) Husky of Independence and Debbie (Rick) Nichols of Mt. Pleasant; and many nieces and nephews.  Besides her husband, Michael and parents, she was preceded in death by her brother Billy Mueller and grandson Logan Esbaum.

A memorial service will be held at 11:00 am, Tuesday, June 3, 2025 at New London Christian Church with Pastors Rod and Nathan Cooper officiating.  Family will greet friends beginning at 9:00 until the time of the service.  Inurnment at Burge Cemetery, New London, will be held at a later date.  A memorial has been established for the Children’s Ministry at New London Christian Church.  Elliott Chapel, New London, is assisting the family and online condolences may be left at www.elliottfuneralchapel.com.

Sports, May 19th

By Slaten Swords · Monday, May 19th, 2025 at 6:27 am CDT

High School Track

The State Track and Field meet is scheduled to start on Thursday, May 22nd, and run through Saturday, May 24th. KILJ will be keeping track of 16 local teams, providing updates and results throughout the three-day event. For a full list of our local state qualifiers, follow this link: Full List of State Qualifiers

High School Tennis

The Mt. Pleasant boys’ team took on Grinnell at Kennedy High School this past weekend for the team substate tournament and fell to the Tigers 5-3. Dane Cook dominated his singles match, while Lou Schimmelpfennig snuck out with a win by tiebreaker in his singles showdown, 10-5. Schimmelpfennig would team up with Sawyer Fulton to win their doubles match 6-2 in set one and 6-0 in set two. The Panthers ended the season with a 6-4 record. 

The Fairfield boys’ team cruised past Centerville 5-0 in the opening round of the Substate 8 tournament before dropping just one game to Clarke Community to advance to the Substate championship. The Trojans will square off against Pella on Wednesday, May 21st, on the road. 

The Fairfield girls’ team will take on Central DeWitt in the Regional semifinals tomorrow, May 20th, at Xavier High School. 

High School Golf

The boys’ Class 1A District meet for Winfield-Mt. Union, Wapello, Holy Trinity Catholic, and Danville’s Alex Holtkamp and Graylon Walker will take place at Heritage Oaks in Wapello today. 

The boys’ Class 2A District Meet for Mediapolis and Central Lee will take place in Pella today. 

The boys’ Class 3A District meet featuring Washington will be hosted by West Delaware today at Pin Oak Links. 

The girls’ Region 5 final will take place at Little Bear Country Club in Midland on Wednesday, May 21st, with Wapello, Columbus, and New London competing as teams and Elizabeth Griffin of Holy Trinity Catholic and Kellee Milks of Winfield-Mt. Union participating as individuals.

The Mt. Pleasant and Fairfield girls’ teams will compete in the Class 3A Regional on Wednesday at Edmundson Golf Course. 

High School Soccer

The boys’ SEISC championship lived up to its billing as Mediapolis and #6 Burlington Notre Dame faced off for the title for the third consecutive season. The scoring began in the first half as the Bulldogs, defending their back-to-back conference championships, had Carl Hines net the first goal of the morning. 

However, the Nikes would take advantage of an own goal as Jayden Nanthan pushed the squad ahead 2 to 1 in the second half. Lance Ludens would tie the game for Mediapolis, and momentum seemed to favor the Bulldogs after Notre Dame goalkeeper Taylor Lundgren was hit with a red card for handling a ball outside the box, ushering in the backup John Paul Hill and leaving the team a man down. Yet, Hill made some key saves leading to a 3-2 win for Notre Dame in penalty kicks. It is the Nikes’ first SEISC championship since 2022. 

The Central Lee girls’ team will start Regional play today on the road against Fairfield at 5 pm.

The Wapello girls’ team will face off against Mid-Prairie in the Class 1A Region 3 first round at 5 pm today.

The Mt. Pleasant girls’ team had their matchup against Ottumwa tonight canceled. 

The WACO boys’ team will take on Danville on the road in the Class 1A Substate 5 first round at 7 pm tomorrow, May 20th.

The Central Lee boys team will take on Sigourney Keota tomorrow at 7 pm at home with the winner advancing to play Mediapolis.

The Wapello boys’ team will take on Central DeWitt on the road tomorrow at 7 pm in the Class 2A Substate 5 bracket.

The #6 Burlington Notre Dame boys’ team earned a bye and will host either Assumption or Solon at 7 pm on May 27th.  

The Fairfield boys’ team will compete against Centerville in the Class 2A Substate 6 opening round at 7 pm at home tomorrow. Mt. Pleasant awaits the winner.

The Mediapolis girls’ team will face off against Columbus/Winfield-Mt. Union on Wednesday, May 21st, at 7 pm at home for postseason play.

The Burlington Notre Dame girls’ team will start their postseason journey on Friday, May 23rd, on the road against Clear Creek Amana at 7 pm.

High School Baseball

West Burlington is scheduled to start the season tonight against Wapello with first pitch at 5:30 pm at home.

Fairfield will hit the road to take on Grinnell tonight at 5 pm.

Mediapolis will face off against Cardinal tonight at 5:30 pm on the road.

Central Lee will travel to Burlington tomorrow, May 20th, at 7 pm.

Mt. Pleasant will make the trip to Grinnell on Wednesday, May 21st, at 7:30 pm.

This Day in Sports History

1912 – AL President Ban Johnson tells Tigers if they continue protest of Ty Cobb’s suspension, they will be banned from baseball.

1974 – Stanley Cup Final, The Spectrum, Philadelphia, PA: Goaltender Bernie Parent and the Flyers shut out the Boston Bruins, 1-0, to win the series 4-2, becoming the first “expansion” team to win Stanley Cup; Parent named playoff MVP.

1991 – Willy T. Ribbs overcomes numerous mechanical problems in qualifying to become first African-American driver to make the Indianapolis 500 starting grid.

Ed J. Blindt

By Hayden Douglas · Sunday, May 18th, 2025 at 8:06 pm CDT

Ed J. Blindt Sr., 99, of The Birkwood Village formerly of West Point, passed away at 12:34 p.m.  Saturday May 17, 2025 at Southeast Iowa Regional Medical Center in West Burlington.

He was born January 20, 1926 in Fort Madison, Iowa, the son of Harry and Ida (Krittenbrink) Blindt. On December 27, 1947 he married Vera Jane Martin. She preceded him in death November 2, 1992. On December 29, 1993 he married Anita Freesmeier.

Ed graduated from St. Mary’s High School in West Point and was a Navy veteran of WWII serving in the South Pacific. He was a member of the American Legion and the Honor Guard for Post #668 of West Point. He owned and operated Ed’s Auto Repair in West Point for 38 years. He enjoyed hunting, collecting antiques, wood working, wine making and spending time with his family and friends.

Survivors include his wife Anita; son Edward J. (Kathy) Blindt Jr. of West Point; Daughters: Debbie Blindt of Fort Madison and Linda (Tom) Mann of Monmouth, Illinois;  four step children Lois (Kevin) Long of La Porte City, Lori (Peter) Rothstein of New York, New York, Brad (Julie) Freesmeier of West Point, Joe (Cathy) Freesmeier of St. Mary’s Point, Minnesota; one sister LaVerne (Tom) Barlett of Green Valley, Arizona; sisters-in-law Margie, Kathy, and Bertha Blindt. Also surviving are several nieces and nephews; eight grandchildren; seventeen great grandchildren; eleven step grandchildren; and fifteen step great grandchildren.

Ed is proceeded in death by his parents, wife Vera, five brothers: Adrian, Roland, Delbert, Richard, and Kenneth; two sisters-in-law: Francis and Mary Lou.

A visitation will be held from 12:00 noon to 6:00 p.m. Monday, May 19, 2025 at Schmitz Funeral Home in West Point, where the family will receive friends from 3:30 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. A parish rosary will be recited at 4:00 p.m. and a Christian Wake Service at 6:00 p.m.

A Funeral service will be held at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, May 20, 2025 at St Mary of the Assumption Catholic Church with Father Dan Dorau as Celebrant.

Burial with full military rites by the West Point American Legion Holtz Gears Post #668, will be in Calvary Cemetery in West Point.

In lieu of flowers the family has requested memorials to The West Point American Legion or Calvary Cemetery.

Schmitz Funeral Home of West Point is assisting the family with arrangements. Online condolences may be made to the family at www.schmitzfuneralhomes.com.

May 19, 2025 – May 25, 2025

By Allison Jacobs · Sunday, May 18th, 2025 at 1:41 pm CDT
05/19/25
Mark Burns
05/19/25
Savannah Slobodnik (18th)
05/20/25
Avery Barton
05/20/25
Katie Detrick
05/20/25
Marilyn Ridinger
05/20/25
Lisa Carrasco
05/20/25
Jim & Connie Beatty *Anniversary
05/20/25
Chuck & Sherry Rila - *35th Anniversary - belated from 5/19
05/21/25
Carla McNamee
5/21/25
Graham Hultman
05/21/25
Sheryl Dorn
05/21/25
Benny Lee
05/21/25
Cindy & Brian Smith *Anniversary
05/21/25
Don & Carolyn Hagge - 65th Anniversary!!
05/21/25
Terry and Cindy McWilliams
05/22/25
Maggie Fitzpatrick
05/22/25
Doug Smith
05/22/25
Mabel Goettsche
05/22/25
William Kinney
05/22/25
Sadie Pace
05/22/25
Elijah McGohan
05/23/25
Jeryn Rich
05/23/25
Carl Moehlman
05/23/25
Trudy Rich
05/23/25
Bill and Pam Vantiger - 44th anniversary!
05/24/25
Ann Sartorius
05/24/25
Greg & Lisa Hill *Anniversary
05/24/25
Rick & Jan Williamson *Anniversary
05/24/25
Luann and Eric Martin *Anniversary
05/25/25
Robert Kinney
05/25/25
Phyllis Overton
05/25/25
Garrett and Elliott Cook 20 years! (twins)
05/25/25
James & Susan Haffarnan *Anniversary

Dear Senate District 48, Session Wrap Up from Mark Lofgren

By Hayden Douglas · Sunday, May 18th, 2025 at 8:53 am CDT
Dear Senate District 48,
– Session Wrap Up –

Final Week of the 91st General Assembly

Session Concludes

This week took us two weeks beyond our expected finish date of May 2nd, but I can now report that we have finished our work in Des Moines for the year. The week included some heated debate and some very long days, but I am happy to now be back home in the district to complete interim work as it comes my way and visit with district constituents on issues for next year’s session. I am also looking forward to focusing some attention on my real estate business and spending some quality time with my family.

2025 Session Recap

This year, we passed bills addressing a number of the concerns of Iowans regarding issues in public safety, health care, education, and property rights. One of the first bills sent to the governor’s desk was the “hands free bill” banning the use of cellphones while driving to better protect drivers on the road. We also banned citizen review boards in Iowa, ensuring due process for law enforcement, and protected children from having to face their abusers in a courtroom. We created pediatric palliative care centers for youth in need of respite and hospice care in our state, and expanded birthing center options and access for Iowans. We coordinated and invested in high-demand health professional workforce in Iowa. We reformed pharmacy benefit manager (PBM) practices to bring more transparency and protections to Iowa patients while also protecting rural pharmacies, and reformed the prior authorization process used by insurance companies so that patients and their care come first. We took additional steps to make Iowa elections more secure, such as ensuring proper voter registration and citizenship verification, and banned ranked choice voting. We put safeguards in place for Iowa’s recounts to ensure accuracy and consistency across the state and protected the voices of full-time residents in counties with large student populations.

The Iowa Legislature passed bills to help ensure students could focus on learning in the classroom instead of electronic devices and helped support students and teachers as we aim to improve math proficiency in our state. We also expanded access to preschool for families and helped provide child care solutions for working parents.

We passed legislation to protect the First Amendment rights of Iowans and lowered the minimum age to possess and carry weapons to protect the Second Amendment rights of Iowans. We helped ensure Iowa is better prepared to respond in a natural disaster and provided consumer protections for Iowans while they work towards recovery in those difficult times, and we prohibited local entities from engaging in DEI activities to ensure Iowans are hired based on merit. We ensured taxpayer dollars are available for those truly in need by implementing work requirements for able-bodied Iowans receiving Medicaid expansion benefits. And, the Senate passed Senate Joint Resolution 11 to protect the tax relief legacy Republicans have implemented over the past several years and make it harder to take more money out of the pockets of Iowans.

One of the last bills, and perhaps one of the most controversial that we passed this session was to protect Iowan’s property rights. The practice of eminent domain has always had a purpose of providing public use of lands. It was important to Iowans that we safeguard against someone’s private property being taken for corporate private use.

HF 639 passes the Iowa Senate

Conservative and Responsible Budgeting Continues

Passing a conservative, responsible budget was once again a priority for our Republican-led legislature. In doing so, we focused on the most important priorities for Iowans and implemented a $9.425 billion budget. This increase includes a growth of $240 million in K-12 education funding for the upcoming year. A responsible budget was especially important this year as we adjust to the first year of our historic flat tax for Iowans and seek to ensure it is sustainable for future years. The whole point of cutting income taxes was to allow for hard-working Iowans to keep more money in their pockets to spend as they see fit. This could be in saving for a rainy day, putting it towards education or a home, or putting it into their community. Nonetheless, that means less money is coming in to the state, as intentioned. While others may be crying budget crisis, that is far from the truth. This is what we have budgeted for, what we have planned for, and what the goal was for implementing historic income tax reform. I’m confident that we will continue focusing on responsible budgeting as our state continues to move in the right direction.

Improving Healthcare Access for Iowans

House File 972 also passed out of the legislature this week and is now ready for the governor’s signature. This is a bill that I mentioned in a previous newsletter this year and it will expand access to health care in Iowa, especially in rural communities, and will help grow our workforce in this area. House File 972 creates the Health Care Professional Incentive Program to identify high demand jobs across the state and helps us make adjustments to be sure we are investing taxpayer dollars where the state needs it most. The legislation also helps train an estimated 460 new physicians through residency programs at Iowa’s teaching hospitals.

Tax Relief for Iowa Businesses

We also passed Senate File 607 this week, making significant reforms to the unemployment insurance tax system. SF 607 builds on our accomplishments over the last several years of helping Iowans find fulfilling work, growing our workforce, and making it easier for Iowans to provide for themselves and their families. For the last several years, the Iowa legislature has prioritized reform to Iowa’s unemployment system. Because of these changes, our state has cut the number of people on unemployment in half and has gotten Iowans back to work faster. Senate File 607 is possible because of these reforms, and it will reduce costs to the employers and businesses that are driving the economy in our state. The bill cuts the taxable wages for the unemployment insurance tax system and reduces the highest rate businesses would pay to the unemployment insurance trust fund. The unemployment trust fund is currently at around $2 billion. Over the next five years, this bill is estimated to provide nearly one billion dollars in tax relief for businesses. While the legislature focused reforms on the unemployment system, the underlying unemployment tax system remained unchanged. SF 607 is the next step forward to continue helping Iowans get back to work, to put more money back into Iowa employers and small businesses, and to help Iowa’s economy thrive.

Our Work Continues

Many important issues were discussed the last days of session as we focused on how best to keep moving our state forward. There were some bills that made progress and others that did not move forward. The interim will give us more time to work through some more complicated issues and get more feedback on bills, ideas and proposals. Hopefully, some of these will come before the Iowa Legislature during next year’s session. The interim will also be a time for attending important events and meetings around District 48. I am proud of the work we have done and feel like we accomplished a lot this year.

First Interim Event – Muscatine Community College 2025 Spring Graduation

It was an honor to attend the 2025 MCC Spring Graduation Ceremony last evening. Attendance was great, and the presentation of the graduates took place with much pomp and circumstance. I was impressed by the number of graduates and the number of degree and certificate programs represented. I was especially pleased to witness the first Nursing Program graduates from the Career Advancement Center receive their diplomas. Medical safety is something I am passionate about and knowing that these students are receiving a strong educational background at this great hands-on facility is important to me. Nice presentation, President DeWinter and Staff! Congratulations Graduates!
Best regards,

Mark

Sports, May 17th

By Slaten Swords · Saturday, May 17th, 2025 at 6:30 am CDT

High School Track

The Iowa High School Athletic Association (IHSAA) and Iowa Girls High School Athletic Union (IGHSAU) released the full list of state qualifiers yesterday. Here’s a look at the at-large bids from our local schools.

The Columbus boys’ team added Lamar Ceant to the 200-meter dash and the 110-meter hurdles. Ty Muniz will run in the 1600 and 3200-meter runs. The Wildcats will have teams in the shuttle hurdle, 4×100, 4×200, and 4×800 meter relays. The Columbus girls’ team will see Isabella Forbes throwing the shot put. 

For the New London boys’ team, Riley Raines will be participating in the 1600-meter run and Logan Franklin will join the fray in the long jump.

Winfield-Mt. Union’s Kohlby Newsom will run in a trio of events: the 400-meter dash, the 800-meter run, and the 1600-meter run.

Kate Lanz of Wapello will be competing in the 200 and 400-meter dashes. 

The WACO girls’ team’s Carlee Lunsford claimed a spot in the 800-meter run, while Josie Dykstra will be competing in the 400-meter hurdles. In the field events, Bren Graber will be one of two freshmen participating in the high jump. The Warriors will be running in the distance medley relay. 

For the boys’ team, Jude Dykstra will be running in the 800-meter run and the 1600-meter run. Louden Huisenga will be in contention for the high jumping crown, while Hayden Shelman snuck in with an at-large bid for the long jump. The Warriors will also have a squad in the distance medley relay.

The Danville girls’ team had the team of Delaney Newberry, Macie Wagner, Alaina Gourley, and Miya Orbiana clinched a spot in the 4×400 meter relay. The boys’ team will feature Nick Powell competing in the 800-meter run and Jackson Shacklett in the 3200-meter run. The Bears will run in the 4×100, 4×200, 4×400, the distance medley, and the sprint medley relays. 

The Van Buren County girls’ team had Kayley Snowgren earn a spot in the 800-meter run. The Warriors will sport a relay team in the 4×100, 4×200, and 4×800 meter relays. 

On the boys’ side, the Warriors will compete in the 4×200 and 4×400 meter relays. Lincoln Bainbridge will participate in the 200-meter dash.

The Mediapolis girls’ team will have Kira Messer sprint in the 100-meter dash.

The West Burlington/Notre Dame girls’ team will have Ady Lamm, Kaylee Webb, Jilian Nickel, and Kaitlyn Kipp running in the distance medley relay. The boys’ team will see Landry Haberichter claim a spot in the 100-meter dash. Logan Hamma will be participating in the 400-meter hurdles. Mason Watkins will insert himself into the high jump conversation. Lastly, the Falcons will have a team in the 4×100 and 4×200 meter relays.

Stay tuned to KILJ for updates and results throughout the three-day event starting on Thursday, May 22nd. For a full list of our local state qualifiers, follow this link: Full List of State Qualifiers

High School Tennis

The Mt. Pleasant girls’ team fell to Fairfield yesterday in the Region 1 first round 5-0. The Trojans advanced to the quarterfinals to take on Central DeWitt on Tuesday, May 20th, at Xavier High School. 

The Burlington Notre Dame girls’ team shutout Fort Madison before losing to Xavier 5-0 yesterday. The Burlington girls’ team defeated Muscatine 5-3 to advance to the regional semifinals to take on Bettendorf on the road on Tuesday. 

The Mt. Pleasant boys’ team will compete against Grinnell for the first round of the team Substate 7 tournament at Kennedy High School today.

The Fairfield boys’ team will face off against Centerville at home today for their first round matchup for Substate 8.

High School Golf

The Wapello girls’ team hosted the Class 1A Region 5A first round meet yesterday and the Arrows finished on top with a team score of 416. Columbus claimed 2nd place with a 426 and New London was able to advance with a 3rd place score of 430.

The Tigers’ Emma Busby was the medalist with an 18-hole score of 93 followed by Kinlee Brown of Columbus, shooting a 94, and Wapello’s Emmalin Marshall taking home a 95. Elizabeth Griffin of Holy Trinity Catholic shot a 100, the 5th best score of the course, and Kellee Milks of Winfield-Mt. Union tied for 6th with a score of 105, allowing both individuals to advance to the Regional finals. 

WACO was led by Morgan Meyer’s 9th place score of 106 and Danville’s Eastin Chipman shot a 107. 

The Region 5 final will take place at Little Bear Country Club in Midland on Wednesday, May 21st. 

The Mediapolis and Central Lee girls’ teams both had their seasons come to an end yesterday in the Class 2A Region 5B meet with the Bulldogs claiming 5th place with a team score of 441. Cardin Miller and Payton Gerling each carded a 106 for the Bulldogs, which was good enough for 13th place. Central Lee’s Marie Young finished in 10th place with an 18-hole score of 100.

The boys’ Class 1A District meet for Winfield-Mt. Union, Wapello, Holy Trinity Catholic, and Danville’s Alex Holtkamp and Graylon Walker will take place at Heritage Oaks in Wapello on Monday, May 19th. 

The boys’ Class 2A District Meet for Mediapolis and Central Lee will take place in Pella on Monday. 

The boys’ Class 3A District meet featuring Washington will be hosted by West Delaware on Monday at Pin Oak Links. 

The Mt. Pleasant and Fairfield girls’ teams will compete in the Class 3A Regional on Wednesday at Edmundson Golf Course. 

High School Soccer

The boys’ SEISC tournament semifinals took place at Central Lee last night and it will be the same championship matchup from the past three years after #6 Burlington Notre Dame shutout the hosts 3-0 and Mediapolis snuck past Highland 3-2 as the Bulldogs won in penalty kicks. Lance Ludens and Quincy King scored the goals for Mediapolis. The Nikes and Bulldogs will face off at Central Lee today at 10 am with Mediapolis attempting to defend their crown.

The WACO boys’ team downed Sigourney Keota last night 1-0 behind Keiran Luitjens netting the lone goal and Holden Hughes nabbing five saves. The Warriors will take on Danville on the road in the Class 1A Substate 5 first round at 7 pm on Tuesday, May 20th.

The Central Lee girls’ team will start Regional play on Monday, May 19th, on the road against Fairfield at 7 pm.

The Wapello girls’ team will face off against Mid-Prairie in the Class 1A Region 3 first round at 7 pm on Monday.

The Mt. Pleasant girls’ team will compete against Ottumwa on Monday on the road at 4:30 pm.

The Mediapolis girls’ team will face off against Columbus/Winfield-Mt. Union on Wednesday, May 21st, at 7 pm at home for postseason play.

This Day in Sports History

1875 – The first Kentucky Derby: Oliver Lewis aboard Aristides wins in 2:37.75.

1915 – Cubs George “Zip” Zabel relieves with 2 outs in the first and winds up with a 4-3 19-inning win over Brooklyn in the longest relief job ever.

1964 – The first Tim Horton’s coffee and donut shop opens in Hamilton, Ontario by NHL player Tim Horton.

Iowa Crop Program

By Allison Jacobs · Saturday, May 17th, 2025 at 4:50 am CDT

The Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship is again offering cost-share incentives for cover crop usage and Iowa’s farmers are encouraged to sign up.  The program works to improve water quality, conservation, and soil quality.

Last year, Iowa had over 3,500 farmers take part with nearly 390,000 cover crop acres in the program.

The annual program is open now for farmers to enroll acres that will be seeded in the fall. It is available to first-time users and returning participants. Applications can be submitted through county soil and water conservation offices.