U.S. Senator Chuck Grassley spoke on the Senate floor Thursday ahead of National Law Enforcement Appreciation Day, which is observed Friday, January 9.

Grassley expressed gratitude for law enforcement officers across the country, saying their service deserves recognition every day of the year. He encouraged Americans to personally thank officers for their role in keeping communities safe.

Grassley cited national crime data, noting violent crime is down 12 percent and murders in major cities have dropped 20 percent. He also highlighted record seizures of dangerous drugs, including fentanyl, methamphetamine, cocaine, and heroin, crediting law enforcement for removing those substances from the streets.

As Chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee, Grassley said he has continued working to support law enforcement in Iowa and nationwide. He pointed to recent legislation that secured increased funding for the Byrne Justice Assistance Grant and COPS programs, which help local police departments and strengthen efforts to combat drug trafficking.

Grassley also noted four bipartisan bills passed during Police Week in May became law through the National Defense Authorization Act. The measures expand federal support for law enforcement officers and their families, strengthen tools to fight online child exploitation, and extend counter-drone authority to state and local agencies.

Grassley said he remains committed to working with colleagues on both sides of the aisle to support law enforcement efforts.

He closed his remarks by thanking officers for their service and offering well wishes for their safety as they continue protecting communities across the nation.

Impact Life Blood Center encourages Southeast Iowans to consider giving blood, noting that eligibility requirements have recently been updated, potentially allowing more people to donate.

According to updated donor guidelines effective this month, donors must be at least 17 years old — or 16 with parental consent — weigh at least 110 pounds, and be in good general health on the day of donation. A photo ID is required, and donors are encouraged to eat a full meal before giving blood. Several common conditions, including well-controlled diabetes, allergies, and many routine medications, do not automatically prevent donation

The updated criteria also clarify waiting periods for recent tattoos, piercings, dental work, surgeries, and vaccinations, as well as guidelines for donating after illness, pregnancy, or prior blood donations. Officials say the changes are intended to maintain safety while expanding the pool of eligible donors.

Blood centers remind residents that donated blood is critical for trauma care, surgeries, cancer treatment, and chronic illness management. Anyone unsure about their eligibility is encouraged to call 800-747-5401. You can also see a list of eligibility requirements by clicking here.

Impact Life notes that 51% of their blood donors donate just once a year. In 2026, their goal is to get every donor to donate at least twice. To meet that goal, they have boosted their donor incentives. Your first donation this year, you’ll receive $20 in donor rewards and on your second donation of 2026 you’ll receive $40. Visit impactlife.org to view upcoming blood drives near you.

After a challenging 2025, Iowa farmers are heading into 2026 with tighter margins, higher interest costs, growing market uncertainty and some forecasts showing a 24% decrease in net farm income. To help farmers navigate those pressures, Iowa Farm Bureau will host a six-stop Ag Market Outlook Meeting Series across the state this February.

The series will examine current drivers in the grain and livestock markets and how tariffs, interest rates and price inflation are affecting ag financing decisions. Farm Bureau Financial Services will discuss 2026 crop insurance considerations, as well as risk management tools such as Livestock Risk Protection.  The session will also cover farm transition and succession planning.

Speakers will vary by location and include Carol Jensen, Luana Savings Bank vice president; Nic Klein, Central Bank agricultural lending officer; Dr. Christopher Pudenz, Iowa Farm Bureau economics and research manager; Zach Brummer, Iowa Farm Bureau farmer education program manager; Erin Herbold-Swalwell, Farm Bureau Financial Services senior counsel; and Angie Horn, Zach Hyland and Shelby Oetting, Farm Bureau Financial Servies regional crop consultants.

Meeting locations and dates are as follows:

• Northwest Iowa Community College, Sheldon on Monday, Feb. 16 from 7:45 to 10:45 a.m.
• Wall Lake Community Center, Wall Lake on Monday, Feb. 16 from 12:45–3:45 p.m.
• Dunlap Four County Fairgrounds, Dunap on Tuesday, Feb. 17 from 9:45 a.m.–1:15 p.m.
• Northeast Iowa Community College, Calmar on Tuesday, Feb. 24 from 7:45–10:45 a.m.
• Jones County Farm Bureau, Anamosa on Tuesday, Feb. 24 from 12:45–3:45 p.m.
• Cambridge Building on the Jefferson County Fairgrounds, Fairfield on Wednesday, Feb. 25 from 5–8:15 p.m.

“Farmers are making decisions in an environment with a lot more unknowns than we’ve seen in recent years,” said Brummer. “Iowa Farm Bureau wants to provide farmers with a relevant look at how rising input costs, tariff volatility and global uncertainty are affecting profitability—and what steps they can take now to manage risk going into 2026.”

Registration is free for Iowa Farm Bureau members. Non-members interested in attending are encouraged to contact their local county Farm Bureau or become a member at www.iowafarmbureau.com. All meetings include a catered meal, coffee bar and educational materials. For registration assistance or additional information, contact Ashley Lennon at alennon@ifbf.org.

The Henry County Sheriff’s Office is inviting young artists to take part in a new community coloring contest.

The Henry County Sheriff’s Office Coloring Contest is open to children of all ages, with age groups divided into 0 to 5, 6 to 8, 9 to 12, and ages 13 and older. Participants can enter for a chance to win a retired K9 Axel stuffed dog along with other Henry County Sheriff’s Office swag.

Completed coloring pages can be dropped off at the Henry County Sheriff’s Office. Entries must be submitted by February 6th. Winners will be selected from each age group.

The contest is designed to encourage creativity while giving kids a fun way to connect with local law enforcement. Parents and guardians are encouraged to help younger children complete and submit their entries before the deadline.

You can download the printable coloring page by visiting henrycounty.iowa.gov/sheriff/ or by visiting this story on kilj.com under the news tab. (spoken)

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Click here to download the printable coloring page.

The Henry County Board of Supervisors met Monday morning at 9 a.m. for their first meeting of 2026.

The meeting opened with Board Chair Chad White addressing how meetings will be conducted moving forward under Robert’s Rules of Order. White explained that public comments will be limited to three minutes and may not disrupt meetings.

Supervisors approved the agenda and meeting minutes with several corrections before moving into department head updates.

During the Public Health report, officials noted several schools in the county are experiencing absentee rates of ten percent or higher. Residents were reminded to cover coughs, wash hands frequently, and stay home when sick to help reduce the spread of illness.

The General Assistance report highlighted services provided by The Fellowship Cup, which assisted 778 individuals during the previous month.

Assistant County Attorney Blake Vierra announced his resignation from the Henry County Attorney’s Office after five years of service. Vierra stated his decision was not related to any internal conflict and expressed appreciation for his time working in Henry County.

The Sheriff’s Office reported generating $4,297,974 in outside revenue by housing inmates from other counties. The department also reported responding to approximately 3,000 fewer calls than the previous year. Officials noted the county jail is fully staffed and the department is currently working to fill one remaining deputy sheriff position. Sheriff Rich McNamee also reminded motorists that as of January 1, using a cellphone while driving can result in a citation.

Supervisors later approved a resolution to hire Abbie Lietchy as the new Assistant County Attorney and approved a resolution allowing the County Treasurer to hold bonds for elected officials.

The board heard from Friends of Geode State Park regarding ongoing renovations to the park’s concession stand. Representatives explained the project has been completed largely through volunteer labor and support from local businesses, significantly reducing costs. The group requested additional funding from the county to complete the project. Supervisors took no action, stating the request will be considered during upcoming budget discussions.

The meeting concluded with a presentation from HUB International regarding the county’s ICAP insurance renewal. No action was taken, as supervisors said additional questions remain. The topic will be revisited at a future meeting.