The Iowa Army Ammunition Plant remains temporarily closed following an undisclosed incident that triggered a full safety review of the facility.

Officials say operations at the Middletown site are still shut down, and no timeline has been given for reopening.

Justine Barati, Director of Public and Congressional Affairs for Join Munitions Command at the Rock Island Arsenal, addressed rumors circulating on social media over the past several days. She confirmed there were no drones over the facility, no explosion occurred, and no munitions are missing.

Barati also stated that no dangerous materials were uncovered during ongoing construction work at the plant, which recently secured a contract worth more than 635 million dollars to add a new production line.

Employees were sent home abruptly around noon on Thursday of last week. According to reports, workers were instructed to gather their belongings and leave immediately.

Officials say the shutdown is being done out of an abundance of caution.

In a statement, Barati said the pause allows experts to review on-site storage procedures and ensure all safety protocols are being followed. Access to the site remains restricted during this time.

The Des Moines County Sheriff’s Office also confirmed the closure is due to an internal issue, but emphasized there is no threat to the public.

Officials say more information will be released as it becomes available.

Mount Pleasant, Iowa, [March 16, 2026] – Applications are currently being accepted for the Healthcare Scholarship Program through the Friends of Henry County Health Center.

The purpose of the scholarship is to encourage education and future employment in a healthcare field. Applicants must be residents of Henry County, or work at HCHC, or be an immediate family member of someone who works at HCHC. Scholarships are open to high school and college students as well as continuing education students.

Applications are available at the HCHC Information Desk in the front lobby, high schools located in Henry County, Southeastern Community College, Indian Hills Community College, Mount Mercy, or Kirkwood Community College. To print the application, go to www.henrycountysoldiersandsailors.com/friends-of-hchc.

Applicants may enroll in a program of their choice and at the college of their choice; however, the scholarship committee reserves the right to review the program. Funds may be used to pay for tuition, books, and other educational expenses.

Completed applications are due by Friday, April 10 at 2 p.m., and may be turned into the HCHC Public Information Department, 407 S. White Street, Mt. Pleasant, Iowa 52641.  Applicants may also email their paperwork to kheerdt@greatriverhealth.org.

The Friends of HCHC initiated the scholarship program in 1979 to offer financial assistance to students enrolled in a healthcare field of study.  Numerous scholarships have been awarded to area students in hospital service areas such as nursing, emergency care, laboratory, imaging (radiology), medical records and pharmacy. Friends of Henry County Health Center sponsor an annual soup supper on the first Friday in November to help fund the scholarship program.

For more scholarship information, call 319-385-6524.

A new report from the Iowa Cancer Registry shows that farmers and people working in agriculture have lower rates of several types of cancer compared to the general population.

The findings come from the 2026 Cancer in Iowa report, which includes data from the long running Agricultural Health Study, a national research project that has followed thousands of farmers and their families for decades. Researchers found that overall cancer rates among farmers were lower than those seen in the broader population.

Experts say part of the difference may be linked to lifestyle factors common among farmers, including lower smoking rates and higher levels of physical activity. However, the report notes that farmers can still face unique health risks, particularly from pesticide exposure and other environmental factors associated with agricultural work.

Despite the encouraging findings for farmers, Iowa continues to face challenges related to cancer overall. The state still ranks among the highest in the nation for new cancer diagnoses, prompting ongoing efforts from researchers, health organizations, and state leaders to better understand the causes and identify ways to reduce cancer risk.

Researchers say reports like this help guide future studies and prevention strategies aimed at improving the health of Iowans across both rural and urban communities.