Wednesday was a difficult day for The American Independent News Network, which is the larger entity that operates The Iowa Independent. Our chief executive and founder announced two of our sister sites would close and their content would be moved to The American Independent.
A recently introduced bill could have far-reaching impact on the U.S. sugar industry, including American Crystal Sugar, a farmer-owned cooperative that locked out 1,300 Midwest workers on Aug. 1.
The chairman for Herman Cain’s Iowa effort says the campaign “relied more on the word of farmers than Washington regulators” in deciding to run an ad containing claims the Environmental Protection Agency says are false.
The Iowa Senate will remain under the control of a slim 26-25 Democratic majority when it reconvenes in January 2012.
The Iowa Department of Human Services announced this week that those affected by the 2008 natural disasters can receive no-cost professional mental health services.
The Ticket to Hope Program, funded through a social services emergency disaster relief appropriation by the 2009 legislature, provides services to people who are uninsured, whose insurance does not cover mental health services, or who have exhausted existing mental health benefits.
“There are many Iowans who could benefit from professional assistance to process the aftermath of the 2008 disasters and help them move forward, said Bill Gardam, administrator of the Mental Health and Disability Services Division of the DHS.
He said that in any given disaster, loss and trauma will directly affect many people. In addition, some people are emotionally impacted simply by being a part of the affected community. Even individuals who experience a disaster “second hand” through exposure to extensive media coverage can be affected.
“Most disaster survivors function well under the stresses of every day life, but with the added stress of disaster, many will show signs of emotional and psychological strain. If these normal reactions to an abnormal event become more severe as time passes, people should seek help from a mental health professional,” Gardam said.
Access to Ticket to Hope services is available through the Iowa Concern Hotline at 800-447-1985. Services will be available through June 2010.
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