Originally broadcast 05/25/2020
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World War two veteran Curt Bauer and his son Lee Bauer start off a reflection on Memorial Day with their recollections of Bauer’s service in the Pacific and on ceremonies in Zearing Iowa, hosted by the American Legion.

State Senator Herman Quirmbach and Ames City Councilman Tim Garten, both from the Ames Patriotic Council, read the names of local veterans who have passed away since last May. They then lead a conversation on the history and meaning of Memorial Day. They extend recognition to others in uniform who are not in the military service, but who currently serve, putting their lives on the line during this pandemic crisis. Globally More than 9,200 health care providers have been infected by the virus, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. There is also reflection on how much and how many have been lost to the pandemic. The coronavirus had infected more than 1.66M people in the USA and led, so far, to 98,000 deaths. Globally, the death toll is at around 350 thousand.

Anna Banana reads heart to heart messages to and from the different branches of the US military service. 

Originally broadcast 05/20/2020
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Carolyn Raffensperger's reflection today was on gardens and the interactions of creatures, animal and human, with them.  In exploring the reports of a huge victory for the Standing Rock Sioux in their legal challenges to the Dakota Access Pipeline, we first spoke with Mark Edwards and Pat Schlarbaum, who spent some weeks at the Standing Rock camp in South Dakota in 2016, as the Water Protectors, protested Energy Transfer Partners digging a trench through their land before tunneling under the Missouri River.  Next Keith Puntenney discussed the legal actions of farmers whose land was condemned by Eminent Domain.  And finally, Iowa Sierra Club Attorney Wally Taylor, described the legal struggle in Iowa and the current status of the pipeline in a financial climate of collapsing oil prices.

We also announced voting information at storycoutyiowa.gov/auditor.

Originally broadcast 05/11/2020
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Summertime is the time of recreation and many public events in Ames. The Ames City Council has scheduled for this decision making process to occur during their monthly council meeting on Tueday May 12.  Ames mayor John Haila gives us some insight into what we might expect Tuesday night.

The COVID-19 Stories Project, created by Special Collections & University Archives, helps capture the reality of a global pandemic through the lens of every Iowan. This project shines a light on the unique perspectives throughout our state, while providing future researches, scholars, and historians with information needed to tell our stories in the years to come. Daniel Hartwig, Head of Iowa StateUniversity’s Special Collections & University Archives explains the project, how you can record your story, and how you can hear them. To check out writing prompts, submit your story, or review terms and conditions, visit https://specialcollections.lib.iastate.edu/about/projects/covid-19 For questions, email archives@iastate.edu. 

Originally broadcast 05/07/2020
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May 6-12 is national Nurses Week, culminating on May 12 on the birthday of the late Florence Nightingale, seen as the founder of the modern day nursing profession. Kevin Krausman is a nurse at Mary Greeley Medical Center. He gives voice to the spirit of courageous and compassionate service of those who enter the nursing profession. He also illustrates why the American Nurses Credentialing Center has given Mary Greely Medical Canter Magnet recognition – the highest honor and the gold standard in nursing.

Nightingale Pledge:

Before God and those assembled here, I solemnly pledge;
To adhere to the code of ethics of the nursing profession;
To co-operate faithfully with the other members of the nursing team and to carryout [sic] faithfully and to the best of my ability the instructions of the physician or the nurse who may be assigned to supervise my work;
I will not do anything evil or malicious and I will not knowingly give any harmful drug or assist in malpractice.
I will not reveal any confidential information that may come to my knowledge in the course of my work.
And I pledge myself to do all in my power to raise the standards and prestige of the practical nursing;
May my life be devoted to service and to the high ideals of the nursing profession.

Lucy Martin, Story County Auditor explains plans for the June 2 election, and various health risk mitigation strategies for voters and poll workers. Application forms for mail-in ballots have been sent out. Applications must be returned by May 22.

Mike Brown, Manager at City of Ames Electric Services, gives instructions on what to do if electricity goes off in your home. The City provides the Outage Viewer - a map of blackouts in real time. If you electricity goes out, report it to the City of Ames Outage Line immediately at 515-239-5240. Your location is determined by your phone number so Mike asks that you register your call phone number with the city so that they can identify your location when you call. Register your cell phone at 515-239-5120.