Originally broadcast 03/30/2020
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Dennis Hart provides a summary of Iowa news during the past week.

Eric Smidt, Director of Ames Schools Community and Media Relations gives an update on the schools during the COVID-19 crisis, with all schools in Iowa have been closed since Mid-March. School District staff have continued to be remotely operational, with guidance from the Department of Education. The Department of Education has waived the required 1080 instructional hours with students, and students will still be able to graduate this Spring. There is a food pick-up service out of Meeker, Mitchell, and Sawyer Schools.

There is a digital learning resource website. Lessons from these are printed out for those without Internet access, and can be received at the food pick-up sites.

Ames Public Relations Officer Susan Gwiasda introduces Deb Schildroth. Assistant Ames City Manager.Schildroth described how city staff is continuing to work during the crisis. City workers are being allowed 80 hours COVID-19 leave, including part-time and contractors to help ensure safety. The City Manager's Office seeks communictaion and welcomes yur calls if there is something you need. The best number to call them is 239-510-1239 5101.

Anna Banana brig more Heart to Heart Messages. Send a message, over the air, for the community or people you love. Text your message to 515-808-1742.

Originally broadcast 03/24/2020
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As the Local Talk guests, sheltering in place at home, gather in the KHOI studio via ZOOM technology, we explore a family story from Trevor Soderstrom that takes us back to the Pandemic of 1918. Bringing us up to the present we  heard from Beth Wessel-Kroeschell, Representative from District 45, with issues she is hearing from her constituents -- concerns about the need to "shelter in place," the fate of small businesses, and people without adequate health insurance.  And finally Susan Gwiasda brought us Don Kom, director of Electric Services in Ames, who reassured us that there is no danger of an energy shortage.  "Anna Banana" (Anna Magnusson) brought us the first of "Heart to Heart" Messages. You can text her at 515-809-0077 or email khoiradio@gmail.com with "Heart to Heart" in the subject line. 

Originally broadcast 03/19/2020
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Ames Mayor John Haila was with us today to give an overview of all the government agencies, university departments, and non-profit organizations that have been coordinating over the past several weeks to guide local citizens of all ages as safely as possible through the coronavirus caused difficulties of closed schools, access to food, maintaining essential services and how to receive necessary health care.  In future programs we will have leaders in all these areas on Local Talk to give us more detailed information. Our host for today, and for much of the Local Talk Series "COVID-19 Response:" is Anne Kinzel, who has served as both a hospital lawyer and health care lawyer. 

Originally broadcast 03/16/2020
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Dennis Hart's report came to us from his recent vacation in Orlando, where he gave us the feel of  the  shuttering of Disneyland as well as some of the first news of Iowa preparations for the expected adjustments to be made here in Iowa. Linda Murken, Chair of Story County Supervisors and and Emergency Servics then spoke about the adaptations Story County Offices will be making to carry on necessary business while keeping offices closed to the public.  She advised going to the Story County Website before calling or trying to come in to offices. Then Keith Morgan, Story County Emergency Management Coordinator, filled us in on plans the county has in place.  Ross Wilburn, Legislative Representative for District 46 recommended a couple of websites that we can refer to keep us up to date on the evolving policies and mitigation -- Department of Health and Iowa Governor's Newsroom.