What We’re Talking About

A huge hack here for those who are hosting Thanksgiving or Christmas this year: Butterball is releasing a new turkey called ‘Butterball Cook From Frozen,’ and just like the name says: you can throw it in the oven while it’s completely frozen. That means avoiding the days-long task of thawing out a giant bird, then getting up before dawn to cook it on the morning of the big day. Instead, it’s ready to go right out of the freezer bag. According to Butterball, thanks to a “specially formulated brine” cooking it is as easy as opening the bag, slapping a little oil on the bird, then popping it in the oven. About 5 hours later, you’re pulling out a perfect turkey, or so they say. The only downside? This frozen bird cannot be fried.

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Butterball (@butterballturkey)

Photo Credit: Butterball via Instagram

On November 11, 1940, a rapidly deepening low pressure system moved northeast from Kansas City, MO northeast through the Upper Mississippi River Valley and into the Upper Great Lakes. This low pressure area produced the lowest pressure reading ever recorded up to this time at Charles City, IA (28.92 inches), La Crosse, WI (28.72 inches), and Duluth, MN (28.66 inches).

Armistice Day (now known as Veteran’s Day) began with blue skies and temperatures in the 40s and 50s. The weather forecast for that morning was for colder temperatures and a few flurries. The day was so nice that duck hunters dressed in short-sleeved shirts rushed to the marshes along the Mississippi River early that morning.

During the late morning and early afternoon, a strong cold front moved through the region. Behind this front, the weather became rather blustery and the temperature plunged to the single digits by the next morning. The rain turned to sleet and eventually to driving snow. Twelve duck hunters were trapped on the Mississippi River between St. Paul and Prairie du Chien by gale-force winds and threatening waves. These hunters sought shelter on small islands and eventually froze to death. Rescue work the next day was hindered by ice which had developed during the preceding night.

Elsewhere heavy snow fell across the Dakotas, much of Minnesota and Iowa, and northwest Wisconsin. The greatest snow total was 26.6 inches in Collegeville, MN. In addition, 30 to 50 mph winds caused considerable blowing and drifting of snow which trapped unsuspecting motorists.

Twenty foot drifts were reported near Willmar, MN. The blizzard left 49 dead in Minnesota, and gales on Lake Michigan caused ship wrecks resulting in another 59 deaths. The storm claimed a total of 154 lives, and killed thousands of cattle in Iowa. More than a million turkeys were killed by the storm in Wisconsin, Minnesota, and other states. The storm became know as the “Armistice Day Storm”.

Photo Credit:  National Weather Service La Crosse

South Carolina residents in Yemassee have been advised to lock their doors and windows after 43 monkeys escaped from a nearby facility called Alpha Genesis. The center breeds monkeys for medical testing. While traps have been set in the area, so far, none of the monkeys have been recovered. “If you spot any of the escaped animals, please contact 911 immediately and refrain from approaching them,” the Yemassee Police Department said.

-The Caledonia High School Student Council would like to invite you to join us as we honor our area and the Nation’s Veterans on Veteran’s Day, 11/11/24 at 10:30 A.M. The program will be held in the Caledonia MS/HS Performing Arts Center.

-Kee High School Veterans Day Program on Monday, November 11th at the Kee High Gym in Lansing.  Presentations and performances by students to honor Veterans to begin at 10:15 AM.

-New Albin Elementary Veterans Day Program at 9:00 AM.

-A Veterans Day Program held at 9:45 AM in the Decorah High School Auditorium on Monday, November 11th. Veterans and their families should enter through auditorium doors or the doors off the west parking lot.

-Meehan Memorial Lansing Public Library is hosting a Veterans Day Reception from 11:30 AM – 12:30 PM.  Meal will feature potluck style soup and desserts.

-Veteran’s Day Program on Monday, November 11th at the Waukon High School.  Plan to arrive by 11:00 AM.

-Veteran’s Day Program at Spring Grove School Gym beginning at 10 a.m. Monday, November 11th.  Veteran’s supper at the Spring Grove Legion at 5 p.m.

-The Lynch Family Companies’ Veteran’s Day Celebration for veterans and their families is 4PM – 630PM at the Winneshiek County Fairgrounds Community Building.  Free Barbeque Supper and $20,000 Giveaway.  To participate, you must be a Veteran, Active Military, National Guard, or in the Reserves.  RSVP to Jamee at 563-776-3046.

-A Quilts of Valor presentation will be held at the All Vet’s Club Decorah at 3PM on Monday, November 11th.

-Veterans Day Recognition Ceremony at 2:00 p.m. in the Turkey Valley High School Gym on Monday, November 11th.

-South Winneshiek High School will host their annual Veterans Day Assembly on Monday, November 11, at 10:15 a.m., in the high school gymnasium. Local Veterans will be recognized and there will be a presentation of quilts by Decorah Quilts of Valor. The South Winneshiek choir and band will be performing patriotic pieces.

All local Veterans are invited to attend the assembly. There will be coffee and rolls served for Veterans beginning at 9:00 a.m. in the high school cafeteria.

-Mabe’s Pizza Decorah would like to honor all active military and veterans, law-enforcement, firefighters and emergency services personnel.  Mabe’s Pizza will be offering a free 9” pizza or $10 off any pizza of your choice for all active military and veterans, law-enforcement, firefighters and emergency services personnel to thank  them for their service to our country and our community.  This offer will ONLY be good on MONDAY, NOVEMBER 11TH for Pick Up and Dine-In only.  A valid military ID, badge or other proof of eligibility must be presented at the time of purchase to receive the discount. Some restrictions apply.
Thanks to all who serve this great nation

A stretch of Interstate-80 in Nebraska was shut down on Tuesday after a semi truck overturned and spilled energy drinks all over the road.

Police in Omaha are investigating the cause of the crash which left the road littered with boxes of C4 energy drinks. Traffic was snarled for a long time while cleanup crews worked to remove the truck and the energy drinks. It’s unclear whether the driver of the truck was hurt.

I-80 eastbound at 84th St right shoulder blocked while an overturned semi is cleaned up. Slow down and move left. Traffic is starting to pickup so please pay attention. This will be a prolonged cleanup operation. pic.twitter.com/hUluZ5J4gv

— Ofc. Mike Bossman (@OPDOfcBossman) November 5, 2024

Photo Credit: Ofc. Mike Bossman via X

The owners of a nail salon in Overland, Missouri have been cleaning up after a four-point buck crashed through the front window and destroyed the place. There’s a video of cops helping it out a side door after they trapped it in a back room.

Of Note:  The owners say it caused around $14,000 in damage, and their insurance policy doesn’t cover damage caused by animals.

Photo Credit:  Overland Police Department via Facebook

LANSING, Iowa – Oct. 31, 2024 – If you drive on Iowa 26 in Lansing you are aware that work continues on the new Mississippi River Bridge. Beginning on Monday, Nov. 4, weather permitting, the contractor will start moving heavy equipment to the Iowa side of the Mississippi River for the next phase of construction.

You are currently able to drive through the work zone on Iowa 26 between Hale and Henry streets with assistance of temporary traffic signals. On Monday, Nov. 4, crews will remove the signals and you will be directed by flaggers between the Mississippi River bridge and Henry Street between the hours of 7 a.m. and 5 p.m., so the contractor can bring in the heavy equipment.

Intermittent closures of up to 20 minutes will happen a total of twice on Wednesday, Nov. 6, and/or Thursday, Nov. 7, on Iowa 26 between the bridge and Henry Street. During the closures the bridge will remain open and if you are traveling westbound you will be able to turn south.

Iowa 26 will be open to two-lane traffic at the end of the day on Friday, Nov. 8

For more information on the construction of the new Mississippi River Bridge at Lansing, go to iowadot.gov/lansingbridge where you can sign up to receive updates directly to your inbox or check out our Facebook page www.facebook.com/LansingBridge/.

Photo Credit: Iowa DOT

Lawsuits over hot coffee being too hot is so 1990s. Today, it’s all about ice cream being too cold.

A New Jersey woman is suing JetBlue for serving her an ice cream sandwich that was frozen so solid that it broke one of her front teeth. Kiara Quinonez flew the airline from New York to Paris in August and says she was served a Nightingale brand strawberry shortcake ice cream sandwich. The lawsuit claims the frozen treat was so hard that she sustained “severe and permanent bodily injuries” from biting into it. She claims she was not warned about the ice cream being served at a “temperature below what is reasonable or safe for consumption.”

Quinonez is seeking unspecified damages for the expenses she incurred for dental treatments.

While most of the country didn’t experience much of a winter last year, as it was the warmest winter on record, this winter looks like it’ll be much of the same.

Meteorologists with NOAA’s Climate Prediction Center are expecting another warm winter for much of the country. For the months of December, January, and February, forecasters predict warmer-than-average temperatures for the country’s southern tier and East Coast, and also New England to the eastern Great Lakes. Also, most of the southern half of the country will see less rain and snow than usual.

The only parts of the country expected to see below-normal temperatures are the Pacific Northwest, northern Plains and across southern Alaska. Everyone else should see normal winter weather.

Pillsbury is ready for the holiday season with a new Grinch-inspired ready-to-bake cookie dough, but some are pointing to an unfortunate design flaw as the reason why they’re not interested in making them. Each cookie features red hearts and what is apparently a green Christmas tree. However, as many have pointed out on social media, the tree looks a little more like a green poop. One person commented, “Uhhh the green looks like a ….” Another wrote, “Green Grinch poop.” Despite the comments, the Grinch cookie dough will be on store shelves soon.

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Snackolator (@snackolator)

Photo Credit:  snackolator via Instagram

Reba McEntire and Carole King teamed up to write the theme song for McEntire’s new NBC comedy “Happy’s Place.” The song will debut on the show’s premiere this Friday, which will stream on Peacock the next day.

A Florida man who goes by the nickname “Lieutenant Dan” says he’s safe and sound after riding out Hurricane Milton in his sailboat.

Florida man Joseph Malinowski, who earned his nickname as a nod to the Forrest Gump character, insisted on staying aboard his 20-foot boat while Hurricane Milton made landfall as a Category-3 storm.

But the internet fame for his questionable decision might actually be biting him in the butt. Turns out that 54-year-old Malinowski has been arrested over a dozen times, many of which have dealt with crimes against women. His numerous mugshots have been circulating online in response to a GoFundMe that was set up to raise money for Lt. Dan, calling him the “kindest soul” who is “always ready to lend a hand.

Photo Credit: GoFundMe

During an episode of “Inside Studio G”, Garth Brooks made comments on the recent accusations made against him. He kept it brief….It’s all within the first minute of the episode.

Hurricane Milton is currently a Category-5 storm as it barrels toward Florida.

The storm strengthened back to a Category-5 on Tuesday after briefly dropping to a Category-4. More than 1 million people across 16 counties in Florida were ordered to evacuate. The National Hurricane Center says “life-threatening” storm surges of up to 15 feet are expected in some parts of Florida’s Gulf Coast when Milton makes landfall just south of Tampa. A specialist with the NHC said, “Milton has the potential to be one of the most destructive hurricanes on record for west-central Florida.” Parts of Florida are expecting to see localized total rainfall amounts up to 18 inches in some places. Disney World, Universal Orlando and multiple airports in the state have already announced closures.

President Joe Biden emphasized the fact that Milton could be one of the worst storms to hit Florida in a century. He said it’s a “matter of life and death” that people evacuate if ordered to do so. On Tuesday night, Milton was 440 miles southwest of Tampa and heading east-northeast at about 10 miles per hour. (USA Today)

Longtime meteorologist John Morales is going viral after he appeared choked up on air while discussing the “horrific” path expected from the dangerous storm. (NY Times)

A spectacular view from space!

Hurricane Milton, which is re-intensifying over the southern Gulf of Mexico, was just passed by the International Space Station.@ZoyaKhan_sp #space #iss pic.twitter.com/JV7mKn6yN3

— Mission Space Education (@missionspace24) October 8, 2024

Photo Credit: Mission Space Education via X

Hurricane Milton is now a Category-5 hurricane with winds up to 180 miles per hour.

The storm intensified from a Category-1 to a Category-5 in one day. It’s now forecast to hit Florida’s Gulf Coast by Wednesday night. The National Hurricane Center is calling it an “extremely life-threatening situation” as the storm approaches the western coast of the state.

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis is urging any residents in the hurricane’s path to evacuate immediately.

In an interview with CNN, Tampa Mayor Jane Castor warned residents, “I can say this without any dramatization whatsoever: If you choose to stay in one of those evacuation areas, you are going to die.”

Tampa International Airport has announced it will shut down at 9 a.m. Tuesday morning and remain closed until after the storm passes and it is safe to do so. Orlando International Airport will close Wednesday morning. (ABC News) (CBS News)

Photo Credit:  LiveNOW from FOX via YouTube

Merriam-Webster has revealed the 200 new words added to the dictionary’s 2024 edition, and as it turns out, the list is a great way to brush up on some of Gen Z’s favorite buzzwords. Among them…
⇒ Beach read: Any enjoyable or accessible book considered suitable for reading while on vacation
⇒ For You page (or FYP): A social media feed that contains personalized content based on the user’s interest
⇒ Touch grass: To participate in normal activities in the real world, especially as opposed to online experiences and interactions
⇒ Nepo baby: A person who gains success or opportunities through familial connections
⇒ Street corn: Grilled corn on the cob that is coated with a creamy spread
⇒ Burrata: Mozzarella formed into a ball-shaped casing that contains curds and cream
⇒ Capicola: Seasoned Italian pork that is cut from the neck and top shoulder
⇒ Ultra-processed: Containing or made primarily with highly processed ingredients including artificial additives and typically having high levels of fat, sugar, or salt
⇒ International Bitterness Unit: A unit of measurement used to assess the concentration of a bitter compound found in hops to provide information about how bitter a beer is
⇒ Cash grab: The greedy pursuit of an opportunity for making money, especially when done without regard for ethics, concerns, or consequences
⇒ True crime: A nonfiction genre of literature, film, podcasts, etc. that depicts and examines real crime cases
⇒ Shadow ban: To cause (a user or their content) to be hidden from some or all other users, usually without the user’s knowledge

Country icon Garth Brooks is being sued for alleged sexual assault and rape by a former makeup artist identified as Jane Roe.

According to Variety, the charges stem from alleged incidents where the superstar supposedly made unwanted advances, including lewd text messages and groping, that led to rape. Garth is also accused of exposing himself to her on multiple occasions. Roe states that she began working with Trisha Yearwood in 1999 as a hair and makeup artist. She began working with Garth in 2017 and alleges that the rape took place in a Los Angeles hotel room in 2019 when both were in L.A. for a Grammy event.

Apparently, Garth anonymously filed a pre-emptive lawsuit against the woman on September 13th in Mississippi after she threatened to ruin his reputation unless he provided a multi-million-dollar payout. He is identified as a celebrity and public figure in his filing, which claims attempted extortion, defamation and infliction of emotional distress.

UPDATE: People is reporting additional details regarding the lawsuit filed against Garth Brooks. The complainant also brought Trisha into the claim saying that Garth had proposed a “threesome” and she believed that Yearwood overheard his remarks on at least one occasion. Then in 2020, Garth purported took Roe’s phone and was able to delete most of the text exchange in question.

It’s October Pork month, and to celebrate, we are giving away $200 in pork products from Jet’s Meats in Waukon and a Napoleon Grill from Hearthside Fireplaces & More in Decorah!

TWO BIG WINNERS!!!

VISIT THESE SPONSOR LOCATIONS TO GET QUALIFIED TO WIN!

Elliot Jewelers, Waukon

Hanson Tire, Cresco

Caledonia Lumber

Carquest, Waukon

Windridge Implement, Decorah

Jet’s Meat and Café, Waukon

Napa, West Union

Drilling All Season Sports, Calmar

Decorah Auto Center

Baumler Implements, West Union

Decorah Chrysler Chevrolet

Lions Pub, Spring Grove

Randy’s Carquest, Decorah

Ridgeway Lumber

Hearthside Fireplaces & More, Decorah

Good Times Restaurant & Bar, Caledonia

Decorah Kawasaki

Kelly Concrete, Waukon

Citizens Savings Banks, Spillville, Fort Atkinson, & Protivin

Meyer Auto Service, Monona

Blake Electric, Waukon

Becker Hardware, Ossian

Superior Building Center, Calmar

Floors Plus, Waukon

Community Insurance of Iowa, Ossian

Wikner Custom Pumping, Farmersburg

First Southeast Bank of Canton & Harmony

RULES

MUST BE 18-OR-OLDER TO REGISTER AND CLAIM PRIZES

EMPLOYEES AND IMMEDIATE FAMILY MEMBERS OF LA COMMUNICATIONS, HEARTHSIDE FIREPLACES AND MORE AND JET’S MEATS & CAFE ARE NOT ELIGIBLE TO CLAIM PRIZES.

NO PURCHASE NECESSARY

FINAL GIVEAWAY OF BOTH PRIZES WILL BE HELD ON OCTOBER 31ST, 2024

LA COMMUNICATIONS AND ALL PROMOTION PARTNERS ARE NOT LIABLE FOR LOSSES OF ANY KIND.

CONTEST RULES SUBJECT TO CHANGE WITHOUT NOTICE

Luke Bryan, Peyton Manning, and Lainey Wilson have been named as co-hosts for the 2024 CMA Awards. This will mark Bryan’s fourth consecutive time hosting the CMAs, with former NFL quarterback Manning joining him the past two years. This will be Wilson’s first time hosting the CMAs, now in its 58th year. “I could not be more excited to host the CMA Awards this year with Luke and Peyton,” Wilson said in a statement. “It’s such an incredible honor and something I’ve always dreamed of doing.” “Peyton and I have really worked to build off each other and now adding Lainey to the mix will just bring another fun element to the night,” Bryan said in a statement. “Celebrating Country Music never gets old to me.” The 2024 CMA Awards will take place on November 20 at Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena, with the ceremony airing on ABC, and streaming the next day on Hulu. (Rolling Stone)

Congrats to our Thursday night winners for the Great Giveaway!

Becky Hodges registered at The Place in Protivin and won the $2,500 car care package from Clark Tire Pros.
Jim Stee registered at Ossian Lumber and won the CF Moto side by side from Iron Hill Powersports.

And congrats to our Saturday morning winners!

Connie Krueger registered at the Mentoring Golf Tournament in Clermont and won the $4,000 Roofing Credit from Jake’s Roofing and Construction.
Sherry Keating registered at Hy-Vee in Decorah and won the two year lease of a Jeep from KAR Auto Group!

U.S. Customs and Border agents arrested an American woman who tried to cross from Mexico into Texas with more than 700 pounds of bologna in her car.

The 43-year-old woman was questioned at the border and she declared having only a cooked meal. However, a further inspection of the vehicle revealed several heavy suitcases filled with Mexican bologna, which is prohibited in the U.S. due to the risk of introducing foreign animal diseases into the country. The bologna was confiscated and destroyed. Agents also found undeclared prescription medications and more than $7000 in cash. In addition to losing the sandwich meat and the cash, the woman was fined $1000. (USA Today)

IOWA CITY, Iowa – General public seating for the 2024-25 University of Iowa women’s basketball season are sold out, the announcement was made Thursday by the UI Athletics Department.

It is the second time in school history the program has sold out Carver-Hawkeye Arena for the season.

UI student tickets will go on-sale Tuesday, Oct. 1. Additionally, fans are invited to meet the team by attending “Hawkeyes From Downtown” from 4-6 pm (CT) on Oct. 11 near the corner of Clinton and Iowa Avenue.

Iowa is coming off a school-record 34-win season. The Hawkeyes claimed the Big Ten Tournament title and advanced to the NCAA Championship game for a second consecutive season. Iowa returns a pair of starters in 2024-25 under P. Sue Beckwith, MD, Head Women’s Basketball Coach Jan Jensen, who is in her first season as head coach.

HOME COOKIN’
– Ranked second nationally in total attendance with a total of 238,620 fans in Carver-Hawkeye Arena.
– Led the country with nine games having 17,000+ fans in attendance.
– Ranked in the national attendance top 10 each of the past five seasons with fans (2024, 2023, 2022, 2021, 2019). The No. 2 ranking last season was the highest in the Lisa Bluder era (14,914).
– Fifth highest first round attendance in NCAA Women’s Basketball Championship history. Iowa owns three of the top five first round attendance numbers in NCAA Women’s Basketball Championship history (16,151 – The Pit, New Mexico, 2003, 16,029 – The Pit, New Mexico, 2004, 14,382 – Carver, Iowa, 2022 and 2023, 14,324 – Carver, Iowa, 2024).
– At 14,914 fans per game last season, Iowa has broken the Big Ten Conference single-season attendance average record for the second consecutive season.

Photo Credit:  Iowa Women’s Basketball via Facebook

After school Halloween party at Decorah Lutheran Church on Thursday, October 31st. Snacks, Games, and Crafts for all ages.

Decorah, IA- TRICK OR TREAT HOURS ON THURSDAY OCTOBER 31, 2024 WILL BE 5:00 P.M.-7:30 P.M.  Visit the trunk or treat in front of City Hall !!

Waukon, IA- Community and Business Trick-or-Treating happening from 4-6 PM on Thursday, October 31st.

Ossian, IA- Trick or Treating happening from 4:00-7:00 PM on Thursday, October 31st.  Free Hot Dog Handout starting at 4:00 at the Ossian Community Center.  Sponsored by the City of Ossian, and the Ossian Crown Club.

Postville, IA- Trick or Treat on Thursday, October 31st from 5-7 PM.

Decorah, IA- Aase Haugen residents are excited to invite area children to Trick or Treat at the nursing home on Thursday, October 31 from 4:00 to 5:00 p.m.

Halloween Night sponsored by the Hawkeye Lions Club on Thursday, October 31st from 5-7 PM at the American Legion in Hawkeye.  Kid-Friendly Beverages, Halloween Coloring Contest, and Exciting Prizes!  Costumes are encouraged.

Trick or Treat at the Waukon Good Samaritan Society and Evergreen Court Apartments on Thursday, October 31st from 3:00-5:30 PM.

Trunk 0r Treat at St. Patrick’s Church Parking Lot in Brownsville, MN from 5:00-6:30 PM on October 31st.

Canton, MN- Halloween Festivities with the Canton Community Association on Thursday, October 31st from 4:00-6:00 PM at the Canton Town Hall.  Carnival Games, Cookie Decorating, Prizes and Treats!

Halloween Hotdogs and Hot Chocolate at the Farmersburg Community Center from 5:00-7:00 PM on Thursday, October 31st.  Sponsored by the Farmersburg Fire Department.

Tell us about your Halloween event!  Email erik@kneiradio.com

Travelers will experience road work on IA Highway 76 in the next few weeks.  According to the Iowa DOT, shallow milling of the road surface is happening this week in preparation for microsurfacing.  Starting the week of September, 29th the microsurfacing work will take place for one and half weeks.  After that is done, the new surface material will cure for about two weeks, and then the final pavement markings will be put in place.  Flaggers and pilot cars will be used to control traffic in the work. and all work is weather dependent.

Photo Credit:  Iowa DOT

LA Communications is giving away: A New CF Moto Side by Side from Iron Hill Powersports, a two year lease of a Jeep Wrangler from KAR Auto Group, $4,000 roofing credit from Jake’s Roofing and Construction, and a $2,500 Car Care Package from Clark Tire Pros!

FINAL Giveaway will be held Sept 26th and Sept 28th!!! Side by Side and Care Care Package on Thursday the 26th and KAR and Roof on Saturday the 28th! Stay tuned for details!

Jeep Lease:

David Phillips
Caleb Balk
Renee Hankes
Becky Svella Smedsrud
Hannah Myhre
Jackie Walleser
Terry Logsdon
Luane Henzler
Gary Hubka
Sherrie Keating

Roofing Credit:

Gary Weber
Kim Rathbone
Donn Hagen
Connie Kruegen
Bryan Beckman
Beth Klimesh
Ande Dundee
Clayton Burke
Jesse Delaney
Sue Amunrud

SXS

Bailey Kach
Samantha Phillips
Sandra Ask
Roxanne Lueschow
Wanda Hemesath
Jim Stee
Kris Burke
Ashley Schneberg
Davey Peterson
Michelle Gress

Care Care Package

Katrinda Whalen
Kris Burke
Katelyn Reicks
Mary Guyer
Grace Housker
Karen McNeil
Tim Becker
Becky Hodges
Janessa Zweibahmer
Megan Blong

Randy Travis has announced that the “More Life Tour” will hit the road again in 2025. Travis, his original touring band, and guest vocalist James Dupré start the tour in January in Tulsa, and end in May in Branson MO. Although Travis won’t sing due to the stroke he suffered in 2013, he will appear on stage with his wife, Mary, engaging with fans and interacting with the band.

With less than 100 days to go, it seems that if you haven’t begun your Christmas shopping, you’re already behind. A new poll shows that one in 4 people have started their seasonal shopping – mainly because they’re worried about items selling out. The survey, conducted in the US, revealed that in the past, half of us have had problems getting their hands on in-demand presents, and 30% have completely missed out on the item they were after. And that’s why 36% said they have already purchased the “main present” for an adult. What are the items we are most concerned about selling out? Decorations were first (36%), followed by tech products (32%), advent calendars (29%), and “must-have” toys (29%). Other shoppers said they started the Christmas shopping season early as a way of spreading the cost (52%), or simply because they love Christmas (26%).

LANSING, Iowa – Sept. 16, 2024 – If you drive on the Mississippi River Bridge at Lansing you need to be aware that intermittent closures on the bridge will resume on Tuesday, Sept. 17, weather permitting.

Construction crews will continue work on constructing a new pier and driving the pier foundation for the new bridge that will replace the current bridge.

Intermittent closures of a half hour will happen on the existing bridge to reduce vibration from construction activity and traffic, limiting the chance of damage occurring. These closures are anticipated twice a day each weekday.

Weather permitting, these closures will be done by Friday, Oct. 4. We will be updating the Lansing Bridge Facebook page and local radio stations as construction progresses.

Work on the new bridge is moving forward. For more information on the construction of the new Mississippi River Bridge at Lansing, go to iowadot.gov/lansingbridge where you can sign up to receive updates directly to your inbox or check out our Facebook page www.facebook.com/LansingBridge/.

Photo Credit: Mississippi River Bridge at Lansing via Facebook

DECORAH, IA, September 9, 2024 – The Alzheimer’s Association is inviting Northeast Iowa area residents to join the fight to end Alzheimer’s by participating in the Walk to End Alzheimer’s on Saturday, Sept. 14.

What: The Walk to End Alzheimer’s helps support the Alzheimer’s Association’s critical research, care and support across Iowa. It is the world’s largest event to raise awareness and funds for Alzheimer’s care, support and research.

When: Saturday, Sept. 14, 2024

Registration: 8 a.m.

Promise Garden Ceremony & Walk: 9 a.m.

Where: Decorah City Hall

Register and donate at alz.org/walk to get the most out of Walk day and support the fight to end Alzheimer’s.

Why: The Alzheimer’s Association and its volunteers and walk participants are fighting for a different future. For families facing the disease today, for more time, for treatments. Alzheimer’s research is closer than ever to stopping Alzheimer’s, but to get there, the Alzheimer’s Association needs Northeast Iowa to join them for the world’s largest fundraiser to fight the disease.

Nearly 7 million Americans are living with Alzheimer’s disease – the sixth-leading cause of death in the United States. Additionally, more than 11 million family members and friends provide care to people living with Alzheimer’s and other dementias. In Iowa alone, there are more than 62,000 people living with the disease and nearly 100,000 caregivers.

Alzheimer’s Association Walk to End Alzheimer’s^®

The Alzheimer’s Association Walk to End Alzheimer’s is the world’s largest event to raise awareness and funds for Alzheimer’s care, support and research. Since 1989, the Alzheimer’s Association mobilized millions of Americans in the Alzheimer’s Association Memory Walk^®; now the Alzheimer’s Association is continuing to lead the way with Walk to End Alzheimer’s. Together, we can end Alzheimer’s. Visit alz.org/walk to register and learn more.

Former Iowa Hawkeye Caitlin Clark is leading the Indiana Fever into the playoffs, and now an Orchard in Indiana is celebrating Caitlin with a corn maze.  County Line Orchard shared the pic on social media earlier this week.  In the post the orchard said, “Her incredible success and impact on the WNBA is a huge inspiration”.

Photo Credit:  County Line Orchard  and mattscottmedia via Facebook

It’s a good day to be Morgan Wallen. The CMA announced the nominations for the upcoming CMA Awards and Morgan heard his name seven times on the list. Of course, he’s not the only artist with multiple nominations. Cody Johnson and Chris Stapleton each earned five, Post Malone and Lainey Wilson received four nods each and seven industry leaders – Luke Combs, Megan Moroney, Jelly Roll, Kacey Musgraves and producers Louis Bell, Charlie Handsome and Hoskins earned three a piece.

First time nominees besides Post Malone include Ella Langley, Riley Green, Shaboozey, Ernest, Nate Smith, Mitchell Tenpenny, Zach Top, Red Clay Strays and Bailey Zimmerman.

The CMA Awards will broadcast live from Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena November 20th on ABC.

The nominees are as follows:

ENTERTAINER OF THE YEAR:

• Luke Combs
• Jelly Roll
• Chris Stapleton
• Morgan Wallen
• Lainey Wilson

FEMALE VOCALIST OF THE YEAR:

• Kelsea Ballerini
• Ashley McBryde
• Megan Moroney
• Kacey Musgraves
• Lainey Wilson

MALE ARTIST OF THE YEAR:

• Luke Combs
• Jelly Roll
• Cody Johnson
• Chris Stapleton
• Morgan Wallen

VOCAL GROUP OF THE YEAR:

• Lady A
• Little Big Town
• Old Dominion
• The Red Clay Strays
• Zac Brown Band

VOCAL DUO OF THE YEAR:

• Brooks and Dunn
• Brothers Osborne
• Dan and Shay
• Maddie and Tae
• The War and Treaty

NEW ARTIST OF THE YEAR:

• Megan Moroney
• Shaboozey
• Nate Smith
• Mitchell Tenpenny
• Zach Top
• Bailey Zimmerman

SINGLE OF THE YEAR:

• Shaboozey – “A Bar Song (Tipsy)”
• Cody Johnson – “Dirt Cheap”
• Post Malone (featuring Morgan Wallen) – “I Had Some Help”
• Lainey Wilson – “Watermelon Moonshine”
• Chris Stapleton – “White Horse”

ALBUM OF THE YEAR:

• Kacey Musgraves – Deeper Well
• Luke Combs – Fathers and Sons
• Chris Stapleton – Higher
• Cody Johnson – Leather
• Jelly Roll – Whitsett Chapel

SONG OF THE YEAR (Award goes to songwriters):

• Parker McCollum – “Burn It Down”
• Cody Johnson – “Dirt Cheap”
• Post Malone (featuring Morgan Wallen) – “I Had Some Help”
• Cody Johnson – “The Painter”
• Chris Stapleton – “White Horse”

MUSICAL EVENT OF THE YEAR:

• Kelsea Ballerini (with Noah Kahan) – “Cowboys Cry Too”
• Post Malone (featuring Morgan Wallen) – “I Had Some Help”
• Zach Bryan (featuring Kacey Musgraves) – “I Remember Everything”
• Morgan Wallen (featuring Eric Church) – “Man Made a Bar”
• Ella Langley (featuring Riley Green) – “You Look Like You Love Me”

MUSIC VIDEO OF THE YEAR:

• Cody Johnson – “Dirt Cheap”
• Post Malone (featuring Morgan Wallen) – “I Had Some Help”
• Megan Moroney – “I’m Not Pretty”
• Cody Johnson – “The Painter”
• Lainey Wilson – “Wild Flowers and Wild Horses”

MUSICIAN OF THE YEAR:

• Tom Bukovac – guitar
• Jenee Fleenor – fiddle
• Paul Franklin – steel guitar
• Rob McNelley – guitar
• Charlie Worsham – guitar

A tractor trailer bed found itself stuck in an overhead sign on Interstate 64 in Henrico County, Virginia. Footage shows the tractor trailer leaning against the sign, seemingly stuck in the air. Thursday’s accident shut down traffic for more than seven hours. Investigators are still investigating how the bed managed to detach itself from the cab and end up in the air. “How does this even happen” one X user commented on the Henrico Police photo. “I’ve always wanted to do this…in video games,” wrote another.

Photo Credit: Henrico County Police via Facebook

We had a great chat with Iowa Dairy Princess Alternate Harley Baumler.  She is attending Iowa State, and is a native to the St. Lucas area.  Here our conversation below!

A water buffalo is on the loose in a town in Iowa.

Residents in the Des Moines suburb of Pleasant Hill have been warned about a water buffalo that escaped its owner and is now wandering loose in the town. When police were initially told about the animal on Saturday, they attempted to contain the animal but were unsuccessful. An officer fired one round from a shotgun and injured the animal, causing it to become aggressive. The wounded water buffalo escaped the containment attempts and is still on the run.

Officials say they don’t have the tranquilizers necessary to sedate an animal of this size. They’re using drones, ATVs and Ring camera footage from the public to track the animal’s whereabouts.

Scotty McCreery was performing at the Colorado State Fair and during his first song he witnessed a man hit a woman. He stopped the show immediately and didn’t continue until the cops took the guy out.

Get signed up for the annual LA Communications Non Profit ATV/UTV Fall Ride!  The ride will leave from Bluffton Campground and travel SE Minnesota and Northeast Iowa on Saturday, October 19th.  The cost is $50, and will feature a 50/50 raffle and a free will offering lunch.  You don’t need a Minnesota Trail Pass to ride. Smokin’ Monkee BBQ will be set up that morning serving Breakfast Brisket Burritos before the ride, and camping spots are available Bluffton Resort & Bar.

Proceeds from this event will go to two great local organizations.

-The Decorah Elks Charitable w Foundation which helps underprivileged kids with school supplies, medical necessities and scholarships to go on the Washington DC trip. As well as and Christmas care packages for local Veterans in nursing homes.

-Northeast Iowa Community Action provides programs in the surrounding counties of Allamakee, Bremer, Clayton, Chickasaw, Fayette, Howard, & Winneshiek. They provide services to over 10,000 individuals each year.

To get signed up for this fun ride, click here: Fall ATV/UTV Ride Registration.

Is there a moment when you know that your day will be ruined? According to a new survey, apparently there is. And the exact time is 8:36 a.m. That’s when the average American knows if they’re in for a “bad day.” The survey found that the average person has four bad days a month – that’s 48 bad days a year. 26% of respondents went so far as to say that when something goes bad in the morning, the day is completely lost. 48% admitted to canceling plans or calling in sick to work when they wake up with a feeling that the day will be challenging.

For parents, back-to-school time presents extra challenges. 55% of the parents of school-aged kids surveyed said their kids are more prone to bad days when the new school year starts as they readjust to the schedule. 51% of parents also said they experience an increase in bad days when kids go back to school, with 56% saying their child’s bad day often leads to their own.

Here are some morning mishaps that can signal a bad day:

1. Waking up feeling sick – 35%
2. Sleeping poorly throughout the night – 31%
3. Waking up with a headache – 29%
4. Losing keys – 26%
5. Forgetting phone at home – 25%
6. Running out of toilet paper – 22%
7. Forgetting your wallet at home – 22%
8. Oversleeping – 18%

A big thanks to Alicia Denner for giving us all the details on the NEI Fellowship of Christian Athletes Fields of Faith event happening this Sunday(8-18-24) in Cresco.  Featured speakers include former Iowa Hawkeye Sharon Goodman, and Luther Head Baseball Coach Bryan Nikkol.  Check out our conversation below.

Elaine Salmon was preparing for the new school year at Peak to Peak Mountain Charter School in California when a black bear wandered into her classroom. The teacher left her otherwise empty room to make copies, and returned to find the bruin wandering around. Salmon then closed the door, trapping the bear inside, and found help. “My first thought was, is it gonna do any damage? I have a brand new floor and I already have my decorations up,” Salmon said. Fortunately, the bear was only interested in the snacks in the classroom’s emergency kit. School officials are planning to replace the door handles with less bear-friendly mechanisms.

We had a chance to visit with Country on the Creek headliner Kristine Kabbes & The Skallywags!  We talked to her about growing up in Indiana, meeting Carly Pearce, and about the show coming up on Saturday(8-17-24) night in Waterville!

Country on the Creek will also feature the Annie Ellingson Band, Hillbilly Rocketship, Smokin’ Gun Showdown, and Forgotten Highway!