WEST DES MOINES, IOWA (May 7, 2020) — Iowa farmers and rural communities face mounting challenges and uncertainty as disruptions to meat-processing plants impacted by COVID-19 have created a bottleneck in the supply-chain with major negative impacts for both farmers and consumers.

MADISON, WISCONSIN (May 7, 2020) — The Phi Kappa Phi, Chapter 021, at the University of Wisconsin-Madison has initiated 144 students into membership, including a student from your area. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the 100th Phi Kappa Phi Induction Ceremony, typically held in the spring, has been postponed until Sunday, October 11, to be held in Tripp Commons, Memorial Union. The Keynote Speaker will be Provost John Karl Scholz.

IOWA CITY, IOWA (May 7, 2020) — A record 21 University of Iowa students and alumni from a range of creative, academic, and scientific fields have been chosen from among more than 10,000 students nationally to receive a prestigious Fulbright award to conduct research, teach English, or undertake creative projects abroad in 2020-21.

Included among the award-winners is Mahum Haque of Le Claire, IA 52753.

DES MOINES, IOWA (May 7, 2020) — The number of initial claims in Iowa, filed between Sunday, April 26, and Saturday, May 2, was 24,693. There were 22,830 initial claims by individuals who work and live in Iowa, and 1,863 claims by individuals who work in Iowa and live in another state.

The number of continuing weekly unemployment claims was 181,358.

Unemployment insurance benefit payments totaled $50,931,302.43 for the same week.