Iowa LGBTQ Chamber of Commerce growing in eastern Iowa

Published

12 months ago

December 30, 2023

Iowa LGBTQ Chamber of Commerce growing in eastern Iowa

CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa (KCRG) – The Iowa LBGTQ Chamber of Commerce is a new organization working to grow in eastern Iowa.

The goal is to provide Iowa businesses with state and national connections and educational opportunities.

Selenthia Jeffers and Barb Hanson of Cedar Rapids founded Shared Existence in 2022, as a resource to help people and businesses create inclusive cultures.

”It’s all about really getting to a place where instead of being judgmental or making assumptions or stereotyping,” Jeffers said. “It’s really doing that inner work. “

While looking for ways to advance their mission earlier this year, they connected with Iowa’s newly formed LGBTQ Chamber of Commerce.

They say it’s been an invaluable resource.

”We are now aware of organizations that not only can we potentially partner with but also places that are safe for us to go into,” Hanson said.

Board Chair Dan Jansen said networking is one of the biggest benefits the chamber offers.

It has 46 members across the state after launching in October.

It also helps businesses like Shared Existence earn special designations that can open doors to bigger clients.

Jeffers and Hanson said they’re looking forward to paying back the support they’ve gotten.

”We have a platform. Let’s see how we can continue to make strides to help the little ones that are coming up and other people in our community,” Jeffers said.

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Kirk Ferentz Talks Hank Brown, Brendan Sullivan, Iowa QB Situation

Published

5 minutes ago

December 21, 2024

Press Room

Kirk Ferentz Talks Hank Brown, Brendan Sullivan, Iowa QB Situation

In addition to holding court on several big picture issues like the transfer portal, Iowa’s NIL positioning, and the 105-man roster limit at Friday’s media availability, Iowa head coach Kirk Ferentz also spent a considerable amount of time discussing the Hawkeye quarterback situation.

First, he talked about the process of adding Auburn transfer Hank Brown, the newest member of Iowa’s quarterback room. “It’s like anything you do in the portal. If you go to the portal, you’re trying to improve your depth, trying to improve the level of competition at any given position,” Ferentz said. “Obviously, we’re a little thin at that spot right now body-wise. [We] need some guys that we think have a chance to really develop and grow.”

READ MORE: COMMIT: Portal Quarterback Hank Brown Chooses Iowa

“I know [offensive coordinator] Tim Lester has been really thorough with his evaluations on everybody, including high school film,” noted Ferentz. “That was a big part of the evaluation, going back and watching all the prospects that we look at in high school, following it to whatever college tape may be there.”

“I think the things that Tim is looking for, he found that with Hank,” said Ferentz. “The other key component is what is it going to be like when we meet the prospect, his family, how we feel they’re going to fit in the program. Vice versa, it has to be a mutual deal. [We] felt really good about it. We’re excited about it.”

READ MORE: Three Thoughts on Hank Brown’s Commitment to Iowa

Ferentz also noted that both Brown and incoming true freshman Jimmy Sullivan were joining the program shorly and would be available to practice with Iowa in the lead-up to the Music City Bowl against #19 Missouri (December 30, 1:30 PM CT).

It’s new for us,” Ferentz said. “At least we’ll get eyes on these guys, get them out there. Tim will have them totally confused by Monday. They can travel with us to the bowl game but they can’t play. We’re going to add to the competition here in the spring and see how it goes. Both [Brown] and Jimmy Sullivan will be a part of that.”

Don’t miss out on any of our exclusive football, basketball, and recruiting coverage. Sign up with Hawkeye Beacon here.

Ferentz was also asked if he was comfortable with where Iowa was at in terms of adding players out of the transfer portal. “It’s a process, as you know,” he explained. “A lot of people are out traveling around. I guess it all comes to an end Sunday, I think. Seems like it’s been a long journey.”

“I think we’re in a good position,” Ferentz added. “We’ll do our due diligence. If it works, it works with players we’re involved with. If not, so be it. We have a couple more visitors coming here I guess before Sunday. As far as I know, we’re done Sunday. That could change. I think we’re comfortable right now.”

Finally, Ferentz also addressed the condition of Brendan Sullivan, who missed the last two games of the regular season, but was back atop the new depth chart released on Friday.

“[Sullivan looks] really good,” Ferentz said. “I’m going back to the end of the season. Friday and Monday, we were off that weekend. That Friday and Monday we worked. Just shorts, not contact. I don’t think he did anything or didn’t do much. Since that time he’s been great. He feels fully confident. The injury is in the history now.”

“[He’s] just getting caught up because he missed a couple weeks there. This has been a good period where he’s getting some work,” Ferentz explained.

“Tim even had like a little quarterback school going a couple days where we weren’t work, just working those guys mentally, going out in the field walking through some things, letting them throw the ball, stationary, things like that, things you can’t do in the spring because of all the stupid rules we have. That goes back to we need to change our approach to January to August. We really need to change that. But that’s a discussion for a different day.”

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Iowa

First human case of avian influenza in Iowa confirmed

Published

8 hours ago

December 20, 2024

Press Room

First human case of avian influenza in Iowa confirmed

DES MOINES, Iowa (KCRG) – The first human case of avian influenza in Iowa has been confirmed, the Iowa Department of Health and Human Services confirmed Friday.

Iowa HHS said the person was exposed to infected poultry while working with a commercial flock in northwest Iowa.

The person is receiving treatment and is recovering from mild symptoms.

Testing at the State Hygienic Laboratory identified the case, and it was also confirmed by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

So far, the CDC has confirmed 64 cases of H5 HPAI in humans across nine states.

However, there has been no evidence of human-to-human transmission of influenza A(H5) in the U.S.

Officials say the majority of the exposures are linked to infected poultry or dairy cows.

“Iowa has monitored the spread of avian influenza closely since it was first detected in poultry in the state in 2022, and our state is prepared with the established knowledge, strong partnerships, and effective tools to mitigate its impact on our community,” said Iowa HHS State Medical Director Dr. Robert Kruse.

Iowa HHS said there is no concern about the safety of eggs and poultry products or pasteurized milk and dairy products.

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Will the Amazon strike impact Iowa deliveries? Here’s what to know

Published

16 hours ago

December 20, 2024

Press Room

Will the Amazon strike impact Iowa deliveries? Here’s what to know

A union vying to represent Amazon employees ignited the largest strike in the company’s history leading up to the holidays.

The International Brotherhood of Teamsters’ strike started Thursday morning in four states, including neighboring Illinois.

“If your package is delayed during the holidays, you can blame Amazon’s insatiable greed,” Teamsters President Sean O’Brien said in a statement. “These greedy executives had every chance to show decency and respect for the people who make their obscene profits possible. Instead, they’ve pushed workers to the limit and now they’re paying the price.”

Will the strike impact Amazon deliveries in Iowa this holiday season?

Will the Amazon strike delay deliveries to Iowa?

The strike isn’t expected to have any impact on Amazon’s operations, according to an email from an Amazon spokesperson to the Des Moines Register.

Nationwide, any delays would be minor and similar to winter weather delays, Satish Jindel, president of ShipMatrix, a software provider that tracks on-time delivery data for package shippers, told CNN.

Amazon has a lot of warehouses and very few are included in the strike, he said noting that the retailer could route packages through other facilities.

Why is Amazon on strike?

The strike of nearly 10,000 Amazon workers is aimed at fighting for higher wages, better benefits and safer conditions at work, according to the International Brotherhood of Teamsters. The union aims to put pressure on the online shopping retailer by threatening to delay deliveries during one of the busiest times of the year.

Amazon spokesperson Kelly Nantel said in an email to the Register that the union doesn’t reflect its workers, who have not held an election to seek union representation.

“The truth is that they were unable to get enough support from our employees and partners and have brought in outsiders to harass and intimidate our team, which is inappropriate and dangerous,” Nantel said. “We appreciate all our team’s great work to serve their customers and communities, and thanks to them, we’re not seeing any impact to customers’ orders.”

Are there any Amazon strike locations in Iowa?

Strikes are expected to take place at Amazon sites in New York City, Atlanta, San Francisco, Skokie, Illinois and Southern California. No strikes are planned at any of the facilities in Iowa.

Where are some of the Amazon warehouse locations in Iowa?

Ankeny is home to a new 150,000-square-foot same-day delivery Amazon warehouse. There are at least four Amazon warehouses around the Des Moines metro with locations in Grimes, Bondurant and Altoona.

Iowa City and Davenport are also home to Amazon warehouses.

Kate Kealey is a general assignment reporter for the Des Moines Register. Reach her at kkealey@registermedia.com or follow her on Twitter at @Kkealey17.

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