COUNCIL BLUFFS, IOWA. (WOWT) – After more than a day of anticipation, officials with the Iowa Department of Transportation confirmed to 6 on Your Side late Tuesday Night that it would be shutting down portions of Interstates 680 and 29 effective at midnight Wednesday.

The closures are due to to rising water on the Missouri River.

The affected stretch of I-29 is from the 25th Street interchange on the north edge of Council Bluffs to the I-29/I-880 interchange.

The I-680 stretch is from the Nebraska border to the I-29/I-680 interchange near Crescent.

A detour was set to be posted near Loveland to take traffic from the I-29/I-880 interchange east to the I-80/I-880 interchange, then southwest on I-80 into Council Bluffs.

Monday night, Iowa DOT’s Austin Yates told 6 News that there was anticipation that the interstate would reopen sometime during the weekend.

Copyright 2024 WOWT. All rights reserved.

CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa (KCRG) – On Tuesday, the Iowa Secretary of Agriculture announced new testing requirements for dairy cattle participating in Iowa fairs and exhibitions.

Secretary Mike Naig announced the new requirements as a way to minimize the potential spread of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI). HPAI (also known as Bird Flu) has hit numerous dairy cattle in the state. The Secretary says the state should expect to see new positive cases announced as the increased testing takes place.

“The Department is issuing a statewide order effective July 1 that will require additional tests for HPAI prior to dairy cattle participating at our state’s many fairs and exhibitions,” said Secretary Naig. “We want to strike a balance between allowing our 4-H, FFA, and dairy exhibitors the opportunity to show their animals, while also requiring additional testing to protect our livestock and minimize the potential spread of the virus,” said Secretary Naig.

To date, the state has reported 11 positive cases of HPAI within dairy herds in Iowa. 9 of those cases have been detected in Sioux County. Iowa has had three poultry cases thus far in 2024, including one case in a commercial chicken layer in Sioux County and two cases in commercial turkey flocks.

“Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza isn’t just a poultry issue or a dairy issue, it’s an issue for all of agriculture. Our approach is reflective of our significant livestock industry, and I want to thank our farmers who have stepped up to help contribute to the broader understanding, visibility and knowledge of this virus,” said Secretary Naig. “We should expect additional challenges ahead and as the situation continues to evolve, we will also continue to evaluate our response. We continue to support our farmers through the joint state and federal response team who are navigating this evolving and unpredictable situation.”

Suspected signs of HPAI in poultry include:

• Sudden increase in bird deaths without any clinical signs
• Lethargy and/or lack of energy and appetite
• Decrease in egg production
• Soft, thin-shelled and/or misshapen eggs
• Swelling of the head, eyelids, comb, wattles, and hocks
• Purple/blue discoloration of the wattles, comb, and legs
• Difficulty breathing
• Coughing, sneezing, and/or nasal discharge (runny nose)
• Stumbling and/or falling down
• Diarrhea

Suspected signs of HPAI in dairy cows include:

• Decrease in food consumption with a simultaneous decrease in rumination
• Clear nasal discharge
• Drop in milk production
• Tacky or loose feces
• Lethargy
• Dehydration
• Fever
• Thicker, concentrated, colostrum-like milk

Officials say that it is safe to enjoy poultry products. Consumers should utilize the proper handling and cooking of eggs and poultry products, including cooking to an internal temperature of 165˚F.

There is no concern about the safety of pasteurized milk or dairy products. Pasteurization has continually proven to successfully inactivate bacteria and viruses, like influenza, in milk.

If dairy producers suspect cases of HPAI, they should contact their herd veterinarian immediately. Possible cases must also be reported to the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship at (515) 281-5305.

Copyright 2024 KCRG. All rights reserved.

CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa – Cities across Iowa are preparing to host annual Independence Day fireworks displays!

Here is a list of displays you can see in eastern Iowa this year:

Bettendorf

• Parade at 10 a.m. on July 4 in downtown Bettendorf
• 4th of July Festival from noon to 10 p.m. on Spruce Hills Drive in front of Cumberland Square
• Fireworks at Middle Park at dusk
• More info

Cedar Falls

• Fireworks Over the Dome at 9:40 p.m. on June 27

Cedar Rapids

• Ellis Fireworks on the River at 9 p.m. on July 3 – more info
• Cedar Rapids Freedom Festival – Celebration of Freedom Fireworks
• Fireworks start at dark on July 4 in downtown Cedar Rapids
• More info

Charles City

• Fourth of July Celebration from July 3-6
• Fourth of July Parade begins at 11 a.m. on July 4, then fireworks by the Cedar River in the evening
• Main Street Charles City’s Party in the Park on July 5
• July 6 – magician show, cornhole tournament
• More info

Coralville

• Coralville’s annual 4thFest parade at 10 a.m. on July 4, starting and ending at the corner of 9th Street and 22nd Avenue
• Fireworks display in S.T. Morrison Park at dark, around 9:45 p.m.

Garnavillo

• Festivities from July 3-4, more info here
• Parade at 10 a.m.
• Fireworks display at dusk

Independence

• Celebrate Indee July 3-4 at Riverwalk Parks
• July 4 – festivities begin in Riverwalk Parks at 10:45 a.m.
• Fireworks over the Wapsipinicon River at 10 p.m. on July 4
• More info

Marion

• Marion’s 5th annual Fireworks & Fireflies celebration on July 3 at Klopfenstein Amphitheater at Lowe Park, starting at 6 p.m.
• More info

Mechanicsville

• Fireworks at dusk on 125th Street at dusk
• More info

Muscatine

• Kids Parade (Pearl Plaza to Musser Public Library) at 9 a.m.
• Community parade in downtown Muscatine at 4 p.m.
• Almost Fireworks Fest on the Riverfront, 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.
• Muscatine Symphony Orchestra at 8:10 p.m.
• Fireworks at dusk
• More info

North Liberty

• Fireworks display at 9:30 p.m. on July 3 in Penn Meadows Park
• More info

Oxford Junction

• 4th of July Parade starts at 4 p.m. at Midland Elementary School, ends at Wapsi Park
• Fireworks display at dusk at Wapsi Park
• More info

Tama/Toledo

• Annual fireworks display at dusk on July 4 at the Toledo Heights Park
• More info

Tipton

• 4th of July Parade at 11 a.m.
• Fireworks at dusk at the Cedar County Fairgrounds
• More info

Washington

• 4th of July fireworks display at 9:15 p.m. at the Washington County Fairgrounds
• More info

Waterloo

• Waterloo’s annual fireworks event from 6 p.m. to 11 p.m. on July 6, along the Cedar River downtown.
• Fireworks begin at 10 p.m. on July 6

Wellman

• North Park activities begin at 4 p.m. on July 4
• Fireworks at dusk

Know of other communities holding fireworks displays? Send us the information at newsroom@kcrg.com.

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Copyright 2024 KCRG. All rights reserved.