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Iowa Senate Democrats call for return to 39 weeks of unemployment benefits for Tyson workers in Perry

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Iowa Senate Democrats call for return to 39 weeks of unemployment benefits for Tyson workers in Perry


DES MOINES, Iowa (Gray Television Iowa Capitol Bureau) – Iowa Democrats are calling on Republican leaders in the state Senate to help out workers who will be affected by the Tyson plant closure in Perry.

Of the nearly 1300 workers receiving a pink slip in June, 729 of them live in Perry city limits.

With the city’s population around 8,000, State Senator Sarah Trone Garriott of Dallas County says the plant closure is going to hurt more than the affected employees. “It’s not just 729 people who are impacted. It’s spouses who also work and contribute to that community. It’s children who attend the Perry Schools, and it’s every single one of their neighbors,” Trone Garriott said.

Trone Garriott says the layoffs will also hurt Perry Schools, who are still reeling from a school shooting in January that killed a principal and student. “A sudden and significant drop in the number of students attending Perry Schools would mean budget cuts and staff cuts, and that will hurt every single Perry student. Because school funding is per student, and the budget guarantee is not much comfort in this situation because it only helps them maintain funding for a year if they raise property taxes,” Trone Garriott said.

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In 2022, lawmakers cut the length of unemployment benefits for plant workers from 39 weeks to 26.

Senate Minority Leader Pam Jochum says they’re calling on Senate Republicans to reverse course. “That would return unemployment benefits for workers facing a plant closure to the full 39 weeks. It’s just simply the right thing to do and we’re calling on Republican leaders in the Senate to introduce a leadership bill to make it happen,” Jochum said.

At this point in the session, only the majority floor leader can introduce a bill. When speaking with reporters Thursday, Senate Majority Leader Jack Whitver said he didn’t have an opinion on the plan yet, as he didn’t have time to read the proposal.

In a statement, State Senator Jason Schultz of Crawford County says the changes to the unemployment insurance program are a success.

“Plant closing and job losses are traumatic experience for employees affected by the closing, their families, and the entire community. Iowa Workforce Development and Tyson are both fully engaged in finding new employment for the impacted workers in Perry.

The changes to the unemployment insurance program are a success. This policy has halved the number of people on unemployment. It has also halved the amount of time it has taken to get another job. This program is designed to be a bridge to the next job because a job is the best way for Iowans to provide for themselves and their families. Iowa currently has more than 58,000 job openings, including more than 13,000 in central Iowa and I am optimistic new career opportunities will be available for everyone impacted by yesterday’s announcement,” Schultz said.

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Tyson is encouraging affected employees to apply to other open positions in the company. The nearest Tyson plant to Perry is 109 miles away in Storm Lake.

Conner Hendricks covers state government and politics for Gray Television-owned stations in Iowa. Email him at conner.hendricks@gray.tv; and follow him on Facebook at Conner Hendricks TV or on X/Twitter @ConnerReports.





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Groundbreaking held for Iowa Valley Habitat for Humanity’s 16th Woman Build

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Groundbreaking held for Iowa Valley Habitat for Humanity’s 16th Woman Build


IOWA CITY, Iowa (KCRG) — Volunteers broke ground Saturday for Iowa Valley Habitat for Humanity’s 16th Woman Build, honoring a retired University of Iowa nursing professor.

Liz Swanson, a retired nursing professor, was chosen as this year’s honoree for her decades of impact. The Women Build program focuses on including women in every step of home construction.

While the home is built in Swanson’s honor, it will go to a fellow nurse and mother of three. The family applied through the affordable housing program.

Swanson said she’s proud to be part of a project that directly connects to her nursing legacy.

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“It’s very special to have the unique opportunity to help the nurse who is working nights,” Swanson said.

Swanson said stable housing gives families the security to plan for the future.

“It means security for families. We talked briefly to the children and they said, ‘we’re gonna have our own bedroom,’” Swanson said.

Volunteers are set to begin work on the home in August. Those interested in volunteering can find more information here.

Copyright 2026 KCRG. All rights reserved.

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Iowa Lottery Mega Millions, Pick 3 Midday results for May 8, 2026

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The Iowa Lottery offers several draw games for those aiming to win big with rewards ranging from $1,000 to millions. The most an Iowan has ever won from playing the lottery was $343 million in 2018 off the Powerball.

Don’t miss out on the winnings. Here’s a look at Friday, May 8, 2026, winning numbers for each game:

Winning Mega Millions numbers from May 8 drawing

37-47-49-51-58, Mega Ball: 16

Check Mega Millions payouts and previous drawings here.

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Winning Pick-3 numbers from May 8 drawing

Midday: 0-5-8

Evening: 9-9-2

Check Pick-3 payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Pick-4 numbers from May 8 drawing

Midday: 0-2-7-3

Evening: 0-7-0-6

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Check Pick-4 payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Millionaire for Life numbers from May 8 drawing

14-16-21-43-51, Bonus: 03

Check Millionaire for Life payouts and previous drawings here.

Feeling lucky? Explore the latest lottery news & results

When are the Iowa Lottery drawings held?

  • Powerball: 9:59 p.m. CT on Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday.
  • Mega Millions: 10:00 p.m. CT on Tuesday and Friday.
  • Lotto America: 9:15 p.m. CT on Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday.
  • Lucky for Life: 9:38 p.m. CT daily.
  • Pick 3 (Day): 12:20 p.m. CT daily.
  • Pick 3 (Evening): 10:00 p.m. CT daily.
  • Pick 4 (Day): 12:20 p.m. CT daily.
  • Pick 4 (Evening): 10:00 p.m. CT daily.
  • Millionaire for Life: 10:15 p.m. CT daily.

This results page was generated automatically using information from TinBu and a template written and reviewed by an Iowa editor. You can send feedback using this form.



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Iowa SNAP restrictions raise concerns over confusion, impact on summer food aid

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Iowa SNAP restrictions raise concerns over confusion, impact on summer food aid


Iowa’s new restrictions on SNAP benefits are drawing concern from advocates who say the changes could make it harder for families to buy food and could put future summer assistance for children at risk.

The state’s SNAP waiver took effect January 1, 2026, limiting what items can be purchased based on Iowa’s taxable food list. While that includes widely discussed restrictions on soda and candy, the policy also affects certain prepared foods, creating confusion for shoppers.

“Something as small as whether or not a utensil is included in a food item actually impacts whether or not you can continue to purchase that item using your SNAP benefits,” Paige Chickering, Iowa State Manager for the Save the Children Action Network, said.

Advocates say the rules can be difficult to navigate, especially for people relying on quick meals. Items like prepackaged salads or sandwiches may or may not qualify depending on how they are packaged.

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At the same time, new legislation slated for the next session at the statehouse could make those restrictions more permanent by requiring Iowa to continue seeking federal approval for the waiver.

That’s raising additional concerns about the future of Summer EBT, also known as “Sun Bucks,” which provides food assistance to children when school is out.

“This makes that food assistance dependent on a decision made in Washington, D.C. that is just arbitrary and not really dependent on the needs of Iowans and Iowa children,” Chickering said.

The program is expected to help around 220,000 children in Iowa during the summer months. Advocates worry leaving it up to federal approval of the waiver could jeopardize that support if policies change. They also point out that SNAP plays a major role in addressing hunger compared to other resources.

“We know that for every one meal provided by an emergency feeding organization, SNAP provides nine,” Chickering said.

Advocates say they support improving nutrition but argue there are more effective, evidence based ways to do that without limiting food choices.

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For now, organizations across Iowa are working to help families understand the new rules, while also pushing lawmakers to reconsider how the policy could impact food access moving forward.



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