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.

Share your 4th of July celebration photos with us:

Copyright 2024 KCRG. All rights reserved.

CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa (KCRG) – A semi-retired doctor and his wife are helping patients navigate Tourette Syndrome.

Tourette Syndrome is characterized by tics. These are compulsive movements or sounds people can’t control. Less than 1% of the population has the condition.

Dr. Scott Nau thought he knew about Tourette Syndrome from his medical training. However, he said his real “degree” in the field came from his marriage to Jackie, who has Tourette’s.

Jackie said having Tourette is “so much more than embarrassment and humiliation,” although she added those definitely “rank way up there”.

“I spent a year and half of my life grabbing my crotch, and there’s no way you can put a shine on that, especially for a woman,” she said. “That’s while I had a great career of cutting hair, and it makes you feel undignified no matter where I go.”

Obscene gestures and unusual sounds are embarrassing, but Jackie said what people don’t understand is that Tourette Syndrome is also anxiety and physical pain. After a lifetime of head and neck tics, Jackie had significant arthritis issues in her neck and got neck surgery a few months ago.

“I got a tiny scar there, and that was pretty brutal to go through that, and to know that it came from this disorder that I’d give anything not to have.”

Jackie said the pain and the embarrassment were made all the worse by the fact she didn’t know anyone else like her until her forties.

“When I mostly retired a couple of years ago, I realized that my patients who did have Tourette Syndrome really didn’t have the support that they need,” said Dr. Scott Nau, Jackie’s husband. “And so we decided to team up.”

With a parent’s permission, Jackie will sit in on meeting with doctor and patient. The couple goes out to lunch with patients, and they will even go to kids’ schools and explain Tourette Syndrome to their classmates and teachers.

“Oftentimes, peers become warriors for their friends if they know what’s going on,” said Scott.

Two patients the Naus have worked with are Rachel Peters from North Liberty and Torrie Davis from Cedar Rapids.

Davis was diagnosed in 2022, and Peters not until a couple of months ago.

“I will go to the bathroom and have to cry out of embarrassment because, you know, it’s very—it’s very hard,” said Peters.

Both girls said the help from the Naus has been literally life changing.

“Jackie is like a second mom,” said Davis. “She’s a role model.”

Jackie herself wishes for friendship like these girls have—someone else with Tourette Syndrome who can truly understand.

“I long for a female adult friend in my orbit,” she said.

Still, she’s determined to help younger generations avoid the isolation or the shame she has known.

“I know that I was born this way for a reason, and God has entrusted me to get the message out.”

Patients do not need a referral to see Dr. Nau about existing or suspected Tourette’s syndrome. Call Mercy Pediatric Clinic at (319) 861-7900 to make an appointment. He can usually see them within a few days.

Copyright 2024 KCRG. All rights reserved.