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News Buzz: Iowa State Fair News and Iowa Rankings in a National Children's Report

Iowa State Fair

Last year at the Iowa State Fair, Jason Powell of Des Moines said his free speech rights were violated after security guards ordered him to stop preaching on public sidewalks. Today on River to River, we find out the status of his lawsuit as well as whether he will be allowed at this year’s fair. We also find out about an Iowa developed vaccine that could cure dust-mite allergies. That and all the week’s Iowa stories on a news buzz edition of River to River.

This week, the annual Kids Count report was published by the Annie E. Casey Foundation. The report takes a look at four main areas that can help determine quality of life for children, including statistics on education, social, economic, and physical well-being. With us to discuss the findings is Mike Crawford, Senior Associate and Fiscal Director at the Child and Family Policy Center in Des Moines.

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Mike Crawford on River to River

For people with dust mite allergies, living, working, and breathing in a house is a daily struggle. Allergies to dust can be tough to pin down and hard to treat. For now, at least. Researchers at the University of Iowa have developed a vaccine that can combat dust-mite allergies. Aliasger Salem, professor in pharmaceutical sciences at the UI, researches the vaccine and tells us about its implicationsf or allergy sufferers.

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Aliasger Salem on River to River

In Bloomfield, Iowa, an investigation into one of the town's largest sex-related crimes in the last decade has led to nine Iowa men being accused of using social media for sexual exploitation. These men are accused of sexual exploitation of a 13-year-old girl in Bloomfield. Here with us to talk about the investigation, as well as what can be done to prevent future cases, is Buddy Harsch of the Bloomfield Police Department.

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Buddy Harsch on River to River

Lake Darling is finally reopened after many years of being closed. Ben Stanton attended the opening and the unveiling of a new bronze bust of Ding Darling. He spoke with Fay Vittetoe, President of Friends of Lake Darling.

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Fay Vittetoe on River to River

When exiting the Iowa State Fair, at what point can you exercise free speech? IPR reporter Sarah Boden covered a recent case involved a Des Moines resident's quest for what he says are his free speech rights to preach outside the Iowa State Fair.

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Sarah Boden on River to River

The Iowa State Fair is getting close; it runs from August 7-17. Here to give a preview of this year's fair is the Iowa State Fair CEO, Gary Slater.

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Gary Slater on River to River

This last story comes from a 9-year-old in Dubuque, who recently received a $1,000 scholarship from the Kohl’s Cares Scholarship Program for her volunteer efforts. Clare Vosberg-Padget is determined to make sure her school has a “buddy bench,” a place kids can go when they feel lonely or want someone to talk to or play with. As a regional scholarship recipient, Clare is now qualified for one of 10 national Kohl’s scholarships worth $10,000.

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Clare Vosberg-Padget on River to River