Central Iowa

Interim Superintendent Matt Smith has been appointed to the role permanently nearly one year after the district's former superintendent, Ian Roberts, was arrested. Smith has served as associate superintendent and as interim superintendent twice.

In 1883, the Secrests commissioned a builder to construct a new barn on their property. The structure is three stories tall with a gothic roof and eight sides. The Iowa Barn Foundation's All-State Barn Tour is Sept. 19-20 and there are a record 108 barns participating. On this episode, we talk with Deann Haden about the Iowa Barn Foundation and highlights for this year's tour. Then, we travel to Cedar County to tour the Secrest 1883 Octagonal Barn with owner Rich Tyler. Later in the hour, we talk with Rachelle Long, founder and executive director of Taste of the Junction, a multicultural festival that celebrates the people and culture of Valley Junction. It takes place Sept. 3-5, and features presentations, live jazz and a street festival.

Indianola is the third city in Iowa to discontinue its use of Flock cameras after controversy over who has access to the automated license plate readers’ data.

A nonprofit is hoping to provide emergency cooling assistance as extreme heat hits most of central Iowa. It's partnering with local fire stations to request donations as federal funding for its services dwindles.

Researchers presented their findings from the Central Iowa Basic Income Pilot in Des Moines. Their study looked at how participants used monthly $500 payments, and how it affected their well-being and goals.

In an era when many book clubs fizzle out within a few years, the Browning Literary Club, Ingleside Study Club and Serendipity Book Club are among those quietly defying the odds — by decades.