>>Iowa’s SNAP Waiver Officially Vacated
(Des Moines, IA) — Iowa SNAP recipients can once again use their benefits to buy items like soda and candy. The Iowa Department of Health and Human Services says it got notice from the USDA that the state’s SNAP food waiver is officially vacated. Retailers have been instructed to update their systems as soon as possible so SNAP benefits can be used for all items that were eligible before January 1.
>>CDC: Iowa Has 4th Highest Rate Of Melanoma
(Undated) — Iowa ranks fourth in the nation for skin cancer. New CDC data looked at melanoma cases between 2019 and 2023. Iowa has one of the nation’s highest percentages of non-Hispanic White residents, who are at greater risk for melanoma. That’s because lighter skin contains less protective melanin. Iowans also spend more time in the sun, and have better access to healthcare meaning better detection. Utah recorded the most cases. Texas had the least.
>>IA Governor Creates Medicaid Fraud Elimination Task Force
(Des Moines, IA) — Iowa has a new Medicaid Fraud Elimination Task Force. Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds signed an executive order yesterday creating the task force to root out Medicaid fraud, waste, and abuse with the goal of ensuring Medicaid funds go to Iowans who qualify for benefits. Reynolds appointed Attorney General Brenna Bird to head the new task force. The order says a report with recommendations on a statewide strategy to eliminate Medicaid waste, fraud, and abuse, is due on the governor’s desk by the end of October.
>>Newsweek: Hy Vee In The Top Most Patriotic Companies In The U.S.
(West Des Moines, IA) — Hy Vee is one of the most patriotic companies in the United States. A report by Newsweek compares 25-hundred companies based on their corporate social responsibility and support for communities and patriotism. The West Des Moines-based company earned a five-out-of-five score for its support of veterans and active-duty military members and their families. Other companies with perfect scores include Delta Airlines, FedEx and Home Depot.
>>Caitlin Clark Named To Third-Career WNBA All-Star Team
(Undated) — Former Iowa star Caitlin Clark is named a WNBA All-Star for the third year in a row. The league announced the starters for this year’s All-Star game today, with Clark and Indiana Fever teammates Aliyah [[ uh-LEE-uh ]] Boston and Kelsey Mitchell heading to Chicago later this month. The former Dowling star is averaging a career high 21 points a game for the Fever, fifth-highest in the WNBA this season.
