Iowa's annual frog and toad survey begins in April 2025 survey results available

IOWA DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES
April 15, 2026 11:46 am

Volunteers with Iowa’s frog and toad survey have been collecting important information for more than 35 years, documenting population trends, identifying places with data gaps, and how changing land use and fluctuating levels of precipitation impacts the amphibians.

George G Lucky American Legion Post 57 announces Community Service Award

GEORGE G. LUCKEY POST 57
April 14, 2026 6:21 pm

The George G. Luckey Post 57 of Vinton, in coordination with the Vinton-Shellsburg High School, has established a Community Service Award to recognize one senior and one underclass student for the school year 2025-26.

What We're Reading: A Court of Mist and Fury

VINTON PUBLIC LIBRARY
April 9, 2026 12:30 pm

A couple of years ago, I read the 'A Court of Thorns and Roses' series by Sarah J. Maas. With the announcement of upcoming books, I knew I needed a refresh before diving into Book 6.

What We're Reading: Chocolat

VINTON PUBLIC LIBRARY
April 8, 2026 12:54 pm

I'm currently reading 'Chocolat,' the 1998 novel by Joanne Harris about Vianne Rocher, a woman who moves into a rural French community with her young daughter and opens a chocolate shop during Lent.

Recognize Iowa's Next Generation of Leaders

SECRETARY OF STATE
April 7, 2026 12:30 pm

Know a student who’s making an impact? Don’t forget, nominations for the John Lewis Youth Leadership Award (JLYLA) are still open. This award honors Iowa students leading through service and civic engagement, inspired by the legacy of Congressman John Lewis.

What We're Reading: Life: A Love Story

VINTON PUBLIC LIBRARY
April 7, 2026 11:31 am

New to our library's collection is 'Life: A Love Story,' the latest by beloved women's fiction author Elizabeth Berg. Like Virginia Evan's breakout hit 'The Correspondent,' this novel is also told primarily through letter-writing.

Biden student loan plan has ended. Here's what borrowers need to know

IOWA CAPITAL DISPATCH
April 6, 2026 12:01 pm

By Shaunteen MirandaA federal court order last month to effectively axe a Biden-era student loan repayment plan capped years of chaos for more than 7 million student borrowers enrolled in the program.

Paint Grant awarded to Belle Plaine's Preston's Station Historic District

PAINT IOWA BEAUTIFUL
April 6, 2026 11:57 am

(April 2, 2026) - As part of Diamond Vogel’s 100-year anniversary celebration, the company is proud to partner with Keep Iowa Beautiful in announcing the recipients of the 2026 Paint Iowa Beautiful grants.

Accepting College Financial Aid

IOWA STUDENT LOAN
April 3, 2026 10:08 pm

By Suzette RadkeIowa Student Loan Liquidity Corporation board memberIf a future college student in your household applied for college financial aid for the 2026-2027 year, financial aid offers should arrive in the next few weeks.

What We're Reading: Digital Minimalism

VINTON PUBLIC LIBRARY
April 3, 2026 10:07 pm

I recently read 'Digital Minimalism: Choosing a Focused Life in a Noisy World' by Cal Newport. Published in 2019, the book is full of recommendations from the author on how you can (and why you should) declutter your digital life and intentionally and deliberately quiet the noise that often accompanies current technology.