JCT-01-04-2024

Local newspapers nominated for multiple awards

Newton News, Jasper County Tribune and PCM Explorer place top three in 30 categories at state competition

By Christopher Braunschweig Jasper County Tribune

The Newton News, Jasper County Tribune and PCM Explorer have been nominated for numerous awards by the Iowa Newspaper Association as a part of the organization’s Iowa Better Newspaper Contests. The Jasper County Tribune and PCM Explorer are also in the running for General Excellence, naming them two of the top three newspapers in their class.

The nominations signal a top three finish in each category for the newspapers. Categories can range in size from a few selections to dozens in competition for the top spot.

Newton News

The twice-a-week newspaper has 10 nominations in a variety of categories. They include: Best Sports Section, Coverage of Business, Coverage of Court and Crime, Best Sports Feature Photo (Multi-day), Best News Feature Photo (Multiday), Best News Feature Photo (Multi-day), Best Photo Story (Multi-day), Best Sports Story (Multiday), Best Sports Feature Story (Multi-day) and Best Series (Multi-day).

Jasper County Tribune

The newspaper covering Colfax, Mingo, Baxter and western Jasper County brought in eight nominations ranging from design, to photos and stories. The nominations are: Best Sports Section, Coverage of Government and Politics, Coverage of Agriculture, Coverage of Business, Best Sports Photo (Weekly), Best Sports Feature Photo (Weekly), Best News Feature Story (Weekly), Best Sports Story (Weekly) and General Excellence.

PCM Explorer

In its fifth year, the PCM Explorer is up for 11 awards. They include: Best Sports Section, Coverage of Government and Politics, Coverage of Agriculture, Coverage of Business, Best Sports Photo (Weekly), Best Sports Story (Weekly), Best Sports Feature Story (Weekly) — two entries, Best Series (Weekly), Best Sports Columnist (Weekly) and General Excellence.

All winners will be announced at the Awards Ceremony during the INA Annual Convention Feb. 8 at the Marriott Hotel in downtown Des Moines.

Supervisors vote to continue opioid settlement litigations

Jasper County Attorney Scott Nicholson speaks with the board of supervisors about continuing the opioid settlement litigations during the Dec. 19 meeting at the county courthouse.

County attorney recommended board to remain in current lawsuits

By Christopher Braunschweig Jasper County Tribune

As more organizations continue to get sued over their roles in the opioid crisis, the Jasper Coun-

ty Board of Supervisors was given the chance Dec. 19 to opt out of its current lawsuits and pursue settlements with those other entities. But in doing so the county would likely have to start all over from scratch.

Under recommendation from

the county attorney, the board of supervisors voted 3-0 to have Jasper County remain in the opioid settlement litigation currently being pursued and to not opt out. As a result of pursuing these lawsuits, the county has been receiving hundreds of thousands of dollars.

The county’s opioid settlement committee has been in charge of providing those funds to local organizations whose projects will have an impact in the community. Focus areas for projects include the prevention and abatement of the use of opioids and with the treatment of those with addictions to opioids.

Jasper County Attorney Scott Nicholson said supervisor Brandon Talsma received an attorney-client communication from the attorneys representing the county in the opioid settlement suits. More entities are being added to the settlement all the time, which ultimately means more money for the county. However, there has been a junction in the lawsuits, and the attorneys are now asking Jasper County officials if they would either like to remain in the lawsuit and continue

Supervisors approve development of updated health dept resource guide

Optimized web tool provides information for childcare, mental health, veteran services, etc.

By Christopher Braunschweig Jasper County Tribune

Jasper County is going to create a hybrid app/ add-on to public health’s webpage to better connect individuals to a resource guide for health and human services.

Supervisors approved the joint request between IT and the county health department during their

DUNWELL: Approved refugees, low-income families and mothers need support

Assistant majority leader’s priorities for 2024 legislative session may take some convincing from fellow Republicans

By Christopher Braunschweig Jasper County Tribune

Editor’s note: The following is the first of three articles going over Jasper County lawmakers’ priorities for the 2024 legislative session. In addition to pushing for legislation that benefits education, law enforcement, the state’s economy and the movement toward a more efficient government, Iowa House Rep. Jon Dunwell has other priorities this next session that he considers to be off the beaten path and may not excite his fellow Republicans.

Particularly when it comes to a proposed bill that he says will ask for $11 million to support approved refugees. In a phone interview with Newton News, Dunwell stressed the funds would not go toward illegal immigrants or people who have claimed asylum; they would be used by support groups for legal refugees.

“An approved refugee is someone who has gone through the vetting of the United Nations, the (U.S.) state department and other aspects of federal government,” Dunwell said. “We only decide every year how many refugees to let into the U.S.; that number varies from about 75,000 to about 125,000.”

Which could mean about 2,500 to 5,000 refugees move in to Iowa every year. The federal government provides three months of resources for approved refugees. Dunwell said although approved refugees are not illegal immigrants, regrettably they are often looked

at or treated the same way.

“When you look at the refugees that came to Iowa over the last few years, do you know what the average stay of a refugee in a refugee camp before they come here to Iowa? They’ve lived in a refugee camp 11 years,” he said. “It’s shocking. These would be dollars that would be used primarily by support groups.”

These groups would then use the funding to provide legal aid, a home and job assistance, among other things. Dunwell said the refugees — which he later said are coming from all over the world, but he did not give examples as to their countries of origin — are highly motivated but are caught up in “all this mess.”

Specifically, the mess of the United States immigration policies. It is an extensive process to become an approved refugee, Dunwell said. Last year Dunwell said he tried to introduce similar legislation. He intends to try again this

session while also educating his fellow legislators.

“You can still have some issues with what’s happening on the border and the lack of border security, but this is not what we’re talking about here,” Dunwell said. “…Everyone dumps (approved refugees) into the bucket of what’s happening with the border with what has been labeled illegal immigration.”

When some Republicans hear “refugee,” Dunwell said they think of an individual who has gone to the border and — “whether appropriately or inappropriately” — has claimed asylum without it being tested or tried or proven. The national conversation, he added, is negative toward illegal immigration.

“We have a tendency to throw everything into the same bucket and treat everything the same way,” he said. “…We

DUNWELL | 3

Christopher Braunschweig/Jasper County Tribune

County website

health department’s

on

Jasper County

redirect users to helpful information, including a resource guide that supervisors approved an upgrade for. The resource guide has information about childcare, mental health and veterans services providers, among many other helpful resources in Jasper County.

Dunwell

Obituaries

Billy Gene Earles

Dec. 21, 2023

Billy Gene (Bill) Earles passed away peacefully Thursday, December 21, 2023 with his loving wife Jean, of 69 years, at his bedside, holding his hand.

Services are tentatively planned for March of 2024 and details will be posted on the website once dates and times are confirmed. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made out to the Colfax-Mingo Athletic Boosters.

Bill was born October 22, 1935 in Harvard, Iowa, the oldest of 7 children to Nova and Mary (Bradley) Earles. He was united in marriage to Carolyn “Jean” Holtz on October 30, 1954 at Trinity United Methodist Church in Des Moines, Iowa. To this union, 5 children were born: Don-

ald Eugene, Richard Lee, Sue Ellen, James Robert and Mark Allen. Bill worked for 43 years as a gifted mechanic at the Farmers Supply Store/Van Wall John Deere Implement North of Colfax. He joked that there weren’t many farmers in Jasper county that he didn’t know. Even after retiring, he would commonly lend a hand when asked to work on a tractor or give advice on how to fix the problem. Even when he could no longer turn the wrench, he was the brains behind the operation. He was a member of the Colfax First United Methodist Church, the Colfax Jaycees, the Colfax Park Board and the Masons. He was an avid Iowa Hawkeyes fan and loved attending the Iowa State Fair, especially the truck and tractor pull. He also loved bowling and fulfilled a dream of his by bowling with his three sons and son-in-law on the same team. His final frame of bowling included a strike, which was

recorded by one of his granddaughters in attendance. He spent countless hours in his garage, usually working on one of his many refurnished antique tractors. His biggest love was spending time with his family, his pet Chihuahua Charlie and many friends. Everyone will miss his orneriness and fantastic sense of humor.

Bill is survived by his wife Jean (Holtz) Earles of 69 years.

Children: Don (Nancy) Earles of Colfax; Rick (Kim) Earles of Prairie City; Sue (Chuck) Buehrer; Jim (Jodi) Earles; & Mark (Erika) Earles, all of Colfax.

Sisters: Karen Kendall of Eldora; Sherri (Jerry) Rutherford of Gilman; & Brenda (Craig) Jones of Colfax.

Brothers in law: Bob Holtz of Chandler, AZ; Jim (Judy) Holtz of Fairfax, MO; Hubert Churchill of Shakopee, MN; & Dan Dhondt of Republic, MO.

Grandchildren: Janie (Trevor Williams) Earles

of Des Moines; Jackie (Steven) Landers of Urbandale; Dereck (Frankie Faidley) Earles of Ankeny; Dana (Ryen) Allen of Prairie City; Katelyn (Sam) DeReus of Prairie City; Jacob (Tessa) Buehrer of Prairie City; Taylor (Jordan) Woody of Monroe; Erin (Tony Formaro) Earles; Megan (Michael) Deal; Kendall Earles & Joseph Earles all of Colfax.

Great-Grandchildren: Jack Williams of Des Moines; Brooklyn, Brielle & Bryn Landers all of Urbandale; Abbott & Rory Allen and Alma Buehrer, all of Prairie City. Many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents: Nova Clifford & Mary Louise (Bradley) Earles; In-laws: Harold Clarence & Frances “Faye” (Hall) Holtz; Sisters: Wilma Churchill, Patsy Lewis & Barbara Dhondt; Brothers-in-law: Richard Lewis & Don Kendall; Sister-in-law: Sandy Holtz; Nephew: Terry Lewis; and Great-Granddaughter: Afton Allen.

Experienced retired and senior volunteers are ready to help this tax season

Experienced volunteers with the RSVP Tax Assistance Program of Jasper County are prepared to help you this tax season with free income tax assistance for those over 60 years of age and clients on low or fixed incomes.

Newton DMACC appointments are available from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Jan. 30 through Feb. 29 on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays as well as March 5 through April 11 each Tuesday and Wednesday; Thursday evenings from 5 to 7 p.m. March 7 and March 21; from 11 .m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, March 16.

Colfax Library drop-

off ONLY appointments are available from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Friday, Feb. 9. All locations are by appointment only. Call the Iowa State University Extension Office any Tuesday or Wednesday, from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Jan. 9 to schedule your appointment on the tax-hotline at 641-7877241.

In addition to photo IDs and social security cards, clients must bring last year’s tax return or a tax transcript to their appointment. Transcripts can be obtained from the IRS. Current returns will NOT be prepared without this information.

Farm Financial Planning program offers personalized insight for producers

Financial experts are available to help Iowa producers make important decisions

As farmers review their farm financial situation this winter, a handy resource is available from Iowa State University Extension and Outreach.

The Farm Financial Planning Program offers in-person experts who can offer one-on-one financial counseling, a computerized analysis of the farm business and referral to other extension programs or outside services.

Farm Financial Planning is for anyone who wants to understand a complete picture of their farm financial situation. It helps take the guesswork out of whether a change would increase profitability and improve cash flow. Using FINPACK software, the analysis may provide a more in-depth evaluation of the farm business, which many lenders are requiring before they will extend further credit.

Eight associates make up the Farm Financial Program team with ISU Extension and Outreach.

Lawsuits

down the path already created or to opt out of the lawsuits and pursue suing some of the newer entities on their own.

“The attorneys representing us are recommending to us that we remain in the lawsuit,” Nicholson said. “Like I indicated, we’re going to continue to receive more money, and this money is going to continue to funnel in anywhere between 18 to 20 years from now. If we opt out of the lawsuit, we have to find attorneys.”

Which basically means the county

Iowa State University

Leslie Miller (left) and Nancy Brannaman are associates with Iowa State University Extension and Outreach’s Farm Financial Planning Program. They are part of a team of eight associates who are available to help farmers understand their financial situation and options for the future.

Leslie Miller became an associate in 2021, after retiring from a career in the ag lending industry that dates back to the 1980s.

She relies on her experience in the industry to help farmers analyze their situation and pursue their goals.

“What I enjoy most is helping people

would have to start from scratch, Nicholson added. Jasper County began pursuing litigation about six years ago when Mike Jacobsen was still the county attorney and advised the board of supervisors to join in on the lawsuits. Nicholson advised the board to stay in the lawsuits.

“That’s what our attorneys are advising us,” Nicholson said. “I’ve discussed it with our (opioid settlement) committee, and we are recommending to you today … that we stay in it. We’ve already given away a lot of money, hundreds of thousands of dollars. Our process is working, I think, pretty well.”

Regardless of what the county chose

reach goals that they want to reach so they can have a successful farming operation,” she said. “I like helping them to accomplish their goals and work through their problems.”

The service is free for the client, and the financial associate can become as involved as the client wishes.

to do, there were no penalties involved apart from starting the process over again. Neither the county attorney nor the supervisors have any interests in starting over. If the county did decide to do that, Nicholson said it will take years to get through its own suit. Which wastes money.

The associate offers a big picture look at the farm, and it’s up to the farmer to make specific changes and to contact the specialists who can help. While working with financial associates is important, it’s equally important to follow up with the specialists the associate recommends.

Miller said farm profitability is an ongoing concern, as crop prices continue to drop and land prices continue to increase. She is also helping farmers with the tough times in the swine industry.

She helps producers look closely at their cash flow projections and scrutinize the different options for going forward. Sometimes it’s transitioning to another owner or operator, or identifying an opportunity to expand.

“We run multiple alternatives and compare them side-by-side,” she said. “A borrower can look at those numbers and see what the impact of different decisions might be. Our goal is to consider the ‘what ifs’ for each decision.”

Farmers can locate a Farm Financial Planning Program associate in their area by contacting their ISU Extension and Outreach county office or by visiting the Farm Financial Planning Program associate site.

Talsma said, “It doesn’t sound like they have any participants who are opting out. Most of them seem to be sticking with it.”

Nicholson added, “I don’t know of any entity in Iowa that is opting out that is already in this lawsuit. The reason we’re before the board is they are suggesting having board action on this to stay in so that we can communicate back to them that we are going to stay in. We have to have this done by Jan. 5.”

IWD announces partnership with ID.me to improve identity verification during the unemployment process

account and verify their identity.

Iowa Workforce Development (IWD) today is announcing a partnership with ID.me, the next-generation digital identity network that simplifies how individuals securely prove and share their identity online, to modernize the identity verification process of its unemployment system. ID.me’s identity verification solution is certified against federal digital identity standards. ID.me will be used by Iowans to prove their identity when filing an unemployment claim, creating a more secure and efficient system that protects their personal information.

Starting Jan. 2, Iowans filing for unemployment with IWD will have the option to utilize ID.me to prove their identity. At this time, Iowans who have recently filed or who plan to file are highly encouraged to create an ID.me

Claimants who use ID.me can expect a faster verification process when filing their initial unemployment claims. Claimants who choose not to use ID.me when filing may experience a delay in the processing of their claim. Following the initial period, on April 1, ID.me will be the required process for all claimants. ID.me is a proven solution that is currently used by 15 federal agencies, 30 states and more than 600 name brand retailers to verify the identity of users. IWD strongly believes that the implementation of ID.me in Iowa will greatly benefit claimants, resulting in faster verification and increased access, while also reducing fraud attempts and securing claimants’ digital privacy.

”Iowa Workforce Development continuously strives to find new ways to ensure the integrity of our unemployment system while helping to find ways to improve the claimant experience,” Beth Townsend, Executive Director of Iowa Workforce Devel-

tures for the document.

Dec. 12 meeting. Neopolitan Labs, the Iowa-based company who has hired to update the county’s website in October 2023, will be in charge of creating the new feature, which will be optimized for mobile users.

Jasper County IT Director Ryan Eaton said at a past work session the document public health uploads to the website is frequently updated and the PDF file keeps corrupting, making it nearly unusable. It is also not incredibly user friendly as there are no search fea-

It would cost $6,000 to develop the app. Jasper County Board of Health Administrator Becky Pryor acquired a grant that will cover a portion of the costs, bringing the county’s total contribution to $3,600. At the Dec. 12 supervisors meeting, it was determined it would come out of IT’s budget.

“This would just be an upgrade to make the website easier to use to find resources in our community,” Pryor said.

“The Public Health Emergency Preparedness Grant is willing to pay 40 percent. We’re getting a pre-authorization from the state and that would put the county paying 60 percent.”

as a federal government choose how many approved refugees we’re going to allow in the country every year.

opment, said. “Our new partnership with ID.me will strengthen our unemployment system as a whole by reducing fraudulent claims and making it easier for claimants to establish their identity when they file without the need for additional follow-up steps. It benefits claimants and employers to have a secure unemployment system and today’s efforts will help us maintain the integrity of the fund for years to come.”

While filing for unemployment, claimants will be prompted to begin using ID.me to verify their identity. Importantly, the identity verification process with ID.me will occur prior to a claim being submitted, instead of after filing a claim. This update will better streamline the overall claims process and will cut down on additional steps currently spent on verification. IWD will be offering three options for verification with ID.me to improve accessibility and offer claimants the choice to find the best verification option that works for them. This will include:

Online Self-Service:  This will be the most-used option for claimants, and typically takes just a few minutes to complete online.

Video Chat Agent:  This option connects a claimant with a live Video Chat Agent with ID.me to help conduct the verification process.

In-person Verification:  Claimants also will have the option to verify their identity in person at one of the American Job Centers (IowaWORKS offices) across the state, with the assistance of trained staff.

While ID.me will not be required until April 1, IWD recommends that all Iowans filing or planning to file for unemployment get familiar with the new system. The following resources are below to help claimants.

Identity Verification Page:  Overview of the verification process (workforce.iowa.gov/verify)

ID.me Overview:  Guide to using ID.me (workforce.iowa.gov/id-me)

Unemployment Home:  Where to file for benefits (workforce.iowa.gov/ unemployment)

Jennifer Cross, social media and communications specialist for Jasper County, said the resource guide directs individuals to service organizations that cater to their specific needs. For instance, the current guide includes information about groups that provide housing assistance, mental health services, etc. It is also more than 60 pages long. When Pryor has to upload an updated copy, Cross said she has to hope that the QR code doesn’t change and that the links do not change. The new version would be interactive and be easy to search and filter for all website visitors. Updates can also be made on-demand by staff. According to county documents, visitors of the new page will be able to search by keyword or organization name, or filter by category. If need be, the resource guide could even get a user-friendly short URL, making it even easier for the public to access. All entries in the guide will also be print-friendly. If a new category needs to be added in the future or if an old one needs to be removed, the Jasper County Health Department will be able to make these updates via Mint Chip Lab — the platform that powers the entire county site — and have them instantly reflected on the

And every state goes through a process of approving.”

Overcoming those biases and misinformation will be a challenge in getting a bill like this off the ground. Dunwell struggles with the immigration issue. He is a firm believer the United States should close its borders. But what he does not what to do is “make a person into a problem.”

Dunwell added, “We have an immigration policy problem. We don’t have an immigrant problem. Meaning I don’t want to go after people. That just breaks my heart when we do that.”

ALL-DAY

website.

“It’s a 62-page guide and it covers about 34 resource categories, so the idea that PDF is searchable and you can find what you need quickly, this is just going to optimize it,” Cross said. “It’s going to be better for everybody who needs to use it, first responders, Becky’s office, anybody.”

Upon approval from the board of supervisors, Neopolitan Labs can begin development of the new features and import resource listings. A preview of the new feature is expected to be available for review within the next four to six weeks, and it could launch shortly after.

“Currently, the state pays of the $7,600-and-change in state aid that we provide for schools, for preschool we provide a half-day funding. So half of that number,” Dunwell said, noting preschool has positive effect on student grades. “…We know preschool has tremendous impact on educational performance of children.” If the state can initially provide all-day funding for a specific subsection of Iowans, Dunwell said it would provide some needed relief for either two very hard working parents/guardians or a single-parent/guardian. Altogether, Dunwell proposed it would cost the state $21 million over five years.

PRESCHOOL FUNDING FOR LOW-INCOME FAMILIES

Another issue Dunwell wants to pursue is all-day preschool funding for families that fall at 180 percent poverty level. According to 2023 poverty guidelines, a four-person household at 180 percent poverty level would have an income of $54,000; a three-person household would be $44,748; two-person is $35,496.

Newton Community School District has a 55 percent free or reduced lunch rate, showing Newton has a high need and that many household incomes are very low and could meet the requirements for such a bill. Dunwell said all-day preschool would provide even further assistance for those families.

In the off season, Dunwell said coalitions of representatives have been built to help push an all-day preschool bill forward and find a consensus. Rep. Henry Stone, the majority whip, is going to be lead sponsor on that bill. Dunwell said the House, the Senate and the governor need to get on board.

“I think when people look at the test scores and see the impact that preschool can have upon test scores that we look at from a third grade and eighth grade perspective, you see the value. We actually save money in the long run,” he said. “There are studies out there that show how we’re saving money by doing this.”

New Years, 2024

I’m bringing out a new line of sculptures for 2024. This new line will be lighter weight and easier for me (and you) to move and transport. They’re called the “Mick Digger” line (after Mick Jagger) and will include females as well as males, and children. I have plenty of shovel parts and saw blades, so why not? At about 5′ tall and 35 lbs., “Mick Digger” has proved most popular on social media, receiving more “likes” than all of my other sculptures combined, proving (to me) that “art” should entertain first, rather than inspire. You may dispute this. I was just about ready to give up welding and building sculptures because it was too hard on my 75-year old back. It seemed the harder I tried to build lighter weight sculptures, the heavier they got. Previous to “Mick Digger” there was “Orion’s Orchid” that was a back breaker to make and move. I had to use the forks

Curt Swarm Empty Nest

on the tractor. “Orion’s Orchid” is unique and sort of pretty and awe inspiring, but rather impractical as far as yard art goes. I don’t mind keeping it, but windy days are hard on “Orion’s Orchid.” And the wind usually blows on the Empty Nest Farm.

So you can see that in addition to writing, I’m also into making sculptures out of junk. It’s all about art. One of my resolutions for 2024 is to spend more time pursuing my passions: reading, writing and welding (the three Rs?). I’m not getting any younger, and if I can put a smile on someone’s face, it also puts one on mine.

Ginnie and I usually start out the new year by eating pork and cabbage on New Year’s Day. It’s supposed to bring good luck for the new year. Most people eat corned beef and cabbage, but for us, it’s

To prevent drug shortages, protect generic drug manufacturers

By Ted Love

Nearly 250 generic drugs are in critically short supply. These drugs range from cancer treatments to antibiotics to drugs that treat ADHD or irregular heartbeats.

To end this crisis we must fix the structural issues that have long burdened the generic drug market. And we must also address the little-known new burdens that last year’s Inflation Reduction Act placed on generic manufacturing.

Since the 1960s, pharmacy benefit managers, or PBMs, have served as middlemen between drug manufacturers and the pharmacies where patients fill prescriptions.

As the PBMs prospered with the boom in prescription drug spending, consolidation occurred, leaving 3 companies — CVS Caremark, Optum Rx, and Express Scripts — with 80 percdent of the prescription drug market. Nine in ten prescriptions are filled with generics.

This market dominance provides the PBMs enormous buying power. They use it to demand steep discounts from manufacturers for favorable inclusion of their products on insurance policy formularies. This ability to extract discounts works especially well with generic manufacturers and brand-name drugs with one or more generic competitors.

With PBMs driving hard bargains on price, production of generics migrates toward manufacturers who can deliver the goods at the lowest cost. Those who can’t compete go out of business. Over time, prices get pushed lower and lower, and margins are compressed further until only a few remain.

That’s when shortages start. A sudden demand increase, natural disaster, or corporate mismanagement can lead to an immediate shortage, with no other drug makers able to fill the gap.

The IRA is about to inflict collateral damage on the generic drug market similar to that introduced by the rising buying power of PBMs. Medicare, which accounts for 30 percent of domestic prescription drug spending, will begin setting price ceilings on certain widely used brand-name drugs.

What does controlling prices on brand-name drugs have to do with generic production? The delta between the price of manufacturing a pill and the price one can charge on the marketplace for a brand-name medicine constitutes the incentive for companies to go into the business of making generics. Generic drug manufacturers move in to offer an equivalent product at a lower price, which generally also forces the price of the name-brand down as well.

With Medicare imposing price controls on brand-name drugs that are still protected by patents, the government is effectively capturing much of the spread between the production cost and the market price. So suddenly, the incentive for a generic company to enter the marketplace is gone.

The point here is two-fold. Before the dramatic rise of the buying power of PBMs, drug shortages were fewer because enough generic manufacturers could stay profitable to overcome disruptions on the supply or demand side. That’s no longer true.

And the problem may soon extend to brand-name drugs, whose patents may expire without a competitor entering the market. This problem won’t be limited to drugs under price controls, but any drug that might be subject to them down the line. The very possibility of price controls will keep generic manufacturers out. And brand-name drug makers will have limited incentive, due to price controls, to foot the bill to maintain excess capacity.

The reality of PBM consolidation and IRA price controls is that when coercive power keeps prices down, shortages emerge. Until this is fixed, more shortages are inevitable.

Dr. Ted W. Love is chair of the Biotechnology Innovation Organization’s Board of Directors, and former president and CEO of Global Blood Therapeutics

pork and cabbage. An old boy once told me that if he ate pork and cabbage on New Year’s Day, the year would be prosperous. I’ve found it to be true. I found Ginnie, didn’t I? I also like to spend New Year’s Day doing the things I plan to do throughout the year. I’ve found that if I make a point of exercising on New Year’s Day, I will exercise throughout the year. If I eat in moderation on New Year’s Day, something I’ve not been known for, I will eat in moderation throughout the year. If I’m nice to Ginnie on New Year’s Day, I will be nice to her all year long. Not that being nice to Ginnie is a chore, but I tend to put myself first. If I put Ginnie first, things seem to go a lot better.

Stormy, our tomcat, came to us on New Year’s Day, two years ago. It was snowing hard and I was installing a new wireless door bell on the front door. Ginnie had given me the doorbell for Christmas. We very seldom use the front door. I heard a mewing in the swirling snow. There was a little, gray-tiger kitten, huddled in the corner of the porch. I coaxed him to me,

grabbed him up, and he clawed and bit the bejeebers out of my hand. But I held tight and brought him indoors to warm up. He’s been with us ever since. He’s now overweight and thinks he owns the place. As I write this at 2:00 am in the morning, he knocked over Ginnie’s reading lamp. His name, Stormy, is apropos. Two more things: that scratching and biting he did on my hand, bonded us. Stormy may be my Muse. And much to Ginnie’s chagrin, Stormy is MY cat. He cuddles on my lap, and sleeps on my dirty clothes. Ginnie, he mostly ignores, even though she is the one who feeds and gives him treats. He knows I rescued him, and for that he is grateful, at least as grateful as a cat can be.

Be grateful in the new year. There are humanitarian crises on our borders, in Ukraine and Gaza. So many people are homeless, confused and need help. We are the fortunate ones. Follow your passions, and listen to the eternal, whispering voice.

Contact Curt Swarm at curtswarm@yahoo.com

China would benefit from proposed IP giveaway

By Walter G. Copan

China steals up to $600 billion of American intellectual property every year — more than the entire GDP of most countries.

Considering the sheer scale of this theft, Americans should be shocked to learn that the White House is considering a plan that would voluntarily give the fruits of American innovation to China and other economic and geopolitical rivals.

But that is precisely what’s happening.

In the spring of 2022, the World Trade Organization, with the United States’ consent, voted to waive patent protections on COVID -19 vaccines.

Proponents of the waiver argued that intellectual property protections were inhibiting access to vaccines in poorer countries. But there was never any evidence to back up that claim. Indeed, to date, the waiver has not been applied to manufacture Covid-19 vaccines.

Some WTO members are now seeking to expand last year’s decision to waive IP rights for Covid-19 therapeutics and diagnostics. The WTO could make a final decision

YOUR VIEW

A fluid concept

After reading up on the matter I think if I had to do it all over again, gender fluidity might be the way to go. I think it would be preferable to oriengender or weekfluid where your gender changes on a set schedule. The whole idea would be opportunity and if on a set schedule, one would have some limitations — not many, but now and then for sure. Of course, I’m jesting don’t you know.

So let’s simply go with genderfluidity: it’s an easy term to understand and covers a whole lot of territory. Now let’s be clear. I’m not talking about identity fluidity here. Identity fluidity can cover a whole lot more — also called gender identity. Currently there are in excess of 70 gender identities identified. Examples include astral gender, cassgender, demiflux, genderpuck, and omni-

as soon as February 2024.

An expanded IP waiver — which would need the approval of the Biden administration, since WTO decisions are made by consensus — is a solution to a problem that does not exist. As was the case for vaccines, there’s no evidence of IP protections inhibiting access to diagnostics and therapeutics.

In addition to delivering no tangible benefits, an expansion of the waiver would needlessly put America’s national security and economy at risk.

Waiving IP rights for life-saving COVID products would be a gift to China — which poses the gravest long-term threat to U.S. economic and national security.

The United States has already lost manufacturing dominance in various product categories - and is struggling to revive it.

One area where we continue to lead — for now — is life sciences. America remains a trailblazer in this field, leading the world in biopharmaceutical R&D. The biopharmaceutical industry contributes hundreds of billions of dollars to our economy and employs hundreds of thousands of Americans across nearly every state in the country.

gender. All good examples of various genders.

I’m thinking that our legislature needs to study up on these two terms: gender fluidity and gender identity. They are invading our schools and classrooms; our children are becoming omnigender more or less in total. We won’t be able to keep track of them and the senior proms will become really interesting — so interesting in fact that the parental chaperones will know not what to do or not do. They certainly won’t be able to tell who is kissing who and who is copping a feel from whom.

So I think our legislature should be putting this on their agenda for next session. They have worked diligently to outlaw transgender, gay, and the sexual activity amongst the underclassmen. Now it is time to do a little research and nip all this gender fluidity and gender identity in the bud before it reaches proportions that it can’t easily be quashed.

But China is open about wanting to challenge America’s lead. Granting China and other competitors the ability to churn out American-invented Covid therapies without compensation or license would directly reduce demand for U.S. manufacturing capacity and undermine the foundations of future U.S. innovation. Such a misguided action would interfere with our ability to respond quickly to future public health crises, while further jeopardizing American jobs. Protecting intellectual property is about more than enabling innovation. U.S. jobs and our economic and national security are at stake. It’s time for the White House to protect American innovation by firmly rejecting the proposed IP waiver at the WTO.

Walter G. Copan, PhD, is vice president for research and technology transfer at Colorado School of Mines, and senior adviser with the Center for Strategic and International Studies and co-founder of its Renewing American Innovation project. He previously served as director of the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST)

We certainly want to make sure none of this stuff gets into our school libraries where some young dissatisfied soul is looking for a little gender experimentation.

After all, according to our legislature, and properly so, sex only appears after graduation — miraculously — poof and there it is with the concurrent question of “What do we do with this?” Our elected officials have forgotten, if they ever knew, that our children have smart phones. And guess what? They also have on these smart phones ChatGPT and Bard and Google and Siri and Bing and Pi and Replika and AI Dungeon and probably a hundred more. Who knew, right?

So, let’s do a little research so we are prepared for the next thing that we have to forbid legislatively. It’s simply necessary if we want to continue to live in a world we recognize. Richard E. H. Phelps Mingo

What to know about RSV

METRO — Winter is synonymous with the holidays, snow and, of course, the common cold. Though colds are not exclusive to winter, they tend to be more common in the colder months of the year, when people typically spend more time indoors, making it easier for cold viruses to spread from one person to another.

As cold season hits full swing, it’s important to recognize that the common cold is not always behind those uncomfortable coughs and sniffles. Respiratory syncytial virus, often referred to as RSV, is a serious respiratory virus that produces symptoms similar to those associated with the common cold. Some basic knowledge of RSV can ensure people seek the treatment they need to overcome it.

What is RSV?

The Mayo Clinic reports that RSV is a virus that infects the lungs and respiratory tract. Though RSV may not be as familiar as the common cold, perhaps it’s more familiar than many people realize, as the Mayo Clinic indicates most children have been infected with the virus by the time they’re two years old. The American Lung Association¨ reports that RSV is so common among children because they so frequently

Dunwell

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For families who are struggling to make ends meet, Dunwell said this bill would give them an opportunity to give their children the best educational opportunity.

“We looked at it last year and didn’t get any legs to it, but I’m hoping this year it gets some more legs to it,” he said.

Iowa has been “very, very disciplined” in its budget, Dunwell added. As a result, the state has been able to cut taxes and create surpluses so that “when we see an opportunity and see a place we can invest in,” like raising teacher salaries or all-day preschool, the state has the dollars to do that.

“I want to make sure when we see these opportunities with our good fiscal responsibility we step up and take advantage of it,” Dunwell said.

DUNWELL WANTS TO ’FOCUS ON MOMS THIS YEAR’

Following the recon-

HOWARD ST. CHRISTIAN CHURCH

(Disciples of Christ)

Pastor Tom Burns

Howard & Locust St., Colfax Office - 674-3746 Church Cell - 971-0569

come into physical contact with other kids.

When is RSV most likely to occur?

According to the ALA, the peak season for RSV is fall through spring. However, the National Institute for Public Health and the Environment notes that RSV infections rose sharply in summer 2021. Though that spike was likely due to a relaxation of coronavirus restrictions, it underscores that RSV can strike in summer, even if it’s less likely to spread during times of year when people tend to spend more time outdoors.

What are the symptoms of RSV?

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention report that people infected with RSV typically exhibit symptoms within four to six days of infection. Such symptoms, which usually appear in stages and not all at once, may include: runny nose, decrease in appetite, coughing, sneezing, fever, wheezing.

Young infants with RSV may be irritable, less active and experience breathing difficulties. The ALA notes that RSV is the leading cause of hospitalization in all infants, so symptoms should be taken seriously and brought to the attention of a child’s pediatrician immediately. The ALA also notes that symptoms like difficulty breathing, not

vening of the Iowa Legislature in mid-July 2023 to enact an anti-abortion bill, Dunwell hopes to move forward with more “life perspective” legislation, particularly when it comes to postpartum care and support for women during pregnancies. There are two lives when a pregnancy occurs, he said. “Can child support be paid for a pregnant woman? What kind of resources are we providing for women who are going through a pregnancy to help them in terms of going through that? We’re one of only three states that don’t provide Medicaid funding for postpartum care for moms,” Dunwell said.

Iowa needs to continue to look at what it’s doing for child care. Although more slots are available, Dunwell questioned how facilities can still provide quality opportunities and spots for parents for child care. The legislator wants to make sure the state is maximizing everything it can “to make sure mom is cared for.”

Dunwell added, “(To

Community Calendar

SUNDAY - 9 a.m. Adult & Wired

Word Adult Sunday school classes; 10 a.m. Fellowship Time;10:30 a.m. Worship, in person or online via YouTube

MONDAY - Tom’s day off TUESDAY - 9:30 a.m. Coffee Time/ Fellowship; 2 p.m. Easy Yoga

WEDNESDAY - 3:30 p.m. After school elementary youth; 6:10 ChiRho and CYF youth supper/ youth group

THIRD SUNDAY of monthMarathon Sunday includes elders, board, potluck and food pantry

FIRST MONDAY of month - WIC appointments

IRA UNITED CHURCH

Rev. Michael Omundson

SUNDAY - 9:30 a.m. Church service; 10:15 a.m. Sunday school (communion first Sunday)

drinking enough, decreased activity, nasal flaring, and bluish lips and fingernails require urgent care.

How is RSV managed?

The CDC notes that antiviral medication is not typically part of a treatment for RSV, as most infections go away within a week or two without intervention. Symptoms such as fever and pain can be managed with over-the-counter fever reducers and pain relievers like acetaminophen or ibuprofen (the CDC notes that aspirin should never be given to children). Drinking plenty of fluids to prevent dehydration and speaking with a physician prior to taking something or giving a child something to treat RSV is recommended.

Is there an RSV vaccination?

The CDC recommends immunization for those most at risk of serious illness from RSV. High-risk groups include infants, toddlers and adults age 60 and older. Parents and older adults are urged to speak to their child’s doctors and their own physicians about RSV vaccination.

RSV symptoms mirror those of the common cold, but the virus can be more serious than that. More information is available at cdc.gov and lung.org.

TF23C541

make sure) mom knows there are resources available for her and that she knows that we care about who she is and what she is going through. And that would include dads as well, but as (we) know in some situations in a pregnancy a woman is all by herself.”

To put it plainly, Dunwell said he really wants to “focus on moms this year.”

If conservatives are going to believe and talk about valuing life, Dunwell said they need to realize the mother is part of that process and do everything they possibly can to help, preserve and care for her and the baby. Dunwell said providing stability “reaps unbelievable benefits” throughout the state.

“We see less problems. We see less difficulties. We see less challenges. When kids have stability behind them we see that good things happen and there’s less issues that pop up down the road,” he said. “So this is just good policy, it’s smart and it in many respects eliminates the need for so many things we argue about.”

FOUR PRIORITY PILLARS

Apart from his off the beaten path priorities, Dunwell, as an assistant majority leader, wants to also pursue what he calls the “four priority pillars,” which include education, law and order, Iowa’s economy and efficient government. In education, some areas of concern include safety and also teachers’ salaries.

“I’m a big fan of finding some ways to raise teachers’ salaries across the board, talking something more than our typically SSA funding model — so not just increasing that but really doing something specifically to raise teachers’ pay,” Dunwell said, noting the legislature may also look at Iowa CORE.

Other issues include chronic absenteeism across the state and controversies with violence. Dunwell said legislators are also looking at whether the state needs to look at educational achievement or redesigning educational standards.

For the topic of law and order, Dunwell said

Church Schedules

METZ COMMUNITY CHURCH

3253 W. 62nd St. S., Newton

Pastor David Rex 641-521-4354

SUNDAY - 9 a.m. Sunday school; 10:10 a.m. Worship Last Saturday of month - 8 a.m. Men’s Breakfast

FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH Colfax

Minister, Pastor Cody Dyer Church Office 674-4165

SATURDAY, Jan. 6 - 7:30 a.m. Men’s Breakfast/Bible Study

SUNDAY, Jan. 7 - 9 a.m. Fellowship; 9:15 a.m. Bible Education Classes; 10:25 a.m. Message by Pastor Cody Dyer

MONDAY, Jan. 8 - 6 p.m. Deacon/ Deaconess meetings

TUESDAY, Jan. 9 - 3 p.m. Women’s Prayer and coffee; 6 p.m. Trustee meetings

WEDNESDAY, Jan. 10 - 9 a.m.

Busy Bee Quilters and Fresh Encounter Prayer; 5:45 p.m. AWANA Family Meal; 6:25 p.m. AWANA Clubs

SUNDAY, Jan. 14- 9 a.m. Fellow-

The church schedule is brought to you by

Colfax-Prairie City-Monroe

515-674-3155

www.coburnfuneralhomes.com

ship; 9:15 a.m. Bible Education Classes; 10:25 a.m. Message by Pastor Cody Dye; 11:30 a.m. Potluck Dinner; 12:45 p.m. Annual Business meeting

SACRED HEART CATHOLIC CHURCH Newton, Iowa

SATURDAY - 4 p.m. Mass SUNDAY - 9 a.m. Mass

COLFAX FIRST UNITED METHODIST CHURCH

S. Locust & W. Division St. Office - 674-3782

Rev. Phil Dicks pastor

SUNDAY - 10:30 a.m. Family Worship; Sunday School

HOPE ASSEMBLY OF GOD

126 E. Howard

Rev. Paul Avery, pastor Church: 674-3700

SUNDAY - 9 a.m. Sunday school; 10 a.m. Worship; 6 p.m. Evening services

WEDNESDAY - 6 p.m. Bible study

IMMACULATE CONCEPTION

CATHOLIC CHURCH

302 E. Howard St., Colfax Fr. Ron Hodges 515-674-3711

SUNDAY - 9 a.m. Mass

DAILY MASS - 8 a.m.

MINGO UNITED METHODIST CHURCH

Send items to news@jaspercountytribune.com

MONDAY

• BEDCO meets at 5:30 p.m. the first Monday of month

• Colfax Cub Scouts Pack 345 meets at 7 p.m. the first Monday of month in the C-M High School Cafetorium

• Colfax Planning & Zoning meets at 7 p.m. the first Monday of month at the library

• Baxter City Council meets at 6 p.m. the second Monday of month at City Hall

• Colfax City Council meets the second Monday of month at the Colfax Fire Department

• Colfax Country Club meets at 7 p.m. the second Monday of month

• Mingo American Legion Auxiliary meets at 1 p.m. the second Monday of month

• Mingo City Council meets at 6 p.m. the second Monday of month

• Colfax Historical Society meets at 7 p.m. the third Monday of month at the museum

• Baxter School Board meets at 7 p.m. the fourth Monday of month

• C-M Food Pantry meets at 6:30 p.m. the last Monday of month at the Food Pantry

it comes down to supporting law enforcement. More specifically, lawmakers want to take a closer look at penalties for individuals causing violence against law enforcement officers. Those accused of such crimes would be held without bail.

“We also have some disparities in law enforcement retirements. And we have a recruitment issue,” Dunwell said, noting lawmakers could be considering incentive programs. “What can we do to maybe cover some moving expenses for law enforcement officers, corrections officers, etc. who are moving to Iowa?”

There is some conversation, he added, of making sure career criminals are taken out of communities. Dunwell also anticipates discussions about strengthening laws around sex trafficking, sex slavery and rapes of minors. Also part of that discussion is putting parents in charge of their children’s online data.

“Right now, children are not protected. So we think that data by

Rev. Phil Dicks 515-689-4926

SUNDAY - 9:45 a.m. Worship service (Sunday school not meeting at this time)

ASHTON CHAPEL 8887 W. 122nd St. N., Mingo

Pastors: Larry Craig & Mark Eddy

SUNDAY - 9 a.m. Sunday school; 10 a.m. Worship

BETHANY UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST 5627 N. 95th Ave. W., Baxter 641-227-3402

Pastor Chris Hayward

SUNDAY - 9 a.m. Sunday School

(Sunday after Labor Day to second Sunday in May); 10 a.m. Sunday Worship. First Sunday communion. All are welcome. baxterbethanyucc. org

EVANGELICAL FREE CHURCH

BAXTER

Mike Mclintock, Pastor SUNDAY - 9:15 a.m. Sunday School; 10 a.m. Worship; 6 p.m. Awanas

WEDNESDAYS - 1st & 3rd - 6:30 p.m. Mens Bible Study 2nd & 4th - 6:30 p.m. Men’s and Womens Bible Study

THURSDAYS 10 a.m. - Womens Bible Study

BAXTER CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH

default should be protected. Basically, parents would be in charge of … what gets shared about them on TikTok and social media,” Dunwell said. “We think it’s time to have the big social media companies require some sort of consent from parents.”

When it comes to Iowa’s economy, Dunwell said taxes will continue to be an issue. With the state’s balance in the Iowa Tax Relief Fund and rising inflation, Dunwell thinks it is time to enact the 3.9 percent flat tax for 2024; initially, it was planned to go into effect in 2026.

Dunwell also expects lawmakers to make it easier to start a small business in Iowa by creating more incentives. To meet the final pillar of efficient government, he said the state’s IT systems need modernized. Many medical costs also end up being paid by the government through programs like Medicaid and Medicare. Dunwell said as a result “we’ve got some really high hospital and nursing home costs that we need to take a look at.”

218 S. Main, Baxter

Pastor Ben Spera Church: 641-227-3382

SUNDAY - 10 a.m. Worship

WEDNESDAY - 6 p.m. Bible Study

THIRD THURSDAY of month6:30 p.m. Theology on Tap at Bea’s Place on Main Street Check us out on Facebook and baxtercongregational.com

CORNERSTONE BIBLE FELLOWSHIP

1000 E. 12th St., Newton Rev. Josh Farver, pastor Phone 641-792-4650

SUNDAY - 9 a.m. Sunday school; 10:15 a.m. Worship

WEDNESDAY - 6:30 p.m. Prayer Meeting and Bible Study;Youth Group

HERITAGE WORD OF LIFE

ASSEMBLY OF GOD 102 Second St. NW, Mitchellville Pastor Dave Adams 515-967-3330

SUNDAY - 9 a.m. Bible classes; 10 a.m. Worship service; 6 p.m. Evening service WEDNESDAY - 7 p.m. Evening activities

LUTHERAN CHURCH OF HOPE Capitol II Theatre in Newton SUNDAY - 9:30 a.m. Livestream Worship Service