Gazette Daily News Podcast, August 22 and August 23
This is Stephen Colbert from the Gazette Digital News Desk and I’m here with your weekend update for August 22-23, 2020.
We have a bright, hot and sunny weekend ahead of us!
Saturday will be mostly sunny, with a high near 88. It’ll cool off to 68 in the evening with a 30% chance of showers.
Sunday will be mostly sunny, with a high near 92, then cool off again to 68 in the evening.
Governor Reynolds says Virtual learning is OK for schools hit by derecho. School districts that suffered damage the derecho will be allowed to start the school year with just online instruction if the Iowa Department of Education approves. Under a revised public health emergency proclamation issued Friday by Gov. Kim Reynolds, school districts with facilities damaged by hurricane-force winds earlier this month also could apply for a waiver of required instructional time if they still are unable to conduct even remote instruction due to power or internet outages or other complications.
Linn County residents can seek federal aid for derecho recovery. Homeowners, renters and merchants in Linn County can apply now for federal disaster aid to help them recover from the derecho. On Thursday evening, President Donald Trump partially approved the state’s request for individual assistance under a Federal Emergency Management Agency program — but damage assessments in the 26 other Iowa counties under consideration are ongoing, and residents in those counties must wait for the federal aid. More information on how to apply can be found at TheGazette.com
Iowa State University threatening suspension against student parties. ISU President Wendy Wintersteen on Friday issued a campus letter rebuking the “unacceptable” behavior and enacting a new COVID-19 safety policy for student social gatherings that could lead to suspension.
Per the new policy, effective Friday, all on- or off-campus social gatherings or parties involving ISU students must comply with all public health orders in place at the federal, state, county, city and university level. That means, under current restrictions, students at the parties or gatherings must wear face coverings, and comply with federal physical distancing guidelines ensuring 6 feet of separation.
Iowa State, which began classes Monday, identified 175 students with COVID-19 upon move in to the residence halls. They were required to isolate either in space reserved on campus or at home.
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