Tag Archives: Iowa

Iowa Court Says Disabilities Act Covers Severe Allergies

An Iowa Court of Appeals ruled that children and adults who have severe allergies are protected from discrimination by the federal Americans With Disabilities Act. Those who have epilepsy are also protected by it. This decision is different than a previous one by an Iowa district court. In 2011, Shannon Knudsen sued Tiger Tots Community Child Care Center in Madrid, Iowa. The reason for the lawsuit was because the Child Care facility declined to accept her child specifically because the child had a tree nut allergy. The case was heard by an Iowa district court. The court ruled that the … Continue reading →

Iowa Will Have a State-Federal Partnership Exchange

Part of the Affordable Care Act requires that all states have a health insurance exchange. The deadline for states that wanted to have a state-based exchange has passed. The Governor of Iowa, Terry Branstad, has declared that Iowa will pursue a state-federal partnership health insurance exchange. Every state is required to have a health insurance exchange. In 2014, individuals and small businesses will use the exchange to find affordable health insurance. There were three potential options for the way that a state’s health insurance exchange could be. One option was to create a state-based exchange. The deadline for that option … Continue reading →

Iowa Genealogy Resources

The state of Iowa has a nickname. It is “The Hawkeye State”. Do you have ancestors who were “Hawkeyes” that you have been trying to learn more about? Try out some of these Iowa genealogy resources. They should help you to get started. FamilySearch has a Wiki that has lots of information about Iowa genealogy. There are links to FamilySearch Wiki pages about every county in Iowa. The Wiki itself has some brief information about the history of the state. It also has links to other FamilySearch Wiki articles that talk about records from Iowa. Ancestry.com has a page filled … Continue reading →

How the Midwestern Floods are Affecting Summer Travel Plans

I live in a state that has been ravaged by floods. More than 15 counties here in Wisconsin have been declared disaster areas and FEMA workers continue to assess the damage to homes and businesses. Mother Nature’s wrath has already exceeded the $20 million mark and is expected to rise in the coming days. The devastation may not be as widespread as it is in Iowa, but residents here are still reeling from the destruction left behind from last week’s torrential rain and severe floods. This month’s deluges have also soaked several Midwestern tourist spots, most of which rely on … Continue reading →

Summer Fun-—More Wild and Wacky Family Friendly Festivals

Where can you spend long summer days watching mermaids stroll down the street, viewing grown men spit watermelon seeds 100 feet into the air or snapping pictures of ladies bobbing for pig’s feet? Believe it or not some of these wacky events could be taking place in your own backyard. Tis the season for hometown summer festivals and some are far more creative than others. Check out the following wild and wacky family friendly events designed to infuse some fun into your ordinary summer: GEORGIA On July 5th East Dublin, Georgia becomes a hotbed for rednecks. Thousands of hearty souls … Continue reading →

In Search of Spectacular Holiday Light Displays—Part 2

You’d have to be a real Grinch not to enjoy seeing thousands of twinkling lights illuminate a cold dark winter’s night. Heck, half my neighborhood is already awash in holiday wattage. I’m not kidding. There’s even one house a few streets down that has two inflatable snowmen in the yard and the cutest display of mini-Christmas tree lights bordering its walkway, but on the front porch sits five pumpkins a haystack and two corn stalks. If you don’t feel like going all out to string lights around your own home then pack up the kids and hit the highway. Hundreds … Continue reading →

Sioux City–One Unforgettable City

Quick! What city do you live in? Okay. Now, this might be tougher: Do you know the three-letter airport code printed on tickets and luggage tags that identifies your city to pilots and other airport workers? For example, Los Angeles’ three-letter identifier is LAX. Dallas’ is DFW and Tulsa’s is TUL. If you live in Sioux City, Iowa then the question is a no-brainer. Sioux Gateway Airport’s infamous three-letter identifier—SUX— has been in and out of the headlines for years, and now city leaders are trying to put a new spin on the unflattering code. For more than a decade … Continue reading →

Iowa—-Shaking It Up To Attract Visitors

I have traveled to and through Iowa many, many times. Some of the trips were work related while others were to attend family functions. But, in general, none of them were to visit a major tourist attraction. They exist… in certain parts of the state. However, in central Iowa I would image visitor bureaus may have a tougher time trying to lure in travelers. Not because the area doesn’t have its own charm; it’s just that it lacks the usual attractions that normally draw visitors, such as world-class shopping, majestic mountain ranges, lakes or caves. In Traer, Iowa, city leaders … Continue reading →

Sunday Travel Funnies: “TAXI!”

If you are superstitious and planning a trip to San Francisco in the near future, you’re probably better off leaving your fear of the number 666 at home… especially if need to rely on taxi cabs to get around. The head of the city’s taxi commission says he will not be getting rid of taxi medallion No. 666, regardless of the fact that some riders refuse to patronize a cab bearing the number of Satan. A cab driver who had “666” assigned to him last year recently asked the agency to retire the number because it had brought him nothing … Continue reading →

Marriage Laws – Missouri & Iowa

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Our series on marriage laws continues into the Midwest with stops in Missouri and Iowa. We’ve learned quite a bit during our study of the various marriage laws affecting the 50 states of the United States. So let’s take a look at Missouri and then we’ll pause in Iowa. Missouri There is no residency requirement to apply for a marriage license in the state of Missouri. You will need to apply at the Recorder of Deeds office and provide valid identification and your social security numbers. Applicants under the age of 18 will need to have consent from their custodial … Continue reading →