Gazette Daily News Podcast: Friday, April 19, 2024

– Lawmakers approve overhaul of Iowa’s mental health system. Here’s what it would do.

– Willis Dady to host annual Hops for Housing fundraiser

– Iowa saw 8 tornadoes Tuesday

Episode Transcript

Coming up, a plan to overhaul Iowa’s mental health system awaits a signature from Governor Reynolds to become law

And later, you can sample beer to benefit Willis Dady Homeless Services

Plus, eight tornadoes arrived in Iowa Tuesday

Welcome to the Friday, April 19 edition of the Gazette Daily News Podcast. This podcast gives quick bites from the latest headlines coming out of The Gazette newsroom. I’m Bailey Cichon.

First, a plan to overhaul Iowa’s mental health system is awaiting the governor’s signature. House File 2673 would combine Iowa’s 32 mental health and substance use regions into seven unified behavioral health districts. Each district would be overseen by an advisory board of local providers and government officials.These districts would be created on or before Aug. 1 and the organizations administering services would be selected by Dec. 31.

Advocates hope the changes will improve access for patients. The new system would provide equitable statewide access to all services and offer specialized services with a focus on at-risk populations. That includes children, young adults, individuals with disabilities, pregnant women, older Iowans and those with limited access to financial resources. Advocates still have questions like how services like mental health access centers would be affected by the changes. The centers provide care for adults experiencing a mental health or substance use disorder crisis rather than going to an emergency room or to jail.

Senator Sarah Trone-Garriott, a Democrat from Waukee asked what steps would be taken to keep people quote “from falling through the cracks” end quote during the transition.

Sen. Trone-Garriott said quote, “I still have these concerns, while knowing that there is good that can come from this legislation, and the biggest concern of all that I have is that we are rearranging but once again not investing the resources that Iowans clearly need. There is no new money for mental health.” end quote.

For a closer look at what House File 2673 would do, read the story linked in this episode’s description.

Next, Willis Dady’s annual Hops for Housing fundraiser will be held April 27 from 2:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m at The Hotel at Kirkwood Center. The event will feature samples from more than 20 local and national breweries and cideries. Other activities include a silent auction and awareness-raising games. The fundraiser benefits Willis Dady, which provides homeless prevention, housing, emergency shelter, employment and veteran services to those who are homeless or close to homelessness in Linn County. This year the nonprofit hopes to raise $10,000. Tickets are $40 in advance or $45 at the door. Find ticket information at givebutter.com/HOPS24.

The first tornadoes of 2024 came to Iowa on Tuesday. In fact, the National Weather Service recorded eight of them: one in Dallas County and Buchanan County, two in Calhoun County and three in Pocahontas County. Another tornado passed through Lee, Des Moines and Henry counties. According to the National Weather Service, no injuries were reported. The strongest of this batch of tornadoes touched down in Southeast Iowa in Lee County at 4:25 p.m. It was a 600-yard-wide EF-2 with winds of about 130 mph. It traveled 42 miles before ending at 5:21 p.m. The worst damage occurred at a farmstead north of New London in Henry County. That’s where a brick house lost its roof.

Find a link to each of today’s featured stories in this episode’s description or at thegazette.com.

Now let’s take a look at the weather in Cedar Rapids. Today it will be cloudy with a high of 56 degrees and a low of 31 degrees. Saturday will be partly cloudy with similar temperatures to today. Sunday will be sunny. Anticipate a high of 60 degrees and a low of 35 degrees.

Thank you for listening to the Gazette Daily News Podcast. Stay updated with the latest Eastern Iowa news at thegazette.com. I’m Bailey Cichon.

Comments: bailey.cichon@thegazette.com