Gazette Daily News Podcast, May 15

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Were you looking from a combination of that warmer weather from Thursday while also getting a break from rain? Well Friday looks to be the ticket for you. According to the National Weather Service, Friday morning could start a bit foggy in the Cedar Rapids area, but after that, a cloudy sky will begin to turn into a mostly cloudy sky with a high of 72 degrees. Rain will probably return on Saturday, so if you have ideas for activities that require being outside and dry at the same time, get to it on Friday.

Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds expressed confidence Thursday in Iowa's ability to 'manage and contain' the COVID-19 epidemic now that Test Iowa equipment has been validated, enabling health officials to 'ramp up' processing 5,000 tests a day in a targeted strategy to reopen more businesses beginning Friday. During her daily briefing, Reynolds acknowledged there have been problems associated with the state's $26 million testing initiative with Utah tech company Nomi Health, but she expressed confidence the program has turned the corner and more and better results are ahead.

Because of this potentially improved testing and recent positive trends with the virus statewide, Reynolds said she believed Iowa's 22 counties hardest hit by the disease, which also happen to be the state's most populated and urban counties, were ready to begin reopening businesses such as restaurants and gyms starting Friday. She said she believes the pandemic will not overwhelm Iowa's health care system, and could be managed provided that Iowans observe social distancing guidelines, practice good hygiene, wear masks where appropriate, and stay home when ill.

Iowa continued to have its worst weeks when it comes to deaths from COVID-19, with another 13 deaths reported Thursday.

This may go without saying, but staying inside all this time hasn't made you invulnerable, and that goes doubly or triply for the people with compromised immune systems you might run into. For this reason, wash your hands often, maintain a six foot distance from others where possible, and consider wearing a mask when you go out and are going to be interacting with people. If you want info on what types of masks to wear and how to wear them, do a web search on the topics CDC, COVID-19, and masks. I will add a link about masks in the write up of this briefing that you can find on thegazette.com as always. Be smart, and stay safe out there.

The U.S. Marshals service is asking for the public's assistance in locating a fugitive who is wanted on homicide and weapons charges in Michigan. Franky Joseph Ackley, 24, was last known to be living in Cedar Rapids. The charges stem from a March 6 incident in Jackson, Mich. Ackley is 6-foot-1 and weighs about 145 pounds. He has brown hair and brown eyes, a cleft lip and a tattoo on his left hand.

This briefing is sponsored in part by Corridor Careers.  Are you looking for a job? CorridorCareers.com is a resource to local job seekers where they can get job tips, sign up for local job alerts, build a resume and more. Check it out at CorridorCareers.com.