Focus

Demand for opioid overdose reversal medication appears to be rising in Des Moines. Sgt. Paul Parezik cites recent case as example of what officers are seeing in the city// Melissa O'Neill, Central Iowa Shelter & Services// Josh Planos, Better Business News-Midwest, Brushing Scams// Kathy Coady, Hope Ministries opens new shelter for homeless women & their children// Stephanie Shepherd, Iowa DNR wildlife biologist, bats// Craig Bargfrede, Iowa DOT, winter prep//

Iowa SIDS Foundation notes rise in referrals after infant deaths. Casey Manser of SIDS, State Medical Director, Dr. Robert Kruse, Blank Children's Hospital Pediatricians Dr. Amy Ferguson, Dr. Audrey Bush, & MercyOne Dr. Chloe Butler// Justin Mertz, Panther Marching Band welcomes service dog "Winnie"//

Iowa Department of Corrections using new tool to lower recidivism// Adult Literacy Center at DMACC-Urban campus helping adults improve reading skills// City of Des Moines planning Gray's Lake improvements// ICON Water trails project achieves fundraising milestone// New wildlife area opens in Davis County, Iowa//

Kathy Coady, Hope Ministries, Thanksgiving meals// ISU Agronomy Professor Walter Suza, PHD, addressing hunger in Africa, World Food Prize Foundation honoree// Libby Pederson, Alzheimer's Association, Iowa Chapter. Caregiver support for younger adult family members // Ahmen Douglass, Des Moines Fire Department, Fire prevention week// Craig Bargfrede, Iowa DOT winter prep//

Local groups are trying to expand affordable housing options in Des Moines. Toby O'Berry Polk County Housing Trust Fund explains.// Laura Porter, Iowa Architectural Foundation, describes Meredith Hall restoration.// Operation Christmas Child launching shoebox program// Jace Elliott, Iowa DNR Deer Biologist. Early harvest means deer are moving.//

Iowa teens travel to Idaho for service projects, Zach Moss, Dallas County Conservation// West Des Moines considers new bridge over Raccoon River// American Parkinson's Disease Association-Iowa chapter responds to Brett Favre diagnosis// Iowa disaster victims face new threat, scams. Sonya Sellmeyer, Iowa Insurance Division explains//

Programs aim to curb Iowa's high obesity rate. Lyndi Buckingham-Schutt and others explain.// Shay Willis, LifeServe Blood Center, donations needed.// Jessica O'Riley, Iowa fall tourism ramps up.// Iowa State Parks host annual Volunteer Day.//

Adult Literacy Center in Des Moines is serving hundreds each year. Ann Murr says they need volunteers// Des Moines WaterWorks is replacing lead service lines// Skate DSM hosting large skating competition// Iowa DNR planning annual Volunteer Day at State Parks// Three elk are currently in Iowa//

Central Iowa food pantries are seeing rising demand. Blake Willadsen, DMARC Food pantry system & others explain.// Linda Gorka, Iowa Food Bank Association// Michelle Book, Food Bank of Iowa// Katie Sorrell, ISU Extension Master Gardeners donating food to pantries//

Iowa struggling with OB Department closures. Dr. Jeff Quinlan, U of IA Carver College of Medicine & others explain & offer solutions.// Stacy Peterson, Mary Greeley Medical Center, Ames, Maternal, Child Services.// Dr. Michael Maharry, Rural Scholars, matching new doctors with rural hospitals.// UNI offering new nursing program with OB training.// Des Moines first responders see promising outcomes after implementing new policies. Tony Sposeto.//

Central Iowa schools are restricting cell phones during classes. Rob Randazzo at Des Moines Hoover explains. Bergman Academy in Des Moines is also adjusting their policies. Sidney Gerritsen & Katie Ewing explain. Iowa's teacher shortage is inspiring a path for para educators to become fully licensed teachers. Colleen Mulholland, Dean of University of Northern Iowa College of Education Safe Kids-Des Moines has back-to-school safety reminders.

Central Iowa schools are restricting cell phones during classes. Rob Randazzo at Des Moines Hoover explains. Bergman Academy in Des Moines is also adjusting their policies. Sidney Gerritsen & Katie Ewing explain. Iowa's teacher shortage is inspiring a path for para educators to become fully licensed teachers. Colleen Mulholland, Dean of University of Northern Iowa College of Education. Safe Kids-Des Moines has back-to-school safety reminders.

Demand is rising for services in Iowa's Aging and Disability Office. Director Zach Rhein explains how Iowans are connecting with those services// Karen Swanson, DMACC, pilot program enables Des Moines high school students to earn college credit while in high school. Wendy Mihm Herald, of Iowa Jobs for America's Graduates (IJAG)//. Katy Sowden, Safe Kids-Des Moines, hot car danger//

Kara Warme, Youth Emergency Shelter, receives federal funds// Zach Bader, Iowa Farm Bureau, consumer food choice survey results// Tamyra Harrison, Salvation Army-Des Moines, natural disaster help// Troy Kleese, Certified Athletic Trainer, Unity Point Health-Des Moines, exercising in hot, humid weather//

Des Moines City Council considers ordinance banning sleeping in public spaces. Mayor Connie Boeson conducts public hearing, those for and against speak out.

Thousands of Iowans, displaced by tornadoes & floods begin recovery. John Mills of FEMA has latest numbers. // Ryan Smith, ISU Plant Pathology, Entomology, Microbiology, rain & floods causing large mosquito populations.// Alissa McKinney, Above + Beyond Cancer, parachuting fundraiser.// Noreen Otto, Iowa Brewer's Guild. Iowa beer has become a billion dollar business.//

Web traffic has been rising on the Iowa People's Law Library website. State Librarian Michael Scott explains. Susan Pritchett, Drake University Legal Clinic & Refugee Services. Molly Moeller, Des Moines University Admissions. Molly Rupert, City of Des Moines, Parks and Recreation launches "Bucket List" promotion. DMPD Sergeant Paul Parezik: A happy ending to a bad week for one Des Moines teen.

Fentanyl related overdoses have been rising across the U-S and in Iowa. This edition of Focus features Ann Breeding, one of dozens of Iowa mothers who have lost a child to a fentanyl overdose. Suzie Sherr of the Iowa Office of Drug Control Policy and Drug Enforcement Agency Agent Steve Bell share the latest statistics and warnings about the deadly dangers. Mental health therapist and Addictions Counselor Marisa Mickunas of Powell Chemical Dependency Center in Des Moines discusses addiction treatment.

Central Iowa agencies are working to serve youth with numerous challenges, including homelessness, drug addiction, and mental health issues. Kara Warme of (Youth & Shelter Services) YSS and Brandi Broadhead, Orchard Place. Wes Lefferts, Iowa State University Department of Kinesiology, how exercise impacts brain blood flow.

A central Iowa non-profit is training puppies to become therapy dogs for first responders and victims of traumatic events. Rebecca Smith of Crisis Canines says the dogs help lower stress. Peter Wagner, publisher of small newspapers in Iowa. Are newspapers dying? Justin Glison, State Climatologist, has a hot weather outlook.