Focus

Chrissy Meyer, American Heart Association. American Heart Month, drive to get more people into CPR training// News Director Wendy Wilde speaks with Dr. Molly Lee, Iowa State University Veterinary Medicine, about bird flu spreading to pets.// Nick Wuertz, Lutheran Services of Iowa, discussed new federal roadblocks to refugee resettlement in Des Moines. // Iowa Secretary of State Paul Pate, discusses National Blue Campaign, human trafficking presentation in Washington D.C. this past week.

Patrick Waymire, Iowa Department of Public Safety discusses new tipline and multi-agency partnership to combat human trafficking in Iowa. // Capt. Ryan Evans, Polk County Sheriff's Office, talks about efforts to prevent human trafficking in central Iowa. // Kathy Coady, Hope Ministries, talks about their new shelter, and increased need in the area. // Dan Kaminski, Iowa Department of Natural Resources, discusses an ongoing Iowa turkey population study.

Blake Willadsen from Des Moines Area Religious Council, joins WHO reporter Dave Bohl to discuss record food need in 2024. // Suzanne Fraser joins WHO reporter Sue Danielson, talking about growing a hat and mitten drive for Iowa students. // Steve Karsjen, Mayor of Polk City, discusses plans after creation of a new park committee. // Joe Murphy- Iowa Business Council, highlights need for students to stay in Iowa after graduation.// Col. Randall Stanford, Iowa National Guard, tells about senior leadership helping construct a Habitat for Humanity house in Des Moines.

Shay Willis, with LifeServe Blood Center, talks about National Blood Donor month, successful New Year's Day drive. // Chris McCarthy, with UnityPoint Health, joins Sue Danielson to discuss a recently published health needs assessment for central Iowa. // Erin Chambers, tells about a Smithsonian exhibit open during January in Newton. // Erica Spiller, with DMACC, discusses scrubbing their new/old "D" logo from several locations, after a recent court case. // Iowa State Capitol reporter JD Snover gives details about this year's Iowa Legislative Session.

Tamyra Harrison, provides and update on the Salvation Army's fundraising efforts in central Iowa, as their seasonal drive goes until January 31st. Iowa State Treasurer Roby Smith joins WHO's Simon Conway to speak about the I-Save 529 college savings program. // Sue Danielson visits with an Iowa organ donor recipient, participating in this year's Rose Parade. // Andrew Neuendorf, with DMACC, talks about the future of manufacturing careers in the state. // Sue Danielson, who is retiring after nearly 36 years in the newsroom, and over 20 hosting FOCUS, gives us a glimpse into her fascinating career.

Ernie Goss, Creighton University Economics Professor // Roby Smith, Treasurer of Iowa // Nick Schaul, Director of Finance for the City of Des Moines // Joel Zook, City of Ames // Holly Stecker, Director of new Boone Mainstreet Iowa chapter // Bill Watson, Superintendent of Martensdale-St. Marys School District // Andy Bartlett, Iowa DNR, Manager at Ledges State Park

Kristine Tidgren from Iowa State, gives details about the new BOI form deadline of LLCs // Jen Mollhoff discusses a toy drive for University of Iowa Children's Hospital // Jessica Lown, Polk County Conservation // Brian Ortner, AAA holiday driving

Sally Shaver DuBois, ISU Extension 4-H healthy kids // Rachel Bly, Grinnell College Dining Dollars // Jessica Dunker, Iowa Restaurant Association, holiday dining // Molly Moeller, Des Moines University plans Mini-Med School for teens // Iowa Lifesaving Awards - Joseph Salmon and Randy Hartley, recipients of the Governor's Lifesaving Awards, and Oelwein Police Officer Codi Werzer, who received the Sullivan Brother's Award.

Alliant Energy- Andy Kitslaar // Hope Ministries- Kathy Coady // DMARC Food Pantry - Blake Willadsen // Iowa DNR - Firearm Deer Season - Jace Elliot

Major Daniel Hull, Salvation Army Dr. Joe Cullen, University of Iowa Mercy One, Maternal Transport Team Josh Planos, Better Business Bureau Andrew Gogurty, Reiman Gardens, Ames

Drake University Professor Elizabeth Talbert and & Homeward Iowa's Angie Arthur discuss family homelessness// Rick Wanamaker, Des Moines Real Estate agent// Jessica Lown, Polk County Conservation, latest events// Chip Murrow, DNR fall tree care//

Catherine Hillstad, Adair County Health System, Greenfield tornado recovery// State Climatologist Justin Glison, roller coaster year for weather// Patrick Beane, City of Des Moines, flood fixes// Iowa State Fair Blue Ribbon Foundation holds auction// ISU & Blank Park Zoo work to boost Blandings turtle population//

Danny Akright, Habitat for Humanity-Des Moines// Zach Rhein, Aging and Disability Services, IDHHS// Sarah Lembke, Iowa Main Street Challenge Grants awarded// Kathy Coady, Hope Ministries serving Thanksgiving meals// Andrew Gogurty, Reiman Gardens, Ames, Winter Wonderscape preparations//

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.//