😁 Happy Friday! It’s the day before Valentine’s Day, which means one of three things: you’re excited, you’re pretending it doesn’t exist, or you’re already side-eyeing the price of last minute roses. No matter where you land, consider this your friendly reminder to laugh a little, enjoy the moment, and keep reading— because the rest of this newsletter is way less mushy.

Weekend Weather:
Today ☀ Hi 56, Sat 🌦 Hi 58, Sun ☀ Hi 58, Mon ⛅ Hi 62

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Software developers sit nearly all day and make six figures. Fast-food workers are on their feet almost nonstop, and earn about $30,000 a year.

Hyunsoo Rim

Standing desks may have become a workplace staple, but Americans are spending more time seated at work than at any point in nearly a decade, according to new federal labor data — and that might be a good thing for their personal finances.

Indeed, while it may not please many health experts, the share of the working day that the average US worker spends standing has been shrinking, as more of us take up jobs where we often take a load off to lock in and get paid.

Among the most sedentary professionals are software developers, who spent 97% of the workday sitting last year. Investment analysts (96.4%), accountants (96.2%), and lawyers (86.4%) also spent most of their day in a chair. At the other end of the spectrum were food prep and service workers, including fast-food cooks, bakers, and bartenders, who spent over 98% of their shifts on their feet. Construction roles like carpenters and electricians weren’t far behind.

Interestingly, how much time you spend seated often lines up with how much you earn, the latest wage data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics shows.

Workers in management spent nearly three-quarters of the workday seated, with the highest-grossing occupation earning $171,200 on average in 2024. Other desk-bound roles in legal, computer, and financial fields also pulled in six-figure salaries. Meanwhile, workers in food service, personal care, transportation, and maintenance — jobs that require standing most of the day — typically earned around $41,000 or less per year.

The pattern isn’t universal, though. Office and administrative support workers, along with bus drivers and chauffeurs, naturally spent a majority of their workday seated but still earned below the national average of $49,500. Pharmacists, by contrast, earned ~$137,000 a year while spending just 28% of their day sitting.

The Carroll City Council approved a contract with an engineering firm at their meeting earlier this week to begin the process of installing additional lighting in Graham Park. Parks and Recreation Director Chad Tiemeyer says the contract with McClure Engineering outlines the company’s role throughout the project. The professional services agreement with McClure for contract work totals $70,200. The city has already allocated $275,000 for construction and equipment purchases, but it is still too early for a reasonable project estimate. Cody Forch, an engineer and project leader with McClure, says planning and design are more involved than just picking dark spots in the park and building a light post. Graham Park is a central part of Carroll’s recreational district, but the park becomes almost unusable after sunset, even though the park is technically open until midnight. Ward 2 Councilman Jason Atherton has been the primary proponent for additional lighting and says it is also a safety concern. Once McClure completes its initial review, the council will need to weigh in on how many fixtures they want installed in the park, which ones will be on continuously after dusk, and how to mitigate light pollution for adjacent properties. Those decisions will be made at future council meetings. The project is tentatively scheduled to go out for bid by the end of 2026.

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💸 Western Iowa Networks (WIN) donates $15,000 to the City of Westside for the city park improvement project. For the past few years, Westside Park Board Members have been fundraising to construct new pickleball and basketball courts at Hoffman Park. The project will also fund to construct a walking path through the park area to the different amenities, and update equipment for residents and visitors to enjoy with their families for years to come. Construction will be scheduled once funding has been secured. Anyone wishing to help is asked to reach out to City Hall by calling 712-663-4493 or talking to any Westside Park and Rec Board Member.

🍸 The Wall Lake Community Club is encouraging all the ladies to grab your friends and join them for a night of drinks, crafts and enjoying each other’s company for the first Galentine’s Ladies Night event this Friday. Starting at 6:30 p.m. at the Wall Lake General Store, the community organization will be celebrating the unofficial holiday recognizing female empowerment and friendships that was sparked from a popular sitcom. Community club member Kady Steinkamp says that however is not the inspiration behind the ladies night in Wall Lake this Friday. Steinkamp says the community club has offered a stag night for the men for years and this time, they wanted to switch things up. She says there is so much planned that will all be included with the $60 ticket cost. Aside from the food, drinks and crafts, Steinkamp says there will be plenty of vendors with additional activities great for a ladies night out. The full drink and food menu will also be available from the Wall Lake General Store for purchase. Tickets need to be purch ased for the Galentine’s event in advance at The Wall Lake General Store, Bank Midwest in Wall Lake or by reaching out to the Wall Lake Community Club on Facebook. Steinkamp encourages all to follow the group on their Facebook page as there are more events planned upcoming that she says you won’t want to miss. Again, join the Wall Lake Community Club’s first Galentine’s Ladies Night this Friday starting at 6:30 p.m. at the Wall Lake General Store.

🌳 Whiterock Conservancy in Coon Rapids is excited to be against hosting Green Iowa AmeriCorps members, as well as a new marketing intern through a new partnership with Drake University. For several years now, Whiterock Conservancy has collaborated with Green Iowa AmeriCorps program to offer a hands-on learning experience, with individuals receiving work experience with conservation practices. Whiterock Executive Director Kate Compton says the two members will focus on promoting the land trust’s mission of ecological restoration, regenerative agriculture, and outdoor recreation. The summer, three-month positions applications will be opening soon, and can be found on the Green Iowa AmeriCorps official website. Compton says Whiterock has entered into a new partnership with Drake University to host a marketing intern for the next several months. Compton says be sure to follow Whiterock Conservancy on Facebook and Instagram to view all the new content that Audrey will be posting and to keep up with what Analisa Roy and James Benavides will be up to over the next several months. 

TOGETHER WITH LUCKY’S SPORTS GRILL and WILD ROSE HOTEL & CASINO IN JEFFERSON

Head to one of our station Facebook pages and look for this post and comment with a photo of you and the person you are ‘Lucky’s In Love’ with! One ‘Lucky’s’ couple will win dinner at Lucky’s Sports Grill and a one night stay at Wild Rose Casino in Jefferson. February is a month of love and happiness and thank you to Lucky’s Sport Grill at Wild Rose Casino in Jefferson for making that happen!

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At the start of each week the Carroll Broadcasting Sports Network Crew catches up with area high school coaches to recap their previous weeks events and preview the match ups that are happening for the week ahead. Listen here and subscribe.

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by Iowa's News Now Staff

DES MOINES, Iowa — Republican lawmakers in Iowa have introduced legislation aimed at attracting the Chicago Bears to the state.

The Des Moines Register reports Senate File 2252 would modify Iowa’s Major Economic Growth Attraction, or MEGA, program to allow financial incentives for a professional football stadium.

MEGA is a program that helps Iowa attract large scale project. Changes to the program would have to be approved by the Iowa Economic Development Authority.

Supporters of the bill say bringing an NFL team to Iowa could boost jobs, tourism and economic growth.

The proposal comes as the Bears explore options for a new stadium outside of Illinois.

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Officials in Illinois say they are making progress in negotiations to keep the team in its home state. Indiana lawmakers are also pursuing efforts to lure the Bears across state lines.

More State Headlines:

✅IOWA NICE: Things Iowans do that no one else understands.

✅INTENTIONAL: Strategic naps act like a “reset” button for the brain and body.

✅FRESH AIR FIX: Bundle up and take a quick walk… Even 10 minutes outside can shake off the winter blues!

✅ 26 THINGS IN 2026: 26 pop culture events to look forward to this year!

✅ENTER TO WIN: Iowa Winters are wild… prove it! Enter your wildest Iowa Winter story for a chance to win.

✅TONIGHT: Flirt and Fizz Friday at Wasted Grain!

✅SATURDAY: Galentine’s Day at The West End.

✅SUNDAY: Neva Alden Music at Sidetracked Taproom!

Mini Crossword: For those of you that wake up each morning wanting a challenge - how fast can you complete this crossword. Ready, set, go.

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