😁 Happy Friday! Current Iowa status: cold, colder, and “why does the wind hate us?” While we thaw out, here’s your weekly update.

Weekend Weather:
Today ⛅ Hi 12, Sat ☀ Hi 22, Sun 🌨 Hi 35, Mon ⛅ Hi 32

B&A Club:
🎂 Happy Birthday
Nikki Klocke -- Dedham (39 yrs)
Daytona Schreck -- Carroll
Marilyn Johnston -- Coon Rapids
Dave Hoffmann -- Carroll
🥂 Happy Anniversary
none reported

However, like other elite colleges, it’s still a lot more difficult to get into than in previous years.

Tom Jones

Yesterday, Yale University announced that it would be expanding its current financial aid program to waive tuition fees for new students from families earning below $200,000 and cover all costs for those from sub-$100,000-earning households, opening access to its hallowed halls for a broader spectrum of prospective grads.

The college joins fellow elite institutions like Harvard, which made identical changes last year, and MIT and the University of Pennsylvania, where aid programs were expanded even earlier, in late 2024. Lower-income students starting at the Ivy League university, which was founded in 1701, in the next academic year would be the first to benefit from the wider financial parameters... if they can fend off the increasing academic competition.

Though the total number of applicants dropped by more than 7,000 last year, as international applications plummeted 26% from the year before, it was still the third-biggest pool of hopefuls that the 325-year-old university had ever seen. Indeed, if you were gifted (and/or fortunate) enough to get in ahead of the 2025-26 academic year, you were part of a considerably more exclusive cohort than those who applied 30 years earlier — with roughly 1 in 20 applicants admitted in 2025, compared to one in five in 1995, per admissions data from the university.

While the aforementioned international student applicant slump, and the slew of data that suggests the decline isn’t just hitting America’s most prestigious educational facilities, will displease deans across the country, it might come as some small relief to aspiring Yalies — particularly those whose parents earned $199,999 last year.

Carroll city officials are proposing a nearly 90-cent reduction in its tax levy, which equates to an approximately three-percent increase for most taxpayers when factoring in valuation changes and state rollbacks. The nearly 300-page Fiscal Year (FY) 2027 preliminary budget was posted to the city’s website earlier this week, and the city council heard the initial overview from Finance Director Laura Schaefer on Monday. Some of that levy reduction, about 45 cents, is required by state law, as the city’s tax base valuation rose by 10.5 percent. Carroll’s robust Local Option Sales Tax (LOST) revenues, combined with the valuations, helped staff bring that levy even lower. Schaefer says Carroll’s Debt Service Levy, historically $1.40, will remain at that same level if the budget is adopted as proposed. The lobbyist group, Iowans for Tax Relief (ITR), considers Carroll’s property 15.9 percent tax revenue increase since 2017 “reasonable,” as that metric grew 20.1 percent slower than the combined population growth and inflation. Compare that to the statewide average, which saw revenues for most cities climb by 44.2 percent over the same time period. The figures presented during Monday’s council meeting are only preliminary and are subject to change. The council meets Monday, Feb. 2, for a budget work session at Carroll City Hall at 5:15 p.m. Additional work sessions may be held if necessary.

 More Local Headlines

Join over 4 million Americans who start their day with 1440 – your daily digest for unbiased, fact-centric news. From politics to sports, we cover it all by analyzing over 100 sources. Our concise, 5-minute read lands in your inbox each morning at no cost. Experience news without the noise; let 1440 help you make up your own mind. Sign up now and invite your friends and family to be part of the informed.

Join for free today!

📜 City of Wall Lake officials are seeking additional ways to promote the community and are asking individuals to complete surveys to help them with this effort. City Clerk Chris Rodman says the council has explored the idea for months now on how to further market Wall Lake and everything it has to offer, not only to residents but also to visitors and business owners. The city has hired Bluespace Creative out of Denison to help lead the initiative, and Rodman says staff there first recommended sending out surveys to gather initial data. Rodman says there are currently two surveys: one for residents of Wall Lake and another for visitors or business owners who regularly visit but do not reside in the community. The goal is to gather a wide range of opinions on events and activities that individuals would like Wall Lake to offer, as well as thoughts on the current amenities already available. Surveys can be found online on the Wall Lake Facebook page, the city’s official website, or using the links included below. Rodman says it may be a little time-consuming, but those who complete it by the deadline, Feb. 13, will be in the running for some prizes. Anyone who does not have access to a computer but wants to participate in the survey is welcome at the Wall Lake Public Library for assistance completing it. Rodman encourages everyone to take the survey, as the results will help guide new opportunities to further promote Wall Lake, potentially including a new customized logo, brochures, and more digital marketing. He wants to thank everyone who has already taken the time to share their opinions, continue promoting the community, and help Wall Lake become better.
Survey for Residents
Survey for Non-Residents

🎡 The Denison IowaWORKS office invites job seekers to join them next week for a chance to meet with regional employers. The IowaWORKS job fair will be held from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. on Monday, Feb. 2, in the IowaWORKS Center at 504 N. Highway 39. The event is expected to feature dozens of businesses, on-site interviews, and a slew of community resources for Iowans looking to change careers, get back into the workforce, or try something different. Individuals interested in attending are asked to register by emailing [email protected]. Again, the job fair runs from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. on Monday, Feb. 2, at the Denison IowaWORKS office.

Iowa Winters are wild ‘IOWA WILD’ and we want you to prove it! What is the craziest winter story you have? What wild things have you seen or done during an Iowa winter storm or winter season? Tell Us or Show Us and you could win a 4-pack of tickets to see the Iowa Wild Ice Hockey Team live in action! Enter today and tell us about your Wildest Iowa Winter experiences! Get bonus points for sharing a photo (photos are not required)! One weekly winner will be chosen to score a 4-pack of Flex Tickets* to see the Iowa Wild (read details here).

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.

More Sports:

If you want the latest local sports anytime when you want it, download our APP to read, listen, and watch everything our local sports department has to offer!

Jason Clayworth

Des Moines is Google Fiber's first multi-gig city, the company announced Wednesday.

Why it matters: The city is now among the fastest-connected in the country, a boost for remote workers, tech companies, startups and households that increasingly rely on high-speed internet.

Between the lines: The multi-gig city designation means that Google Fiber customers are automatically moved to faster, multi-gig tiers without extra expense.

Zoom in: Google Fiber customers in Des Moines with 1 Gig plans are being upgraded to 3 Gig, while 3 Gig plans are being upgraded to 5 Gig.

State of play: Google Fiber began construction in Des Moines in 2022, following its launch in West Des Moines as part of a broader push to add high-speed competition to the area, alongside other companies such as MetroNet.

The big picture: Google Fiber's expansion has accelerated in recent years, now offering service in about two dozen metros, according to Compare Internet, a consumer-focused website.

What they're saying: DSM was selected as Google's first multi-gig city because it is one of the company's newer markets, built with cutting-edge technology and already supporting higher upgrades, the company said in a press statement.

What's next: The same speed enhancements will be added to markets across the country in announcements coming soon, per Google Fiber's statement.

More State Headlines:

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

✅WINTER WINS: Small things that make winter feel less rude.

✅RESET SEASON: The real “Pros” recommend doing these things before January is over!

✅ 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: Galentine’s Night at Hy-Vee!

✅SATURDAY: Fantasy Day at Books and Bakery!

✅SUNDAY: Sunday Brunch at Carroll National!

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

Share this Newsletter with your friends, coworkers, and acquire free Carroll Broadcasting swag! You never know you might make new friends as a result!

Or copy & paste your referral link to Share The Love to others:

{{ rp_refer_url }}

Reminder: you have {{ rp_num_referrals }} referrals!
What you need: {{ rp_num_referrals_until_next_milestone }} more!

*Please do not use use fake email addresses - they will not qualify as referrals. Thank you!