THURSDAY, FEB. 6, 2020  |  IN THIS ISSUE 
Story1Two Iowans tested for coronavirus
 
State officials say two Iowans who recently traveled to China are being tested for the coronavirus by the Iowa Department of Public Health, working in collaboration with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, reports KCRG-TV9. The pair are under voluntary home confinement, and state officials emphasized that the threat continues to "remain low," the Register notes. Meanwhile, the 12th U.S. case of the rapidly-spreading virus has been confirmed in Wisconsin, reports the New York Times. Worldwide, more than 24,000 cases - about 99% of them in China - have been confirmed, with nearly 500 deaths, according to the Daily Beast.
 
The coronavirus' impact on the business world continues to multiply as well. Moline-based Deere & Co. has temporarily closed its facilities in China due to the outbreak, reports the Quad-City Times, and some analysts are suggesting the virus may deal a setback to global manufacturing's recent rebound.
Text2'Coming Soon' UIHC facility plans revealed 
 
After promising for years that a University of Iowa Health Care facility would be "Coming Soon" to Forevergreen Road and Highway 965 in North Liberty, the hospital has unveiled plans for a new complex at the busy intersection, the Gazette reports. Included are a Level 4 emergency treatment center, urgent care services, outpatient clinics, diagnostic services, surgical suites and acute inpatient beds, all aimed at improving patient access and easing congestion at UIHC's main campus.

Despite solid population growth in the Corridor, emergency room demand is falling in Iowa City, at least at the UI's Emergency Department, the Press-Citizen reported last month. New urgent care clinics, such as the one opened in Coralville in January, have dropped the number of ER walk-ins, while ER ambulance volume has grown slightly.
 
The Iowa Department of Natural Resources expects to turn down a permit application to withdraw 2 billion gallons of water per year from the Jordan Aquifer to ship to drought-stricken states, reports the Capital Dispatch. The DNR has determined the proposal from Clayton County-based Pattison Sand "will have a negative impact on the long-term availability of Iowa's water resources," according to its "notice of intent to deny." That amount of water would be enough to supply the main Des Moines water plant for 20 days, and just under the 2.2 billion gallons used by all entities in Polk County in a year, according to the Marshalltown Times-Republican.
 
While some state lawmakers worry about water being shipped out of state, Iowa hydrologist Mike Gannon told the Register the aquifer at that location sits close to the Mississippi River and Iowa wouldn't notice any impacts.

Officials with Misty Harbor announced this week plans to close its pontoon boat manufacturing plant in Fort Dodge, eliminating 45 jobs, reports Radio Iowa. President Jeff Miller said the work will move from central Iowa to a plant in Bristol, Indiana, to optimize operational efficiency and reduce logistics costs. The Fort Dodge operations will wind down over the next two to three months, reports Indiana's 14 News. Misty Harbor was founded in Humboldt, Iowa, in 1989, and moved to Fort Dodge in 1993.
FFaith-based Kurt Warner biopic in works
 
A new biopic charting the rise of Cedar Rapids-raised NFL Hall of Famer Kurt Warner is set for release in December, reports the Waterloo-Cedar Falls Courier. "American Underdog: The Kurt Warner Story," written by David Aaron Cohen of "Friday Night Lights" fame, along with Jon Gunn and Jon Erwin, will be produced by Kingdom Story Company in partnership with Lionsgate.
 
The big question is who will play the role of the grocery store bagger turned backup QB who led the St. Louis Rams and Arizona Cardinals to three Super Bowls, winning the Super Bowl MVP award in 2001, notes KSDK. "... can't tell you how excited I am to share our story on the big screen! I am humbled that God has chosen me for this journey & I'm believing in some way it will impact, inspire or encourage all who see it!" Mr. Warner tweeted.
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CommuteYour Morning Commute
Roads are looking clear in the Corridor this morning, make it a great day. See the DOT's interactive road conditions map here. 
 
Links as of 7 a.m.