EL PASO – Iowa’s congressional delegation is calling on President Joe Biden to reopen rail crossings in Texas. Iowa Public Radio reports the six Republicans representing the state in Washington D.C. believe the railroads are critical to agricultural trade.

IOWA – Iowa’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate increased to 3.3 percent in November, up from 3.1 percent one year ago. Iowa’s labor force participation rate decreased to 68.1 percent in November. Meanwhile, the U.S. unemployment rate dropped to 3.7 percent in November. The number of unemployed Iowans increased to 57,200 in November from 56,000 in October.

IOWA – Families are at risk for losing out on federal aid that feeds kids during the summer. KCRG-TV reports the Summer EBT program gives students in the free and reduced lunch program about $40 per month. The deadline to continue in the program is January 1st; Governor Kim Reynolds and the Iowa Department of Health and Human Services has not expressed interest yet. Iowa is eligible for $29 million in federal funding.