City of Ames’ Podcasts

Cold weather means more time indoors, more time in close quarters, and unfortunately, more opportunities for respiratory illnesses to spread.

In this episode of Live Well. Be Well., Kacie Schumann takes a look at respiratory illness season and some of the steps you can take to help protect yourself and those around you. She covers common illnesses including influenza, COVID-19, RSV, and pneumonia, along with everyday prevention strategies and seasonal vaccinations. Seasonal shots

Kacie also breaks down who may be recommended to receive different vaccines, when to consider getting them, and why recommendations can vary based on your age, health, and individual circumstances. Seasonal shots

Episode Highlights
Know the Basics
Flu, COVID-19, RSV, and other respiratory illnesses can share many of the same symptoms. Kacie discusses common symptoms and the difference between antibiotics and antiviral medications. Seasonal shots

Everyday Prevention Matters
Washing your hands, avoiding touching your face, cleaning commonly touched surfaces, and staying home or distancing yourself when you're sick can all help reduce the spread of illness. Seasonal shots

Understanding Seasonal Vaccinations
Recommendations aren't necessarily the same for everyone. Kacie walks through recommendations discussed in the episode for flu, COVID-19, RSV, and pneumonia vaccines and explains how factors such as age, pregnancy, and individual health risks can affect them. Seasonal shots

Do the Vaccines Actually Work?
Kacie looks at research on how vaccination can reduce the risk of severe illness from influenza, COVID-19, RSV, and bacterial pneumonia, and why effectiveness can vary. Seasonal shots

When Should You Get Vaccinated?
Timing can make a difference. Kacie discusses why October can be a good time to consider seasonal vaccinations as we head toward the winter respiratory illness season. Seasonal shots

Can You Get More Than One Vaccine at a Time?
In many cases, vaccines can be given during the same visit. Your healthcare provider or pharmacist can help determine what's appropriate for you and the specific vaccines you're receiving. Seasonal shots

Talk With Your Healthcare Provider
If you've recently been sick or have questions about which vaccinations are appropriate for you, talk with your healthcare provider. Recommendations may vary depending on your individual circumstances. Seasonal shots

Resources
Your Local Epidemiologist: Your Guide to Fall 2026 Vaccines
An overview of seasonal influenza, COVID-19, and RSV vaccines, including recommendations and timing considerations.
Read the Fall 2026 vaccine guide

American Academy of Pediatrics: Immunization Schedule
Information and immunization recommendations for children and adolescents.
View the AAP Immunization Schedule

American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists: Maternal Immunization Guidance
Guidance on COVID-19, influenza, and RSV vaccination during pregnancy.
Read ACOG's maternal immunization guidance

American Academy of Family Physicians: Adult Immunization Schedules
Vaccine recommendations for adults based on age and medical indications.
View the adult immunization schedules

Infectious Diseases Society of America: Seasonal Respiratory Illness Vaccinations
Guidance on COVID-19, influenza, and RSV vaccination for immunocompromised patients.
Read the IDSA guidelines

Have a question, topic idea, or someone you would like to hear on the podcast?

Send suggestions to Kacie.Schumann@CityofAmes.org

October is Fire Prevention Month, and the Ames Fire Department is helping residents think about what they can do to keep themselves, their families, and their homes safe.

In this episode of Ames in Focus, Bill Gebhart sits down with Ames Fire Department Commander Brad Jerkins and Eric Deters to talk about Fire Prevention Week, seasonal fire safety, and one of the department's biggest community events of the year, the annual Fire Station Open House.

This year's Fire Prevention Week theme, "Charge into Fire Safety: Safe Charging is a Superpower!" focuses on the growing number of rechargeable devices in our homes. Brad and Eric discuss safe charging habits, choosing the right chargers, recognizing warning signs from batteries and devices, and some of the common mistakes that can create a fire risk.

The conversation also goes beyond batteries and charging. Bill, Brad, and Eric talk about seasonal fire risks, smoke alarms, and the importance of having and practicing a home escape plan so everyone knows what to do when an alarm sounds.

Then, it's time to get ready for the Ames Fire Department's annual Fire Station Open House. This year's event is Saturday, Oct. 10, at Fire Station No. 1, 1300 Burnett Ave. A sensory-friendly hour will be held from 8 to 9 a.m., followed by general admission from 9 a.m. to noon. The event is free and open to the public.

Visitors can tour fire trucks, meet Ames firefighters, watch safety demonstrations, spray a fire hose, play fire safety games, and meet a couple of familiar fire safety friends, including Freddie the fire truck and Sparky the dog. Brad and Eric also explain why the sensory-friendly hour is an important part of making the event welcoming and accessible to more members of the community.

And October means Ames firefighters will be heading into local elementary schools for fire prevention education. There's even a second-grade coloring contest with a pretty impressive grand prize: an Ames Fire Department T-shirt and a ride to school on a fire truck. That's some serious second-grade bragging rights.

In this episode:

This year's Fire Prevention Week theme and why safe charging matters

Safe practices for charging phones, tablets, tools, and other devices

Warning signs of a damaged or overheating battery

Common charging mistakes that can increase fire risk

Seasonal fire prevention reminders

Smoke alarm safety and home escape planning

What to expect at the annual Fire Station Open House

The sensory-friendly hour and why it's offered

Firefighters' visits to Ames elementary schools

The second-grade fire prevention coloring contest

And, of course, the Ames in Focus lightning round

Fire prevention starts with everyday decisions, whether that's safely charging a device, checking a smoke alarm, practicing an escape plan, or simply knowing what to watch for around your home.

Join the Ames Fire Department for the Fire Station Open House on Saturday, Oct. 10, at Fire Station No. 1, 1300 Burnett Ave. The sensory-friendly hour is from 8 to 9 a.m., with general admission from 9 a.m. to noon. The event is free and open to the public.

Wellness can sometimes feel complicated. Eat better. Exercise more. Get enough sleep. Reduce stress. And somehow find time to do all of that while still living your life.

In this episode of Ames in Focus, Bill Gebhart sits down with City of Ames Health Promotion Coordinator Kacie Schumann to talk about making health and wellness a little more approachable, one step at a time.

One easy way to get started? Take a walk.

The Healthiest State Annual Walk is coming up Wednesday, Oct. 7. Ames residents are invited to meet at Ames City Hall at noon and join the community for a walk as part of the statewide event. Bill and Kacie talk about the benefits of walking, the importance of social connection, and why improving your health doesn't have to mean making a huge change overnight.

They also talk about how an event like the Healthiest State Walk can be a starting point rather than a one-day activity. Kacie shares ideas for meeting people where they are, making movement accessible, and turning small choices into habits that can last well beyond Oct. 7.

Then, Bill and Kacie go behind the microphone of another show on the City of Ames Podcast Network, Live Well, Be Well. The podcast explores everything from sleep and mindfulness to screen time, workplace wellness, sun safety, and more. Kacie talks about how topics are selected, the importance of looking beyond health trends to reliable information and research, and some of the subjects she'd like to explore in future episodes.

In this episode:

Making health and wellness feel more achievable

The Healthiest State Annual Walk on Wednesday, Oct. 7

The physical, mental, and social benefits of walking

Why wellness doesn't have to be all or nothing

How small choices can build healthier habits

Turning a one-day event into lasting change

The story behind the Live Well, Be Well podcast

Finding reliable health and wellness information

What's ahead for Live Well, Be Well

Whether it's taking a walk, building a new habit, connecting with others, or simply finding a good place to start, improving your well-being doesn't have to happen all at once.

Is there a topic you'd like to hear more about on Ames in Focus? Email Eric.Gebhart@CityofAmes.org

And hear more from Kacie on Live Well, Be Well, available along with Ames in Focus and From Agenda to Action wherever you get your podcasts or at www.CityofAmes.org/Podcast.

In this episode of From Agenda to Action, Communications and Outreach Director Susan Gwiasda sits down with Ames Mayor John Haila to recap key discussions and decisions from the Tuesday, Sept. 22 Ames City Council meeting.

They begin with housing in Ames, focusing on decisions involving Scholl Road and Ontario Street. Mayor Haila explains what City Council approved and how these decisions fit into the broader conversation about creating additional housing opportunities and supporting residential development in Ames.

The conversation then turns to the new Sip and Stroll Social District. Following previous Council discussions, the ordinance establishing the district moved forward. Susan and Mayor Haila talk about what was approved, how the social district will work, and what residents and businesses should know.

Next, they discuss the newly appointed members of the Resident Data Center Study Committee. Mayor Haila explains the role of the committee and how its members will help examine issues related to data center development in Ames. Learn more about the committee and follow its work at www.CityofAmes.org/DataCenter.

Finally, they look at traffic on Lincoln Way, where City Council extended the scope of a planned traffic study to include Lincoln Way from Grand Avenue to University Boulevard. The expanded study will provide a broader look at traffic conditions along this important corridor.

From creating opportunities for new housing to establishing the Sip and Stroll Social District, studying data centers, and taking a closer look at Lincoln Way, this episode breaks down several decisions from a busy City Council meeting and what they could mean for the Ames community.

From Agenda to Action is designed to give residents a clearer understanding of how City Council discussions translate into real-world impacts across Ames.

Regular Ames City Council meetings are held on the second and fourth Tuesday of each month, and all meetings are open to the public.

Get involved:
• Watch meetings live or on demand on the City's YouTube page
• View agendas and meeting materials at www.CityofAmes.org/CityCouncil

Have a topic you would like us to cover in a future episode? Email Eric.Gebhart@CityofAmes.org.

From Agenda to Action is part of the City of Ames Podcasts network, offering residents a clear and approachable way to stay informed about local government and community decisions.

When temperatures climb, electricity use tends to climb right along with them. This summer, Ames Electric Services asked customers to help conserve energy during periods of high demand, and Ames customers responded.

In this episode of Ames in Focus, Bill Gebhart sits down with City of Ames Energy Services Coordinator Layne Fober to say thank you and to explore why those individual conservation efforts can make a difference for Ames' locally owned electric utility.

Layne explains what happens when electricity demand reaches its peak, why reducing that peak can help control costs, and how hundreds or thousands of customers making small changes at the same time can have a much bigger impact.

But energy conservation isn't just for the hottest days of summer. Bill and Layne talk about practical ways to use energy more efficiently throughout the year, from adjusting the thermostat and changing when you run appliances to reducing air leaks, checking insulation, replacing filters, and developing simple habits around the house.

They also take a closer look at the free home energy audits available to Ames Electric customers. Layne explains what happens during an audit, how tools like a blower door test can help identify problems, and how the results can help homeowners prioritize improvements.

And if the thought of making your home more energy efficient immediately has you seeing dollar signs, don't panic. The conversation includes ideas for making a difference whether you have nothing to spend, $100 to work with, or you're ready to tackle a larger project.

In this episode:

Why Ames Electric asks customers to conserve during peak demand

How individual conservation efforts add up across the community

The connection between peak demand and electric costs

Simple ways to conserve energy at home

Why when you use electricity can matter

Reducing air leaks and improving home efficiency

Free home energy audits for Ames Electric customers

Energy-saving options for different budgets

Preparing your home for colder weather

Building energy-saving habits that work year-round

Energy conservation doesn't have to mean sitting in the dark or making major changes to your lifestyle. Small decisions can add up, helping you use energy more efficiently while supporting Ames' locally owned electric utility.

Ames Electric customers interested in learning more about energy efficiency or signing up for a free home energy audit can contact Energy Services Coordinator Layne Fober at Layne.Fober@CityofAmes.org or 515-239-5177, or visit CityofAmes.org/Electric.