NEGOTIATIONS FOR A NEW ON LAND GAMBLING CASINO IN SIOUX CITY HAVE STALLED BETWEEN PENN NATIONAL GAMING, THE CITY AND THE MISSOURI RIVER HISTORICAL DEVELOPMENT GROUP.

THE THREE SIDES MET WITH THE IOWA RACING AND GAMING COMMISSION THURSDAY MORNING IN COUNCIL BLUFFS.

MRHD CHAIRMAN MARK MONSON SAYS PENN GAMING'S LATEST OFFER TO OPERATE A LAND BASED REPLACEMENT FOR THE ARGOSY RIVERBOAT GIVES THE COUNTY AND CITY LESS REVENUE  THAN THE CURRENT AGREEMENT:

MAYOR BOB SCOTT SAYS HE'S DISAPPOINTED WITH THE LACK OF PROGRESS AND IS CONCERNED ABOUT THE FUTURE OF THE EMPLOYEES AT THE ARGOSY RIVERBOAT CASINO:

GAMING COMMISSION MEMBERS ENCOURAGED NEGOTIATIONS TO CONTINUE. THE SIDES HAVE UNTIL JULY 7TH TO REACH AN AGREEMENT. THAT'S WHEN THE CURRENT OPERATING CONTRACT EXPIRES.

KCAU ANCHORMAN LARRY WENTZ IS CONTINUING TO RECOVER FROM LIVER TRANSPLANT SURGERY IN AN OMAHA HOSPITAL.  WENTZ SAYS HE'S FEELING BETTER BUT WILL REMAIN HOSPITALIZED SEVERAL MORE WEEKS:

LARRY SAYS HE AND HIS FAMILY WANT TO THANK EVERYONE IN SIOUXLAND WHO HAVE OFFERED THEIR SUPPORT DURING HIS ILLNESS AND RECOVERY:

WENTZ SAYS HE DOESN'T KNOW WHEN HE WILL BE ABLE TO RETURN TO THE AIR. HE SAYS HE COULDN'T BE HAPPIER FOR HIS LONGTIME FRIEND TIM SEAMAN, WHO IS MOVING INTO HIS SPOT AS KCAU CO-ANCHOR.

ADDITIONAL FUNDRAISERS TO HELP WITH WENTZ'S MEDICAL EXPENSES ARE PLANNED FOR MAY 11TH AT STONEY CREEK INN  AND MAY 12TH AT RHONDA'S SPEAKEASY.

TWENTY -NINE MEMBERS OF CONGRESS HAVE SENT A JOINT LETTER TO U.S. AG SECRETARY TOM VILSACK TO ASK WHAT STEPS THE USDA HAS TAKEN TO CORRECT THE PUBLIC RECORD AND EDUCATE THE PUBLIC ABOUT LEAN, FINELY TEXTURED BEEF.

THE BI-PARTISAN LETTER FROM CONGRESSMEN STEVE KING, TOM LATHAM, ADRIAN SMITH AND OTHERS SAYS CONGRESS AND THE AG DEPARTMENT SHOULD WORK IN CONCERT TO TO STOP MISINFORMATION ABOUT COMPANIES LIKE BEEF PRODUCTS INCORPORATED.

THE LETTER ADDS WHILE IT IS IMPORTANT FOR CONSUMERS TO HAVE A CHOICE IN WHAT BEEF THEY BUY, THAT CHOICE SHOULD BE BASED ON FACTS, RATHER THAN EMOTION AND HYSTERIA. 

THIS SUNDAY IS EARTH DAY, AND SIOUX CITY WANTS TO ACKNOWLEDGE IT BY SPRUCING UP THE DOWNTOWN AREA:

CITY SPOKESMAN DEREK CARMONA HOPES VOLUNTEERS WILL COME TO 4TH AND COURT AT 12:30 SUNDAY AFTERNOON WHERE BAGS AND GLOVES WILL BE PROVIDED. CARMONA SAYS IT'S TO TAKE MORE PRIDE IN THE LOOK OF THE COMMUNITY:

YOU CAN ALSO PURCHASE RAFFLE TICKETS AT CITY HALL FOR A VARIETY OF PRIZES TO HELP WITH THE EFFORT. THE CLEAN UP IS EXPECTED TO RUN UNTIL AROUND 3PM.