but - for the next week or so - vyhnalek is recommending that those talks be put on hold. he says if the topic comes up - try to schedule a time soon after the holidays to have the discussion . deborah: family friends and fellow firefighters came together to lay sioux city's first female fire fighter to rest. a funeral mass celebrating the life of jean-ne vakul-skas was held yesterday morning at saint joseph's catholic church in sioux city. she died at home on sunday. a sioux city firefighter for 22 years before retiring... friends and coworkers say vakul-skas was a hard working mother who cared passionately about her job and her family. jean-ne was a registered nurse...who also worked at the sioux city journal for some time. she retired from the fire department on her 55th birthday in 2007 deborah: ending up in the hospital can be frustrating and expensive... especially for patients with on- going heart problems. but, now a new tool used at mercy medical center could cut down on that burden. "cardio mems"... a tiny device, about the size of a quarter. it's implanted into

vyhnalek says those talks are important, but can be postponed a week or so until after the holiday. and another extension educator, john wilson in burt county, says bird feeders and other bird feeding supplies make great last- minute christmas gifts. wilson does caution that, once the hawkeyes are preparing for the big ten conference play next week. we'll check in with the players... after the break. scott: stay tuned for today's forecast... today - snow showers this morning and afternoon, 70% chance. snow expected to accumulate 2-3" south and east with <1" north and west, mourn the loss of well known high school football coach randy hinkel students, family, colleagues and longtime friends wearing black and orange... came togogher at the high school's gymnasium yesterday. hinkel coached for 29 years... amassing over 300 wins... taking his team to the playoffs 25 times... and winning one state championship. the way he connects with his players, is, there's nothing like it. the amount of care he has for each of us is insane he doesn't care about the wins or losses, he cares about what