DES MOINES, IA (IRN) – Gov. Kim Reynolds said Iowa now has 44 positive COVID-19 cases as of Thursday afternoon. The governor gave the update during a press conference on Thursday. The previous count, given Wednesday, had Iowa with 38 cases. The governor says she is not yet suggesting that we shelter in place.

IOWA CITY, IA (IRN) – Iowa Hospitals and Clinics is postponing “elective and non-urgent surgeries” because of the coronavirus. “Critical and emergency surgeries” would take priority. The move will save on supplies.

DES MOINES, IA (IRN) – Drake University has postponed the 2020 Drake Relays due to concerns over coronavirus. A postponed date has not yet been scheduled.

DES MOINES, IA (IRN) – A Des Moines man has confessed to his mother’s death, according to KCCI-TV. Christopher W. Thompson turned himself in to the Polk County Jail on Wednesday. He said that on Friday, he and his mother, Paula Thompson, 50, were in an argument. He said he got violent with her and she died. Police found her body shortly after the interview.

IOWA CITY, IA (IRN) – A well-known professor and priest at a Roman Catholic college in Iowa has been suspended while the church investigates a sexual misconduct allegation dating to the 1990s, according to WHO-TV. St. Ambrose University in Davenport said school officials recently learned of the complaint against theology professor Rev. Robert L. “Bud” Grant and are taking the report seriously.