DES MOINES, IA (IRN) – The Iowa Department of Public Health released the latest information on COVID-19 in the state Wednesday. IDPH reported 377 new positive cases and 17 deaths. That brings the statewide total to 13,289 total positive cases and 306 deaths.

DES MOINES, IA (IRN) – On Wednesday morning Governor Kim Reynolds announced she is lifting more of the restrictions she put in place a month ago to stop the spread of COVID-19. Barbershops, salons and massage therapists will be allowed to re-open on Friday, May 15th. The governor is also allowing restaurants in all 99 counties to resume allowing limited dine-in service.

DES MOINES, IA (IRN) – An unreleased report from the White House puts Des Moines on the map as one of the top ten hotbeds for COVID-19 in the country. NBC News reportedly obtained undisclosed data the White House is using to track rates of infection of the coronavirus. The report issued May 7 shows COVID-19 cases increasing by 1,467 from the previous seven days in Des Moines. That is a 94.3% increase. That ranks Des Moines eighth out of ten cities nationwide in increased rate of cases.

CEDAR RAPIDS, IA (IRN) – A man who owns a gym that is operating beyond the limits outlined in the governor’s public health emergency proclamation has been cited for allegedly violating that decree. Jason Bailey, 49, the owner of Custom Fitness, was issued a citation by Cedar Rapids Police for a department of health violation on Tuesday, May 12. The citation is a simple misdemeanor. Officers said they observed several people working out inside the gym on Tuesday, and that Bailey told them he was ignoring the proclamation from Gov. Kim Reynolds.

Des Moines, IA (IRN) – The Des Moines Arts Festival will not return in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. On Tuesday the Des Moines Arts Festival Board announced it would no longer move forward with the festival scheduled for June 26th-28th. Organizers already say they plan to return on June 25th-27th, 2021.