DES MOINES, IA (IRN) – Data from the Iowa Department of Public Health shows a recent uptick in coronavirus hospitalization numbers in the state. On Tuesday, IDPH reported 273 new positive cases and 4 additional deaths. The statewide total for positive cases is now 31,929, while a total of 725 Iowans have died from the virus.

DES MOINES, IA (IRN) – The federal government says about 6,000 Iowa businesses received loans of $150,000 or more from the Paycheck Protection Program. The list released Monday includes churches, manufacturers, car dealerships, farm-related organizations, and hospitals. Among them are firearms accessories company Brownells Inc., which received between $5 and $10 million, and King Contracting, the construction company founded by U.S. Rep. Steve King but sold to his son in 2003, which received between $150,000 and $350,000.

FARGO, N.D. (IRN) – A federal judge on Monday ordered the Dakota Access pipeline shut down pending a more thorough environmental review, handing a victory to the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe three years after the pipeline first began carrying oil following months of protests. The pipeline cuts across 18 counties in Iowa, passing north of Des Moines.

DES MOINES, IA (IRN) – Sen. Chuck Grassley announced Monday that he will not attend the Republican National Convention in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

THE SOLAR SYSTEM (IRN) – Stargazers get a unique view this week of Comet C/2020 F3, more commonly known as Neowise, in the northeast sky before sunrise. The comet made a close encounter with the sun on July 3 and has survived the pass and it is now headed back out to deep space.