IOWA (IRN) – Reported COVID-19 deaths in Iowa continue to be near-record levels as another 38 people died from the disease. At 10 a.m. Thursday, the state was reporting 2,102 COVID-19-related deaths, an increase of 38 deaths since the state’s tally at 10 a.m. Wednesday. On Wednesday, the state reported 40 deaths, the largest one-day increase since the pandemic arrived in Iowa.

WASHINGTON, DC (IRN) – One day after testing positive for the coronavirus, Republican U.S. Sen. Chuck Grassley said he’s “symptom-free” and continues to feel good. Grassley, who announced Tuesday evening that he had tested positive for the virus, is isolating himself at his Washington, D.C.-area house on his doctor’s orders.

MADRID, IA (IRN) – A Cedar Rapids man was found dead in Boone County after his body was discovered below the High Trestle Trail Bridge. The case is under investigation.

DES MOINES, IA (IRN) – Multiple law enforcement agencies worked together early Wednesday morning on a large-scale operation around the Des Moines metro, serving 43 search warrants in connection with a nearly year-long criminal investigation. Drug task force members were involved.

WATERLOO, IA (IRN) – A lawsuit filed this week by a deceased Tyson employee’s son claims managers at the Waterloo business had bet money on how many employees would test positive for COVID-19. Defendant Tom Hart, the Plant Manager of the Waterloo facility, allegedly organized a cash buy-in, winner-take-all betting pool for supervisors and managers to wager how many employees would test positive for COVID-19.

IOWA CITY, IA (IRN) – The Hawkeyes, in conjunction with the Big Ten, released the 2020-2021 men’s basketball schedule Wednesday. The schedule drops a mere seven days before the opener, which is next Wednesday at home against North Carolina Central. The Cy-Hawk Showdown will be in Iowa City sometime between Dec. 8 and Dec. 13.