IOWA CITY, IA (IRN) – A slim lead held by a Republican candidate for an open congressional seat in Iowa has gotten even smaller as counties recount their votes. Republican Mariannette Miller-Meeks led Democrat Rita Hart by 47 votes in Iowa’s 2nd Congressional District in unofficial results before recounts began last week. Miller-Meeks’ lead has shrunk to 36 votes out of more than 394,000 cast as the recount continues. So far, 15 of 24 counties have completed recounts and sent their new unofficial totals to the state. None of the four counties Hart won have reported new numbers.

DES MOINES, IA (IRN) – The Iowa Department of Corrections announced Monday that a ninth inmate died due to COVID-19 complications.

CEDAR RAPIDS, IA (IRN) – The Iowa Department of Transportation reports there has been an 11% decrease in travel on roads statewide this year. Gas tax revenues going to the department are down 3%, which may result in over $50 million in losses for the department’s road building fund.

OTTUMWA, IA (IRN) – An Ottumwa police officer is on administrative leave after being arrested and charged with Domestic Abuse. Officer Jordan Woodward was arrested in Monroe County and is accused of choking a woman. The alleged victim reportedly had red marks on her neck and was having trouble breathing when officers arrived.

IOWA CITY, IA (IRN) – A University of Iowa student-athlete has been named a Rhodes Scholar, one of the highest academic honors in the world. Marissa Mueller is a Biomedical Engineering student, who is also a thrower on the track and field team. She’s the 22nd Rhodes Scholar from the University of Iowa, and the first woman from the school to win that honor in more than 30 years.