DES MOINES, IA (IRN) – The Iowa Department of Public Health has confirmed three cases of the COVID-19 variant commonly known as the U.K. variant in Iowa. Researchers believe that the U.K strain can be spread more easily than the original strain. Current COVID-19 vaccines are considered to be effective against the variant strain. Two of the three cases were detected in Johnson County, and one in Bremer County.

NASHVILLE, TN (IRN) – Olympic gold medal gymnast Shawn Johnson East, who is pregnant with her second child with husband Andrew East, revealed Sunday that she has tested positive for COVID-19. The Des Moines-born gold medal winner in the 2008 Olympic games says she had “a cough, terrible sore throat and headache” as well as fatigue. She suspects that her pregnancy adds to the fatigue.

CEDAR FALLS, IA (IRN) – Cedar Falls Police arrested a man accused of assaulting the mother of his children and kidnapping his children on Saturday night. Deshaun Lee Jackson, 22, faces multiple charges.

IOWA CITY, IA (IRN) – A new University of Iowa study shows workers in agriculture have greater chances of hearing loss, depression and social isolation. University of Iowa College of Public Health professor Kanika Arora also showed that agricultural workers have a 46% greater chance of having dementia. Pesticide exposure is the suspected cause, but the link hasn’t been proven.

DES MOINES, IA (IRN) – RAGBRAI organizers announced the 2021 route for the Register’s Annual Great Bicycle Ride Across Iowa. This year, the ride will take place between July 25 and July 31. On Saturday, organizers said it would be the same Le Mars to Clinton route that was scheduled for 2020. The ride last year was postponed due to COVID-19 concerns.

INNSBRUCK, AUSTRIA (IRN) – Lolo Jones and Kallie Humphries rallied in their final run to jump from third to first and win gold in the Women’s World Cup 2-person bobsled in Innsbruck, Austria. Jones, a Des Moines native and former track star, switched to bobsled nearly a decade ago. She won a pair of World Championship 60 meter hurdles titles in 2008 and 2010.