ANKENY, IA (IRN) – Ankeny is now Des Moines’ biggest suburb. It just surpassed West Des Moines after more than doubling its population since 2000. There were 27,000 residents in Ankeny in 2000. There are now 70,000 people calling Ankeny home, making it the sixth-largest city in the state.

JOHNSTON, IA (IRN) – As the school year ends, so are the careers of many teachers, with many being frustrated their profession is being attacked. A National Education Association survey shows that 55% of teachers are thinking about leaving the profession. Des Moines schools are reporting nearly 300 teachers are resigning or retiring this summer. Waukee is losing 45 teachers due to resignations.

IOWA CITY, IA (IRN) – The CDC has upgraded Johnson County’s COVID-19 community level status to ‘High’ due to reported cases and hospital admissions. Only two Iowa counties are in the ‘High’ category: Johnson and Jones. A handful of other counties, including Linn, are in ‘Medium’ while most Iowa counties are in ‘Low.’ The CDC recommends people in counties with ‘High’ status wear masks at indoor public places and on public transit.

LADORA, IA (IRN) – Iowa County Emergency responders were called to a report of a victim nearly buried by soybeans within a grain bin yesterday. Crews were successful in freeing the victim, who was transported to a hospital with non-life threatening injuries.

ANKENY, IA (IRN) – Justin Phongsavanh’s journey brought him from Ankeny to the medal podium at the Tokyo Paralympics. Now, his story is streaming for the world to see. Phongsamvanh is featured in the Hulu documentary ‘Heritage Heroes,’ a production which spotlights notable Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders. Phongsamvanh says, “I’m beyond honored…I feel almost not good enough to be in that film with all of those amazing people.”