DES MOINES, IA IRN) – Iowa’s casinos are seeing record profits. The state reports for this fiscal year, table games and slot machines have taken in more than $1.7 billion in gross revenue. Sports betting brought in another $139 million. More people are visiting Iowa’s casinos, too. They report nearly 18 million admissions so far this year. That’s up more than 1 million from last year.

STATE CENTER, IA (IRN) – A State Center man has died after a fire inside a mobile home. Authorities arrived on scene and found 31-year-old Wyatt Michael Varnum of State Center inside the mobile home. He received medical attention on scene but was later pronounced dead. Authorities haven’t confirmed what caused the fire.

DES MOINES, IA (IRN) – Police in Des Moines have arrested one of the men they say is responsible for the terrifying robbery of a metro woman. The incident happened early Tuesday morning after the victim won two jackpots at the Prairie Meadows casino totaling more than $10,000. The woman was driving home when her car was forced off the road by two vehicles. Police said 30-year-old Timothy Spencer, of Berwick, was driving one of the vehicles. Spencer had a handgun when he exited the vehicle, and struck the driver-side window of the victim’s vehicle, shattering it. He then opened the door, grabbed the victim’s purse, and fled.

MARION, IA (IRN) – Marion Police said several blocks near downtown Marion were vandalized early Thursday morning. Businesses, houses, and public property were spray painted, some with messages of hate, swastikas, and white supremacy.

DES MOINES, IA (IRN) – Iowa’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate dropped to 2.6% in June. The U.S. unemployment rate remained at 3.6%.