CENTERVILLE (IRN) – A powerful line of severe thunderstorms caused extensive damage across the Midwest and southern Iowa Thursday morning. The National Weather Service reports a derecho knocked down trees and power lines, with damage to several buildings as sustained winds from 60 to 80 miles per hour ripped across the southern part of the state in communities from Winterset to Centerville to Bloomfield to Keokuk. The storms picked up even more intensity heading into central Illinois, where wind speeds approached 100 miles per hour.

IOWA CITY (IRN) – An Iowa City man received eight decades in prison for repeated sexual abuse of a child. KGAN-TV reports 43-year-old Thomas Jesse was convicted of 40 counts of sexual abuse after recording video of abuse of a minor under the age of 12. Jesse will have to serve at least 70% of each sentence before being eligible for parole.

MARENGO (IRN) – An Iowa company has been fined just over $95,000 for a December 2022 explosion that injured several employees. KCCI-TV reports a blast at C6-Zero in Marengo cause a plume of smoke seen for miles as first responders from a 50 mile radius responded to assist. State investigators reported the fire was accidental, but Iowa’s OSHA office found out about the fire through TV reports and not official channels. Emails between the state and company show how an informal settlement was formed between the parties.

DES MOINES (IRN) – The state of Iowa is applying to participate in a federal program providing summer grocery money to school-age children. The Des Moines Register reports the Pandemic Electronic Benefit Transfer program was created in 2020 and provides eligible families with cards paid for by the federal government. A push by Democratic lawmakers and anti-hunger advocates spurred the state to apply after the initial plan was not to participate.