IOWA (IRN) – The U.S. Drought Monitor shows drought at its worst in east central Iowa. The weekly report shows portions of Benton, Linn, and Tama counties are now in the exceptional category — the highest on the scale. More than 2/3rds of Iowans are experiencing severe drought or worse, with little rainfall in sight into mid-October, according to the National Weather Service.

GRINNELL (IRN) – The Grinnell Police Department refutes a president candidate’s claim his car was struck intentionally. The Des Moines Register reports Vivek Ramaswamy posted Thursday that protesters intentionally hit his rented vehicle while at a campaign stop. An investigation by Grinnell police found no evidence to substantiate that information. The campaign for Ramaswamy doubled down, showing video of a confrontation with protesters prior to his event downtown.

MALCOM (IRN) – A man has been charged with murder and abuse of a corpse in relation to a body found in a car along Interstate 80 earlier this week. An Iowa Department of Criminal Investigation press release indicated the Iowa State Patrol found 23 year old Jihad Abdul Malik Gasaway attempting to restart a stalled vehicle near Malcom. After Gasaway was detained and was found with a weapon, police conducted a subsequent search of the car. Troopers found the body of Kemp Savier Sherrod Harriel on the floor and slumped over the passenger seat, covered in clothing with apparent gunshot wound. Gasaway faces charges of first degree murder and abuse of corpse.