FAYETTE – A Fayette man died in an ATV crash on Friday afternoon. The Iowa State Patrol reports 84-year-old Veryl Burghardt was driving a four-wheeler on a rural road, when it crashed in a ditch. The man later died from his injuries. Several Fayette County agencies responded.

DES MOINES – The Iowa Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) announced the first influenza-related death of the 2025-26 respiratory virus season. The individual was an older adult from southwest Iowa. Iowa’s most recent Respiratory Virus Surveillance Report shows the virus at a very low level of activity, and hospitals are currently reporting low patient admission rates. Although flu activity in Iowa is currently low, Iowans can take a few simple precautions to keep themselves and their families healthy throughout the respiratory virus season. Vaccination protects from serious illness and death from respiratory diseases like flu, COVID-19, and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV).

DES MOINES – A 13-page report released this week summarizes the hiring process of former Des Miones Public Schools Superintendent Ian Roberts. The document details what board members knew and was created by a Des Moines law firm on behalf of the board. A special session was held Friday to release the document. Roberts was arrested in late-September by federal immigration officers. The district is in a litigation battle with JG Consulting, the group that recommended Roberts following a background check and other factors.