IOWA (IRN) – The Iowa Department of Public Health is reporting a record 879 more positive COVID-19 cases in the state as well as the deaths of five more Iowans. 782 Iowans have now died from COVID-19.

IOWA (IRN) – Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds said Friday that Iowa schools must prioritize in-person learning when classes resume this fall. Reynolds did not specify to what extent her proclamation would allow remote learning. Iowa schools switched to online lessons last spring as the coronavirus pandemic began. Some Iowa school districts have said they plan to start the fall term partly or completely online.

JOHNSON COUNTY, IA (IRN) – Charges have been filed against three juveniles and one adult following the investigation tied to the search for a missing teen in April. KCRG-TV reports officials say witnesses provided investigators false information. Fifteen-year-old Noah Herring was reported missing on April 8. His body was later found on April 11 at the Coralville Reservoir. An autopsy found the cause of death was drowning and the manner of death was undetermined. But officials said the investigation was hindered by false information given by defendants who were present on the day Herring drowned. Officials said no one present that day called 911 for help.

DES MOINES, IA (IRN) – A longtime spokesperson of the Iowa Department of Public Health said Thursday she believes she was forced out of the department because she advocated for open communication with reporters during the COVID-19 pandemic. Polly Carver-Kimm had spent more than 12 years with the department.

IOWA CITY, IA (IRN) – School board members in Iowa City say they are disappointed in some members of the public after the district chose to move to online classes to start the school year. School board members received multiple emails that they say were targeted and racist.

DES MOINES, IA (IRN) – The number of initial unemployment claims filed in Iowa between Sunday, July 5, and Saturday, July 11, was 11,125, according to Iowa Workforce Development. That’s an increase of more than 1,000 from the previous week.

BALLTOWN, IA (IRN) – The Dubuque County community of Balltown has a 100% participation rate in the 2020 census. This makes it the first city in Iowa and the second in the United States where everyone has completed the survey. The population of Balltown? 68.