DES MOINES, IA (IRN) – Several Iowa counties continue to report a high coronavirus positivity rate as health experts are looking into a surge of cases in northwest Iowa. The Iowa Department of Public Health on Wednesday reported 856 new positive cases and eight additional deaths. Twelve Iowa counties report a positivity rate greater than 15% over the last 14 days, up from 10 the previous day.

GRINNELL, IA (IRN) – Four people face charges in the death of Michael Williams. The 44-year-old Grinnell man’s body was found burning in a ditch in Kellogg on Wednesday. Steven Vogel, 31, is charged with first-degree murder and one count abuse of a corpse. Julia Cox, 55; Roy Garner, 57; and Cody Johnson, 29, are charged with abuse of a corpse, destruction of evidence and accessory after the fact. All four suspects knew and socialized with Williams. No motive is known at this time, but officials say there is no evidence to suggest that Williams, who is Black, was killed because of his race.

CLAYTON COUNTY, IA (IRN) – The Clayton County Sheriff’s Office is investigating the suicide of an inmate inside the Clayton County Jail. Laura Johnson, 51, of Olin died on September 9 while she was in custody. Officials aren’t surre how Johnson was able to commit suicide and the investigation is ongoing.

LINN COUNTY, IA (IRN) – In less than two weeks, voting begins in Iowa. Linn County auditor, Joel Miller, says masks will not be required on the official election day, November 3 at all polling locations. Miller says people should expect to encounter unmasked voters at the polling place.