DES MOINES, IA (IRN) – There are now 70 long-term care facilities reporting coronavirus outbreaks in Iowa. There have been 790 deaths within those facilities. The Iowa Department of Public Health on Thursday reported 1,401 new COVID-19 cases and 15 additional deaths. There has been 1,594 total deaths since the pandemic began.

DES MOINES, IA (IRN) – A split Iowa Supreme Court on Wednesday upheld a new Republican-backed law that could bar county elections commissioners from mailing absentee ballots to thousands of people who omitted information on their applications. The ruling means that voters who want to cast mail-in ballots in the Nov. 3 election must complete their absentee ballot applications before Saturday’s deadline. Auditors will not be allowed to use the state’s voter registration system to fix any deficient applications, as they have done in prior elections. Voters must do so themselves.

DES MOINES, IA (IRN) – Gov. Kim Reynolds says her administration will try to convince federal auditors to allow its plan to spend $21 million in coronavirus relief funds on a long-planned information technology system. She said that if auditors disagree, the state will change course. State Auditor Rob Sand concluded Monday that the use of funds for the Workday project was inappropriate.

CEDAR RAPIDS, IA (IRN) – An 18-year old from Ely has been arrested for robbery after stealing a belt. Cortez Jacobi Riggins, Jr. met with a 17-year old male for an arranged sale of a belt for $150. The arrangement was made online and they agreed to meet in a school parking lot. During the meeting Riggins allegedly threatened the victim, took the belt and didn’t pay. The suspect lifted his shirt in a way that made the victim believe the suspect had a gun. Riggins then drove off.

DES MOINES, IA (IRN) – MidAmerican Energy has idled nearly four dozen power-generating wind turbines after huge blades broke off of two turbines in recent weeks. MidAmerican has paused the use of 46 turbines it has identified as having similar blades, which are about 177 feet long and weigh 18,000 pounds.