DES MOINES (IRN) – Two-million dollars of CARES Act funding has been earmarked for work to develop a next-generation COVID-19 vaccine in Iowa. Governor Kim Reynolds announced she set aside the money for a collaboration of Iowa industry partners, Iowa State University, and the University of Iowa to advance a nanovaccine candidate. The Nanovaccine Institute at ISU was established in 2013.

U.S.A (IRN) – As of Thursday, there have been 83,757 daily new coronavirus cases in the United States, per Johns Hopkins University data. This is the highest single day reporting since the pandemic began.

DES MOINES, IA (IRN) – Vice President Mike Pence hosted a campaign event Thursday at the Des Moines International Airport. Sen. Joni Ernst introduced Pence, and a masked Pence then exited Air Force Two and ran to the podium to address the crowd. Pence asked Iowans to re-elect President Donald Trump to chants of “four more years.” He outlined Trump’s accomplishments, saying the president improved the American economy, cut taxes and increased military and veteran health spending.

DES MOINES, IA (IRN) – Democratic Presidential candidate and former Vice President Joe Biden visits Des Moines today.

DES MOINES, IA (IRN) – Des Moines Mayor Frank Cownie is urging caution tonight on Beggar’s night. The mayor is asking everyone to “limit or reconsider” their festivities this weekend due to growing coronavirus cases in the state. The White House considers Iowa to be a “hot zone.”

IOWA (IRN) – Governor Kim Reynolds announced she has set aside $2 million in CARES Act funding to support the development of a next-generation COVID-19 vaccine through a partnership between Iowa State University and the University of Iowa. The funding will help ISU and the U of I leverage their patented technology to advance a COVID-19 nanovaccine candidate that will address the limitations of vaccines already under development.