MADRID, IA (IRN) – The Polk County Sheriff’s Office announced charges in an April crash that killed a 30-year-old Madrid woman. A 2006 Nissan Titan crew cab truck was found on its side in the field adjacent to the road. Deputies found the body of 30-year-old Alicia Kus outside of the truck, from which she had been ejected. Deputies believe the driver of the truck, 36-year-old Cameron Alan Kennedy, of Madrid, failed to negotiate the curve and left the roadway. He then left the scene. Kennedy has been charged with serious injury by vehicle and leaving the scene of an accident resulting in death.

GRINNELL, IA (IRN) – The Grinnell Police Department and Grinnell-Newberg Community School District are investigating racist comments made by a group of middle school students via TikTok. A parent reported the TikTok video, titled “Hitler Gang,” because they believe it was sent directly to their transgender son because of his faith. The 10-second video showed several male students walking through a school hallway in a goose-step style manner with their arms extended and palms down. The video also included racist and derogatory hashtags.

MARION, IA (IRN) – Marion Independent School District students were let out early Thursday and class is canceled today because of a gastrointestinal virus outbreak at Longfellow Elementary.

CEDAR RAPIDS, IA (IRN) – The city of Cedar Rapids, along with leaders from other cities around Linn County, announced on Wednesday that they plan to ask voters to expand a one-cent local option sales tax on November 2nd. The tax is set to expire in 2024 and a vote to approve the tax again would expand it for another ten years. The extension could create $310 million in revenue to create road repairs and fund other improvements to places like libraries.

DES MOINES, IA (IRN) – The newest addition to the Des Moines riverwalk will officially open on Friday – less than two weeks before it becomes an Olympic qualifying venue. The Lauridsen Skatepark, along the west bank of the Des Moines River north of downtown, will open to skaters following a ribbon-cutting ceremony today.