AMES – Another statewide poll ahead of the Iowa Caucuses show former President Donald Trump has a commanding lead over the field as the state’s nominee for the White House. The latest Iowa State University/Civiqs data shows 54% of GOP voters in Iowa would make Trump their No. 1 pick on January 15th. Florida Governor Ron DeSantis is at 17% and Former U.N. Ambassador Nikki Haley is at 15% for first choice selections. These numbers are similar to the Iowa Poll conducted by the Des Moines Register in November. In the ISU survey, 75% of Republican caucus goers have made up their minds about their nominee for president. AMES – More than two dozen cats were rescued from an apartment in Ames this week. KCCI-TV reports the 27 felines were taken to the Ames Animal Shelter as animal control found them in a home filled with feces and urine. Many of the cats suffered from a variety of illnesses. Ames Police have yet to file charges in the case. IOWA – Iowa Senate Democrats are pushing an oversight investigation into Iowa’s nursing homes. KCRG-TV reports the minority party in the chamber are citing an increase in concerns over the living status of vulnerable seniors in understaffed and under-inspected facilities. Senate Majority Leader Amy Sinclair has declined the request so far, countering that there has been an increase in funding and in efforts from Governor Kim Reynolds to better protect residents of those facilities and increase staffing. IOWA CITY – Two Iowa Hawkeyes earned unanimous All-American football honors in 2023. Cooper DeJean and Troy Taylor swept the circuit of awards placing them among the best players in the country. They are the 14th and 15th Hawkeyes to be selected to all available All-American squads, according to WHO-13.

DES MOINES – The Iowa Legislature has their base line for spending in the upcoming fiscal year. The Revenue Estimating Conference shows $9.75 billion in revenues for FY2024 and $9.64 billion in 2025, both of which are one percent drops year to year. Income and corporate tax cuts passed by the Iowa Legislature were attributed for the dip, although strong spending has offset some of those loses. Republican leaders told the Des Moines Register they still intend to reduce taxes even further in the next session that starts in January, touting a $1.8 billion surplus last fiscal year and $2.7 billion in the taxpayers relief fund. Democrats, who hold a significant minority in both the House and Senate, have argued the surplus should be reinvested into public services. GRUNDY COUNTY – A Grundy County man is guilty for the murder of his girlfriend in 2021. A jury found Kevin Halladey responsible for the death of 41 year old Chrissy Jeys. A first degree murder conviction carries a mandatory life sentence. PALO ALTO COUNTY – A man is receiving honors for saving the life of a man in Palo Alto County. Governor Kim Reynolds will present a medal of valor to AJ Kreig of Sioux Falls. Krieg was back working on a family farm when he noticed smoke coming from a nearby home, according to KTIV in Sioux City. He called the fire department and then traveled to the house to further investigate. Krieg was able to save a man and his dog in the home at the time of the fire. The governor will recognize him on Monday. DES MOINES – The Iowa State Fair has added two Grandstand acts to their 2024 lineup. WHO-13 reports Thomas Rhett and Ne-Yo will join the lineup for the August celebration. Lauren Daigle and Foreigner have been noted as the other headliners. Tickets are available at the Iowa State Fair website.

DES MOINES – Governor Kim Reynolds released a statement about a Satanic Temple display in the in the Iowa Capitol Building. While the governor called the display “absolutely objectionable,” there were no calls for removal. The Satantic Temple properly completed an application to have a display during the holiday season, as all faiths are welcome. Some state lawmakers have called for its removal, but many Republicans have stated that would not be possible due to First Amendment protections in the U.S. Constitution. Reynolds encouraged Iowans to pray over and recognize a nativity scene on display instead. DES MOINES – The Animal Rescue league rescued more than 30 dogs from a Des Moines home. WHO-13 reports the floors had layers of feces and urine, and all of the animals found were suffering from fleas, illness, scabbing, and loss of hair. A rescue was performed at the same home four years ago and city officials worked with the homeowners, who had been hoarding other items. CLARKSVILLE – A former Iowa police officer will spend up to 15 year in prison for exchanging nude photos with a minor he met while investigating a sex offender. The Des Moines reports Michael William Tobin was sentenced after he was found guilty of sexual exploitation. Tobin had sex with a teenager after she joined the departments ride-along program, and exchanged several photos with the girl, including those that were evidence in a criminal investigation.

IOWA – A new Des Moines Register poll shows former President Donald Trump is gaining support among Republican voters ahead of the Iowa Caucus. The Iowa Poll for November shows 51% of likely participants intend to select Trump as their nominee for president. Among Republicans, more than two-thirds believe Trump can defeat President Joe Biden despite mounting legal challenges. The next closest candidates were Florida Governor Ron DeSantis at 18 percent and Former U.S. Ambassador Nikki Haley at 16 percent. BOONE – A former Boone County Sheriff’s deputy has reached a plea agreement in relation to the death of a K-9 unit last year. WHo-13 reports Dallas Wingate put his K-9 into the back of his truck at 10 p.m. on September 1st, 2022, and left the animal unattended for nearly a day. The dog was found dead by Wingate. An investigation shows the K-9 unit named Bear died due to heat stress and dehydration. Wingate pled to a lesser charge of animal neglect resulting in death, and will serve at least 18 months of probation. OTTUMWA – Two people died in a house fire over the weekend in Ottumwa. KCCI-TV reports the Ottumwa Fire Department responded to the home at around 7:30 p.m. Saturday, and others were able to get out of the building safely. The State Fire Marshal is investigating and those who died have not been identified. IOWA – The USDA has released the annual Crop Progress and Condition Report for the state. In Iowa, above average temperatures and below average precipitation allowed for a fast, efficient planting season, and similar conditions in the fall allowed for a near complete harvest 10 days ahead of schedule.

SAC COUNTY – New details have been released about a Sac County man missing for nearly three weeks. KCCI-TV reports the county sheriff’s office has discussed more details about the disappearance of 53 year old David Schultz on November 21st. Investigators say Schultz left his home at 7 p.m. the night before his semi was found, and four hours later, Schultz was seen at a truck stop near Fort Dodge, and its believed that it stopped where it was found early that morning. OTTUMWA – One man has died after he was ejected from his vehicle near Ottumwa. The Iowa State Patrol reports Tristan Zimmerman was traveling westbound on Highway 34 before drifting onto the shoulder and rolling the vehicle. Timmerman was in the car with Shalya Zimmerman and two children, all of whom were injured. Tristan was not wearing a seat belt and died on scene. OMAHA – An Iowa man has been arrested in connection to the death of a priest in Nebraska. The Associated Press reports Reverend Stephen Gutgsell was assaulted in Fort Calhoun and taken to an Omaha hospital, where he died from his injuries. Kierre Williams of Sioux City was charged with homicide and other related charges after police received a 911 call that he had broken into the church.