Author: Iowa Radio News

DES MOINES— Gov. Kim Reynolds left the state on Tuesday for an official trade mission to India. The delegation joining her includes Iowa Economic Development Authority and Iowa Finance Authority Director Debi Durham, Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig, and agricultural and business leaders from Iowa. The purpose of the mission is to work toward strengthening Iowa’s trade and investment relationships with one of the world’s fastest-growing economies. The 10-day mission includes time in Delhi and Mumbai where she will meet with key Indian government officials and American business leaders. Reynolds will be a keynote speaker at the U.S.-India Business Council’s 49th India Ideas Summit.
The trade mission was organized by the Iowa Economic Development Authority with support from the U.S. Embassy in Delhi and U.S. Consulate in Mumbai.

CINCINNATI – Hundreds of birds were seized by the Appanoose County Sheriff’s Office for an alleged cockfighting operation. KCCI-TV reports a search warrant was issued at a residence just a few miles outside of Cincinnati in south central Iowa, and more than 400 roosters and hens were found. A press release indicates the investigation focused on the possession, breeding, transfer, and sale of the animals.

HARDIN COUNTY – Two people died in a Monday crash in Hardin County. The Iowa State Patrol reports a Ford Edge collided head-on along County Road D-15. Both Tevin Williams of Paris, Texas and Steven Kramer of Waterloo died in the crash.

DES MOINES – A federal grand jury in Des Moines returned an indictment charging 18 individuals with offenses related to bank fraud, money laundering, and conspiracy. As alleged in the Indictment, defendants orchestrated a nationwide scheme to defraud financial institutions and draw funds from stolen business checks. They first obtained the stolen checks from uncharged co-conspirators, registered sham entities with the IRS and state government agencies—including the Iowa Secretary of State, and after obtaining registration documents and IRS employer identification numbers, opened or attempted to open accounts at banks and credit unions. Defendants and their co-conspirators attempted to deposit at least $10 million worth of stolen checks into fraudulent accounts and were able to obtain at least $2.1 million in proceeds from their criminal conduct.

IOWA – Dry conditions have settled into most of the state after one of the most active spring and summer seasons on record. This week’s Iowa Crop Progress and Condition report from the U.S. Department of Agriculture shows 94 percent or more of the state’s crops remain in good shape, even as roughly 70 percent of the state’s soil had adequate moisture.

DES MOINES – Lost in the shuffle of the wild finish to CyHawk football this past Saturday Defendants and their co-conspirators attempted to deposit at least $10 million worth of stolen checks into fraudulent accounts and were able to obtain at least $2.1 million in proceeds from their criminal conduct.was another special moment for an Iowa-based football program. The Drake Bulldogs defeated FCS program Eastern Washington, the first win for the Des Moines non-scholarship program against a team that has scholarship athletes in nearly two decades.

IOWA – Through the Safe Haven Law, a baby girl born on July 30th is now in the care and custody of the Iowa Department of Health and Human Services and will be placed with foster families until permanent placement is determined. This brings the overall total to 71 infants since the law went into effect more than two decades ago. This is the fifth case so far in 2024. In 2023, ten infants were relinquished to state custody under the Safe Haven Act. Iowa’s Safe Haven Act is an option for parents in crisis who determine they cannot care for an infant up to 90 days old. Designated safe havens are locations like hospitals, police and fire stations.

MARSHALLTOWN – One man was found dead and two are in custody after police found the person who later died in the middle of the road Saturday evening. KCCI-TV reports 23-year-old Ezra Seymour of Tama was transported to a Des Moines hospital, where he later died. Marshalltown police arrested 25-year-old Trequan Cosgrove and 26-year-old Jaimee Alcaraz-Gutierrez, both from Marshalltown, and charged Cosgrove with first degree murder and Alcaraz-Gutierrez with accessory in relation to the death.

FAIRFIELD – A three-time Paralympian from Iowa struck gold on Sunday. The Des Moines Register reports Matt Stutzman won first place in the men’s individual compound archery competition. The Fairfield resident won silver back in 2012.

IOWA CITY – CyHawk week has returned after a pair of victories for the Iowa and Iowa State football teams on Saturday. The Hawkeyes were 40-0 winners over Illinois State and the Cyclones defeated North Dakota 21-3. Several activities bring the teams together on their road to Kinnick Stadium this Saturday, including RVTV celebrations in Perry, Mitchellville, Oskaloosa, Baxter, and Newton. This Saturday’s kickoff is scheduled for 2:30 p.m. in Iowa City.

PALO ALTO COUNTY – The Iowa State Patrol responded to a pair of fatal crashes Friday. The first was a single vehicle crash in Palo Alto County, in which a motorcycle operated by 38-year-old James Qualls was traveling at a high rate of speed and after passing multiple vehicles, but lost control while trying to take an exit on Interstate 35 and struck a sign post. Qualls died from his injuries. In Clarke County, a passenger died from his injuries in a two-vehicle crash when a Kia driven by Desiree Angela Sternhagen failed to yield and struck a Mitsubishi operated by Mathia Kay Nieves. Ernest Manwarren of Emmetsburg died from his injuries.

CEDAR FALLS – A Hampton man has been charged with alleged harassment for a second time after posting fliers threatening immigrants. KCRG-TV reports 38-year-old Daniel Embree faces third degree harassment for distributing the fliers threatening undocumented immigrants at the Cedar Falls Public Library. He’s accused of doing the same thing in his hometown of Hampton.

CLIVE- A Clive man was the lucky winner in the Iowa Lottery “Premiere” Scratch Game. WHO-13 reports Dale Hoppe will receive a $300,000 prize, the eighth in the game with a $30 ticket purchased at a Hy-Vee store.

DES MOINES – The teenager killed in a Des Moines crash earlier this week has been identified. The Iowa State Patrol reports that 16-year-old Chad Nicholson was killed in a two vehicle crash in a reportedly stolen vehicle. Nicholson was the passenger in a Hyundai Elantra operated by 16-year-old Alexander Daniel Haus. Police say Nicholson was eluding officers and collided in a wrong-way crash at a high rate of speed with a Jeep Cherokee driven by Aaron Stonehocker of Adel, who was treated and released on scene.

IOWA – A report by Iowa Public Radio indicates Iowa’s Area Education Agencies have 429 fewer employees starting this school year as opposed to last following sweeping changes signed by Governor Kim Reynolds. Four of the AEAs reported 20% or higher staff turnover following the bill that shifted many of the services provided by the agencies to a per-fee model. AEA leadership says they are prioritizing special education but having to leave several spots open due to funding uncertainty.

ROCK VALLEY – Gov. Kim Reynolds announced the opening of a temporary school facility for students in the Rock Valley Community School District. The 7,000-square-foot modular school, built by Hegg Construction, will house 150 middle school students in six classrooms, bathrooms, offices, and a common area. The facility is fitted with wireless Internet and smart boards. The $2 million school facility was built and installed on the school property in under seven weeks and is operational and ready to welcome students back to the classroom on Thursday, September 5. 542 homes in Rock Valley were impacted by the storms and 60 businesses were damaged.