IOWA – An invasive and destructive insect has been seen in Iowa. KCCI-TV reports the Iowa Department of Agriculture has confirmed, in conjunction with U.S. Department of Agriculture officials, that the spotted lanternfly was found in Des Moines County last month. Both departments say the colorful bug is also invasive and destructive. The investigation did not come up with an infestation, but the insect may have been tracked to a trucking shipment. ROWLEY – A Buchanan County man is accused of attempted murder in relation to a crash in northeast Iowa. WHO-13 reports the Buchanan County Sheriff’s Office arrested 70-year-old Raymond Leroy Gineau following a collision on Friday afternoon. A 911 caller told police that a vehicle struck a person before colliding with a garage in Rowley. The victim suffered non-life threatening injuries. IOWA – Multiple rain chances return through Wednesday for many in the state, as close to two-thirds of Iowans are now in abnormally dry conditions. The National Weather Service predicts multiple chances for rain shows Tuesday and Wednesday. The latest U.S. Drought Monitor Report shows 64% of the state is now abnormally dry, with just under 5% total in drought.

AMES – The Ames Police Department has charged a Marshalltown man with murder in connection to the death of a child in 2024. KCCI-TV reports 24-year-old Tyler Lee Zeuthen was arrested this week and faces a count of first degree murder and child endangerment resulting in death. First responders were called to a home in Ames on November 4th of last year for a child not breathing. Police say the individual died from blunt force trauma. DES MOINES – A federal grand jury in Des Moines returned an 11‑count indictment charging a Des Moines man with wire fraud. As alleged in the Indictment, Marin James Tirrell, 65, ran a scheme to defraud multiple individuals between February 2024 and January 2025. Tirrell’s scheme involved obtaining money from individuals that he claimed would be used to buy tickets to high-demand sports and concert events and resold at a profit. Instead, Tirrell used a majority of the funds for gambling and personal expenses, repaying loans, and paying other investors for earlier payments. In total, investors provided Tirrell several million dollars and the victim investors sustained a combined loss exceeding $1.5 million. Tirrell was on federal supervised release for a 2019 mail fraud conviction. The former radio host was released from his 41-month prison sentence in January 2023. IOWA CITY – A group of voters is suing the State of Iowa over a law passed this previous legislative session that limits how supervisors are elected in the counties that contain the state’s regent universities. The Des Moines Register reports the group is asking courts to halt Senate File 75, which requires Johnson, Story, and Black Hawk Counties to elect supervisors by district, rather than the current at-large system used. The lawsuit accuses Iowa Republicans of preventing students from fully participating in county elections.

DES MOINES – The federal government shutdown has different benefits at crosshairs for vulnerable populations across the country and in Iowa. KCCI-TV reports subsidies for the Affordable Care Act are at the center of the dispute, which if they expire, could impact 150,000 Iowans. On Thursday, Governor Kim Reynolds called on an end to the shutdown, blaming Democrats, as SNAP benefits are in jeopardy in November. Approximately 131,000 households in Iowa are eligible for SNAP, which cost $45 million per month. Republicans have thus far rejected calls to negotiate the health care subsidies. DES MOINES – A Des Moines high school student was detained during an immigration check-in and ultimately deported. The Des Moines Register reports the 18-year-old attended a September 30th appointment with his guardian and immigrants rights advocates. He was ultimately detained and sent to Hardin County Jail, before being sent to Louisiana and then to Central America, all in about two weeks. Federal agents have increased their arrest volume by nearly 200%, according to the report, from the previous year to the current rate. IOWA – The Iowa Department of Transportation has launched a campaign aimed at further educating young drivers about the dangers of certain behaviors behind the wheel. WHO-13 reports the Iowa DOT has created the “Alive at 25” program, a voluntary four-hour course that compliments the standard driver education program. Young drivers who have a second violation on an intermediate license can participate in the program to lift a possible suspension.

DES MOINES – An Iowa senator has requested an auditing of the Iowa Department of Education related to the recent arrest of the former Superintendent of the Des Moines Public School system. WHO-13 reports State Senator Tony Bisignano sent a letter to State Auditor Rob Sand to look into official procedures for background checks and licensing. Roberts was the leader of the largest school district in Iowa when he was arrested on federal immigration charges in September. He’s scheduled to go on trial on December 1st, according to the Des Moines Register. IOWA – Voters in Iowa will be hitting the polls on November 4th, with 55 bond referendums listed on ballots across the state. KCCI-TV reports 18 of those are repeat efforts following failed votes held in prior years. Those require 60% of support to pass in Iowa. AMES – The Iowa Board of Regents has announced the search for a new Iowa State University president has a field narrowed down to four. Iowa Capital Dispatch reports the semifinalists are invited to head to campus in November, with the name of those individuals revealed as they arrive in Ames. Current ISU President Wendy Wintersteen is retiring in January.

CRESTON – A judge has issued a temporary restraining order that prevents an Iowa school district from firing a teacher over social media comments made following the assassination of Charlie Kirk. Iowa Capital Dispatch reports Federal Judge Rebecca Goodgame Ebinger granted a motion in favor of Creston School District Teacher Melisa Crook, who claims the district is violating her First Amendment rights by attempting to let her go. Crook cited several politically-motivated posts by the superintendent and School Board President. DES MOINES – On the same day former Superintendent Ian Roberts pled not guilty to federal immigration charges, the Des Moines Public School District placed another administrator on leave. The Des Moines Register reports the district’s chief academic officer Robert Lundin has been out since October 6th for an undisclosed reason. The move comes just weeks after former superintendent Roberts was arrested by federal immigration officers. DES MOINES – Governor Kim Reynolds released the list of recommendations made by a task force comprised of business leaders as it relates to possible efficiency in the state government. KCCI-TV reports Reynolds held a press conference Tuesday about the Iowa DOGE Task Force, a group formed this past spring modeled after similar federal government efforts. Before the final recommendations were released, the group was criticized for potentially targeting IPERs retirement benefits for state employees, but Reynolds denies the program is a target. The final list included a potential incentive-based pay structure for teachers.