IOWA (IRN) – Iowa Democrats have matched the same day for the 2024 Caucuses as Republicans, with one catch. The Iowa Capital Dispatch reports Democrats will also have their caucus for party-related matters at the state level on January 15th — Martin Luther King, Jr. Day. However, the day for presidential preference has not been established, due to concerns a mail-in process would make the choice to similar to a primary, and cause concerns with New Hampshire and their laws enacting their state as the first primary. Republicans will hold traditional caucuses on January 15th to select their preferred nominee. STORY COUNTY (IRN) – One person was killed and two injured in a crash over the weekend in Story County. WHO-13 reports two vehicles collided in a rural part of the county. Tanner Crooks died from his injuries after authorities believe he ran through a stop sign and broadsided another vehicle. Two others were seriously injured. HAMILTON COUNTY (IRN) – A former band teacher in western Iowa has been convicted on several charges related toward misconduct with students. The Des Moines Register reports 44 year old Benjamin Work was an educator in the West Harrison Community School District. He has been found guilty of sexual exploitation by a school employee, lascivious acts with a minor, and indecent contact with a child. Work used his role in leading school plays by requesting students to take off clothing during costume measurements and by touching some of those individuals during the process. Several reports to law enforcement were filed in April 2022.

ALGONA – A fallen officer in Algona will be remembered this week. Funeral services and visitation will be held over the next two days for Kevin Cram. The 10-year veteran of the force was shot and killed last week during an attempted arrest of Kyle Ricke, who is accused of the killing. WAUKEE – An arrest was made in connection to the death of a one year old in Waukee. WHO-13 reports Yemissi Keto was arrested Friday and charged with first degree murder. In August, emergency crews responded to a call of an unresponsive child. Keto also faces one count of child endangerment resulting in death. DES MOINES – Iowa’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate rose from 2.7 percent to 2.9 percent in August, tying the year-ago rate, while the U.S. unemployment rate increased from 3.5 percent to 3.8 percent in August. Iowa gained 2,400 jobs and Iowa’s workforce grew by 500 people last month. The number of unemployed Iowans increased to 50,200 in August from 47,700 in July. The state’s overall labor force participation rate decreased slightly from 68.8 to 68.7 percent in August.

ALGONA – Funeral services have been set for a fallen police officer in Algona. The Iowa Department of Criminal Investigation reports visitation will be held Tuesday from 4 to 8 p.m. and a sevrice will follow on Wednesday at 10:30 a.m. for Kevin Cram, both at the Algona Community School District’s Ed and Betty Wilcox Arts Center. A memorial fund has been established at Iowa State Bank in Algona as well. DAVENPORT – An Iowa man was found guilty in the murder of missing girl in eastern Iowa. Henry Earl Dinkins faces a count of first degree murder and kidnapping in the death of 10 year old Breasia Terrell, who disappeared in July 2020. Fishermen found her remains in March 2021 north of Davenport. Dinkins, who is a registered sex offender, faces a mandatory life sentence. IOWA CITY – Mercy Iowa City is looking for the highest bidder next week to take over their facility after filing bankruptcy. KGAN-TV reports the process is opening, even with a $20 million bid from University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics. Mercy rejected a $600 million offer from the same group two years ago. MINNEAPOLIS – The Drake football team is preparing for an unusual game location today. WHO-13 reports the Bulldogs will travel up to Target Field, home to MLB’s Minnesota Twins to take on the defending national champions from South Dakota State.

ALGONA (IRN) – A 10-year veteran of law enforcement was killed while on duty this week. The Iowa Department of Criminal Investigation identified Algona Police Officer Kevin Cram as the victim in a shooting Wednesday evenign. Cram was responding to an active arrest warrant for Kyle Ricke, who is accused of shooting Cram after an attempted arrest. Flags have been ordered to be flown at half-staff by Governor Kim Reynolds. DES MOINES (IRN) – A verdict has been reached in the trial of a man accused of killing two people at a Des Moines outreach program. KCCI-TV reports Preston Walls was found guilty of second degree murder and voluntary manslaughter in the deaths of Rashad Carr and Gionni Dameron in January of this year. All three were teenagers at the time of the incident at Starts Right Here academy in Des Moines. COLFAX (IRN) – A family farm in Iowa is hosting a country music star next week. Luke Bryan is heading to Schnell Family Farms near Colfax as part of a national music tour. The concert is on September 21st.

UPDATE 11:15 ALGONA (IRN) – A man suspected in shooting a police officer Wednesday in Algona has been arrested. KCCI-TV reports Kyle Lou Ricke was taken into custody just before midnight by the Iowa State Patrol. An officer in Algona was shot, and a Blue Alert was issued by the Kossuth County Sheriff’s Office. The officer has been identified as Kevin Cram, who has died from his injuries. CEDAR RAPIDS (IRN) – A man who attacked a federal courthouse with a flare gun has been sentenced. The Des Moines Register reports John Miller of Cedar Rapids sent a threatening message to a federal prosecutor in November of 2020 and that same day, approached a federal district court building and shot two flares at it from across the street. Miller admitted to both acts but was determined not competent to stand trial. After two years of evaluation, he pled guilty, and now faces six years in prison. DES MOINES (IRN) – Comedian Adam Sandler is coming to Des Moines this year. WHO-13 reports the movie producer and former SNL star is coming to Wells Fargo Arena on November 13th in Des Moines. Tickets go on sale Friday.