DES MOINES (IRN) – Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds announced the deployment of 109 Iowa National Guard members to Texas on Wednesday. The governor’s office made the announcement to assist Texas in securing the international border. Reynolds is also sending some Iowa State Patrol officers. Both deployments will last until the fall and will be paid for with American Rescue Plan money. IOWA CITY (IRN) – Three former Iowa Hawkeyes have been charged with alleged illegal gambling as part of a statewide probe of college athletes. Former Iowa Hawkeyes Kicker Aaron Blom, Baskeball Player Ahron Ulis, and Former Baseball Player Gehrig Christensen have also been charged in an alleged gambling investigation. The Des Moines Register reports all three were making wagers using accounts of older family members, and all three are accused of doing so for events at the University of Iowa. DES MOINES (IRN) – Des Moines Water Works has increased the amount of water it can collect after another round of drought in the state. The Des Moines Register reports the organization has raised its flashboards for the 3rd summer in a row for intake at its Fleur Drive water treatment plant. The Raccoon River is over 80% below its normal levels.

DAVENPORT (IRN) – Three men killed in a downtown Davenport apartment building collapse in June died as a result of blunt-force injuries and asphysixation, according to the iowa Department of Health and Human Services. KCCI-TV reports 42-year-old Branden Colvin Sr., 51-year-old Ryan Hitchcock and 60-year-old Daniel Prien died when a six-story brick building collapsed. The deaths were ruled as accidental. AMES (IRN) – The starting quarterback for the Iowa State Cyclones has been accused of gambling on events involving his school. The Des Moines Register reports Hunter Dekkers is charged with tampering with records related to an Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation probe into gambling among collegiate athletes. Dekkers allegedly placed 26 wagers on Iowa State events using DraftKings, including the 2021 game against Oklahoma State, when he was listed on the gameday roster. A criminal complaint alleges wagers totaling nearly $2,800 over 366 total bets. If true, Dekkers would immediately lose NCAA eligibility for gambling on teams at his own school. Fellow Cyclone athletes Paniro Johnson, a wrestler, and football player Dodge Sauser have also been charged. DES MOINES (IRN) – The owner of a bar in Des Moines that was declared a nuisance is seeking damages against the city. WHO-13 reports Edwin Allen filed a $10 million countersuit for reputation and revenue loss. Allen is the owner of Zora Bar in the city, and the City of Des Moines filed a petition in July to declare the business a public safety nuisance, citing incidents of gunfire, a homicide in the parking lot, and assault. IOWA CITY (IRN) – A new pilot program is underway in Iowa City that allows for free bus rides. KWWL-TV reports the city council approved the rollout of a two-year free ride program this summer. The goal is to increase ridership after it declined in 2020 and 2021 due to the global pandemic. Iowa City is using federal relief funding to bolster the program.

URBANDALE (IRN) – Urbandale Schools have revealed nearly 400 books they anticipate are being banned under new laws passed this session. WHO-13 reports teachers have received the details from Annie’s Foundation, and the materials listed are now likely to be removed from shelves following the signing of Senate File 496. Books such as Catch 22 and The Cather in the Rye are now prohibited from instruction in Urbandale schools for the upcoming school year. DES MOINES (IRN) – A new mobileID app is available for residents, but its full use is still awaiting official launch next month. KCCI-TV reports the Iowa DOT is working with businesses and other groups to make sure they have resources to verify identification on the software. No businesses are required to use the app, so those participating would still need their regular ID for verification in many instances. DES MOINES (IRN) – A longtime conservative radio host on WHO in Des Moines died over the weekend. Jan Mickelson’s wife, Suzy, announced his death in a Facebook post Sunday, according to the Des Moines Register, after earlier writing that he had been admitted to the hospital in critical condition.

DES MOINES (IRN) – A Des Moines man was arrested for allegedly touching a child inappropriately and violating the sex offender registry. At around 2 p.m. on Saturday, WHO-13 reports 34-year-old Charles William Mitchell Cheek was seen at a gas station in Ankeny with a child unsupervised. According to a criminal complaint, Cheek was seen by witnesses and on surveillance camera inappropriately touching the child and attempting to kiss her. Cheek was charged with child endangerment, indecent contact with a child, assault with intent to commit sexual abuse, and sex offender registration violation. OTTUMWA (IRN) – Two people died in a chain-reaction crash near Ottumwa Friday. The Iowa State Patrol reported the crash occurred at a single-lane bridge closure on Highway 63. KCCI-TV reports a semi did not stop at the light and caused four vehicles to collide, which also started a fire. Steven and Brenda Hinebaugh of Ottumwa died from injuries. FORT DODGE (IRN) – An assault investigation is under way in Fort Dodge. Police say they found an unresponsive man after dispatch received a tip, and first responders were able to find the man alive with injuries. Police are seeking additional information about the attack. IOWA (IRN) – Iowa’s tax free holiday is coming up this Friday and Saturday. Any clothing or footwear costing less than $100 per item is exempt from all sales tax, according to the Iowa Department of Revenue.

MARSHALLTOWN (IRN) – Powerful wind gusts swept through the state as a cold front produced severe thunderstorms Friday night. According to the National Weather Service, winds as strong as 90 MPH impacted portions of Linn and Marshall Counties, causing damage to both areas. A tornado also touched down near Iowa Falls. LAMONI (IRN) – Older Iowans in four communities will be losing their assisted living apartments. KCCI-TV reports that Care Initiatives says its facilities in Lamoni, Odebolt, Panora, and Dunlap are converting to apartments — meaning those who need assistance will have to find a new place to live. DES MOINES (IRN) – The Iowa Attorney General’s Office is reviewing whether or not to permanently halt a longstanding practice to pay for emergency contraception, and in rare cases, abortions, for victims of sexual assault. The Des Moines Register reports that Republican Brenna Bird paused that policy after taking office in January, in what she says is part of a larger overhaul of the office. On Iowa PBS Friday, Bird indicated she’d like the change to be permanent.