Author: Iowa Radio News

DES MOINES – Lawmakers have drafted a bill that would give parents more oversight of their children’s social media accounts. KCCI-TV reports that House File 2523 would require social media companies to get written permission from a parent or guardian before a minor could create an account, and allow those adults to have access. Parents could see messages and posts and control privacy settings. The measure passed 88-to-6 and moves to the Iowa Senate.

IOWA – Traffic fatalities were up by 20% in 2023, according to the Iowa State Patrol. The department completed its analysis of crashes resulting in death last year, and the number was well above the previous five-year average, according to KCRG-TV. Several state troopers reported speeds well above 100 MPH last year in traffic stops, and claimed distracted driving as one of the main causes for the increase in fatalities.

AMES – It’s been a special year for college basketball in Iowa, and that continued on the hardwood and in the awards column Wednesday. The #6 in the nation Iowa State Cyclone’s men’s basketball team capped a perfect season at home, coming back to beat BYU 68-63. This was the fifth time ever and first time since 2001 that the Cyclones successfully defended Hilton Coliseum in every home game in a season. Earlier in the day, Drake University’s Tucker DeVries won the Missouri Valley Conference player of the year for back-to-back seasons, leading the Bulldogs to the regular season title in that league.

IOWA – After six weeks of voting, preliminary results were in for the new mail-in process for Iowa Democrats and nomination of their candidate for president. A total of 12,000 cards have been received so far, according to the Des Moines Register, with 91% choosing President Joe Biden. Dean Phillips had 2.9% and Marianne Williamson reported 2.1% of votes.

DES MOINES – Iowa Republicans passed a second bill related to unauthorized immigrants on Tuesday, as Senate File 2340 make those who are in the state without documentation a state-level crime. WHO-13 reports this comes after the Senate passed legislation requiring businesses to confirm they have no undocumented workers. The first tier of criminal activity is an aggravated misdemeanor, while the act could be enhanced to a felony based on prior charges. It would still need to pass in the house and be signed by Governor Kim Reynolds to become a law.

DES MOINES – Lawmakers in the Iowa House are attempting to end guaranteed income programs in the state — even those that do not include funding from the Legislature itself. Iowa Public Radio Reports House File 2319 passed this week that would force programs such as UpLift to halt operations. The program funded by cities and non-profit organizations provides monthly payments to those deep in poverty.

MARSHALLTOWN – The Iowa Department of Public Safety has cancelled Endangered Person Advisory on behalf of the Marshalltown Police Department for seventeen-year-old Deshawna Green. She has been safely located. Law enforcement thanks the public for their assistance.

DAVENPORT – A Scott County Sheriff’s Deputy faces several criminal charges. KWQC-TV reports 39-nine-year-old Anthony Johnson is a detective in the sex offender registry program and allegedly had sex with a subject he supervised. Court records also show prosecutors accuse Johnson of attempting to cover up the relationship. Court records indicate Johnson used a work phone to contact the other person approximately 2,000 times in a two-weeks pan. Johnson faces charges of falsifying public records, tampering with records and misconduct in office.

DES MOINES – A bill in the Iowa legislature could cap pay from traveling nurses. KCCI-TV reports House File 2391 aims to correct a problem reported by Iowa’s hospitals and retirement communities that they are being overcharged by agencies responsible for filling gaps at nearly 70% of those medical facilities in the state. The bill seeks to cap the amount that travel nurse agencies can charge hospitals and nursing homes at 150% of the statewide average wage for that particular role. Opponents are concerned the legislation will worsen the nursing shortage across the state.

DAVENPORT – A Rock Island man died during a pursuit with police over the weekend. The Iowa State Patrol reports 20-year-old Javier Villarreal was attempting to elude the Iowa State Patrol on North Brady Street in Davenport, when he lost control and crashed. Vllaareal was not wear a seat belt, according to the report.

SAC COUNTY – The reward continues to increase for information leading to the discovery of a Sac County man who went missing this past November. KCAU reports there is $28,400 available if details lead to finding 53 year old David Schultz of Wall Lake. Schultz was reported as missing after his semi truck was found with his wallet and keys late last year.

IOWA CITY – Another day, another incredible milestone for Iowa’s basketball superstar. In a Sunday win over #2 Ohio State, All-American Caitlin Clark recorded 35 points for the Hawkeyes to pass LSU’s Pete Maravich as the all-time leading scorer in NCAA Division-I college basketball history with 3,685 career points. With the win, the Hawkeye secured a double-bye in the Big Ten Tournament.

AMES – The State of Iowa has dismissed all charges with prejudice against Iowa State University athletes in the DCI sports gambling investigation. According to court records, the Iowa DCI lost access to GeoComply, which was used to investigate sports betting done by athletes on campus. Defendants in the case claimed they were unfairly targeted and were selected based on their status. Many of the ISU and Iowa athletes targeted in the Iowa DCI investigation were suspended by the NCAA or left their respective teams. This motion also came after an Iowa DCI agent accused his supervisors of inappropriate conduct as part of the process last year.

DAVENPORT – A Keokuk man was sentenced this week to six decades in federal prison for producing, receiving, and possessing Child Pornography. In December of 2021, a minor was reported missing from the Keokuk area. Law enforcement identified 45-year-old Christopher Douglas Black as an individual with knowledge relating to the disappearance. The missing minor was found with Black in Minnesota. Following Black’s arrest, a forensic review of Black’s cell phone was conducted and revealed child sexual assault materials. The full prison term is for 720 months, or 60 years.