Author: Iowa Radio News

DES MOINES – The U.S. Department of Justice is suing the State of Iowa over a law that would give the state the ability to arrest certain undocumented immigrants. The Associated Press reports the motion was filed Thursday just days after federal officials warned Governor Kim Reynolds and Attorney General Brenna Bird to not enforce the bill that was passed in the Iowa Legislature. The challenge is similar to one in Texas after that state legislature passed a similar bill. The Department of Justice argues all immigration matters are under federal jurisdiction.

WEST DES MOINES – A Michigan man was arrested in West Des Moines after he was found to have violated his sex offender registration by working at an indoor playground. KCCI-TV reports Jeff Gwion was found to be at Kids Empire as an employee. He’s been arrested in both West Des Moines and by the Dallas County Sheriff’s Office. Gwion reported to the Polk County Sheriff’s Office with an incorrect address. He is accused of lying to police multiple times throughout the investigation.

IOWA – Drought conditions have improved significantly statewide in the latest weekly report. The U.S. Drought Monitor shows a reduction from 70 to 60% in overall dry conditions, including the removal of extreme, or D3 drought, in Iowa. Approximately 19% of the state remains in severe drought, with 1.58 million Iowans impacted by drier than normal conditions. Several rounds of severe thunderstorms have damaged multiple communities but have brought beneficial rainfall in the process.

IOWA – Governor Kim Reynolds issued a disaster proclamation for four counties in response to severe weather that occurred on May 6. The governor’s proclamation activates the Iowa Individual Assistance Grant Program and Disaster Case Advocacy Program for the following counties: Clarke, Marion, O’Brien, and Pottawattamie. The Iowa Individual Assistance Grant Program provides grants of up to $5,000 for households with incomes up to 200 percent of the federal poverty level. Grants are available for home or car repairs, replacement of clothing or food, and temporary housing expenses. Original receipts are required for those seeking reimbursement for actual expenses related to storm recovery. The grant application and instructions are available on the Iowa Department of Homeland Security and Emergency Management website.

COUNCIL BLUFFS – Police are investigating skeletal remains found Wednesday morning. KETV reports officers responded to a scene in Council Bluffs where the discovery occurred. The Council Bluffs Police Department says what they found was so far decayed it was impossible to identify anything by eye. The remains will be sent to the State Medical Examiner’s Office, but results could take weeks.

GLENWOOD – Remaining residents living in the Glenwood Resource Center will be moved out by the end of June. The Des Moines Register reports more than 200 employees still working at the facility will be laid off. The space is one of two state-run institutions for those with severe intellectual disabilities. Iowa’s Department of Health and Human Services claims they have placement set up for the 28 residents left in the space. The announcement comes after a series of scandals at the facility led to the departure of state officials.

MINDEN – City leadership of a town heavily damaged by a tornado in April is pleaded for additional federal assistance. KETV reports the Minden Mayor Kevin Zimmerman says the aid can’t come fast enough from the Federal Emergency Management Agency. Governor Kim Reynolds requested expedited aid, which FEMA officials are currently reviewing. Another tornado touched down near Minden on Monday.

PRAIRIE CITY – Three additional tornadoes were confirmed in central Iowa earlier this week. The National Weather Service told WHO-13 that small tornadoes were confirmed near Osceola, Prairie City, and Woodburn. Tree damage and power outages were common with the storms that prompted tornado warnings overnight.

DES MOINES – Runoff from recent rainfall is causing flooding for the first time in several years. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has announced closures at some sites at Saylorville Lake for the first time since 2019. Des Moines Water Works has also closed the back half of their park and portions of George Flagg Parkway. Most of central Iowa has been in some form of drought for the better part of four years, according to State Climatologist Justin Glisan.

DENISON – A Denison man was found unresponsive in a jail cell following an arrest over the weekend. The Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation reports that officers from the Denison Police Department arrested a 61-year-old Abraham Gatwech Ngor for public intoxication Sunday evening and was placed into a lone jail cell. At approximately 9:00 a.m. on Monday, while conducting a scheduled welfare check, Crawford County jail staff discovered Ngor had become unresponsive. Crawford County jail staff, deputies and EMS performed CPR on the subject and transported him to the Crawford County Memorial Hospital in Denison where he was later pronounced deceased.. A forensic autopsy has been scheduled. The Crawford County Sheriff’s Office requested the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation to investigate the death of Ngor.

IOWA – A Department of Justice official has written a letter to Governor Kim Reynolds and Attorney General Brenna Bird, warning them about enacting an immigration law passed by the Iowa Legislature this session. The Des Moines Register reports Deputy Assistant Attorney General Brian Boynton that the federal government will sue Iowa to block Senate File 2340 if the law is not suspended by Tuesday evening. The bill would allow Iowa officers to arrest undocumented immigrants who have previously been deported. The DOJ claims the state law conflicts with federal statute. Both Reynolds and Bird have indicated they are proceeding with enforcement of the bill.

DES MOINES – A motorcyclist killed in a crash in Des Moines on Friday has been identified. WHO-13 reports 26-year-old Nicholas Edward Perez died from injuries sustained after a collision with an SUV on Friday night. An investigation is underway to determine who was at fault, as excessive speed and failure to yield are potential contributing factors. Perez was not wearing a helmet, according to police.