Articles by Iowa Radio News

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Friday, April 21, 2023

BOONE COUNTY, IA (IRN) – Several children were taken to the hospital after a bus crash Thursday morning in Boone County. A United Community School District bus went off a gravel road and tipped onto its side around 7:30 a.m.Fifteen children between the ages of 5 and 15 were on board. One child was hurt and taken by ambulance to a local hospital; 10 others were taken to the hospital as a precaution. NEWTON, IA (IRN) – A teenager from Illinois wanted on murder charges was arrested on Wednesday in Jasper County. Illinois officials received a tip this week that Napoleon Jackson, 16, was staying in Newton. On Wednesday, authorities stormed a home and arrested Jackson. He is charged with first-degree murder, home invasion and aggravated battery with a firearm in connection to the April 14 slaying of Daniel Taylor, a 17-year-old high school senior, in Milan, Illinois. He is charged as an adult. SPENCER, IA (IRN) – Taco Bell will need to pay a dozen former Iowa employees thousands of dollars in back wages. A federal investigation found the manager of the Spencer restaurant illegally deducted more than $22,000 from 12 workers’ checks. EASTERN IOWA/WESTERN ILLINOIS – The Mississippi River is rising and threatening some homes and businesses in eastern Iowa and western Illinois. River levels cleared 18 and a half feet yesterday; that’s moderate flood stage. It’s predicted to be at a major flood stage next week.


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Thursday, April 20, 2023

CEDAR RAPIDS, IA (IRN) – The Cedar Rapids man charged in the stabbing death of Devonna Walker in Cedar Rapids pleaded not guilty on Thursday. Shane Teslik faces charges of Voluntary Manslaughter and Disorderly Conduct. On January 2nd, police responded to a report of a stabbing. A video shows several people shouting at each other before a scuffle ensues and Walker is stabbed. PLEASANT HILL, IA (IRN) – A 16-month investigation between local and federal law enforcement led to the arrest of a man in California in the death of an 18-month-old in Pleasant Hill. Jeremy White is charged with child endangerment causing death. He was arrested in Roseville, California, on April 7 and is being held without bond. The child’s head had been struck against a blunt object. DES MOINES, IA (IRN) – Iowa Senators passed the governor’s education bill, 34-16, for a second time this session. This follows disagreements with the House on how exactly the bill should look. GOP Senators introduced and passed an amendment which took out many of the changes House Republicans added. CRAWFORD COUNTY, IA (IRN) – There are widespread damage reports in Ricketts, Kiron, Schleswig, and Charter Oak in Crawford County after Wednesday’s severe storms. Crawford County EMA said people have reported golf ball to baseball-sized hail. No injuries have been reported. Many homes in the county have roof and window damage, as well as many vehicles. Damage reports are coming in from other areas as well. NEVADA (IRN) – A Mega Millions ticket worth a $1 million prize was sold at a central Iowa convenience store. The Iowa Lottery says the ticket sold at a Casey’s in Nevada matched the first five numbers in Tuesday’s drawing but not the Mega Ball.


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Wednesday, April 19, 2023

FAIRFIELD, IA (IRN) – Two teens have now pleaded guilty to first-degree murder in the death of Fairfield High School Spanish teacher Nohema Graber. Willard Miller and Jeremy Goodale entered guilty pleas Tuesday. Graber’s body was found in a Fairfield park on Nov. 3, 2021, hidden under a tarp, wheelbarrow and railroad ties. Prosecutors say she had been beaten to death with a baseball bat. Graber was 66. DES MOINES, IA (IRN) – The Iowa Legislature worked late overnight into early Tuesday morning, taking up debate on the bill on youth employment. All Democrats voted against it as well as two Republicans. The bill allows 14-year-olds to work six-hour night shifts, allows 15-year-olds to work in plants on assembly lines moving items up to 50 pounds, and allows 16 and 17-year-olds to serve alcohol. Democrats say this can be dangerous and will hurt school performance. Republicans argue that it’s just giving them more opportunities to earn money. Republican leaders didn’t allow Democrats to speak to the issue on the Senate floor, a historic break from tradition. TIFFIN, IA (IRN) – A fire in a residential neighborhood in Tiffin Monday has caused at least $400,000 in damages. A total of 17 people were displaced. No one was injured. DES MOINES, IA (IRN) – Iowans could soon buy raw milk straight from the farm. A bill allowing milk producers to sell raw milk is headed to the governor’s desk after the Senate passed it Monday. Lawmakers in support argue it gives Iowans a choice. Scientists say it is a health risk, especially for children. The dairy industry opposes it.


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Tuesday, April 18, 2023

SAN FRANCISCO, CA (IRN) – Former Iowa State quarterback Brock Purdy could miss the entire 2023 NFL season. Purdy led the San Francisco 49ers to the NFC Championship this past season before injuring his elbow. SHELDON, IA (IRN) – A Sheldon man has pleaded not guilty to murdering his mother. Nathaniel Kassel, 41, entered the plea Friday. Authorities say Jody Lynn Duskin, 62, of Sheldon, was found dead inside her home in March. Duskin is Kassel’s mother. Court documents say that Kassel had told family he was planning to kill her. Kassel was staying with Duskin on the day of the murder. LINN COUNTY, IA (IRN) – A former eastern Iowa middle school teacher has pleaded guilty to enticing a minor after investigators say he initiated an inappropriate relationship with a 13-year-old student. Adam Hildebrandt, 41, was a Science and Language Arts teacher at Center Point-Urbana Middle School. The victim told investigators she confided in Hildebrandt about some personal issues and then things got “weird” with inappropriate touching, and he allegedly began to send her messages of a sexual nature. DES MOINES, IA (IRN) – Iowans will soon face a new $5 million cap on pain and suffering damages in lawsuits involving crashes with trucks and other commercial vehicles. The Senate’s passage of Senate File 228 on a 31-19 vote Monday evening sends the legislation to Gov. Kim Reynolds for her signature. CEDAR FALLS, IA (IRN) – City officials are hosting clean-up events this week in honor of the Third Annual Cedar Falls Earth Week. Organizations, businesses, and citizens are being encouraged to participate in the city’s effort to clean up its litter.


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Monday, April 17, 2023

BETTENDORF, IA (IRN) – One person is dead Monday morning after a three-vehicle accident on I-80 near Bettendorf, according to Iowa State Patrol. Troopers say a bus was broken down on the shoulder of the road and it was being assisted by a tow truck. Then a 2015 Jeep Patriot hit a tow operator who was not in a vehicle. HAZLETON, IA (IRN) – A motorcycle crash killed the driver and injured his passenger in Buchanan County on Saturday evening. Troopers believe the driver of the motorcycle, Bradley Johnson, 50, of Hazleton, lost control. Both Johnson and his passenger were ejected and Johnson was killed in the crash. The passenger was injured and taken via air ambulance to the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics. DES MOINES, IA (IRN) – An environmental clean-up at the site of a proposed soccer stadium in Des Moines is estimated to cost $15 million. The 43-acre parcel south of downtown was home to the former Dico manufacturing facility. SHERRILL, IA (IRN) – A Dubuque County family got a visit last week from something they never expected — a black bear. The Iowa Department of Natural Resources reports only 49 bear spottings in the last 20 years. The couple were sitting on their couch in their Sherrill home watching TV when they got a notification on their phone from their infrared trail camera, where they saw the bear walking across their yard. The DNR has named the bear “Google-eye.” CEDAR PARK, TX (IRN) – The Iowa Wild defeated the Texas Stars 5-2 on Sunday to clinch a spot in the Calder Cup Playoffs for the first time since 2019 and just the second time in franchise history. Iowa will be the number 4-seed in the Central Division Quarterfinals and take on the number 5-seed Rockford Ice Hogs.