DES MOINES (IRN) – Iowa lawmakers have been told to keep dates open in July for a possible special session. An email obtained by KCCI-TV shows state representatives should stay available on July 10th to convene. Republican leadership in both chambers denounced an Iowa Supreme Court decision in June that ultimately nullified a 2018 six-week abortion ban signed by Governor Kim Reynolds. It is unclear what Republicans will propose with strong majorities in the Iowa House and Senate. ISRAEL (IRN) – Governor Kim Reynolds is returning from a trade mission in Europe today. She made stops in Italy, Kosovo, and Israel during her trip away from Iowa that she left for on June 20th. Reynolds signed a proclamation celebrating the 75th anniversary of Israel’s independence with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu (neh·tuhn·yaa·hoo). DES MOINES (IRN) – A slate of new laws take effect Saturday. KWWL-TV reports the new legislation includes a government reorganization, in-person caucus requirements, changes in SNAP benefits, removal of some child labor restrictions, and limits to the power of State Auditor Rob Sand. A sweeping education law also takes effect that restricts what can be taught in classrooms and allows certain books to be removed from school libraries. DES MOINES (IRN) – More than three dozen union workers gather outside of UPS in Des Moines Friday, part of thousands nationwide staging a picket during ongoing contract negotiations. The Des Moines Register reports The Teamsters’ union nationwide has authorized a possible strike if a new contract isn’t approved July 31st.

CENTERVILLE (IRN) – A powerful line of severe thunderstorms caused extensive damage across the Midwest and southern Iowa Thursday morning. The National Weather Service reports a derecho knocked down trees and power lines, with damage to several buildings as sustained winds from 60 to 80 miles per hour ripped across the southern part of the state in communities from Winterset to Centerville to Bloomfield to Keokuk. The storms picked up even more intensity heading into central Illinois, where wind speeds approached 100 miles per hour. IOWA CITY (IRN) – An Iowa City man received eight decades in prison for repeated sexual abuse of a child. KGAN-TV reports 43-year-old Thomas Jesse was convicted of 40 counts of sexual abuse after recording video of abuse of a minor under the age of 12. Jesse will have to serve at least 70% of each sentence before being eligible for parole. MARENGO (IRN) – An Iowa company has been fined just over $95,000 for a December 2022 explosion that injured several employees. KCCI-TV reports a blast at C6-Zero in Marengo cause a plume of smoke seen for miles as first responders from a 50 mile radius responded to assist. State investigators reported the fire was accidental, but Iowa’s OSHA office found out about the fire through TV reports and not official channels. Emails between the state and company show how an informal settlement was formed between the parties. DES MOINES (IRN) – The state of Iowa is applying to participate in a federal program providing summer grocery money to school-age children. The Des Moines Register reports the Pandemic Electronic Benefit Transfer program was created in 2020 and provides eligible families with cards paid for by the federal government. A push by Democratic lawmakers and anti-hunger advocates spurred the state to apply after the initial plan was not to participate.

BLOOMFIELD (IRN) – An Iowa man died when the horse cart he was driving near Bloomfield was struck from behind by a car. KCCI-TV reports 35 year old David Borntrager was killed when 60 year old Blake Larson of Missouri rear-ended his cart. According to the Davis County Sheriff’s Office, Larson was charged with failure to maintain control and was uninjured. ANKENY (IRN) – Casey’s General Stores released details on Wednesday about a three-year plan that includes continued expansion across the Midwest. The Iowa-based convenience store chain is aiming to add 350 stores by the end of fiscal year 2026 and to widen its menu and food brand offerings in that three-year span. DES MOINES (IRN) – Mosquitos testing positive for West Nile Virus have -been found in Des Moines. The Des Moines Register reports the results have prompted mosquito treatments that started Wednesday night as a precaution. No people have tested positive in Iowa since the first case of the virus was found on June 16th in Plymouth County, according to the Iowa Department of Public Health. OTTUMWA (IRN) – An Ottumwa woman who won a Powerball grand prize is planning to use the money to finish updating their home after they lost a house in a tornado back in 2001. Tammy Gordy is a dietary aide at an Ottumwa hospital and lived in Agency when the Wapello County community was ravaged by a tornado. Gordy won a $2 million prize with a ticket purchased for this past Saturday’s drawing.

WEST DES MOINES (IRN) – A Des Moines man died in a motorcycle crash that ended following an attempted traffic stop by police. Anthony Overton, 25, allegedly sped away from police after a West Des Moines officer attempted to stop his motorcycle that did not apparently have license plates. Police allege that Overton sped away at a high rate of speed, but they did not engage in a pursuit due to public safety concerns. Witnesses say Overton ran a red light and was broadsided by a car traveling on Grand Avenue. DES MOINES (IRN) – A new property tax break that passed in the Iowa Legislature will cause a crunch on local budgets, according to the Legislative Services Agency. An Axios report says the non-partisan agency estimates $57 million in lost revenue, starting July 1st, for cities and counties due to legislation that passed nearly unanimously near the end of the 2023 Legislative Session. The bill was proposed due to rapidly increasing property assessments reported this past spring. WASHINGTON D.C. (IRN) – The Biden administration announced a $42.5 billion plan to connect all Americans to high speed internet by 2030, and the state of Iowa will receive close to $415 billion of those funds. An estimated 1.3 million Iowa homes have an Internet connection, leaving more than 84,000 without, according to the Des Moines Register report. IOWA CITY (IRN) – Smoke from Canadian wildfires continue to engulf much of the state today, causing dangerous air quality for many across Iowa. The Iowa DNR has issued an air quality alert. Readings have become particularly dangerous in the eastern half of the state as hazy conditions caused by smoke will make it difficult for many to be outdoors for prolonged periods of time.

DES MOINES (IRN) – The trial of a men accused of killing someone while street racing in Des Moines has been delayed. Keith Jones was racing on Fleur Drive on December 13th, when he lost control and collided with a vehicle. Marcos Faguada was killed in that collision. The trial date has been moved to September 11th. IOWA CITY (IRN) – A third arrest has been made in connection to an Iowa City shooting that happened in May. KCRG-TV reports 24-year-old Narada Poole has been charged with control of a firearm by a felon. He joins 22-year-old Marquel Poole and 22-year-old Alexander Voudhivong in facing criminal charges for shooting an individual on May 13th, 2023. That victim has survived the alleged attack. IOWA CITY (IRN) – One of the highest possible honors for female athletes in the country has been added to the collection of the remarkable Caitlin Clark. The Iowa Hawkeyes junior guard won the 2023 Honda Cup Award and was named the Collegiate Woman Athlete of the Year Monday night. Clark was chosen by a vote of administrators from over 1,000 NCAA member schools across all 12 sanctioned sports in the country. Clark became the first player in Division I women’s basketball history to record more than 1,000 points and 300 assists in the same season this past winter and was fastest Division I player (men’s or women’s) to reach 1,500 career points over the last 20 seasons. WEST DES MOINES (IRN) – Miss Iowa and Miss Iowa Teen 2023 were selected this past weekend. Grace Lynn Keller of Coralville was crowned as Miss Iowa USA and Madeline Erickson of Ankeny was chosen as Miss Iowa Teen.