DES MOINES – The Des Moines Public School Board voted unanimously to place Superintendent Dr. Ian Roberts on administrative leave on Saturday following a closed session. KCCI-TV reports Roberts was arrested late last week by Immigration and Customs Enforcement, and they claim Roberts attempted to flee and was in possession of a weapon. A statement by the board indicated that there was a robust background check process that led to Roberts hire, as he has served in school administration across the United States. Several Iowa lawmakers have commented on the incident, many who are praising ICE for their arrest. STORM LAKE – Two Storm Lake residents were killed in a two-vehicle crash in Calhoun County over the weekend. The Iowa State Patrol reports 26-year-old Alondra Bravo and 34-year-old Jorge Perez Hechavarria were passengers in a collision that involved three of the other people involved sitting on patio furniture prior to the crash. The incident happened on Highway 7 near Manson. The driver of the other vehicle was injured, and six total people were hurt. KEOKUK – A group of residents in an Iowa community are suing a corn-processing plant for odors they claim have created a public nuisance. Iowa Capital Dispatch reports a group in Keokuk is joining another in a potential class-action lawsuit against Roquette America, listed as a producer of corn byproducts. Both lawsuits allege the plant has failed to maintain and operate odor mitigation. The claim revolves around a wastewater facility on-site.

DES MOINES – The leader of the Des Moines Public School district has been detained by immigration officials. KCCI-TV reports Superintendent Dr. Ian Roberts was arrested by ICE after police attempted to stop him. The Department of Homeland Security claims Roberts fled from a targeted operation Friday morning, and say he entered the United States in 1999 and received a removal order from a judge in 2024. The Des Moines School Board is holding a closed session today to discuss the arrest. WAPELLO COUNTY – A multi-state theft investigation has resulted in an arrest in Wapello County. WHO-13 reports an investigation started in March and had coordinated law enforcement efforts across Iowa, Nebraska, and Colorado. The Wapello County Sheriff’s Office identified 29-year-old Aaron Shane Keegal as the primary suspect, and he’s been in the Mahaska County Jail for unrelated charges since July. Police say all stolen property was recovered. CORALVILLE – Automated license plate readers are coming to Coralville. KCRG-TV reports the flock cameras used in several other Iowa cities alerts police to wanted vehicles and other traffic issues. The measure passed on a 3-2 vote. There were concerns from citizens over privacy.

WOODBURY COUNTY – A western Iowa county has now been sued as the federal government refuses to release immigration detainees in jail. Iowa Capital Dispatch reports the lawsuits claim that immigration officials are keeping individuals with no criminal record behind bars despite judges approving their release upon payment of bond. Woodbury County had two suits filed against it in response to the Immigration and Customs Enforcement policy drafted in July.AMES – Iowa State University has fired an financial aid professional for a social media post made following the assassination of Charlie Kirk. WHO-13 identified Caitlyn Spencer for a comment made in response to Kirk’s death, with the notice of termination coming from Iowa State University President Wendy Wintersteen. The claim is that Spencer violated ethical provisions and those as part of the Board of Regents Freedom of Expression policy. The state’s board has required its three universities suspend and investigate employees who posted remarks about Kirk’s death. DES MOINES – Governor Kim Reynolds has been making a push for Iowa to receive a first-in-the-nation block grant from the federal government for education. The Des Moines Register reports that the state’s top education officials have submitted a waiver request to the U.S. Department of Education to spend $156 million directly on students as part of the state’s unified allocation plan. The fund s would be used to recruit and develop teachers, improve literacy and math instruction, and expand postsecondary opportunities for students beyond college.

DES MOINES— Governor Kim Reynolds issued a proclamation setting Tuesday, December 9th as the date for a special election in Iowa House District 7 following the resignation of Iowa State Representative Mike Sexton. He was appointed by President Donald Trump to serve as Director for USDA Rural Development in Iowa. Sexton was first elected to the Iowa State House in 2014. He served as chair for the House Agriculture Committee since 2022. Iowa House District 7 includes Calhoun, Pocahontas, and Sac Counties and part of Webster County.ALBIA – An Albia man faces charges for a motorcycle crash that caused the death of a Des Moines teenager. KCCI-TV reports 23-year-old Kaelin Meinders of Albia has been charged with reckless driving, driving while barred, and no insurance. Meinders is accused of crashing a motorcycle into a pedestrian, identified as 15-year-old Santiago Rhone, on Saturday night. Rhone died from his injuries later at a nearby hospital. WINDSOR HEIGHTS – A Windsor Heights woman faces felony charges for allegedly taking more than $700,000 in payments from an insurance company intended to be paid to Medicaid. WHO-13 reports 48-year-old Carrie Cather is charged with ongoing criminal conduct and first degree theft following an arrest on Tuesday. Court documents indicate Cather cashed 30 checks written by Wellmark Blue Cross Blue Shield over a two-and-a-half year period. The money was supposed to go to Medicaid.

DES MOINES – Through the Safe Haven Law, a baby boy, born September 8, is now in the care and custody of the Iowa Department of Health and Human Services and will be placed with a foster family until permanent placement is determined. This brings the overall total to 78 infants since the law went into effect more than two decades ago, and the fourth infant in 2025. Iowa’s Safe Haven Act is an option for parents in crisis who determine they cannot care for an infant up to 90 days old. Designated safe havens are locations like hospitals and police and fire stations. IOWA – The Iowa Department of Education has identified 35 schools in need of comprehensive support and improvement as part of its annual assessment of school performance. The Des Moines Register reports 12 of those identified in the lowest category of achievement are in the Des Moines Independent Community School District, seven others are in Davenport, and three are in Waterloo and Cedar Rapids. The designation of comprehensive support indicates a school is among the lowest scoring of Title I Schools or for secondary programs, have a graduating rate below 66 percent.AMES – Iowa State Men’s Basketball starting point guard Tamin Lipsey suffered an MCL Sprain to his right knee in practice on Tuesday. Lipsey will be sidelined 4-6 weeks, according to the team. Lipsey was a 2024 All-American and two-time All-Big 12 selection, averaging 10.6 points per game last season. Iowa State opens the 2025-26 season in November.