Author: Iowa Radio News

IOWA – U.S. Representative Ashley Hinson and Iowa Representative Josh Turek held a televised debate for the open U.S. Senate Seat on Wednesday evening. The two were featured on Iowa PBS and Iowa Press, with both discussing criticisms made by the other campaign and discussing their legislative backgrounds. Hinson and Turek are the major party candidates to replace retiring Senator Joni Ernst.

DES MOINES – A lottery ticket purchased in central Iowa is worth $6 million. KCCI-TV reports the winning ticket in the October 3rd Lotto America game was purchased at a QuikTrip store in Des Moines, and matched all six numbers. The prize worth up to $6.14 million had not been claimed as of Wednesday.

AMES – The Indiana Pacers defeated the Minnesota Timberwolves at Hilton Coliseum in a preseason matchup that featured a special homecoming. WHO-13 reports All-Star Tyrese Haliburton made his return to Ames. The former Cyclone played for two seasons at Iowa State before he was picked No. 12 in the 2020 NBA Draft.

DUBUQUE, Iowa — Two northeast Iowa men who drowned as a result of a boating collision with a submerged object on Molo Slough in Pool 12 of the Mississippi River have been identified as Wayne Ameskamp of Dyersville, and Michael Donahue of Bellevue. A third passenger in the boat was also ejected when their 16-foot fishing boat struck the object. She was able to swim to the east shore of the slough, where she was rescued by passing boaters. The incident occurred around 3 p.m. on Oct. 3.

GREENE COUNTY – A juvenile was shot during a hunting accident over the weekend in Greene County. WHO-13 reports several agencies responded to the incident, in which the minor appeared to suffer a gunshot wound. The individual was transported via air ambulance and the Iowa DNR is investigating.

DAVENPORT – Candidates for Iowa Governor Rob Sand and Zach Lahn held their first televised debate on Tuesday evening. KCCI-TV reports that Lahn focused on Sand’s performance as state auditor and that Sand challenged Lahn over his ties to Kansas. Three additional debates are scheduled between now and the November 3rd election.

IOWA – There was just over one day suitable for fieldwork during the week ending Oct. 4 in the weekly update provided by the Iowa Department of Agriculture. Topsoil moisture condition rated 1 percent short, 54 percent adequate, and 45 percent surplus. Eighty-five percent of corn has reached maturity, which is 3 percentage points behind the five-year average. Seven percent of corn has been harvested, which is 13 percentage points behind the five-year average. Corn condition rated 72 percent good to excellent.

BEVINGTON – One person was injured in a shooting on Monday on Interstate 35. KCCI-TV reports the Iowa State Patrol responded to the incident near the Bevington exit. One person was arrested and is being held at the Warren County Sheriff’s Office. The incident shut down the interstate for a 16-mile stretch.

AMES – An Ames man has been identified as the person found submerged in a vehicle in an Ames pond over the weekend. WHO-13 reports 77-year-old Zondai Muyengwa was found in a truck submerged underwater on Sunday afternoon. An investigation into the incident is ongoing.

NEWTON – Governor Kim Reynolds announced on Monday she was appointing former Representative Jon Dunwell to serve on the Iowa Utilities Commission. Iowa Capital Dispatch reports he fills a September 5th resignation. The Iowa Utilities Commission is responsible for approving utility rates in the state and permitting infrastructure projects.

BLACK HAWK COUNTY – A man faces a first degree murder charge for allegedly killing his grandfather on Saturday. KCRG-TV reports 21-year-old Eric Paul O’Connell was arrested after he was found hiding in a rural Black Hawk County home, with his 75-year-old grandfather dead in the residence. The Black Hawk County Sheriff’s Office claims O’Connell admitted to the crime during a medical examination.

CARLISLE – An Iowa community has been without usable water for several days following a water main break. KCCI-TV reports Carlisle has been under the order since last Wednesday, with Governor Kim Reynolds making a statement on Sunday afternoon that the Iowa Department of Homeland Security and Emergency Management is sending resources to the community. Carlisle’s schools have been closed for several days and will be again today.

CLAYTON COUNTY – A 75-year-old pilot was injured in an ultralight aircraft crash in Monticello on Saturday. WHO-13 reports multiple 911 calls indicated a multi-colored aircraft was on the roof of a home on Abel Island. Police say the aircraft was attempting to take off from the nearby airport before it lost control and struck power lines.

DES MOINES – Governor Kim Reynolds signed a measure changing the state’s economic development program to provide up to $1.4 billion in tax incentives for a $15 billion steel mill first announced in Washington D.C. at a news conference. Iowa Capital Dispatch reports House File 2801 was approved by a 75-17 vote in the Iowa House and 28-19 in the Senate, and modifies the state’s Major Economic Growth Attraction (MEGA) program to further incentivize the development project planned in Lee County. The steel mill could create 1,750 permanent jobs by 2030.

PEOSTA – The Iowa Department of Natural Resources is investigating a fish kill at the Little Maquoketa River near the City of Peosta in Dubuque County. On October 1, the DNR Field Office in Manchester was notified of a possible manure release and fish kill in an unnamed tributary of the Little Maquoketa River, north of Peosta. Upon arrival, staff observed dead fish and murky conditions in the tributary. Officials identified manure runoff from an animal feeding operation as the source.