DES MOINES – Near-record levels of pollutants in drinking water may make it dangerous if demand does not drop. AP News reports Central Iowa Water Works issued its first-ever ban on lawn watering in the region shows nitrates are up to 9 milligrams per liter now — just under federal regulations. The watering ban went into effect for Des Moines and several surrounding communities. DES MOINES – Multiple Republican house members in Iowa have called out a veto by Governor Kim Reynolds related to a bill aiming to curb the use of eminent domain for private pipeline projects. Iowa Capitol Dispatch reports Representatives Steven Holt and Bobby Kaufmann both promised to block legislation proposed by Reynolds in the upcoming session in reaction to the move they claim was done for business purposes. Reynolds cited issues over vague legal standards and potential harm for other development projects as to why she vetoed HF639, which passed with a unique split of Republicans and Democrats just before the end of the session. IOWA – The Governor’s Traffic Safety Bureau (GTSB) is partnering with the Central Iowa Traffic Safety Task Force and law enforcement across Iowa June 17-19 to educate drivers about the importance of yielding to vehicles on the shoulder displaying flashing lights. Expect to see extra law enforcement on the road looking for those in violation of Iowa’s Move Over Law. The Move-Over Law has been in effect since 2002 in Iowa. It requires motorists to change lanes or slow down if changing lanes is not possible when approaching a vehicle on the shoulder displaying flashing lights. This includes emergency vehicles, tow trucks, commercial trucks, and passenger vehicles with flashing lights or hazard lights illuminated.

DES MOINES – Governor Kim Reynolds vetoed a bill that aimed to reduce the use of eminent domain for carbon capture pipelines on Wednesday. The Des Moines Register reports Reynolds believes the bill as written would have caused economic development damage and other issues for future pipeline projects that don’t use the government’s ability to acquire land. House Speaker Pat Grassley called for a special session to override the Governor’s veto; Senate Majority Jack Whitver supported the Governor’s move. IOWA CITY – The Iowa Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) is reporting the state’s third measles case of 2025 and is notifying the public due to potential exposure in public areas. The investigation has determined this measles case is not related to the first two cases in Iowa. The third case is in an unvaccinated child from the Eastern region of the state who was exposed during international travel. Iowa HHS and local health officials have identified locations visited by the individual while contagious, where the public might have been exposed to measles. This includes Costco and Marshall’s in Coralville and an Iowa City Walmart on June 4th and 5th. CEDAR RAPIDS – Another challenger has entered the Democratic primary for U.S. Senate. WHO-13 reports State Senator Zach Wahls has officially announced his intent to run in the June election ahead of a potential challenge with incumbent Republican Joni Ernst. Wahls joins State Representative J.D. Scholten and outgoing Knoxville Chamber of Commerce Director Nathan Sage as those officially declaring their candidacy.

DES MOINES – A second person in Iowa has tested positive for measles. KCCI-TV reports the Iowa Department of Health and Human Services confirmed the case this week in a vaccinated man. The first instance in Iowa was reported in May for an unvaccinated woman who had been traveling. These are the first two Measles cases in Iowa since 2019. IOWA – A lawsuit involving Casey’s General Stores and a member of the Iowa Board of Regents was settled out of court, as it related to accusations for collusion. Iowa Capital Dispatch reports the suit was filed in late March by JF Acquisitions of North Carolina. The group accused JC Risewick and Caseys of being involved in a conspiracy to limit competition in the construction of convenience store pumps. Neither were named defendants in the case. DES MOINES – The Iowa DNR is investigating a Des Moines lake for a fish kill. On Tuesday, the Iowa Department of Natural Resources received reports of dead fish in Dean Lake, and that the water was dark colored and smelled of possible septic waste. Dean Lake drains into multiple basins leading into the Des Moines River.

IOWA – Iowa farmers had 4.7 days suitable for fieldwork during the week ending June 8th, according to the USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service. Field activities included cutting hay and spraying crops. Topsoil moisture condition rated 4 percent very short, 21 percent short, 71 percent adequate and 4 percent surplus. Corn emerged reached 92 percent, four days ahead of last year’s pace, but two days behind normal. Corn condition rated 85 percent good to excellent, up one percentage point from last week. Ninety-seven percent of the expected soybean crop has been planted, with 88 percent emerging.IOWA – Strong to severe thunderstorms are expected Wednesday afternoon into Wednesday night, mainly across the northern half of Iowa. According to the National Weather Service, this will come as many communities have temperatures reach 90 degrees for the first time this season as well. Large hail and strong winds will be the primary severe weather threats, with heavy rainfall also possible. Additional thunderstorms are forecast from Thursday into the weekend, and severe weather and heavy rain may continue to be possible at times.PALO ALTO COUNTY – A week long fire in northwest Iowa is being investigated as an arson. WHO-13 reports a blaze at the POET Bioprocessing Plant in Emmetsburg burned for seven days. The facility is an ethanol plant, with an estimated $5 million in losses reported. The Palo Alto County Sheriff’s Office is offering a $10,000 reward for information that leads to an arrest.

DES MOINES – Governor Kim Reynolds announced she is close to making a decision of whether or not to sign a bill that reduces the use of eminent domain for carbon capture pipelines. The Des Moines Register reports the Governor has until Saturday to decide whether House File 639 should become law. The bill split the Republican party in the vote margins, and would prohibit hazardous liquid pipelines from using eminent domain unless sell the commodity to an unaffiliated buyer. The bill was passed in response to Summit Carbon Solutions $9 billion, multi-state proposal to connect 57 ethanol plants to underground storage for carbon dioxide. DES MOINES – Drought conditions expanded across the state due to below-normal precipitation in May, according to the latest Water Summary Update. After a drier-than-normal April, May saw decreased rainfall across all regions of the state, resulting in an increase in drought and abnormally dry conditions. While early rain events initially helped maintain stable dry conditions, lower rainfall amounts later in the month resulted in deteriorating conditions across Iowa. May’s average statewide precipitation was 2.80 inches, or 2.04 inches below normal. Iowa’s Drought Plan showed degrading conditions across the state except in the central drought region. However, western Iowa now carries a drought watch designation, with the remaining drought regions remaining under a normal drought designation.DES MOINES – Fireworks vendors in Iowa say a new law passed in the 2025 session has bolstered sales in the state. WHO-13 reports Senate File 303 allowed for widespread use of fireworks on July 3rd and 4th, as well as January 1st, prohibiting cities and counties from banning their use on those days. Several Des Moines metro sales vendors have reported an uptick in interest following the law passing.