Author: Iowa Radio News

ANKENY – A total of 15 children were injured when a vehicle left the pickup line and struck them at St. Luke’s Catholic School in Ankeny on Tuesday. WHO-13 reports nine of those were transported by ambulance and six others were taken by their families to Des Moines-area hospitals. Seven remained hospitalized as of late Wednesday night. Ankeny police say a vehicle jumped the curb outside of the school and struck a group of students ages seven to 11. An investigation is ongoing.

CEDAR RAPIDS – A Chicago felon was convicted of several theft crimes in relation to a scheme involving the use of fake U.S. Treasury checks at eastern Iowa financial institutions. KCRG-TV reports 34-year-old Tryone Harris was convicted on five counts of theft of government property, and additional identity theft and money laundering charges. In 2023, Harris is accused of trafficking five stolen U.S. Treasury checks valued at more than $300,000.

DES MOINES – The Animal Rescue League of Iowa is urging lawmakers to advance a bill that would make animal torture a felony on the first offense. KCCI-TV reports the Iowa House passed a measure unanimously, but it is now listed under unfinished business at the Iowa State House. The Iowa Senate would need to schedule the measure for discussion or debate. The state ranks 45th out of 50th for animal protection laws, according to the Animal Legal Defense Fund.

ANKENY – Nine children were injured after being struck by a vehicle at a private school in Ankeny on Tuesday. WHO-13 reports that a vehicle jumped the curb and hit multiple students in a pickup line after school. Several nearby agencies responded and that the driver is cooperating with police. The Ankeny Police Department said it initially did not appear to be an intentional act.

DES MOINES – A bill aiming to address the state’s Medicaid shortfall passed through to the governor’s desk on Tuesday. Iowa Capital Dispatch reports House File 2739 passed 26-19 in the Iowa Senate, which would retroactively increase taxes on health maintenance organizations for a nine month period this year and moves approximately $350 million from the state’s taxpayer relief fund to make up for revenue loss. Iowa’s Medicaid program is expected to face a $90.6 million deficit. Opponents have argued the bill would increase health care premiums.

WEST DES MOINES – A former West Des Moines teacher was sentenced to 25 years in prison for pleading guilty to assaulting a teenage girl. KCCI-TV reports Danny Hoyt picked up a 13-year-old from Knoxville, forced her to wear a blindfold before driving her to a rural Warren County home and sexually assaulting her. He was placed on administrative leave following the arrest last spring.

DES MOINES – Funerals were held on Saturday for two Iowa soldiers killed in the conflict with Iran. WHO-13 reports Sgt. Declan Coady and Maj. Jeffrey O’Brien were laid to rest this weekend after arriving in Des Moines to a procession on Thursday. Both were killed on March 1st in a drone attack while serving in Kuwait.

DES MOINES – Friday served as another legislative funnel for lawmakers as they hit the home stretch of the 2026 Iowa Legislative Session. The Des Moines Register reports that two key priorities remain without a resolution as it relates to property tax relief and eminent domain restrictions. Both remain alive, as do any budgetary issues. Several measures won’t be revisited this session due to the self-imposed deadline. Lawmakers are attempting to wrap up business by April 21st, the last day for per diem expenses.

IOWA – Record high temperatures were shattered across the state on Saturday, as summer-like heat settled in for most Iowans. According to the National Weather Service, the afternoon highs in the upper 80s and lower 90s broke both the previous daily high record for March 21st, set in Des Moines, Waterloo, Ottumwa, and Mason City in 1938, and the warmest day in March on record, previously set in 1986. This was also the earlier 90-degree day in the state’s capital by seven days, which was 3/29/1986. More seasonable conditions return this week.

DES MOINES— Governor Kim Reynolds has ordered flags to remain at half-staff in honor of Maj. Jeffrey O’Brien and Sgt. Declan Coady until sunset today. Their funerals and interment will be held earlier in the day. The two Iowa soldiers with the U.S. Army Reserve 103rd Sustainment Command were killed in action in Kuwait on March 1st.

IOWA – A large portion of the state is under a Red Flag Warning for burns today as temperatures climb into the up 80s. According to the National Weather Service, record highs are possible across the state as an unusually warm air mass moves through. The previous record in Des Moines is 86 degrees, set in 1938.

IOWA – Two of the three Division I men’s basketball teams competing in March Madness advanced to the round of 32 on Friday. Iowa held off Clemson 67-61 while the Iowa State Cyclones trounced Tennessee State 108-74, and UNI fell 79-53. The Hawkeyes now take on 1-seed Florida on Sunday at 6:10 p.m. and ISU will take on Kentucky at 1:45 Sunday afternoon.

DES MOINES – Two Iowa soldiers killed in a drone attack overseas were welcomed home on Thursday. WHO-13 reports the remains of 45-year-old Maj. Jeffrey O’Brien and 20 year-old Sgt. Declan Coady were brought back to central Iowa after a dignified transfer at Dover Air Force Base this past weekend. A procession left from the Des Moines Airport on Thursday afternoon, with community members lining the streets.

DES MOINES – The Iowa House of Representatives passed a measure that increases the premium tax rate for health insurance organizations this week. Iowa Capital Dispatch reports that House File 2739 is an attempt to make up for a Medicaid budget shortfall, while opponents argued it would raise health care costs for all Iowans. The move would aim to close a projected $90 million gap in the current fiscal year.

DES MOINES – Des Moines Police have charged an 18-year-old with first degree murder in relation to a drug-related dispute. The Des Moines Register reports that Juan Carlos Hernandez-Sarceno faces criminal charges after a 42-year-old man was found dead with an apparent gunshot wound. Police claim the interaction happened during a possible drug transaction. Additional charges are pending, and may include additional suspects.

MITCHELLVILLE – Tensions continue in an Iowa community after several leadership changes in city departments. KCCI-TV reports nearly 80 residents attended the most recent Mitchellville City Council meeting held Thursday after the fire chief in the community was let go. Mayor Tony Jensen announced Mike Twohey earlier this month after nearly three decades of service. A council member refused to vote for a possible replacement appointed by the mayor.