DES MOINES, IA (IRN) – New data shows Iowa continues to lead the nation in puppy mills sanctioned by the federal government. Officials cited 23 puppy mills in the state from April 1 to June 30 this year. CASS COUNTY, IA (IRN) – The Cass County Sheriff’s Office is investigating a case involving two dogs that were found dead in rural Cumberland on Tuesday. Bella, a not even 2-year-old Pitbull, and Pepper, a 3-year-old black lab, have been missing since July 27. They were found with their legs tied up, shot in the back of the head, and thrown over a bridge. DES MOINES, IA (IRN) – A shooting on Des Moines’ east side resulted in one person being injured Wednesday night. Medics transported a man to the hospital for treatment of a gunshot wound to the stomach. DES MOINES, IA (IRN) – The book “Gender Queer” was challenged at Southwoods Freshman High School in West Des Moines. One parent deems the book inappropriate for school and wants it pulled from the shelves. After the West Des Moines School District denied the challenge, the appeal was brought before the Iowa State Board of Education where they chose to reject it as well. IOWA CITY, IA (IRN) – An Iowa City firefighter is suing the City for gender and sexual orientation discrimination, harassment, and retaliation. Sadie McDowell, who has been on unpaid leave since 2021, listed a multitude of allegations regarding sexist, sexual, and racist comments and actions from members of the Fire Department. She says her complaints about these incidents resulted in no change from the department leaders and led to her being passed over for promotion.

CEDAR FALLS, IA (IRN) -The causes of death for three members of a Cedar Falls family who were murdered at the Maquoketa Caves State Park campground in July have been released, along with the cause of death for the man believed to have killed them. The parents and their daughter were killed while camping on July 22. The DCI said Tyler, age 42 died from a gunshot wound and multiple sharp force injuries. Sarah, age 42, died from multiple sharp force injuries. Lula, age 6, died from a gunshot wound and strangulation. The cause of death for Anthony Sherwin, age 23, was a self-inflicted gunshot wound. DES MOINES, IA (IRN) – A 49-year-old woman died after a multi-vehicle crash on Hubbell Avenue on the east side of Des Moines Wednesday. A total of five people were transported to local hospitals. IOWA CITY, IA (IRN) – The newly elected chair of Iowa City’s Truth and Reconciliation Commission is facing calls for removal after the leak of a podcast where she disparaged other Black leaders in Iowa City, referring to some with racial slurs.. MARION, IA (IRN) – Leaked screenshots show the Linn-Mar School District is dealing with a ransomware attack much more severe than the “technical difficulties” the district has described to staff and parents. Screenshots from district computers show a warning message stating “all your files have been encrypted by Vice Society.” The warning goes on to threaten to upload those files to the dark web unless the user contacts them to purchase a key within 7 days. The notice does not give the cost of that key. IOWA (IRN) – A cold and wet spring to a hot and dry late summer season is making farmers across the state worried. According to the National Integrated Drought Information System 56% of Iowa is categorized as abnormally dry, resulting in stress shown on crops.

DES MOINES, IA (IRN) – In the midst of slowing growth, Casey’s General Stores CEO Darren Rebelez signed a new contract with the company that includes a $200,000 raise and the possibility of additional annual bonuses, stock options and equity. Rebelez is also eligible for more pay in the form of stock options or other forms of company equity. He can now receive $6.1 million, up from $2.6 million under his previous contract. DUBUQUE, IA (IRN) – Two people are dead after a crash in Dubuque County on Highway 20. One car was traveling eastbound, another was waiting to turn northbound. The first car tried to pass cars in the turning lane and rear-ended the second car. CEDAR RAPIDS, IA (IRN) – Cedar Rapids Police say two people were arrested after a road rage incident on Interstate I-380 Tuesday. The investigation determined the passenger in the suspect vehicle pointed the gun at the other vehicle with two adults and two juveniles inside and fired two rounds at the vehicle. The victim’s vehicle was hit in the front end. No injuries were reported. IOWA CITY, IA (IRN) – A University of Iowa professor is preparing to testify in front of the Senate today about changes lawmakers are hoping to make to smooth the transition of power between presidents, to hopefully prevent another January 6th Capitol riot. After agreeing on how they’d like to modify the century-old Electoral Count Act, the senate rules committee is holding a hearing to hear from experts. Muller is one of five chosen to testify before the committee. DES MOINES, IA (IRN) – The Iowa Conference United Methodist Church is preparing a team of volunteers to aid in relief efforts after the deadly flooding in Kentucky. Most recent reports say 37 lives were claimed by the floods, dozens are missing and hundreds are currently displaced. Pastor Catie Newman says “We are compelled to help one another.”

DES MOINES, IA (IRN) – Des Moines police say 22-year-old Charles Lovelady of Des Moines is the victim of the city’s 11th homicide this year. Detectives have arrested 21-year-old Darion Hermes of Des Moines. He is charged with first-degree murder, first-degree robbery and felony possession of a firearm. Police say it was a planned drug related robbery. CEDAR RAPIDS, IA (IRN) – The Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation has identified the driver who shot at police officers in Cedar Rapids early Saturday morning. 23-year old Brandon Nelson of Cedar Rapids was pulled over shortly before 4 am. Officials say Nelson pulled out a gun and started shooting at officers. Officers fired back and Nelson was injured. He’s in the hospital. DES MOINES, Ia (IRN) – A bar south of downtown Des Moines is now closed after a shots fired call late Saturday night and dozens of others in the last six months. The building owner that houses Extra Innings says the bar’s lease was set to expire in August, but the recent shots fired call over the weekend forced the business to close for good. Police have been called to the bar 57 times in the past six months. CEDAR RAPIDS, IA (IRN) – Less than a year after heading to Kentucky to help feed tornado survivors, the owner of Willie Ray’s Q Shack in Cedar Rapids is planning another trip to the bluegrass state. Willie Ray made a name for himself as a local hero, after serving thousands of free meals after the derecho, as well as traveling to Texas and Louisiana after disasters there.

IOWA CITY, IA (IRN) – An Iowa City man faces several charges after police say he threatened bar staff with a gun. Iowa City Police responded shortly after midnight Sunday to El Ray’s Live and Dive. Police say Alex Bwayonga, 18, pulled the gun after being kicked out of the bar. Police say Bwayonga had a stolen gun on him when he was arrested. During his arrest, police say Bwayonga appeared to have a medical emergency; he was given care at the scene and evaluated at an area hospital before being booked into jail. DES MOINES, IA (IRN) – Police are investigating the 11th homicide of the year in Des Moines. Police say the victim was an adult male. He went to a local hospital yesterday afternoon with a gunshot wound and died. MONONA COUNTY, IA (IRN) – A pilot has died following a crash over the weekend in Monona County in western Iowa. A commercial spray plane hit a powerline before crashing into the roadway on Saturday. Responding agencies found the plane in the roadway on fire. WASHINGTON, D.C. (IRN) – The Democratic National Committee will delay its plans to restructure the presidential nominating calendar until after the November midterms, prolonging Iowa’s fight to maintain its traditional first-in-the-nation caucuses. The committee had been slated to make a decision this week at meetings in Washington, D.C. WINTERSET, IA (IRN) – A swimmer nearly drowned while having a seizure at the Winterset Aquatic Center Saturday, but the quick thinking of one 13-year-old saved their life. Soon-to-be 8th grader Chantz Haisman says he’s at the pool almost every day in the summer. He and his friends like to jump off the diving board. But as he was waiting in line on Saturday, the swimmer in front of him never resurfaced after jumping in. That’s when Chantz dove in, swam to the bottom of the pool and grabbed the drowning swimmer.