Articles by Iowa Radio News

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Saturday, July 30, 2022

CALLENDER, IA (IRN) – A Callender man already facing sex abuse allegations is now accused of hurting a child. Police in Webster County say they found two videos on Joseph Hill’s phone showing him punching a toddler in the stomach. In one of the videos, Hill is seen striking the toddler eight times. He hits the same child 17 times in the next video. The victim was not even 2 years old at the time of the alleged incident. CEDAR RAPIDS, IA (IRN)- A jury trial has been set for Dec. 5 for Jeremy Goodale, one of the teens accused of killing a Fairfield teacher last year. Goodale is charged with first-degree murder in the death of Nohema Graber. Earlier this month, a judge moved the trial from Jefferson County to Scott County. The other teen charged in the killing, Willard Miller, was also granted a change of venue for his trial, which will now be held in Council Bluffs. HENRY COUNTY, IA (IRN) – Sheriff’s deputies in Henry County are on the lookout for a man who they say took thousands of dollars as part of stolen valor scheme. Authorities said Christopher Williams posed as a military veteran in 2020 when neighbors in Mount Pleasant held a benefit ride for him. Williams got more than $4,500 worth of donations. Officials later determined Williams is not a veteran. He’s now wanted on fraud charges. DES MOINES, IA (IRN) – The state of Iowa has an opportunity to repair transportation infrastructure after a new federal program was announced on Friday. President Biden’s new program allocates $7.3 billion in federal funds to all 50 states over five years. Iowa has $93 million available over the next several fiscal years. All Republicans voted against it.


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Friday, July 29, 2022

CEDAR RAPIDS, IA (IRN) – More than three months after the largest mass shooting in Cedar Rapids’ history, a third person has died from injuries sustained during the Taboo Nightclub shooting. Marvin Cox died last week. Online court documents say Cox was shot in that head that night by Timothy Rush, one of two men charged with murder in the killings. DES MOINES, IA (IRN) – A West Des Moines man is facing charges of attempted murder in two separate cases — a shooting in Des Moines’ Court Avenue district and a shooting at a convenience store. Jordan Thomas, 28, was booked into the Polk County Jail Wednesday after being arrested while meeting with his probation officer. PACKARD, IA (IRN) – Two people died when their van crashed into a train in northeast Iowa. The crash happened around 9:30 p.m. Wednesday in Packard. The van was headed southbound when it crashed into the train. IOWA (IRN) – It has been weeks since many parts of the state have seen any measurable rainfall. More than half of the state – 56% – is experiencing drought conditions. The worst of the drought remains in northwest Iowa. DES MOINES, IA (IRN) – At over $1 billion, the Mega Millions jackpot is among the largest lottery prizes ever up for grabs. Only two prizes have grown larger than the $1.1 billion Mega Millions jackpot that could be won tonight.


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Thursday, July 28, 2022

HUMESTON, IA (IRN) – Thousands of fish are dead at the Humeston Reservoir. The DNR says an algae bloom is dying off, which is taking oxygen out of the water. It’s one of more than two dozen kill sites reported nearby. LORIMOR, IA (IRN) – A Union County couple are accused of sexually abusing two children. Dalton Barber and Roni Steil are facing multiple counts of sexual abuse and child endangerment. The criminal complaint says the two participated in a sex act with two children under the age of 14 at their home in Lorimor in 2020. TAYLOR COUNTY, IA (IRN) – The Iowa Department of Health and Human Services and the Department of Natural Resources have confirmed the presence of a brain-eating amoeba in the Lake of Three Fires in Taylor County. The amoeba was suspected to be in the water after a Missouri resident got sick and later died from the infection after swimming in the lake earlier this month. DES MOINES, IA (IRN) – Governor Kim Reynolds announced her latest selection for the Iowa Supreme Court on Wednesday. Judge David May from the Iowa Court of Appeals will replace Brent Appel, who is retiring after more than 15 years on the state’s highest court. Reynolds has now appointed five of the seven members who sit on the court. WEST DES MOINES, IA (IRN) – Hy-Vee, the state’s largest employer, announces CEO Randy Edeker will step down from his current position starting Oct. 1. The company’s current vice chairman, Aaron Wiese, will step into the CEO role. Edeker will still lead the West Des Moines-based grocery chain as the chairman of the board.


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Wednesday, July 27, 2022

CERRO GORDO COUNTY, IA (IRN) – A Mason City man is dead following a head-on crash in Cerro Gordo County late Monday night. A Nissan Altima driven by 58-year-old Timothy Hoy of Charles City was traveling eastbound when it crossed the center line and hit a Pontiac G5 head-on. The Pontiac’s driver, 41-year-old Stephen Miles, was pronounced dead at the scene. DES MOINES, IA (IRN) – A woman was seriously injured Tuesday morning in a stabbing at a Quick Trip on the southeast side of Des Moines. The victim and the suspect knew each other and met at the store. An argument broke out and the man allegedly stabbed the woman in the abdomen. KEYSTONE, IA (IRN) – Ten families in Keystone must get rid of their family dogs after being told to do so by the Benton County Sheriff’s Office. The dogs are pit bulls or look like pit bulls. The dog owners were told they have 10 days to find new homes for their pets. Benton County has an ordinance prohibiting dangerous animals. IOWA CITY, IA (IRN) – Iowa senior linebacker Jack Campbell has been named the preseason Big Ten defensive player of the year. Campbell (6-5, 246 pounds) was a second-team All-American in 2021.


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Tuesday, July 26, 2022

CEDAR RAPIDS, IA (IRN) – The Linn County Sheriff’s office said a juvenile driver faces charges in juvenile court after a six-minute, high speed car chase on Monday night. A deputy tried to a stop the car for speeding just before 11 p.m. The sheriff’s office said the car drove off, and reached speeds of more than 100 mph before it eventually stopped. A boy was driving, and a girl was a passenger. Deputies detained both of them before releasing them to their parents. DES MOINES, IA (IRN) – The Des Moines man seen at the front of the pack during the insurrection at the United States Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021, wants his September trial moved back. A motion filed Monday by his attorney wants the September 19 trial moved back to 2023. His attorney says Jensen is prepared to waive his time under the Speedy Trial Act until then to “obtain a less politically charged jury pool.” DES MOINES, IA (IRN) – An eight-year-old child suffered serious facial injuries after falling to the ground from a third-floor apartment in Des Moines on Monday. Police say it appears the fall was an accident. CEDAR COUNTY, IA (IRN) – A judge declared a mistrial in the federal case of a former state trooper charged with using unreasonable force during a traffic stop. Prosecutors charged Robert James Smith after a video showed him hitting and tackling a motorcyclist during a traffic stop in Cedar County in 2017. Smith later resigned. The state of Iowa paid $225,000 to settle a lawsuit filed by the motorcyclist. There’s no word from prosecutors if they plan to retry Smith. IOWA CITY, IA (IRN) – People in Iowa City are worried about how many deer are in town. The city is doing something about that rising population, but not everyone can agree on that solution. A study in 2018 showed the deer population in Iowa City had tripled eight years after ending the deer management program in 2010. An urban hunting program is in place, set to run through 2024. City leaders say there needs to be more interest from private property owners and hunters.