DES MOINES – U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke L. Rollins announced $152 million in investments for 19 rural development projects in communities across the State of Iowa. She detailed some of the projects supported during a press conference at the Iowa State Fairgrounds. Among those is expansion and renovation to the Guthrie County Hospital and a water tower upgrade in Bondurant, according to the Des Moines Register. The money will be spread over 19 different projects impacting 20 counties. GLENWOOD – The man accused of a double homicide in Glenwood has died. The Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation reports 71-year-old Dennis Burnell was transported to the Kansas University Medical Center Burn Unit and treated for extensive burn injuries. Law enforcement was informed Burnell died on Friday. He’s accused of shooting and killing 38-year-old Brandon Oman and 35-year-old Stevie Oman following a dispute. An explosion soon followed, causing a massive structure fire, in which Burnell was injured in. IOWA – More flash flood warnings impacted the state of Iowa over the weekend. An active summer continued with storm damage west of the Des Moines metro early Sunday morning, and several communities received an additional two-to-four inches of rainfall, prompting additional warnings from the National Weather Service. Drier conditions are expected settle in by Wednesday. KNOXVILLE – Eighteen-year-old Ryan Timms led every lap of the 2025 NOS Energy Drink Knoxville Nationals A Main, becoming the second youngest driver to ever win the event. The only driver younger than Timms to win the Nationals was Kenny Weld, who was just two months younger than Ryan when he won the event in 1964. Timms also became the first Oklahoma born driver to win the event, and the first Knoxville points standings driver to win the Nationals since Doug Wolfgang in 1978.

IOWA – Unusually high precipitation totals throughout July have brought significant drought relief to Iowa. The state recorded its second-highest average statewide precipitation for the month, more than double the normal amount, according to a report by the Iowa DNR. As a result, drought and dryness improved dramatically, leading to drought-free conditions in the state through the first week in August. . The National Weather Service’s Climate Prediction Center, however, indicates an uncertain outlook for August, with no clear signal for precipitation or temperature trends.GRIMES – An investigation into an injured infant in Grimes in underway, according to KCCI-TV. Polk County Sheriff’s Deputies responded to a call of an unresponsive two-month old in Grimes. The child was transported to a nearby hospital with injuries. Police have not identified any possible suspects in the case, which remains under review. STORY CITY – A nursing home in Iowa was fined for failing to protect residents from abuse by another person residing at the facility. Iowa Capital Dispatch reports Bethany Life in Story City received a $325 penalty for the incident. On April 20th, staff found a woman lying in bed with another male resident, allegedly without his consent. Staff received reports about the woman apparently approaching several other male residents and touching them inappropriately.

GLENWOOD – Two people were killed and another was injured in an incident in Glenwood on Wednesday evening. WOWT reports the Glenwood Police Department and other agencies responded to a fire that followed an explosion, with the initial response treated as an active shooter situation. Upon arrival, law enforcement found the residence on fire and two adult victims with gunshot wounds outside. Police have arrested 71-year-old Dennis Burnell, who was critically injured at the scene. The victims have been identified as 38-year-old Brandon Oman and 35-year-old Stevie Oman. DES MOINES – A task force organized by Governor Kim Reynolds modeled after the National DOGE program is taking aim at state employee benefits as part of recommendations to curb spending. Iowa Public Radio reports the Iowa DOGE Task Force aims to recommend eventually eliminating the IPERS program for government employees, among 44 other items that are expected to be formalized at a future meeting of the group. The group also recommends teachers have annual raises tied to performance, allow cities of over 50,000 become independent from their counties, and to incentive sharing services between municipalities. LINEVILLE – An unexpected line of strong thunderstorms dropped heavy rain and caused damage throughout central Iowa on Thursday morning. KCCI-TV reports showed significant structure and tree damage in the town of Lineville in Wayne County. A flash flood warning was issued near that area as well, as some communities received 3-4″ of rainfall overnight. A heat advisory is in place throughout much of the state today, with more chances for storms expected through Monday.

IOWA – Governor Kim Reynolds announced the Iowa National Guard will be deployed to assist Immigration and Customs Enforcement in the state. KCRG-TV reports Reynolds told reporters they will help with clerical work. Her office claims the effort comes after the U.S. Department of Defense authorized use of the National Guard to assist in enforcing immigration laws. ALGONA – The Iowa Court of Appeals ruled against an Iowa man convicted of killing an Algona police officer. KCCI-TV reports Kyle Ricke was charged and found guilty in killing Officer Kevin Cram in 2023. In an appeal, lawyers for the man claim the act wasn’t premeditated and the sentence was too steep. Ricke shot and killed Officer Cram during an attempted arrest via warrant. The Iowa Court of Appeals affirmed the conviction. DES MOINES – The Iowa State Fair Parade held on Wednesday was the official kick-off to the 2025 event. The parade traveled from the Capitol down Grand Avenue and march west to 15th Street and included more than 130 entries. The Iowa State Fair parade celebrated a special anniversary in 2025: 100 years of the Fiddlers’ Contest. Today marks the first day of the fair, which runs through August 17th. The all-time attendance record was set last year.

MADISON COUNTY – The Madison County Board of Supervisors voted to hire outside legal counsel at their meeting this week. Tensions in the county have continued for months, according to KCCI-TV, over a vacancy in the county auditor’s office. Madison County Attorney Stephen Swanson and Board Chair Heather Stancil argued during the session about how the county handled the fallout of former Auditor Teri Kaczinski’s resignation. The board chair is suing county employees, including the attorney over the dispute. Madison County will pay a Des Moines law firm $300 per hour for services related to an upcoming special election for auditor. DES MOINES – The Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship and the Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) announced today that nine Iowa Soil and Water Conservation District partners will receive $451,176 in water quality cost-share funding from the Publicly Owned Lakes program to help protect and enhance eight public lakes in Iowa. Jointly administered by IDALS and the DNR, the Publicly Owned Lakes program provides cost-share funding to landowners for conservation practices on private land within watersheds above public lakes and reservoirs. The funding will support the implementation of targeted conservation and water quality practices, including cover crops, water and sediment control basins, grassed waterways, terraces, grade stabilization structures, and other proven practices. DES MOINES – Tickets go on sale Friday for a returning actor and comedian in Des Moines. The Iowa Events Center announced that Adam Sandler is performing at the Casey’s Center on Saturday, october 4th. The Saturday Night Live alum is coming off of the debut of Happy Gilmore 2.