FORT DODGE, IA (IRN) – A central Iowa nursing home has landed on a list of the nation’s worst care facilities. QHC Fort Dodge Villa was cited in October for a number of federal and state violations. The care center has been fined more than $685,000, but it could be increased if the facility fails to comply with federal regulations. IOWA (IRN) – The Iowa Department of Public Health is reporting a dramatic jump in the number of positive COVID-19 tests reported in the state over the last seven days. There have been 12,254 positive tests over the last week. That’s up by 2,548 from the numbers reported on Friday. IOWA (IRN) – Masks will continue to be required in Iowa courtrooms and some proceedings may continue to be held via teleconference under orders issued by the Iowa Supreme Court chief justice. The requirement ordered by Chief Justice Susan Christensen on Monday includes all counties and everyone regardless of vaccination status. DES MOINES, IA (IRN) – A Des Moines police officer and a suspect were hit by a car during a foot chase Monday night. Both were hospitalized last night in serious condition. The suspect died this morning. DES MOINES, IA (IRN) – Governor Kim Reynolds on Monday ordered all flags in Iowa to be flown at half-staff in honor of Senator Bob Dole, who died on Sunday at 98. Reynolds’ order is in conjunction with President Joe Biden’s and will be in effect through sunset on Thursday. Dole was a Republican Senator representing Kansas in Congress for 35 years. He was a World War II veteran, where he suffered and overcame serious injuries and was also a three-time presidential candidate.

DES MOINES, IA (IRN) – Des Moines police say a man is in custody after a string of overnight arson fires. At least seven fire incidents are under investigation. Police said 32-year-old Andrew Anthony, of Des Moines, is charged with one count of second-degree arson and one count of possession of methamphetamine. Additional charges are expected. DES MOINES, IA (IRN) – The Des Moines Police Department arrested a 17-year-old for attempted murder in a shooting that injured a man at a bar Thursday night. A 46-year-old Des Moines man was shot outside the Maingate Bar and Grill near the Iowa State Fairgrounds. The 17-year-old Des Moines male was involved in an argument with a female in the parking lot of the bar. The 46-year-old man intervened and attempted to defuse the dispute. The 17-year-old shot him. ONAWA, IA (IRN) – A Sioux City man has been sentenced to 54 years in prison for running over his friend and firing shots at the victim’s girlfriend on an Iowa interstate last December. Jayme Powell, 40, ran over Richard Polak, of Omaha, while he rode his motorcycle on Interstate 29 after the two had a fight earlier that night. Prior to hitting Polak, Powell shot at Polak’s girlfriend who was driving with a baby in her vehicle. CEDAR FALLS, IA (IRN) – A former Waterloo man was sentenced to 40 years in federal prison after a woman he sold heroin to died of an overdose. Forty-year-old Eric DeAngelo Griggs sold heroin to a Cedar Falls woman in 2018. She was found dead the following morning. An autopsy determined she died of heroin intoxication. ORLANDO, FL (IRN) – Orlando, Florida is about to get a wave of Iowans flooding in for two bowl games. No. 15 Iowa will face No. 22 Kentucky in the Citrus Bowl in Orlando on Saturday, Jan. 1. Iowa State University will also be in Orlando earlier in the week. Iowa State will face No. 19 Clemson on Wednesday, Dec. 29 at Camping World Stadium.

ONAWA, IA (IRN) – A Sioux City man has been sentenced to 54 years in prison for running over his friend and firing shots at the victim’s girlfriend on an Iowa interstate last December. Jayme Powell, 40, ran over Richard Polak, of Omaha, while he rode his motorcycle on Interstate 29 after the two had a fight earlier that night in Sioux City. Prior to hitting Polak, Powell shot at Polak’s girlfriend who was driving with a baby in her vehicle. MARION COUNTY, IA (IRN) – Iowa DNR conservation officers responded to a fatal hunting incident on Saturday near Lake Red Rock in Marion County. The incident happened at the Red Rock Wildlife Management Area on the south of Lake Red Rock, north of Knoxville. A hunter was fatally struck during a deer drive by a round believed to be fired from a member of a large hunting party. IOWA CITY, IA (IRN) – Law enforcement officials are investigating an incident involving multiple gunshots being fired on Sunday morning in Iowa City. At around 1:30 a.m., the University of Iowa Department of Public Safety issued a Hawk Alert for a report of multiple shots that were fired near the Old Capitol parking ramp. INDIANAPOLIS, IN (IRN) – No. 2 Michigan grabbed an early 14-0 lead and never looked back, dominating No. 13 Iowa 42-3 Saturday night to win the Big Ten Championship. The win denies the Hawkeyes a spot at the Rose Bowl and ensures the Wolverines one of the four spots in the College Football Playoff.

DAVENPORT, IA (IRN) – Five people, including one juvenile, were taken into custody Friday afternoon following a short vehicle chase in Davenport, which was initiated after police located a man with a warrant for Escaping the Iowa Department of Corrections. Two had outstanding warrants. CARLISLE, IA (IRN) – A court date is set for a Carlisle teen charged with felony assault for knocking out a player of an opposing team. Seventeen-year-old Carter Prenosil was caught on video hitting Ty Dittmer twice after Nevada basketball played in Carlisle on Tuesday. Dittmer was knocked unconscious. Prenosil is scheduled to appear at Warren County Courthouse on Jan. 3. He was released from jail on a $10,000 bond. MILLS COUNTY, IA (IRN) – A train derailed in Mills County, Iowa Friday morning sending two people to the hospital. The patients’ injuries are minor. The scene is south of Pacific Junction near Keg Creek Lake. There’s no word on what may have led to the derailment. IOWA CITY, IA (IRN) – The Iowa Hawkeyes take on Michigan in the Big Ten championship game in Indianapolis today. The game is at 7:00 pm on Fox.

FAIRFIELD, IA (IRN) – An Iowa judge will not reduce the $1 million bond for two teens accused of killing Fairfield Spanish teacher Nohema Graber. Willard Miller and Jeremy Goodale, both 16, are charged with first-degree murder. Both suspects wanted their $1 million bonds reduced. Prosecutors believe the suspects are too dangerous to be let out of jail, indicating both are charged with a “brutal murder.” On Nov. 23, lawyers representing Goodale and Miller argued for a reduced bond, citing their age and lack of criminal history. COUNCIL BLUFFS, IA (IRN) – Police in western Iowa have arrested a high school math teacher accused of writing and planting notes threatening gun violence at the school. Katrina Phelan, 37, of Council Bluffs, turned herself in to police on Wednesday after an arrest warrant charging her with three counts of making terroristic threats were issued for her. All of the notes were either found by students in Phelan’s classroom or by Phelan herself in other parts of the school. DES MOINES, IA (IRN) – One person was injured in a shooting Thursday evening in Des Moines. The shooting occurred at the Maingate Bar and Grill on East Grand Avenue. One person was transported to a local hospital. CEDAR RAPIDS, IA (IRN) – Police are investigating a shooting near a grocery store in Cedar Rapids on Thursday night. Officers received a call about gunshots in the area of Jim’s Foods. A victim walked into a hospital with a non-life threatening gunshot wound a short time later. ​​OSCEOLA, IA (IRN) – A mayoral election ultimately decided by a name drawn out of a candy dish is now being disputed by the incumbent. Current Osceola mayor Thomas Kedley tied with challenger Matt Stoll in the November election. Stoll’s name was picked from the candy dish to settle the tie, but Kelley claims the election should be challenged because of voter fraud.