Articles by Iowa Radio News

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July 12th, 2025

IOWA – Multiple tornado warnings and flash flooding events impacted many locations across the state of Iowa on Friday as an active weather week continued. A flash flood emergency was issued in the Quad Cities and warnings were issued in the Des Moines, Cedar Rapids, Waterloo, and Iowa City metro areas as many communities received at least three inches of heavy rain in just a matter of hours. Some of these locations have seen nearly a foot of rainfall over the last week. River flooding concerns are increasing across the state as well, according to the National Weather Service. Drier conditions will largely remain in place through Monday. DES MOINES – Governor Kim Reynolds anticipates her legislative agenda will continue as planned next January for the second year of the general assembly, despite threats from some representatives in her own party to derail those plans. KCCI-TV reports that Reynolds intends to try to work with lawmakers who have responded harshly to her move to veto a bill restricting eminent domain. The Iowa House has gathered the required signatures to override the veto, however, the same move in the Iowa Senate has not garnered the two-thirds required to do so. DES MOINES – A Des Moines man has been arrested following an investigation into a pipebomb found as a golf course. WHO-13 reports 41-year-old Michael James Valento is accused by the Des Moines Police Department of planting a live improvised explosive device at Waveland Golf Course on Thursday. Investigators say Valento is responsible for a pipebomb that was denotated at the same facility the week prior — no injuries were reported. Valento is accused of two counts of possession of an explosive with intent and arson, among other charges.


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July 11th, 2025

IOWA – Multiple rounds of thunderstorms knocked out power to thousands of Iowans in central and eastern Iowa Thursday into the early morning hours today. The National Weather Service offices in both Des Moines and the Quad Cities issued multiple warnings as wind gusts hit power lines in large metro areas Thursday evening into the overnight. Additionally, multiple flash flood warnings were issued, as many Iowa communities received over three inches of rainfall. Active weather is expected to continue statewide today. DAYTON – Two central Iowa groceries stores closed this summer, leaving the residents of their communities with half-hour commutes for supplies. WHO-13 reports Dayton Community Grocery and the Stratford Food Center both shuttered their doors despite community efforts to save them from closure. The closest store to Dayton residents would be in Jewell, which was forced to reclose but reopened after a series of community fundraisers. DES MOINES – The newly-named Caseys Center announced one of the biggest acts in modern music history is coming back to perform. Paul McCartney is returning to Des Moines on Tuesday, October 14th. This will be the former Beatles’ frontman’s fourth stop in Iowa, his most recent coming at the previously-named Wells Fargo Arena in 2017. Tickets are on sale next week.


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July 10th, 2025

DUBUQUE COUNTY, Iowa – The Dubuque County Sheriff’s Office requested assistance from the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation with an officer-involved shooting along Highway 151 on July 1st near Cascade. A traffic stop was made related to a multi-jurisdictional investigation. An adult male was the alleged subject and displayed a handgun. Shots were fired, which resulted in a sergeant and the suspect being struck by gunfire. The sergeant was transported to the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics and has been released after being treated for a gunshot wound. Thirty-six-year-old James Sherrill of Linn County, the accused suspect, was pronounced dead. Three officers are being investigated for their role in the incident. DES MOINES – Just over 45,000 applications were made for Education Savings Accounts in the 2025-26 school year. KCCI-TV reports 97% of those have been approved, which will be $7,988 per pupil accepted into a private school. Last academic year, just under 30,000 scholarships were approved. If all of those students are enrolled, the cost to the state of Iowa will be $35 million more than projected. IOWA – Multiple rounds of thunderstorms in the forecast the rest of this week could cause localized flooding for communities across the state. According to the National Weather Service, heavy rainfall is possible overnight tonight into Friday, and again through much of the day and into the night to end the work week. The National Weather Service has issued a slight risk for excessive rainfall through Saturday morning for nearly all of Iowa, with 1-3″ of precipitation expected in most locations, with many rain gauges likely to top 5″ by the end of the multi-day event.


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July 9th, 2025

FORT MADISON – The Iowa National Guard announced the death of 19-year-old Specialist Marin Michael Rose of Fort Madison. Rose died in a crash near Mt. Pleasant last week. Marin was a 2024 graduate of Fort Madison High School where he played basketball and football, and was also a student at Southeastern Community College. The Iowa State Patrol reports the Honda Civic Rose was operating crossed the center line of Highway 218, and was struck by a semi.IOWA – The National Weather Service is monitoring an increasing threat for severe weather and potential flooding later this week. A slight risk for excessive rainfall has been issued on Friday. Multiple rounds of thunderstorms are possible later this week, especially in western Iowa. Since the beginning of June, many Iowa communities have received upwards of a foot of precipitation. Flash flooding will be a possibility, and many rivers and streams may also reach flood stage. DES MOINES – The Iowa State Fair announced a list of new foods and drinks for the 2025 celebration. A total of 67 new offerings will be available August 7th through the 17th, according to KCRG-TV. On July 15th, the fair will have the top three chosen for voting in the annual contest. Last year’s winner was a Bacon Cheeseburger Egg Roll.


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July 8th, 2025

MITCHELLVILLE – The new city administrator in Mitchellville has been placed on administrative leave following the vote of the community’s city council. KCCI-TV reports Gary Brown claims the move was made as retribution for his efforts in addressing issues with city employees. This comes after a city employee was placed on leave for alleged violation of policies. Brown told KCCI the move has split the town. CEDAR FALLS – ROTC programs at two Iowa campuses are closing. KGAN-TV reports that the University of Northern Iowa, University of Dubuque, and Buena Vista University are impacted by the downsizing of the Army Reserve Officers’ Training Corps. A release by the U.S. Army says those programs, as well as several other nationwide, are being reorganized due to a 12% reduction in civilian workforce. IOWA – Farmers had just under five days suitable for fieldwork to during the week ending July 6th, according to the USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service. Topsoil moisture condition rated one percent very short, 10 percent short, 73 percent adequate and 16 percent surplus. Corn silking reached 15 percent, matching last year, but 2 days ahead of the five-year average. A few reports of corn reaching the dough stage were received, with crop condition rating 62 percent good and 24 percent excellent.