Author: Iowa Radio News

IOWA (IRN) – Iowa law enforcement agencies on Thursday and Friday participated in a multi-state operation that resulted in 102 arrests and identified 47 victims of human trafficking. Agencies from Iowa executed 10 search warrants, identified five businesses involved in human trafficking, made 11 arrests and seized a large quantity of U.S. currency.

MARBLE ROCK, IA (IRN) – Officials in Floyd County say that a tornado caused significant damage in and around the community of Marble Rock Friday evening. Emergency management officials said the tornado touched down around 6 p.m. Power lines and trees were knocked over in the community of about 300 people. There was serious damage to several buildings. The fire department said that “large above-ground propane tanks were knocked over by a tornado.”

DES MOINES, IA (IRN) – The Polk County Health Department on Friday announced visitor restrictions will be in place once again due to COVID-19. Effective Tuesday, only one support person will be allowed per day for each patient at Broadlawns Medical Center, MercyOne Des Moines Medical Center and UnityPoint Health.

IOWA (IRN) – On Friday, the Iowa Supreme Court issued a supervisory order requiring face coverings for all people entering court-controlled areas in all 99 counties regardless of a person’s vaccination status or a county or area’s positivity rate or transmission status.

ANAMOSA, IA (IRN) – A judge sentenced Thomas Woodard to life in prison on Thursday. Woodard pled guilty to two counts of first-degree murder, second-degree kidnapping, and an attempt to commit murder in the deaths of two Anamosa prison workers.

DES MOINES, IA (IRN) – A member of President Biden’s Cabinet was in Des Moines on Thursday assess the surge of COVID-19 in Iowa. Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra and Congresswoman Cindy Axne met with local leaders at the Polk County Health Department. He thanked local health officials for all they are doing to fight misinformation and protect Iowans as COVID-19 surges with the arrival of the delta variant.

KEOKUK COUNTY, IA (IRN) – A severe thunderstorm hit Keokuk County after 10:00 pm last night, causing widespread 80mph wind gusts and golf-ball-sized hail near Lancaster and Sigourney. Over 2,000 people were without power in Keokuk, Washington, and Jefferson counties.

FARLEY, IA (IRN) – People in the Dubuque County town of Farley have come together to find a new space for the town library. The library used to be inside the Drexler Middle School building but closed last month after the school district decided it needed the space for an expansion.

IOWA CITY, IA (IRN) – Some Iowa City parents are asking the district to defy state law by requiring masks in school. The district was presented a petition with over 1,000 signatures. Those signatures are made up of other parents, community members, and medical professionals in the area.

EDDYVILLE, IA (IRN) – Eddyville residents sheltered in place Wednesday evening following a hazardous material incident at the town’s Ajinomoto plant. There was a hydrochloric acid spill.

CEDAR RAPIDS, IA (IRN) – The Bishop of the Iowa Conference of United Methodist churches is recommending the churches no longer host the Boy Scouts. The Boy Scouts of America filed for bankruptcy protection after settling tens of thousands of cases of sexual assault going back decades. Bishop Laurie Haller says that the Boy Scouts did not have adequate insurance and, given the settlements and allegations, that places the churches in a position of liability. Scouts have, for years, gathered for their weekly events and ceremonies at various churches.

DES MOINES, IA (IRN) – A proposed class-action lawsuit claims that Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds’ decision to cut off enhanced unemployment benefits for tens of thousands of Iowans violated state law and asks a court to reinstate their eligibility. The lawsuit seeks to make claimants eligible for potentially hundreds of millions of dollars in unemployment aid they have been denied since Iowa dropped federal pandemic benefit programs June 12.

CEDAR RAPIDS, IA (IRN) – Voters in Linn County will be asked, again, whether they want gambling in the area as a group has formed to make a third pitch to the community for approval. The Linn County Gaming Association started working to secure support in November to pursue a state gaming license. The state rejected Cedar Rapids casino applications two previous times.

BURLINGTON, IA (IRN) – An apartment fire Tuesday in Burlington left one woman dead and two others injured. Samantha Hoenig died of her injuries. Firefighters searched the four-unit building and rescued two people who were injured. One firefighter was injured.

WATERLOO, IA (IRN) – A man was shot and killed in a shooting Tuesday in Waterloo. Police found his body in the median of Highway 218.

OELWEIN, IA (IRN) – Severe weather hit much of Eastern Iowa last night, and damage is still being assessed. A wind gust of 100 mph was reported at Oelwein Airport. In Fayette County, Westgate (population 224 ) and Oran (population 890) were completely cut off due to downed trees.

DES MOINES, IA (IRN) – Those wanting to go to concerts at the Iowa Events Center in Des Moines will have to show proof of vaccination or prove a negative COVID test within 72 hours of the show. That’s what’s being asked of ticket holders planning to see Michael Bublé next month and James Taylor in December.

WEST DES MOINES, IA (IRN) – Valley West Mall in West Des Moines is losing another store.
The department store Von Maur is relocating to Jordan Creek Town Center and will open in fall 2022. Valley West Mall also lost Younkers in 2018. The mall just has one anchor store left, JCPenney.

DES MOINES, IA (IRN) – Polk County has committed at least $5 million, and up to $7 million, toward construction of a professional soccer stadium in downtown Des Moines. Pro Iowa and Krause+, the real estate development arm of the company that owns the Kum & Go convenience store chain, plan to build a 6,300-seat stadium as the home of a USL Championship league team at the former Dico Superfund site, between Martin Luther King Jr. Parkway and the Raccoon River. The Krause-owned Des Moines Menace would move from the fourth to the second tier of U.S. professional soccer.

DES MOINES, IA (IRN) – A state commission has scheduled three virtual public hearings in September pertaining to Iowa’s proposed new electoral maps. The five-member Iowa Temporary Redistricting Advisory Commission voted Monday to hold the hearings on Sept. 20, 21, and 22. The first redistricting maps will be delivered on Sept. 16, beginning the process for redrawing political boundaries for legislative and congressional districts.

CEDAR RAPIDS, IA (IRN) – Four people and their pets are safe after a fire in their Cedar Rapids home Monday night. Crews located a fire in the kitchen and were able to quickly put it out. Crews searched the home and found one dog and five cats inside, all of which were unhurt. Turns out the fire was an unintentional grease fire.

AHSTW, IA (IRN) – COVID-19 is shutting down a southwest Iowa school district before the school year can even get started after an outbreak was reported among staff. The AHSTW Community School District, which covers Avoca, Hancock, Shelby, Tennant and Walnut had to cancel open house and delay the start of school until at least Monday, Aug. 30.

DES MOINES, IA (IRN) – The band Florida Georgia Line will no longer stop in Des Moines due to COVID-19 concerns. The Iowa Events Center announced Monday that the country group’s Oct. 14 concert at Wells Fargo Arena is canceled.