DES MOINES, IA (IRN) – Iowa’s coronavirus numbers have hit another milestone. The Iowa Department of Public Health reports the state has surpassed 200,000 confirmed cases of COVID-19. It took Iowa more than seven months to reach 100,000 cases on October 12th. Just one month and a week later, the state reached 200,000 cases. There have been 2,127 deaths in Iowa since the pandemic began. WATERLOO, IA (IRN) – A lawsuit filed this week by a deceased Tyson employee’s son claims managers at the business had bet money on how many employees would test positive for COVID-19. The company responded to the accusations Thursday, saying the employees allegedly involved have been suspended without pay and the company has hired a legal team to conduct an investigation. DES MOINES, IA (IRN) – Iowa Workforce Development reported a total of 6,312 initial unemployment claims were filed in Iowa between November 8 and November 14. That’s an increase of 1,095 from last week’s adjusted initial claims number. IOWA (IRN) – The ethanol industry has still not received any aid over the coronavirus pandemic, despite hundreds of plant closings. DES MOINES, IA (IRN) – The Des Moines Buccaneers hockey team will soon have a new home. The team announced early Thursday that it will move into the former Younkers Department Store on the west side of Merle Hay Mall. It’s part of a new 3,500-seat multipurpose arena that will also feature a 150-room hotel.

IOWA (IRN) – Reported COVID-19 deaths in Iowa continue to be near-record levels as another 38 people died from the disease. At 10 a.m. Thursday, the state was reporting 2,102 COVID-19-related deaths, an increase of 38 deaths since the state’s tally at 10 a.m. Wednesday. On Wednesday, the state reported 40 deaths, the largest one-day increase since the pandemic arrived in Iowa. WASHINGTON, DC (IRN) – One day after testing positive for the coronavirus, Republican U.S. Sen. Chuck Grassley said he’s “symptom-free” and continues to feel good. Grassley, who announced Tuesday evening that he had tested positive for the virus, is isolating himself at his Washington, D.C.-area house on his doctor’s orders. MADRID, IA (IRN) – A Cedar Rapids man was found dead in Boone County after his body was discovered below the High Trestle Trail Bridge. The case is under investigation. DES MOINES, IA (IRN) – Multiple law enforcement agencies worked together early Wednesday morning on a large-scale operation around the Des Moines metro, serving 43 search warrants in connection with a nearly year-long criminal investigation. Drug task force members were involved. WATERLOO, IA (IRN) – A lawsuit filed this week by a deceased Tyson employee’s son claims managers at the Waterloo business had bet money on how many employees would test positive for COVID-19. Defendant Tom Hart, the Plant Manager of the Waterloo facility, allegedly organized a cash buy-in, winner-take-all betting pool for supervisors and managers to wager how many employees would test positive for COVID-19. IOWA CITY, IA (IRN) – The Hawkeyes, in conjunction with the Big Ten, released the 2020-2021 men’s basketball schedule Wednesday. The schedule drops a mere seven days before the opener, which is next Wednesday at home against North Carolina Central. The Cy-Hawk Showdown will be in Iowa City sometime between Dec. 8 and Dec. 13.

IOWA (IRN) – With record hospitalizations and nearly 300 patients in ICUs, Iowa on Wednesday reported its largest one-day increase in reported deaths. At 10 a.m. Wednesday, the state was reporting 2,064 COVID-19-related deaths, an increase of 40 deaths since the state’s tally at 10 a.m. Tuesday. WASHINGTON, D.C. – The White House Coronavirus Task Force says the spread of COVID-19 cases in Iowa is exponential and unyielding. Iowa has the third highest case count in the country. The task force said Iowans should not gather with anyone outside of their household until the number of cases decreases, always wear a mask in public, and get a flu shot. IOWA (IRN) – Republican Sen. Chuck Grassley of Iowa, who is 87 years old, tweeted that he tested positive for COVID-19 on Tuesday. Grassley, as president pro tempore, is the most senior Republican in the chamber, and third in line for presidential succession. He says he’s feeling fine. WAYNE COUNTY, IA (IRN) – The Wayne County Public Health’s Facebook page has been taken down by Facebook. Shelley Bickel, administrator, says the page promoted wearing a mask and social distancing, and since many in the county don’t take the virus seriously, a community member likely complained. Facebook hasn’t responded. DUBUQUE, IA (IRN) – A business in Dubuque is defying Governor Reynolds’ mask mandate. The owner of 7 Hills Brewing Company says that “Simon Says” should not now be “Science Says,” and the use of masks should be determined by the business owner. Police have issued three citations to the restaurant for not complying. The latest citation means a $750 fine and $85 in court costs.

IOWA (IRN) – Iowa has reached a grim milestone: More than 2,000 residents have died from COVID-19 since the start of the pandemic. The state reached the total of 2,024 after reporting 33 additional deaths Tuesday. COVID-19 now ranks as the No. 3 cause of death in Iowa, behind heart disease and cancer. And that’s with no COVID-19 deaths until March and a little over six weeks left in 2020. Hospitalizations have tripled in the past month. IOWA (IRN) – Iowa Sen. Chuck Grassley is in quarantine after being exposed to coronavirus. Grassley said he will continue his business for the people of Iowa virtually at home. IOWA (IRN) – Governor Reynolds signed a proclamation Monday night that requires everyone two years old and older to wear a mask in indoor areas open to the public where they will be within six feet of people not members of their household. The mandate will be effective until December 10. There is no penalty for not wearing a mask. IOWA CITY, IA (IRN) – University of Iowa Hospital and Clinics leaders said on Monday that they are close to being in a dire position to treat the people infected by COVID-19. Health experts warned that if numbers didn’t start going down, there could be reductions in the number of elective surgeries. IOWA CITY, IA (IRN) – The Iowa Department of Corrections said more two inmates have died in the past week, due to complications related to COVID-19 and other pre-existing medical conditions. Seven inmates have now died from coronavirus complications. IOWA (IRN) – The Central Iowa Metro League is asking both the Iowa Girls High School Athletic Union and the Iowa High School Athletic Association to delay the start of the Winter sports season until January 4th for all schools statewide. The CIML is made up of 18 schools, most of whom have returned to virtual-only learning due to the worsening COVID-19 pandemic. Schools that don’t offer in-class instruction are ineligible to compete in extracurricular events. Most Des Moines schools were unable to compete in Fall sports due to the district starting the year with virtual only instruction.

DES MOINES, IA (IRN) – As COVID-19 continues to spread in Iowa, the state reported several new records for hospitalizations Monday. The Iowa Department of Public Health reported 2,335 new coronavirus cases and six additional deaths. As of 10 a.m., there have been 1,991 deaths statewide since the pandemic began. Hospitals are reporting staffing shortages, as many staff are sick or in quarantine. DES MOINES, IA (IRN) – As hospitalizations surge, the Iowa Public Health Association is urging Gov. Kim Reynolds to issue a statewide mask mandate. Lina Tucker Reinders, the executive director of the Iow, says “this is a disaster.” Reinders adds the state’s surging hospitalizations should concern every Iowan. Nearly 1,300 Iowans are in the hospital. WEST DES MOINES, IA (IRN) – A family of three is recovering from injuries after jumping from a window to escape an apartment fire Sunday morning. The 31-year-old mother and her two young children faced a life-or-death situation when a fire broke out in their apartment around 2 a.m. The three jumped out of their third-story window to escape the flames and had to be taken to the hospital because of injuries they sustained in the fall. All three are expected to survive. DUBUQUE, IA (IRN) – A Dubuque firefighter is suing the city because of alleged sexual harassment on the job. Jami Boss cites a number of incidents, including being told by a lieutenant that she was only hired because she was a girl. Boss said male firefighters used the women’s restroom and sometimes walked in on her while she was in there. In one incident, a coworker allegedly shoved his hand down the back of her pants. DES MOINES, IA (IRN) – As new members of the United States Congress gathered in Washington this week for orientation, one Iowa race has yet to be decided — which is why both Mariannette Miller-Meeks and Rita Hart are attending. In Iowa House District 2, Republican Miller-Meeks holds a 47 vote advantage over Democrat Hart. Hart’s campaign has asked for a recount in all 24 counties in that district.