DES MOINES, IA (IRN) – The Iowa Department of Public Health reports an additional 1,315 additional COVID-19 cases in the past 24 hours. There have been 21 additional COVID-19 deaths for a statewide death toll of 1,454. DES MOINES, IA (IRN) – Fresh off surviving the coronavirus, President Trump is back on the campaign trail and heading for Iowa. The President is scheduled to speak at a Make America Great Again rally on October 14 at the Des Moines International Airport. IOWA (IRN) – Alex Thomsen, an Iowa native and Nebraska wrestler, is a Senior Greco National Champion. AMES, IA (IRN) – Iowa State took down Texas Tech 31-15. Sophomore running back Breece Hall scored two touchdowns in the first half and led the way for Iowa State in their third straight win this season. Coach Matt Campbell is now 5-0 against Texas Tech. ISU remains undefeated in conference play through three games and faces a decisive Big 12 matchup at Oklahoma State, following a bye week.

DES MOINES, IA (IRN) – COVID-19 hospitalization rates are rising around the country and in Iowa. Health professionals are now preparing for a potential second surge in COVID-19 cases. Officials in Iowa fear a shortage of ICU beds over the coming fall and winter seasons. DUBUQUE COUNTY, IA (IRN) – Dubuque County has started reporting COVID-19 data by zip code. That data shows higher percentages of the population in smaller towns have contracted the virus when compared to urban areas. SAC COUNTY, IA (IRN) – Sac County authorities are searching for two inmates who escaped from jail Friday. The men overpowered a jailer, and were last seen running from the Sac County Courthouse in Sac City. The men are considered dangerous. DES MOINES, IA (IRN) – Iowa Secretary of State Paul Pate announced on Friday the state has now reached a record in the number of absentee ballots requested, surpassing the last record set in 2016. According to Pate, more than 700,000 Iowans have requested an absentee ballot. In 2016, 693,000 absentee ballots were requested.

MASON CITY, IA (IRN) – A 40-year-old homeless woman was arrested Thursday after she was seen naked near a preschool in Mason City. She was charged with indecent exposure and is being held in the Cerro Gordo County Jail on $1,000 bond. DES MOINES, IA (IRN) – The White House Coronavirus Task Force says Iowa is still in the red zone for COVID-19 cases, with the sixth highest rate of new cases in the nation. Iowa had 200 new cases per 100,000 population last week, compared to the national average of 90 per 100,000. DES MOINES, IA (IRN) – An Iowa farmer died Wednesday after being buried under seven feet of grain. Kennerly Reece, 79, of Eldora, Iowa, was working on his farm when the door of a grain bin slid open, burying him as it flowed out of the bin. ANKENY, IA (IRN) – Ankeny police are trying to find vandals who damaged a new extension of the High Trestle Trail. An unidentified male and female rode their bicycles on, walked on, and wrote on a newly poured extension of the trail. The cement dried overnight before the damage was found and will have to be replaced at a cost up to $75,000. WILLIAMSBURG, IA (IRN) – Owners of Outlets Williamsburg are pushing to replace some of the businesses they’ve lost during the pandemic. The outlet mall has lost four national retailers since the coronavirus hit. It also closed for 2 and a half months at the beginning of the pandemic.

DES MOINES, IA (IRN) – Federal officials say the August derecho was a $1 billion disaster. This year has already tied 2011 and 2017 for the most $1 billion disasters in one year. This is also the sixth year in a row there has been at least ten $1 billion disasters. WATERLOO, IA (IRN) – An Iowa woman convicted of a 1993 stabbing death when she was a teenager has been granted work release. Ruthann Veal, 42, was a 14-year-old runaway from Mason City when she was charged as an adult in the 1993 killing of 66-year-old Catherine Haynes, of Waterloo. Haynes had been stabbed to death in her home and her credit cards stolen. DES MOINES, IA (IRN) – Gov. Reynolds announced Wednesday some of the restrictions for visiting family members in long-term care facilities will be lifted. The facilities have had tight restrictions on visiting loved ones since the pandemic began. Visitors will have to schedule their appointments in advance, go through a health screen, and wear a mask. DUBUQUE, IA (IRN) – Tuesday was the last day for any flights in or out of the Dubuque Regional Airport at least until early November. Passenger demand is down 65 to 70% because of the pandemic. Officials say the delay of a Congressional stimulus package for businesses will hurt airlines beyond this month. WEST DES MOINES, IA (IRN) – Microsoft plans to build two additional data centers in West Des Moines. Each data center could bring between 50 to 75 jobs to the area. Once built, Microsoft will have five data centers in West Des Moines.

DES MOINES, IA (IRN) – Coronavirus hospitalizations are spiking again in Iowa as the state has now surpassed 1,400 deaths due to the virus. The Iowa Department of Public Health on Wednesday reported 919 new positive COVID-19 cases and 15 additional deaths. There were 97 patients admitted to hospitals in the last 24 hours, up from 61 the previous day and the highest total the state has reported. WEST DES MOINES, IA (IRN) – A West Des Moines educator has died from complications from COVID-19. Indian Hills Junior High special education assistant Jennifer Crawford died Monday. She was 53. The school has the fourth-highest coronavirus positivity rate in the nation. VAN METER, IA (IRN) – The Van Meter Community School District placed a teacher on leave after he allegedly assaulted a student attempting to TP his house. Joel Bartz was charged with assault and fifth-degree criminal mischief. Bartz confronted a group of students and is accused of tearing one teenager’s shirt, then hitting him several times in the back and the back of his head. Bartz is a middle school science teacher and an assistant coach for high school football and basketball. JESUP, IA (IRN) – A former Jesup Community School District bus driver has been charged with operating while intoxicated after kids on the bus called their parents concerned for their safety. Along with OWI, James Stockwell, 62, of Jesup, is facing 16 counts of child endangerment. One parent was able to stop the bus and contact authorities. Stockwell resigned the next day. DAVENPORT, IA (IRN) – Second Amendment supporters rallied outside Davenport City Hall on Saturday, bringing attention to gun rights. It was part of an open carry gun rally organized by the organization “We Fight.” The goal of the rally was to bring awareness for the legal carrying of guns. Organizers say children are safer because there are guns in their homes.