IOWA (IRN) – As of 10 a.m. Thursday, the Iowa Department of Public Health reports 50,122 confirmed cases of COVID-19 statewide since Iowa’s outbreak began. There were 488 additional COVID-19 cases in the past 24 hours, and seven additional deaths for a statewide death toll of 954. POWESHIEK COUNTY, IA (IRN) – Two people suffered storm-related deaths in Poweshiek County due to Monday’s derecho. Poweshiek County Emergency Management confirmed that a 41-year-old woman died in Malcom after being struck by falling debris. A man in his 40s died in Brooklyn after being electrocuted by a downed powerline. The names of those killed are not being released at this time. IOWA (IRN) – Derecho recovery efforts continue Wednesday in many parts of Iowa after Monday’s powerful storm. As of Wednesday evening, nearly 98,000 MidAmerican Energy customers across Iowa were still without power. Alliant Energy reports more than 150,000 customers in the dark. Thousands of workers across the country have been asked to come to Iowa to help. IOWA (IRN) – Yields may be cut by as much as half where a derecho flattened crops as it swept through Iowa this week, according to Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Secretary Mike Naig. No other Midwestern state along the storm’s 770-mile path suffered the level of wind and hail damage that struck an estimated 10 million acres across Iowa. That’s about a third of Iowa’s 30 million acres of crops. AVON, IA (IRN) – Roughly 150 residents in the unincorporated town of Avon Lake are still without power, water or sewage, and it could be a week before services are restored. CEDAR RAPIDS, IA (IRN) – Following widespread damage in the Cedar Rapids area due to Monday’s storms, the Cedar Rapids Community School District has delayed the start of the school year to an unspecified date. All buildings in the district have some form of damage, including major roof damage at 16 buildings, and minor roof damage at 12 buildings. Most of the buildings that suffered major roof damage also suffered water and other building damage. Buildings are closed until further notice. Athletic practices are also canceled through the end of the week.

CEDAR RAPIDS, IA (IRN) -The Iowa Department of Public Health reports that 499 additional cases of COVID-19 were reported during the 24 hours prior to 10 a.m. Wednesday, bringing the state’s total since the pandemic began to 49,702. Twelve additional deaths had been reported since Tuesday morning’s total, increasing the overall death toll in the state to 949. OSKALOOSA, IA (IRN) – A Mahaska County Sheriff’s Deputy was killed by an accidental gunshot wound on Tuesday. The victim was identified as Brian Rainey, 35, of rural Mahaska County. He was off-duty at the time. LINN COUNTY, IA (IRN) – A 63-year-old bicyclist died after he was struck by one of several large trees that fell on a bike trail outside of Cedar Rapids near Ely during Monday’s storms. Thomas Rowland of Solon died at the scene. IOWA (IRN) – Early estimates indicate that 10 million acres of farmland was flatted Monday during the derecho, according to Gov. Kim Reynolds. Estimates are at least one third of Iowa crops sustained damage during the severe storms. The devastation comes as another blow to Iowa farmers already dealing with a trade war and the COVID-19 pandemic. THE MIDWEST (IRN) – There will be no Big 10 or PAC 12 football season this fall. The decision was made over the weekend as the U.S. crossed five million confirmed cases of COVID-19. The season has been postponed until spring.

IOWA (IRN) – As of 10 a.m. Tuesday, the Iowa Department of Public Health reports 49,182 confirmed cases of COVID-19 statewide since Iowa’s outbreak began. The DPH confirmed 182 additional COVID-19 cases in the past 24 hours. The reported positivity rate is 9.4% compared to 7.7% Monday. There were four additional COVID-19 deaths for a statewide death toll of 935. DES MOINES, IA (IRN) – MidAmerican and Alliant Energy report crews are working 24/7 shifts and are asking for patience from customers after Monday’s storm. At its peak, over 400,000 Iowans were without power Monday. The most significant damage appeared to be from north of the U.S. Highway 30 corridor to the Interstate 80 corridor. Reports of wind gusts between 70 and 110 mph were relayed to the National Weather Service. MASON CITY, IA (IRN) – A vandal left a trail of broken glass during a window smashing spree in Mason City on Sunday morning. KIMT-TV reports surveillance video caught the vandal using a sledgehammer to attack the windshields of pickup trucks at Mason City Auto Sales. Four vehicles at the dealership were damaged. The path of destruction didn’t end there. The vandal also damaged vehicles at Johnson’s Auto and smashed the window at a nearby Casey’s General Store. IOWA CITY (IRN) – Police in Iowa City are looking for a suspect following an armed robbery in the downtown area early Sunday morning. Between 1 a.m. and 2 a.m., police said a man showing a gun stopped two people as they were walking home. He demanded money from them before leaving the area. No one was hurt MIDWEST USA (IRN) – The Big Ten Conference has voted to cancel the 2020 college football season, according to published reports. Sources confirmed details of the decision to the Detroit Free Press and the Dan Patrick Show. No official announcement has been made.

IOWA (IRN) – Almost 125,000 Iowans were without power Monday after strong storms rolled through the state. Damage is still being assessed. Wind speeds approached 100 mph in some locations. IOWA (IRN) – The Iowa Department of Public Health reports there are 49,000 confirmed cases of coronavirus, as of 10:00 a.m., an increase of 268 since 10 a.m. Sunday. There has been one additional death. DES MOINES, IA (IRN) – A motorcyclist died after a crash with a stolen vehicle Sunday night in Des Moines. Officers arrived and saw that the car involved in the crash had fled the scene and then crashed again into a building. Police say the driver, a 52-year-old man, attempted to flee on foot but was apprehended by officers. The car he was driving was stolen. The motorcyclist, a 51-year-old man, died from his injuries. IOWA CITY, IA (IRN) – The mother of an 18-year-old University of Iowa student who froze to death in January 2019 is suing the school for negligence. Michael Belz, of Cedar Rapids, was caught outside of his residence hall on the night of Jan. 29, 2019, when wind chills in Iowa City were 51 degrees below zero. He was found unresponsive the next day and his death was ruled an accident. The wrongful death lawsuit contends the university locked all the entrances to Burge Hall, where Belz lived, without warning residents they would need a student ID to get in. WATERLOO, IA (IRN) – A bicyclist who was hurt in an early Sunday morning bicycle crash in Waterloo has died. The cyclist was riding east in the westbound lanes, while the car was traveling westbound. They collided head-on. IOWA (IRN) – Congresswoman Abby Finkenauer revealed that she was married to Daniel Wasta in a small, at-home ceremony on Saturday. Finkenauer, 31, represents Iowa’s 1st congressional district. Wasta was previously Iowa’s political director for Elizabeth Warren’s presidential campaign.

DES MOINES, IA (IRN) – The Iowa Department of Public Health as of 10 a.m. Saturday, there were 383 new positive COVID-19 cases in Iowa. Since the beginning of the virus in Iowa, 925 Iowans have died from COVID-19. DES MOINES, IA (IRN) – The refusal of Gov. Kim Reynolds to require Iowans to wear masks in public has prompted at least three cities and a county to adopt their own local ordinances, setting up what could be a legal battle over whether local officials have the authority to impose mask rules in the absence of a governor’s mandate. So far, a court has not been asked to resolve these standoffs between Reynolds and local officials, but it appears likely as some local mask ordinances are set to take effect on Monday. IOWA CITY, IA (IRN) – The Big Ten Conference said that teams will not be able to go on to full-dress workouts, involving pads and other normal equipment, until further notice. Players can wear helmets during practices, but no other protective equipment, to limit contact during drills. The move comes amid concerns about player health and safety amid the ongoing novel coronavirus pandemic. CEDAR FALLS, IA (IRN) – The Missouri Valley Football Conference announced Friday it will postpone its fall season to spring 2021. UNI and the rest of the Missouri Valley football teams will play an eight-game schedule in the spring.