DES MOINES, IA (IRN) – Many schools are seeing a teacher shortage. The head of Iowa’s teachers union said COVID-19 could impact what was already an issue. Because of that, Iowa relaxed substitute teacher requirements in advance of students’ returning to classrooms. People with associate degrees or 60 hours of college coursework can now become substitute teachers. IOWA (IRN) – A Minnesota pork company has received most of the money from an Iowa program designed to support farmers who euthanized their hogs after the coronavirus devastated their industry. Christensen Farms, one of the nation’s largest family-owned pork producers, has received $1.86 million from the Iowa Disposal Assistance Program, or 72% of the $2.6 million the program has paid to date. AMES, IA (IRN) – Iowa State University has released test results after students moved in Thursday. Earlier this week, students moved back to campus and were required to take COVID-19 tests. Of the students who have returned to campus, 66 students, or 2.2% of students tested positive for COVID-19. IOWA (IRN) – Back to school shopping will be a little cheaper today. Residents in Iowa can buy shoes, clothes and school related supplies under $100 tax free until tonight at midnight.

DES MOINES, IA (IRN) – The Iowa Department of Public Health on Friday confirmed 588 additional COVID-19 cases. 47,729 cases have been confirmed statewide since Iowa’s outbreak began. The Iowa DPH reported six additional COVID-19 deaths for a statewide death toll of 912. DES MOINES, IA (IRN) – Drake Athletics reported today that its fall 2020 football season is canceled following a decision from the Pioneer Football League. The PFL cited travel and logistical complications due to COVID-19 as its reason for not conducting conference competition in the fall. FORT DODGE, IA (IRN) – The Fort Dodge man facing first-degree murder charges in the shooting death of his wife had threatened to kill her several times before. Police said Justin Hurdel was injured during an 18-hour manhunt that led to his capture and arrest Thursday. A witness saw Hurdel wait in a detached garage and confront his estranged wife before pulling the trigger. Maggie Hurdel died at the scene. A few weeks prior, Justin Hurdel was charged with domestic assault for spitting in his wife’s face and saying, “Wait and see what I do to you…” HARRISON COUNTY, IA (IRN) – A Des Moines man was killed Wednesday while working on a road construction project in Harrison County in western Iowa. 51-year-old Homero Carrillo died after a tire came off a truck and struck him. IOWA CITY, IA (IRN) – The updated 2020 football schedule came out on Wednesday for the University of Iowa, and the university has also announced guidelines for fans. 10,000 to 15,000 fans will be allowed at the games, and tickets will be sold as single games instead of as season tickets. All tickets and parking passes will be digital. Fans will be required to wear masks and follow social distancing guidelines. Parking lots will be restricted to 50% capacity and will open four hours before kickoff. The Hawkeyes have five home games with the season opener set to begin on September 5th. DES MOINES, IA (IR) – Extreme drought conditions have returned to Iowa for the first time in almost two years. The Department of Natural Resources says nearly 80 percent of Iowa has some level of drought.

DES MOINES, IA (IRN) – Vice President Mike Pence will travel to Des Moines to deliver remarks ahead of the Iowa GOP state dinner, the Office of the Vice President reports. Pence will launch a “Fight for America” campaign on Aug. 13 at a Heritage Action Town Hall. The news release describes the campaign as the “staunch rejection of socialist ideals and the administration’s unwavering support of law enforcement.” Pence will attend the Iowa GOP dinner following his remarks, then return to Washington, D.C. FORT DODGE, IA (IRN) – Authorities are conducting a homicide investigation in Fort Dodge. Shortly after 2 p.m. yesterday, Fort Dodge police received a call of an individual being shot. When they arrived, they found a female victim with a gunshot wound. She later died. Authorities are attempting to locate Justin Christopher Hurdel, 43, of Fort Dodge, who they believe is armed and dangerous. Police said they found his abandoned car near the river. FORT DODGE, IA (IRN) – A Fort Dodge woman who was reported to be acting erratically while wielding knives has been shot and killed by police. Officials gave no other details about the shooting. DES MOINES, IA (IRN) – Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds signed an executive order Tuesday restoring felon voting rights. Currently, felons automatically have their voting rights taken away permanently unless they apply to the governor to have them restored. Reynolds pointed out that an executive order is not a permanent solution, and that legislative action is needed. IOWA (IRN) – Many Iowa school districts say they are seeing more enrollment in their home school assistance programs. KCRG-TV reports the choice to homeschool is because many parents are concerned about sending students into the classroom and not feeling like any of the return-to-school options is a good fit.

DES MOINES, IA (IRN) – The Iowa Department of Public Health reports more than 46,000 Iowans have now tested positive for coronavirus. As of 10 a.m. Wednesday, IDPH reported 510 new cases and 8 additional deaths. There have been 46,492 positive cases, 34,659 recoveries and 893 deaths since the pandemic began. ANKENY, IA (IRN) – The Ankeny Police Department took a material witness into custody Tuesday following the shooting death of a 17-year-old and her unborn child. Ankeny police said 18-year-old Donault Logan, of Des Moines, is being questioned in connection with the death of his girlfriend, 17-year-old Mia Holmes, and the unborn child. Holmes’s mother says the shooting was an accident. DES MOINES, IA (IRN) – Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds pushed back at school districts threatening to ignore a state mandate on in-person learning Tuesday, saying students would not receive credit for those days of instruction. Her statement came a day after two Iowa school districts said they plan to defy the mandate that at least 50% of classes be held in person this fall. Reynolds said, “Schools that choose not to return to school for at least 50% in-person instruction are not defying me. They are defying the law.” JOHNSON COUNTY, IA (IRN) – The Johnson County Board of Health unanimously voted Tuesday to approve a regulation requiring face masks in public, when social distancing is not possible. The board of supervisors expects to pass the regulation Thursday, making it enforceable by county law enforcement. IOWA CITY, IA (IRN) – In three weeks, tens of thousands students at the University of Iowa are returning to campus. The school is currently planning to hold classes in person, with a limit of 50 students per class. Masks are also required inside buildings. Approximately 280 professors have signed a petition asking the university to move completely to online instruction.

ANKENY, IA (IRN) – A pregnant woman and her unborn child died in a shooting overnight in Ankeny. KCCI-TV reports the woman was injured in the shooting and was taken to a local hospital, where she died. Police did not release any specific information on the suspect but did say there is a man at large. They do not believe there is a danger to the public. URBANDALE, IA (IRN) – The Urbandale and Waukee School boards announced that they will offer on-line curriculum only this coming fall, despite the decision by the state to reject their Return to Learn Plans. In a press conference Tuesday morning, Governor Reynolds says if schools don’t have 50% of student learning in person, the students will not get credit. IOWA CITY, IA (IRN) – Several more people in the University of Iowa athletics program have tested positive for COVID-19, according to school officials. A total of 32 positive test results have been reported out of 603 total tests since the department resumed activities in late May. DYERSVILLE, IA (IRN) – The first-ever Major League Baseball game at the Field of Dreams will have to wait for another season. On Monday, MLB canceled the game that was set to be played next Thursday because of the pandemic. The Chicago White Sox and St. Louis Cardinals were scheduled to play in Dyersville on August 13th. ELDRIDGE, IA, (IRN) – An Iowa boy is alive and well thanks to his quick-thinking mom. Christina Brenner’s son Peyton was out for a ride on his ATV when he crashed into a tree and fence. WQAD reports Brenner was relaxing in the pool and saw the crash, so she sprang into action. She knew he hit a major artery, and she used her bikini top as a tourniquet to stop the bleeding. Paramedics said it’s likely the boy could’ve died within minutes if his mom hadn’t reacted so quickly.