DES MOINES, IA (IRN) – Coronavirus hospitalizations continue to climb according to data from the Iowa Department of Public Health. As of 10 a.m. Tuesday, IDPH reported 253 more positive cases and 7 additional deaths since 10 a.m. Monday. DES MOINES, IA (IRN) – More than half of Iowa health care providers who responded to a survey from state auditor Rob Sand said privatized Medicaid management has not led to a better quality of health care or improved access. In 2016 Iowa contracted with private health care companies to operate the state’s $5 billion Medicaid program. Then Gov. Terry Branstad said the move would save money and provide a better quality of healthcare. Gov. Kim Reynolds has continued to support private Medicaid management. CEDAR RAPIDS, IA (IRN) – The Cedar Rapids School Board says Governor Kim Reynolds’ order that all schools in Iowa must return to at least 50% in-person classes this fall handcuffs local school leaders. In an OpEd written for The Gazette, the Board said Governor Reynolds’ proclamation on July 17 came as a surprise after weeks of working on Return to Learn plans at the directive of the state. Among the issues the Board raised is the stripping of local control over schools to a state-run mandate and process. IOWA (IRN) – The Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship has issued a warning regarding reports of unsolicited packages of seed from China and other countries. They say don’t open the packages, or throw them in the trash, as they may contain the seeds of invasive plants. IOWA (IRN) – Casinos in Iowa are looking forward to an increase in revenue over the next few months. While casino revenue has been down because of COVID-19, with the return of Major League Baseball last week, the National Basketball Association set to resume Thursday, and the National Hockey League returning next week, sportsbooks are preparing for a boom in business.

DES MOINES, IA (IRN) – Iowa Department of Public Health data continues to show increasing coronavirus hospitalizations in the state. As of 10 a.m. Monday, IPDH reported 469 new positive COVID-19 cases and 3 additional deaths. There have been a total of 826 deaths in Iowa. LE CLAIRE, IA (IRN) – Dozens of protestors gathered at City Hall in the eastern Iowa town of Le Claire after hate flyers were distributed throughout the town. A white nationalist group left the flyers in driveways, among other places. The flyer warned those in the community to maintain “social distance” from people of color who disproportionately contract COVID-19. MARION, IA (IRN) – Marion Firefighters responded to a call of a fully engulfed structure fire Sunday afternoon. Three people and several cats escaped the home uninjured. The cause of the fire was determined to be accidental and was started by a gas smoker. DES MOINES, IA (IRN) – Some Polk County Supervisors are calling on Gov. Kim Reynolds to give them the power to put a mask mandate in place. Last week, Reynolds launched the “Step Up, Mask Up” campaign to encourage Iowans to wear masks in public, but hasn’t yet created a mask mandate or given local municipalities the option to issue one themselves. CEDAR RAPIDS, IA (IRN) – With just 100 days until the Nov. 3 general election, former Vice President Joe Biden called Iowa a “critical battleground state” for his campaign. Biden, the presumptive Democratic presidential nominee, served as the keynote speaker at the Iowa Democratic Party’s virtual Hall of Fame event on Sunday night.

DES MOINES, IA (IRN) – The Iowa Department of Public Health’s COVID-19 data shows an increase of 687 confirmed cases of the virus from 10:00 a.m. on July 24 to 10:00 a.m. on July 25. Six additional deaths were reported over the same 24-hour period. 826 Iowans have died from COVID-19 since the pandemic began. CEDAR RAPIDS, IA (IRN) – People in downtown Cedar Rapids were startled late Friday night when a portion of a building came crashing down seven stories onto the sidewalk, street and crushing a parked car. No one was injured. MARION, IA (IRN) – Cheers and car horns echoed in a Marion city park Saturday morning. Hundreds of people lined seventh avenue with flags and signs as a part of the back the blue rally. DUNDEE, IA (IRN) – The Iowa Department of Natural Resources kicked off its celebration of Iowa parks 2020. This is the 100th anniversary of the starting of Iowa’s state park system. The celebration was delayed in May due to COVID-19, which was the actual month of Backbone State Park’s first dedication. The original dedication was also delayed in October 1919 when flooding hit the park.

DES MOINES, IA (IRN) – Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds signed a proclamation Friday extending an order that bars and restaurants require patrons to remain at least 6 feet apart to limit spread of the coronavirus. In addition, the governor’s order extends existing rules for fitness centers, casinos, senior citizen centers and other businesses. DES MOINES, IA (IRN) – The Iowa Public Health Association is calling on Gov. Kim Reynolds to implement a statewide mask mandate. The IPHA said if Reynolds won’t pull the trigger on a mask mandate, local municipalities should be given the local control to do so themselves. DES MOINES, IA (IRN) – Teachers from across the state protested in Des Moines Friday, calling on the Governor to change the rules for return-to-learn plans. Organizers say it’s their goal to let local government and school boards determine how classes should go for students and staff. IOWA (IRN) – Fareway will not be taking containers for redemption in any of its Iowa stores. At the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds excused grocery stores from a state law requiring stores which sell bottles and cans with a nickel deposit to also take redemptions. The exemption ends today. However, Fareway will not accept redemptions because of health concerns due to COVID-19.

DES MOINES, IA (IRN) – Iowa Department of Public Health data shows Iowa is nearing 41,000 coronavirus cases. As of 10 a.m. Friday, IDPH reported 451 new coronavirus cases and five additional deaths. There have now been 820 deaths in Iowa since the pandemic began. IOWA (IRN) – Iowa’s three public universities are expecting to see a decline in enrollment that will worsen their financial losses due to the COVID-19 pandemic. In total, the operating budgets of all three universities are $65 million less than the previous fiscal year. That includes an $8 million cut in state appropriations. CEDAR RAPIDS, IA (IRN) – Cleaning crews were out at City Hall in Cedar Rapids Thursday morning, after some people left graffiti on the building. The fire department used hoses to spray off some of the messages. A march from the Advocates for Social Justice left the graffiti, writing messages like ‘Black Lives Matter’ and ‘No Justice No Peace’. DES MOINES, IA (IRN) – History was made for the Des Moines Police Department Wednesday during a promotion ceremony. The department promoted its first Black woman to the rank of Captain. Lillie Miller has served the city of Des Moines since 1999 and her colleagues describe her as community-oriented and a caring leader. CORALVILLE, IA (IRN) – Xtream Arena in Coralville is not open yet but the first major event has been announced: the USA Wrestling’s Senior Nationals in October. The arena is scheduled to open in September and will have a capacity of 5,100 people. Officials say the tournament will follow all requirements from local and state health officials concerning the coronavirus pandemic but it does appear fans will be able to attend, at least for now.