Author: Iowa Radio News

DES MOINES, IA (IRN) – UnityPoint plans to vaccinate 3,000 people this weekend in their clinics across the Des Moines metro — as they continue to work through Phase 1B of the rollout. Right now, UnityPoint is reserving their vaccine allocation mostly for their 43,000 clients that meet the age requirement of 65 years old — since they’re the ones most likely to suffer the worst symptoms if they were to catch the virus.

DES MOINES, IA (IRN) – The number of newly-reported people who tested positive for the novel coronavirus continued a general downward trend on a weekly-average basis, according to the latest Iowa state data. As of 10:30 a.m., the Iowa Department of Public Health said that 555 individuals who tested positive for COVID-19 were reported to the state since the same time on Friday morning.

IOWA (IRN) – Saturday’s snow is just the first of a few disturbances that will bring light snow and snow showers periodically through Iowa the next few days. In addition to the snow, we will have our coldest and longest cold spell of the 2020-21 winter season.

IOWA CITY, IA (IRN) – Iowa City officials say the City’s mask mandate will stay in place despite Governor Kim Reynold’s public health proclamation on Friday lifting COVID restrictions on Iowa businesses.

DES MOINES, IA (IRN) – Gov. Kim Reynolds has eliminated most of her COVID-19 restrictions in her latest health proclamation. The proclamation removes indoor mask requirements in public spaces, gathering limits, and restrictions on businesses starting 12:01 a.m. tomorrow morning. This comes the same week Iowa was ranked No. 47 in the country for its vaccine distribution.

WELLSBURG, IA (IRN) – A chain-reaction caused a fatal crash during the winter storm earlier this week. It involved eight semi-trucks along Highway 20 near Wellsburg in northern Iowa. More than 40 vehicles were involved in a crash near Newton. The Iowa State Patrol says truckers should pull over during these types of weather events, saying the trucks become “80,000 pound sleds, and nothing can stop an 80,000 pound sled.”

DES MOINES, IA (IRN) – There is a renewed bi-partisan push at the state capitol to allow student-athletes in Iowa to be compensated. This week legislators introduced a bill that would let college athletes profit off their name, image, and likeness. Similar legislation has passed in other states.

CEDAR RAPIDS, IA (IRN) – Arctic air has arrived in Iowa and with it will come bitter, dangerous cold and chances for snow. Wind chills may be as low as -40, especially on Sunday morning. Today will be very cold with high temperatures in the single digits. A weak system will bring the chance for snow in the late morning and early afternoon.

NEWTON, IA (IRN) – Yesterday’s blizzard led to hazardous travel conditions across the state, and hundreds of collisions. Approximately 40 vehicles were involved in a miles long series of crashes on I-80 between Colfax and Newton. There were multiple injuries. Two troopers were involved in the crash but were not injured.

GRUNDY COUNTY, IA (IRN) – At least one person was killed Thursday in a 15-vehicle pileup on Highway 20 in Grundy County. Five semis and three cars were totaled Thursday afternoon when a brutal winter storm rolled through Iowa, bringing blizzard-like conditions. The identity of the person killed has not been released.

IOWA (IRN) – Gov. Kim Reynolds is asking why Iowa is not receiving as many doses of the coronavirus vaccine as many other states. Iowa is 47th in the nation in per capita vaccine distribution. Reynolds said she has been pressing federal officials about why Iowa is receiving fewer shots than other states.

DES MOINES, IA (IRN) – Law enforcement agencies announced the arrest of a man in Des Moines responsible for a mall shooting in Wisconsin. On Sunday, officers responded to the Fox River Mall in Grand Chute, Wisconsin, after reports of shots fired in the food court. One person was injured, and another killed. On Thursday, law enforcement agencies located Dezman Ellis in Des Moines and took him into custody in relation to the mall shootings.

STEPHENVILLE, TX (IRN) – ProRodeo Hall of Famer and Iowa native Paul Mayo, whose style of bareback riding revolutionized the sport, died Jan. 24 in Stephenville, Texas. He was 78. A two-time bareback riding world champion and 12-time National Finals Rodeo qualifier, Mayo was inducted into the ProRodeo Hall of Fame in 2010.

IOWA (IRN) – A cold front is sweeping through the state, changing rain into freezing rain and snow. Blizzard conditions exist in north central and central Iowa, particularly in rural areas, as strong northwest winds gust up to 45 miles per hour. Blowing snow and blizzard conditions have made travel dangerous. Expect snowfall amounts from 1-3 inches through much of central and eastern Iowa.

DES MOINES, IA (IRN) – A state lawmaker wore jeans on the floor of the Iowa House to draw attention to Republicans’ refusal to mandate masks in the chamber while they ban members from wearing jeans. Democratic Rep. Beth Wessel-Kroeschell of Ames wore jeans Tuesday. House speaker Pat Grassley has said he couldn’t enforce a mask mandate, but he didn’t allow Wessel-Kroeschell to speak during floor debate, saying she had violated house rules.

WASHINGTON, D.C. (IRN) – Congresswoman Cindy Axne’s office announced Wednesday that despite exposure to a staff member with COVID-19, she has tested negative.

CEDAR RAPIDS, IA (IRN) – The first dog with COVID-19 in Iowa lives in Cedar Rapids. Eden, a four year old boxer, likely caught the virus from her family, who all had tested positive earlier. In the U.S. only 41 cases of covid have been reported in dogs, and 58 cases in cats.

IOWA (IRN) – The National Weather Service has issued a blizzard warning for counties north and east of the Des Moines metro area from 6 a.m. Thursday until 6 a.m. Friday. A winter weather advisory is in effect for most of the rest of the state until 6 a.m. Friday. A powerful cold front will bring falling temperatures, strong winds up to 45 miles per hour and wintry precipitation starting Thursday. Significant travel hazards will be possible due to icy roads and blowing snow. Blizzard conditions are expected in north central and central Iowa, particularly in rural areas.

WASHINGTON, D.C. (IRN) – The Senate Agriculture Committee approved former Iowa Governor Tom Vilsack once again for secretary of agriculture. His nomination now heads to the full Senate.

DES MOINES, IA (IRN) – Des Moines School district leaders asked the Des Moines School Board Tuesday to end its School Resource Officer program. The program started in 1999.

DES MOINES, IA (IRN) – Employees of Des Moines Public Schools are expressing frustration that Dowling Catholic employees are getting Covid-19 vaccinations Friday from UnityPoint, while the public school teachers appointments were cancelled. The UnityPoint CEO’s son attends Dowling Catholic High School. Both Dowling and UnityPoint said his attendance played no factor in the scheduling of the clinic.

CEDAR RAPIDS, IA (IRN) – A woman from Waterloo created a Pulitzer Prize-winning project, and a Republican sponsored bill in the legislature aims to keep it out of Iowa classrooms. House File 222 would reduce funding for public schools if the New York Times Magazine’s 1619 Project was used as part of a history class. The 1619 Project is an effort to reframe United States history through slavery and shows its’ effects on the nation today. The project was led by Waterloo native Nikole Hannah-Jones.