IOWA (IRN) – The Iowa Department of Public Health says 88 more people have tested positive for COVID-19. Today’s announcement brings the total cases in Iowa to 424. Two Iowans with COVID-19 passed away last night, for a total of six deaths. Iowa’s first “peak” of infections could still be two or three weeks out. IOWA (IRN) – Gov. Kim Reynolds’ orders to suspend surgical abortions in Iowa during the coronavirus outbreak will face a legal challenge. The American Civil Liberties Union of Iowa filed a lawsuit today on behalf of several groups seeking an immediate halt to Reynolds’ directive. The lawsuit was filed in Johnson County District Court and names Planned Parenthood of the Heartland, Planned Parenthood Medical Director Jill Meadows and the Iowa City-based Emma Goldman Clinic as petitioners. Reynolds is listed as a respondent, alongside several state officials. MARSHALLTOWN, IA (IRN) – Lennox has verified there are two confirmed cases of COVID-19 at its factory in Marshalltown on Sunday. A third party has disinfected the facility and the company is ready to have employees return and operations resume. However, the factory will not reopen until April 9. DES MOINES, IA (IRN) – An independent senior apartment complex in Des Moines says one of their residents has COVID-19. KCCI-TV reports residents at Luther Park Apartments are frustrated with what they call a lack of information they have about their neighbor who tested positive. Building management says their hands are tied as they are not allowed to release who that person is or which apartment they live in because of the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act – known as HIPAA. OELWEIN, IA (IRN) – Severe storms damaged an apartment building in northeast Iowa Saturday night and knocked down power lines in the area. A tornado that was spotted in Oelwein tore off part of the wall of a 12-unit apartment building and damaged the siding of a second building in the complex. No serious injuries were reported.

IOWA (IRN) – The Iowa Department of Public Health says 64 more people have tested positive for COVID-19. Saturday’s announcement brings the total cases in Iowa to 298. There have been three deaths in Iowa related to COVID-19. OTTUMWA, IA (IRN) – Food processing company JBS says an employee at its pork processing plant in Ottumwa has tested positive for the coronavirus. The company said the employee is in isolation, and its staff has worked with Wapello County Public Health to contact those who may have had close contact with the employee. JBS said the Ottumwa facility will remain open. The company also has a pork processing plant in Marshalltown. Both plants have about 2,200 employees. MARSHALLTOWN, IA (IRN) – A person has been confirmed to have coronavirus at the Iowa Veterans Home in Marshalltown. The home said the worker had no contact with residents and they are self-isolating at home. DES MOINES, IA (IRN) – As temperatures reached the upper 60s on Saturday, some Des Moines residents ventured to golf courses to get some fresh air and play a few holes. The Des Moines Register reports Mayor Frank Cownie said Saturday afternoon that whether the Des Moines courses stay open is under review.

IOWA (IRN) – Iowa is experiencing a jump in confirmed cases of the coronavirus, with public health officials on Saturday reporting 63 new positive tests and two additional deaths. Iowa now has 298 confirmed cases of COVID-19 and three deaths from the virus. WASHINGTON, D.C. (IRN) -Congresswoman Abby Finkenauer sent a letter on Friday to Gov. Kim Reynolds asking her to issue a statewide ‘Stay-at-Home’ order following the three deaths announced in Iowa. DES MOINES, IA (IRN) – KCCI-TV reports an aide to Gov. Kim Reynolds said Friday that an order she issued this week to slow the spread of coronavirus had outlawed abortions in Iowa. That interpretation was never explained to the organization that performs most abortions in the state and only came to light after aide Pat Garrett texted that interpretation to a conservative talk radio host who posted it on social media. The abortion decision comes amid actions to slow the spread of coronavirus and to conserve medical equipment in case a surge of cases hits hospitals in coming weeks. DES MOINES, IA (IRN) – People across the Des Moines metro are sharing their musical talents while stuck at home during the coronavirus pandemic. For one example, Jason Walsmith, a singer/songwriter for The Nadas, started posting daily videos with the #morningsong on Facebook.

DES MOINES, IA (IRN) – The Iowa Department of Public Health reported 56 additional positive cases of Iowans with COVID-19 this morning. The IDPH also confirmed a second and third death in Iowa. That brings the total to 235 positive cases. According to IDPH, two Iowans with COVID-19 passed away Thursday night, one elderly adult (81+ years) from Poweshiek County and one older adult (61-80 years) from Allamakee County. This brings the total COVID-19 deaths in Iowa to three. IOWA (IRN) – Gov. Kim Reynolds announced an expansion of her prior emergency proclamation that postpones nonessential surgeries and expands business closures. This includes restaurants, bars, book stores, clothing stores, shoe stores, jewelry stores, luggage stores, perfume and beauty supply stores, florists, furniture stores, home furnishing stores and other retail businesses. DES MOINES, IA (IRN) – Iowa Workforce Development reports the number of initial unemployment claims filed last week was 41,890. That’s up from 2,229 reported in Iowa the week before. CEDAR RAPIDS, IA (IRN) – Four residents at a Cedar Rapids nursing home have tested positive for COVID-19. KCRG-TV reports details on the conditions of the four residents have not been released. They have been isolated from other residents and will remain separated for at least 14 days. Two staff members at the facility tested positive for the virus earlier this week. CEDAR RAPIDS, IA (IRN) – During the COVID-19 pandemic, a Cedar Rapids teacher made a promise to students if they do one thing: read. Blake Jenewein is a first grade teacher at Pierce Elementary School. KWWL-TV reports Jenewein posted a video of his challenge–if he can get 100 students to read five books, he will dye his hair and goatee pink. Within 24 hours, his video gained 1,000 views.

DES MOINES, IA (IRN) – The Iowa Department of Public Health reported 34 additional positive cases of COVID-19 in Iowa today, bringing the statewide total to 179. DES MOINES, IA (IRN) – Iowa Workforce Development reports the number of initial unemployment claims filed last week was 41,890. That’s up from 2,229 reported in Iowa the week before. CEDAR RAPIDS, IA (IRN) – Members of the Iowa National Guard are distributing specialized clothing and equipment for healthcare professionals in order to prevent the spread of COVID-19. The supply missions will continue indefinitely as requests for Personal Protective Equipment, or PPE, come into the State Emergency Operations Center. MARSHALLTOWN, IA (IRN) – A 22-year-old man died following a shooting in Marshalltown Wednesday night. KCRG-TV reports when officers arrived, they found two men with gunshot wounds. The 22-year-old man died at the scene. A second man went to a Marshalltown hospital for treatment. DES MOINES, IA (IRN) – One of Des Moines’ iconic skyline buildings will be partially converted into a hotel under a $59 million plan to remodel half of its 25 floors. The Des Moines Register reports the top half of the Financial Center downtown will remain office space that will also be upgraded. The building’s owners say they’re working to bring 190 upscale hotel rooms under a national brand, along with high-class amenities like a ground-floor restaurant, rooftop bar and meeting rooms open to hotel customers, office tenants and the public. They are in negotiations with a hotel group, but not ready to announce who will operate it.