Author: Iowa Radio News

DES MOINES, IA (IRN) – Protesters in downtown Des Moines clashed with officers after a planned rally over the death of George Floyd in Minneapolis. Organizers of the event asked protesters to leave peacefully at the conclusion, but many chose not to. Protesters threw bottles at officers, and broke out windows on police vehicles, and damaged businesses. State Rep. Ako Abdul-Samad stood between police and protesters to attempt to diffuse the situation. Organizers condemned the violence, and police spokesperson Paul Parizek attributed the clash to a “small piece of a great group.”

IOWA (IRN) – The Iowa Department of Public Health reported 290 new positive COVID-19 cases and 20 deaths on Friday. That brings the statewide total to 18,792 positive cases and 520 deaths.

CEDAR RAPIDS, IA (IRN) – One person is dead in a collision between a motorcycle and a semi-truck in Cedar Rapids last night. The incident occurred at the interchange of Highway 30 and I-380.

EVANSDALE, IA (IRN) – Authorities said Friday that they believe they’ve found the remains of a missing Arizona woman and her stepfather in Iowa inside the stepfather’s car after it was found buried in an undeveloped lot. The Waterloo Courier reports that authorities believe the remains found on a dead-end road in Evansdale, Iowa, are those of 28-year-old Elissa Landry and 45-year-old David Batten, of Chino Valley, Arizona.

DES MOINES, IA (IRN) – The Iowa Department of Public Health confirmed a new Tyson processing plan outbreak Thursday during Gov. Kim Reynolds’ COVID-19 news conference. A Tyson plant in Storm Lake reported 555 coronavirus cases among its 2,517 employees. The plant has closed for cleaning.

IOWA (IRN) – The Iowa Department of Public Health reported 290 new positive COVID-19 cases and 20 deaths on Friday. That brings the statewide total to 18,792 positive cases and 520 deaths.

WARSAW, MO (IRN) – The Missouri State Highway Patrol says three people from Iowa died in a crash in eastern Missouri. The victims of the crash Wednesdaywere all from Fort Dodge.

AMES, IA (IRN) – On Wednesday, authorities arrested an Iowa Department of Natural Resources employee after a report that he had sexually abused a minor. Court documents show that a mother of a minor reported to the Ames Police Department that Samuel Marcus McDeid, 34, of Ames, sexually assaulted her child.

IOWA (IRN) – Two of the Iowa’s most popular amusement parks will hold their opening days next week. Governor Kim Reynolds announced last week that amusement parks can re-open to visitors starting on June 1st. Adventureland Resort in Altoona will open to Season Pass Holders only on June 3rd and 4th. On Friday, June 5th, the park will welcome the general public, but only at 50% occupancy. Arnold’s Park Amusement Park in the Okoboji area will open to the general public beginning June 3rd.

DES MOINES, IA (IRN) – Iowa’s novel coronavirus outbreak hit a milestone today as the Iowa Department of Public Health reported 500 Iowans have died from the virus. As of 10 a.m., Iowa DPH reports 246 additional positive COVID-19 cases and 15 additional deaths. Bars statewide are permitted to reopen today after Gov. Kim Reynolds eased COVID-19 restrictions.

DES MOINES, IA (IRN) – The Iowa Department of Public Health confirmed a new Tyson processing plan outbreak Thursday during Gov. Kim Reynolds’ COVID-19 news conference. A Tyson plant in Storm Lake reported 555 coronavirus cases among its 2,517 employees.

OSKALOOSA, IA (IRN) – A long-term care facility in Oskaloosa said Wednesday that three resident deaths were related to the novel coronavirus. There are 63 COVID-19 cases at Crystal Heights Care Center.

AMES, IA (IRN) – Iowa State athletic director Jaime Pollard says that football home games will be played at no more than 50% capacity, pending a change in state and local health guidelines. That means no more than 30,000 fans. About 22,000 season tickets have been renewed, leaving about 8,000 seats to be filled. Single-game ticket sales are unlikely unless capacity is increased.

DES MOINES, IA (IRN) – The Iowa Department of Public Health reported 21 deaths and 595 new COVID-19 cases Wednesday. That brings the statewide total to 18,256 positive cases and 485 deaths.

DES MOINES, IA (IRN) – Gov. Kim Reynolds announced the lifting of more COVID-19 restrictions in Iowa. On Monday, June 1, racetracks and speedways can open events to spectators, amphitheaters can open for concerts, amusement parks, bowling alleys, pool halls, arcades and casinos can reopen as well, all at 50% capacity. Also effective on June 1, social, community and recreational leisure and sports gatherings of more than 10 people will be permitted.

DES MOINES, IA (IRN) – Three longtime Des Moines-area employees of Wellmark Blue Cross & Blue Shield are suing the company for alleged racial discrimination, saying it has systematically denigrated, harassed and denied training and promotion to African American workers. The employees requested class-action status for their claim in Polk County District Court, which seeks up to $5 million in compensation for current and past employees.

DES MOINES, IA (IRN) – The National Weather Service issued tornado warnings Tuesday after a tornado was spotted west of Waukee Tuesday afternoon. Surveillance video from a car dealership shows employees running for cover as the tornado touched down and moved across the car lot. The tornado tore down a light pole and shattered windows in about 10 vehicles. Three other tornados were reported in other parts of the state, where they did little damage. When severe weather threatens locally, tune to KNIA/KRLS OR Raccoon Valley Radio, OR KCII for our award winning severe weather coverage.

DES MOINES, IA (IRN) – The Iowa Department of Health reports 8 deaths and 104 new positive COVID-19 cases. That brings the statewide total to 17,661 positive cases and 464 deaths.

DES MOINES, IA (IRN) – Gov. Kim Reynolds announced Tuesday the lifting of more COVID-19 restrictions in Iowa. On Monday, June 1, racetracks and speedways can open events to spectators, amphitheaters can open for concerts, amusement parks, bowling alleys, pool halls, arcades and casinos can reopen as well, all at 50% capacity. Also effective on June 1, social, community and recreational leisure and sports gatherings of more than 10 people will be permitted.

WEST DES MOINES, IA (IRN) – The Iowa Department of Public Health provided Hy-Vee with 75,000 cloth masks to distribute to customers at its stores on Tuesday. Every Hy-Vee grocery store and drugstore in Iowa will have approximately 500 cloth masks to give to customers on a first-come, first-served basis.

DES MOINES, IA (IRN) – A boat exploded at Saylorville Lake on Sunday, according to KCCI-TV. The explosion occurred around 4:30 p.m. in an area commonly known as Party Cove. Bystanders helped people on the boat to the marina and minor injuries were reported. It’s not yet clear what caused the explosion.

IOWA (IRN) – Pier 1 Imports stores in Iowa and nationwide will close permanently after the home goods retailer said it was unable to find a buyer to continue operating the stores while it filed for Chapter 11 Bankruptcy protection. In January, Pier 1 said it planned to close up to 450 stores, or nearly half of its locations. That included half its eight Iowa stores, those in Coralville, Dubuque, Sioux City and West Des Moines.

DES MOINES, IA (IRN) – Severe storms in central Iowa produced a tornado Monday in Polk County. There was heavy storm damage in Johnston, including uprooted trees. The National Weather Service reported fallen tree limbs and damaged power lines around Merle Hay Road.