Author: Iowa Radio News

ALTOONA – Two men were arrested in connection to more than two-dozen burglaries in Altoona this week. KCCI-TV reports Chance Hill and Jamison Carrico are charged in connection with 27 incidents that occurred over four days. Police are investigating similar incidents in Des Moines as well. During Thursday’s arrest, the pair were found with two juvenile girls who were reported missing as well.

DES MOINES – The Animal Rescue League of Iowa says it removed more than 300 animals from a central Iowa property. WHO-13 reports dozens of chickens, pigs, ducks, geese, ponies, goats, and sheep were on site in a barn in poor condition. Crews responding claim trees were stripped of bark and leaves where animals were able to reach and eat.

IOWA – More than 20 Iowa state parks and forests will host clean-up events today during Statewide Volunteer Day. Iowans are invited to join park staff to help care for Iowa’s natural areas, freshen up campgrounds and facilities, and spend time outdoors. Clean-up efforts will be unique for each park depending on needs, and may include litter pick-up, staining or painting buildings, removing invasive species, rebuilding picnic tables and more.

CEDAR RAPIDS – One person is dead following an officer involved shooting in Cedar Rapids. On Tuesday, the Cedar Rapids Police Department requested assistance from the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation (DCI) to investigate. Cedar Rapids Police received a 911 call reporting a male subject, later identified as Travis McDermott, 38, was displaying a firearm in a reckless manner. Officers responded and located McDermott, who is accused of openly displaying a weapon. Two officers fired their service weapons at McDermott, striking him in the abdomen. Emergency medical care was provided on scene and McDermott was taken to an area hospital where he later died. The officers were not injured.

AMES – An Ames man is accused of child exploitation and bestiality. KCCI-TV reports 27-year-old Zachary Vince was arrested this week for five counts of possession of child sex abuse material, three counts of exploiting a minor, and a county of bestiality. Police claim Vince used an online Kik account and other electronic devices.

IOWA – The National Weather Service long-range forecast indicates another wet month is ahead. The Climate Prediction Center is forecasting above average precipitation for Iowa and most of the central US next month. Iowa has already had an above average month for precipitation, as this has already been the 2nd wettest September on record for Des Moines. Additional chances for rain return this weekend and early next week.

JOHNSON COUNTY – Authorities have identified the teacher and student found dead in Lake Macbride in Johnson County Tuesday. KCRG-TV reports 10-year-old Ahmed Osman of Iowa City and 24-year-old Hannah Jorgensen of Tiffin were recovered from the Coralville Reservoir. The Iowa City Community School District reports both were on a 5th grade School of the Wild trip. The Johnson County Sheriff’s Office is investigating as to how both were in the water.

DES MOINES – A judge dismissed a lawsuit by the Trump administration against the Des Moines Register and its former pollster. The Associated Press reports Iowa District Judge Scott J. Beattie rejected the president’s claim that the newspaper’s poll coverage through J. Ann Selzer in 2024 violated an Iowa consumer fraud law. Trump has filed several lawsuits against media organizations in his second term with claims of bias. He was joined in the lawsuit in Iowa by Representative Marianette Miller-Meeks and State Senator Brad Zaun.

DES MOINES – Fourteen people face federal charges in an alleged methamphetamine organization in central Iowa. KCCI-TV reports 11 of those were arrested Tuesday following search warrants in Marshalltown, Perry, and Des Moines. Charges included conspiracy to launder money for Liliana Hernandez Vazquez, Georgina Kasandra Hernandez Vazquez and Yureli Alondra Hernandez Vazquez, and the others involved were accused of conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine.

SOLON – An adult was found dead and a child was missing following an incident at Lake MacBride State Park on Tuesday afternoon. KCRG-TV reports the Johnson County Sheriff’s Office responded to a call just after noon, and recovered the body of an adult following a brief search. The Iowa City Community School District released that the incident happened during a Borlaug Elementary 5th grade “School of the Wild” trip. Several emergency responders were working near the spillway of the lake on Tuesday.

BOONE COUNTY – The bird flu was found in a flock of birds in Boone County. The Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship announced on Tuesday that the highly pathogenic avian influenza was found in a multi-species group of birds. WHO-13 reports this is the seventh confirmed case of the disease in 2026.

IOWA – Through the Safe Haven Law, a baby girl, born September 8 is now in the care and custody of the Iowa Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and will be placed with a foster family until permanent placement is determined. This brings the overall total to 82 infants since the law went into effect more than two decades ago. Iowa’s Safe Haven Act is an option for parents in crisis who determine they cannot care for an infant up to 90 days old. Designated safe havens are locations like hospitals and police and fire stations.

IOWA – An extremely soggy week across much of Iowa made it difficult for farmers to get much fieldwork done, with heavy rainfall leading to flooding in some areas, according to the Iowa Crop Progress and Condition report. There were 1.7 days suitable for fieldwork during the week ending Sept. 20. Topsoil moisture condition rated 4 percent short, 68 percent adequate, and 28 percent surplus. Four percent of corn has been harvested, which is 3 percentage points behind last year. Corn condition rated 76 percent good to excellent.

DES MOINES – The Black Hawk County Sheriff’s office investigated possible fraudulent activity involving the Republican Candidate for Lt. Governor. KCCI-TV reports Sheriff Nate Neff confirmed the details about looking into Derek Wulf and turned over materials from the investigation to their county attorney’s office. Republican Candidate for Governor Zach Lahn has disputed reporting about a criminal investigation. No charges have been filed, but WCF Financial submitted a report to police in February about the financial transactions.

RUNNELLS – A Runnells man faces ten felony charges related to possession of child pornography. WHO-13 reports 29-year-old Logan Douglas Sparks was arrested this past week, and is accused of possessing images in his home of minors as young as four-years-old. A no-contact order has been filed against Sparks.

OSKALOOSA – More than 80 students have come forward to the Oskaloosa School District related to activities that cancelled most of their Homecoming festivities last week. A district news release detailed disciplinary plans moving forward, but the district did restore the previously postponed dance due to the student response. Several students are accused of vandalism, burglary, intimidation, and use of racial slurs. An investigation is ongoing.