Author: Iowa Radio News

DES MOINES, IA (IRN) – The Iowa Department of Public Health released new statistics on COVID-19 in the state Tuesday. IDPH reported 19 deaths and 408 new cases. It’s the largest single-day increase in deaths. That brings the statewide total to 10,111 and 207 deaths.

DES MOINES, IA (IRN) – The Des Moines Youth Emergency Services and Shelter says a staff member has tested positive for COVID-19. The infected staffer was last at work a week ago and showed no symptoms. Four older residents living in one unit were under the staffer’s care. The shelter is now taking their temperatures hourly. None show any symptoms of the virus.

DES MOINES, IA (IRN) – The Iowa Games are still trying to decide whether they’ll be able to proceed with their events amid the COVID-19 pandemic. Air gun, rowing, clay-target trapshooting, figure skating, and lacrosse have all been canceled. The bowling finals have been moved to August. All other sports are on, as scheduled, for now.

DES MOINES, IA (IRN) – A body found in the Des Moines River Saturday is that of 18-year-old Abdullahi “Abdi” Sharif. KCCI-TV reports Sharif was last seen Jan. 17 as he left the Target store at the Merle Hay Mall. For more than three months, his mother tearfully begged for his safe return. ​She watched from his Des Moines bedroom window, always holding out hope he would return alive. ​

DES MOINES, IA (IRN) – A new poll shows a tight race for one of Iowa’s U.S. Senate seats. In the poll, Sen. Joni Ernst leads Democrat Theresa Greenfield by a single point, 43% to 42% Greenfield is one of four democrats running for their party’s nomination in the June 2 primary.

IOWA (IRN) – The Iowa Department of Public Health released new statistics on COVID-19 in the state Monday. IDPH reported four deaths and 534 new cases. That brings the statewide total to 9,703 positive cases and 188 deaths.

DES MOINES, IA (IRN) – As some establishments reopen amid the COVID-19 outbreak, others are tightening restrictions to slow the spread. KCCI-TV reports starting today, all customers at Costco are required to wear face masks. Fresh meat purchases are limited to three items. Menards is requiring all customers to wear a face mask as well.

DES MOINES, IA (IRN) – Nearly twice as many people have died in Iowa from COVID-19 versus influenza this season, according to the state department of public health. And the COVID-19 deaths occurred in less than a fourth of the time.

MARSHALLTOWN, IA (IRN) – A Marshalltown man has died of COVID-19 after being denied testing, and being denied hospital admission twice. The Des Moines Register reports Kyle Brown made five trips to healthcare providers in Marshalltown and Newton. Brown’s symptoms had worsened to the point where he couldn’t speak. Twice, he was sent back home even after nurses over the phone told his wife he needed treatment.

CLINTON COUNTY, IA (IRN) – Two people died when the motorcycle they were riding veered off the road and crashed into a fence in Clinton County on Saturday. Both died at the scene.

WASHINGTON, IA (IRN) – The bodies of two people were found after an early morning house fire in Washington, according to KCII-radio. After the fire was put out, the bodies of 58-year-old Sherry Bertsch and 66-year-old Michael Shannan were found inside.

DES MOINES, IA (IRN) – The Iowa Department of Public Health released new statistics on COVID-19 in Iowa Saturday. The IDPH reported 757 new positive COVID-19 cases and five deaths. That brings the statewide total to 8,651 cases and 175 deaths.

DES MOINES, IA (IRN) – Starting Monday, Menards officials said customers will be required to wear masks in the store. For those who do not have some sort of mask, they will have masks available for purchase.

WATERLOO, IA (IRN) – Six residents have now tested positive for COVID-19 at the Friendship Village Retirement Community in Waterloo, according to KWWL-TV. All six residents live in the Pavilion Health Center and have been assigned rooms designated in early March as the “COVID Area.” These rooms are separated from the rest of the Pavillion population.

CEDAR RAPIDS, IA (IRN) – A man has been arrested in a shooting that killed a pregnant woman and wounded another woman at a Cedar Rapids apartment complex, according to KCCI-TV. Johnnie Osborne IV is jailed without bond on suspicion of first-degree murder in the death of 25-year-old Asia Taqara Grice, and nonconsensual termination of a pregnancy, among other charges.

MARSHALLTOWN, IA (IRN) – The Marshalltown Police Department is offering a $5,000 reward for anyone who may have information regarding a shooting that happened on March 25th. KCRG-TV reports one man died at the scene, and another is recovering.

DES MOINES, IA (IRN) – Today, the Iowa Department of Public Health has been notified of 757 additional positive COVID-19 cases for a total of 8,641 positive cases. There have been five additional deaths, bringing the state total to 175.

MASON CITY, IA (IRN) – A social distancing outdoor concert held on Friday night in Mason City supported a good cause. KIMT-TV reports Betty and The Gents belted out the familiar Beatles tune ‘Life Goes On’ among other songs at a local park. The group is raising money for Mohawk Market, a food pantry run by volunteers and staff of the Mason City Community School District.

DES MOINES, IA (IRN) – The state of Iowa has hit a new one day high for positive COVID-19 tests. Governor Kim Reynolds reported on Friday that there are 740 new cases of COVID-19 in the state. That brings the total number of positive cases in Iowa to 7,885. Eight more deaths were also reported. The number of deaths in Iowa attributed to COVID-19 now stands at 170.

DES MOINES, IA (IRN) – The Des Moines Symphony announced Friday that it will postpone the annual Yankee Doodle Pops concert and summer season of Water Works Pops. The 2020 Yankee Doodle Pops concert will be “reimagined” as a Labor Day celebration on September 7.

DES MOINES, IA (IRN) – Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds says testing for the coronavirus in the new TestIowa program will be reliable and accurate once the machines Iowa bought for the program are validated and set up. Questions have been raised by the Salt Lake Tribune about the accuracy of tests used by the state of Utah and provided by the same company Iowa bought tests and equipment from earlier this month as part of a $26 million contract.

DES MOINES, IA (IRN) – The Iowa Board of Regents said the COVID-19 pandemic could cost Iowa’s three public universities $187 million. Federal funding from the coronavirus aid bill should help ease the blow, but will not cover the expenses.

INDIANOLA, IA (IRN) – The latest cancellation to result from the COVID-19 pandemic is the 2020 National Balloon Classic in Indianola. The National Balloon Classic board of directors announced Thursday the event will be postponed until 2021.