Author: Iowa Radio News

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.

DUBUQUE COUNTY, IA (IRN) – The Iowa Department of Public health has confirmed Iowa’s first death from COVID-19. The victim is an older Iowan from Dubuque County. Iowa DPH today announced 21 new cases of COVID-19, bringing the statewide total to 145.

WATERLOO, IA (IRN) – As COVID-19 continues to spread, public transportation agencies are making difficult decisions. KWWL-TV reports some leaders worry buses, for example, may become hotbeds for germs. MET Transit gives about 1,300 rides a day on 10 fixed routes across Waterloo and Cedar Falls. Officials are asking riders to minimize their use of public transit during the pandemic.

AMANA, IA (IRN) – An eastern Iowa manufacturer is shutting down operations after an employee tested positive for COVID-19. Whirlpool Corporation, which operates the plant in Amana, said the employee has been hospitalized.

NORTH LIBERTY, IA (IRN) – As toilet paper hoarding is now common, the City of North Liberty is reminding residents to be careful of what they flush. KGAN-TV reports the city fears people will start flushing things like wipes and paper towels. Sewage systems aren’t made to process items other than toilet paper, and flushing other items could block pipes and cause backups.

DES MOINES, IA (IRN) – The Polk County Board of Supervisors announced medical assistance will be available for homeless Iowans who test positive for COVID-19. WHO-TV reports a temporary shelter is opening at the Iowa State Fairgrounds. The facility is inside the Youth Inn and can hold up to 400 people.

IOWA CITY, IA (IRN) – Authorities in Iowa City are investigating after three separate shots fired incidents. KWWL-TV reports the first happened Monday evening around 6:00 p.m. Less than an hour later, police responded to a second report. Officers found a vehicle damaged by gunfire. They also found shell casings in the street. The third incident happened shortly after 9:40 p.m. Officers say a building was damaged by gunshots. Shell casings were recovered in a nearby parking lot. No injuries were reported. Authorities aren’t sure if the incidents are related.

DES MOINES, IA (IRN) – The Iowa Department of Public Health reported 19 additional positive cases of Iowans with COVID-19 yesterday. That brings the statewide total to 124 positive cases.

DES MOINES, IA (IRN) – Employees from three Des Moines area school districts have now tested positive for COVID-19. Des Moines and Norwalk schools reported their first cases Monday. Urbandale reported its second case.

DES MOINES, IA (IRN) – Gov. Kim Reynolds announced state-based assistance for Iowa businesses during the outbreak. Businesses with less than 50 employees can delay unemployment tax payments for the first quarter until July 31. Grants ranging from $5,000 to $25,000 will be available to businesses with two to 25 employees. Sales and withholding tax deadlines for any business that receives a grant will be extended. Extensions will also be available.

IOWA (IRN) – Iowa Secretary of State Paul Pate is extending the June primary’s absentee voting period for mailed ballots to 40 days in light of the COVID-19 outbreak. Pate is also encouraging more Iowans to cast ballots by mail. The polls will remain open in Iowa on June 2. The directive means Iowans will be able to cast mailed ballots beginning on April 23.

FOREST CITY, IA (IRN) – Forest City based recreational vehicle and boat manufacturer Winnebago Industries said today it is ceasing production to protect workers from coronavirus exposure and will adjust production as demand for the company’s products is rapidly changing.
The company, which employs about 5,000 people, makes motorhomes, travel trailers and boats under the Winnebago, Grand Design, Newmar and Chris-Craft brands. All employees will be paid for the next two weeks.

DES MOINES, IA (IRN) – The Iowa Department of Public Health reports today 15 additional positive cases of Iowans with COVID-19. That brings the statewide total to 105 positive cases.

JOHNSTON, IA (IRN) – Gov. Kim Reynolds signed a proclamation Sunday to close salons, tattoo establishments, barbershops, massage therapy businesses, tanning salons, medical spas and swimming pools effective 10 p.m. Sunday. Daycare centers will remain open, with state support.

GUTTENBERG, IA (IRN) – The Iowa Department of Natural Resources is investigating a drowning that happened on the Mississippi River near Guttenberg Saturday. Two men were fishing in a restricted area near a dam. The boat was taken into a turbulent area and began sinking. Shaun Oppenheimer, 54, went overboard and drowned. Oppenheimer and the driver of the boat were not wearing personal flotation devices.

QUASQUETON, IA (IRN) – A pastor in eastern Iowa found a new way to give sermons over the weekend. KCRG-TV reports Pastor James Wolf leads the Spirit of Life Christian Church in Quasqueton (kwass-KWEE-ton). On Sunday, he held a “drive-in church.” People parked their cars in the church’s parking lot and listened to Wolf’s sermon. He wore a microphone and had a speaker system set up. Pastor Wolf says it’s still important for the church community to gather during these difficult times.

IOWA (IRN) – The Des Moines Register reports twenty-five Iowa children died in 2019 because of some sort of abuse or neglect by their parents or caregivers, more than in any other year in at least the past two decades.

DES MOINES, IA (IRN) – Des Moines Mayor Frank Cownie is urging residents to stay home in the interest of the health and safety of the community. He is encouraging the practice of “stay home, stay healthy” in response to COVID-19 concerns.

DES MOINES, IA (IRN) – Homeless shelters are working to find ways to make sure all Iowans have a safe place to distance themselves as COVID-19 continues to spread. Goodwill of Central Iowa is partnering with Central Iowa Shelter & Services to implement an emergency plan for members in the homeless community at a higher risk due to their age or underlying health condition. They are accepting emergency donations at all seven metro Goodwill sites.

JOHNSON COUNTY, IA (IRN) – The Iowa Department of Public Health reports six people who were diagnosed with COVID-19 in Johnson County have recovered. Currently, Johnson County has 27 people diagnosed. The six people who have recovered are no longer infectious. Gov. Kim Reynolds announced Saturday that 68 people are infected with COVID-19 in Iowa.