SIOUX CITY – Governor Kim Reynolds issued a statement late Wednesday about the death of an Iowa State Senator. Rocky DeWitt of Woodbury County represented District 1 after he was elected in 2022. De Witt died from cancer. Reynolds called DeWitt dedicated to helping his neighbors in northwest Iowa. DES MOINES – The Iowa Department of Public Safety, the Iowa State Patrol, and the Governor’s Traffic Safety Bureau are collaborating to educate the public on Iowa’s new Hands-Free Driving Law. Governor Kim Reynolds signed bill SF 22 into law on April 2nd, making Iowa the 31st state in the nation to enact hands-free legislation. The law will go into effect on July 1st with an initial warning period through December 31st. Distracted driving is one of the leading causes of traffic crashes. A 2024 GTSB survey of over 1,300 Iowans from nearly every county revealed that 90% of respondents considered using a cell phone while driving to be extremely dangerous, even though 50% admitted to driving with a phone in their hand. DAVENPORT – An Oxford man was sentenced on Wednesday to 13 years in federal prison for Attempted Enticement of a Minor to Engage in Illicit Sexual Activities and Receipt of Child Pornography. According to public court document, 44-year-old Eric Gene Rundle communicated with an undercover law enforcement officer who was posing as a fifteen-year-old girl. Rundle made plans to meet and engage in sex acts, and was arrested at the meeting location. Rundle had a cell phone with him which was searched. Rundle used the device to receive, view, and possess images and videos containing child sexual abuse material.

WEST DES MOINES – A West Des Moines man was arrested for alleged possession of sexually exploitative videos of children. KCCI-TV reports 27-year-old Andrew Stearns is accused of using the Kik app to possess several files of child sexual abuse material. Urbandale police say they received a tip from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children. IOWA – Spotty precipitation, heavy in some areas, limited Iowa farmers to 4.3 days suitable for fieldwork during the week ending June 22nd, according to the USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service. Field work included cutting hay and spraying. Above average temperatures spurred crop growth. Topsoil moisture condition rated 3 percent very short, 16 percent short, 73 percent adequate and 8 percent surplus. Virtually all of Iowa’s corn crop has emerged, and there were scattered reports of corn silking. Corn condition rated 62 percent good and 21 percent excellent. Nearly all of the soybean crop has emerged. IOWA – Two different flash flood warnings have been issued in southern and central Iowa since Monday night as heavy rain continues to pummel much of the state. According to the National Weather Service, a slight risk for excessive rainfall continues until Thursday for most of Iowa. Additional rounds of 1-3″ of rainfall remain possible through Friday, with some locations in the state already receiving 3-6″ of precipitation since Monday afternoon.

IOWA – Flash flooding potential is increased again today across the state as a stationary front drops more rounds of thunderstorms in some of the same areas that received 2-4 inches of heavy rain yesterday. According to the National Weather Service, 2/3rds of Iowans are at a slight risk for more excessive rainfall. Those in low-lying areas, living near streams, or in urban areas should take extra caution for ponding water. Anyone that encounters a flooded roadway should turn around and find an alternate route.INDIANOLA – An Indianola couple has pleaded guilty to kidnapping and injuring the man’s ex-girlfriend in 2023. The Des Moines Register reports 42-year-old Jordan Mangum and 36-year-old Jessica Wheeler were charged for taking the victim from her Des Moines home and strangling her and slashing her throat, running her over multiple times with a van. Both pleaded guilty to 3rd degree kidnapping, assault while participating in a felony, and domestic abuse by strangulation. Mangum entered an Alford plea. Both likely face at least four decades in prison. IOWA – Several businesses and organizations filed a lawsuit on Monday challenging a new Iowa law regulating Pharmacy Benefit Managers and other aspects of prescription drug regulations. Iowa Capital Dispatch reports the suit is against the Iowa Insurance Commissioner and brought by several groups and it argues that Senate File 383 is not allowed due to federal regulations. The bill supported by pharmacists and rural health advocates requires reimbursements to meet national and state average costs and aimed to adjust cost-sharing laws. Opponents to the bill and those filing the suit argue the cost of prescriptions will increase due to the measure.

IOWA – A heat wave winding down could give way to multiple rounds of thunderstorms this week, some of which may be severe. According to the National Weather Service, widespread rainfall amounts of 1-2″ are likely between now and Thursday evening across Iowa, with many communities expected to get to 3″ or more. A slight risk for excessive rainfall is in place, especially in central and northern Iowa. While not as hot as this past weekend, temperatures will remain uncomfortable for many, especially with high humidity expected. A slight risk for severe weather is also in place later this evening. DES MOINES – President Donald Trump will be at the Iowa State Fairgrounds later this summer. WHO-13 reports Trump will start Independence Day celebrations on July 3rd. No additional details outside of a speech have been announced. Trump previously visited the Iowa State Fair in 2015 and 2023. IOWA – Iowa’s elected leaders largely supported a move by the Trump administration and U.S. Military to bomb three nuclear sites in Iran this past weekend. The Des Moines Register reports Governor Kim Reynolds, Senators Chuck Grassley and Joni Ernst, and all four U.S. Representatives released statements in favor of the attacks during an ongoing conflict between Iran and Israel. Democrats and some Republicans across the country are concerned with the military strike without congressional approval.

IOWA – Extreme heat is expected to continue through Monday across much of the state. All of Iowa remains under either a heat advisory or extreme heat warning, with the hottest temperatures and heat index values expected west of Interstate 35. Air temperatures in the mid-90s are likely in the afternoon and evening hours statewide, with feels-like readings approaching 110 degrees in many communities. Heating shelters are open in communities throughout the state. The heat wave is expected to continue through Monday, according to the National Weather Service. IOWA – There are now nine state-run beaches listed with swimming not recommended status, according to the latest update from the Iowa Department of Natural Resources. The Des Moines Register reports the number has jumped by eight from the last report. Those beaches include Backbone, Beeds Lake, Black Hawk, Blue Lake, Bobwhite State Park, Emerson Bay, Nine Eagles, North Twin Lake West, and Pine Lake South. All nine beaches tested positive for excessive E. coli bacteria. REINBECK – A Reinbeck nurse who admitted to stealing painkillers from nursing home residents has agreed to surrender her license. KCRG-TV reports 42-year-old Andrea Raffield is accused by the Iowa Board of Nursing of removing controlled substances from the supply of the facility for personal use. Board records do not detail the impacted nursing home. Raffield was criminally charged with tampering records, prohibited acts with a controlled substance, and intent to deliver in November 2023.