ALGONA – A man convicted in the killing of an Algona police officer will now be sentenced. KCCI-TV reports a motion made by Kyle Ricke for a new trial has been denied. Ricke has been found guilty for the killing of Officer Kevin Cram. Ricke faces a mandatory life sentence without parole. MARION – A Marion man accused of killing four people in Linn County has been found competent to stand trial. KCRG-TV reports 34-year-old Luke Truesdell faces four counts of first degree murder for four deaths that occurred in June after the man admitted to police he used a metal pipe in an alleged attack. The trial is set to begin in April. DES MOINES – An employee of the Civil Commitment Unit for Sex Offenders is suing the state-run operation for alleged sexual misconduct. The Des Moines Register reports supervisor Matthew Boothby and the Iowa Department of Health and Human Services are being accused of sex discrimination, sexual harassment, and unequal pay. This is the second time Boothby has been accused of misconduct.

DES MOINES – The Iowa State Fair was a record-breaker in 2024. KCCI-TV reports the total attendance eclipsed 1.18 million attendees in 2024, about 12,000 more than the 1.17 million who came to the 2019 event. The all-time single day record was included on day three of the event on August 10th, fueled by pleasant and mild August weather. The 2025 Iowa State Fair is set for August 7th through the 17th. IOWA – Crops remain behind their 2023 pace but ahead of the five year average according to this week’s Iowa Crop Progress and Condition report. Overall, 95% of the state’s crops, including corn, hay, pasture, and soybeans, are fair or better, with three-fourths of those rated good or better. All of those crops remain slight ahead of averages in terms of progress as well. Slightly drier conditions have been reported in some corners of the state in August, but widespread precipitation was observed yet again last week.

WEBSTER COUNTY –  A pair of fatal crashes were reported by the Iowa State Patrol on Sunday. The first occurred at 3:15 a.m. in Webster County and involved two vehicles. A GMC Acadia operated y 30-year-old Sasha Brown crossed the centerline on a county highway and collided with a semi. Brown died from her injuries. In Winnebago County, a Minnesota man was ejected in a single vehicle rollover near Scarville. Sixty-three year old Mark Claassen died on scene. The Iowa DOT reported that as of Friday, 175 people were killed on Iowa’s roadways so far this year, about eight-percent lower than the five-year average. ANKENY – An Arizona teenager declared missing on August 6th has been found in Iowa. WHO-13 reports 17-year-old Liliana Munguía was found in Ankeny on Saturday. The FBI reports the teenager traveled to meet 20-year-old Malachi Reed after communicating online. Reed has been placed into federal custody on undisclosed criminal charges. DES MOINES – The 2024 Iowa State Fair is on track to be at least the second-most attended ever, and should have a great chance break the all-time record once Sunday’s count is recorded. KCCI-TV reports just over 126,000 attendees came through the gates this past Saturday, bringing the ten-day total to 1.082 million. The all-time record was 1.17 million attendees, set in 2019. The 2024 Iowa State Fair wrapped up on Sunday.

DES MOINES – The best new food has been announced at this year’s Iowa State Fair. KCCI-TV reports the Bacon Cheesburger Egg Roll from Winn & Sara’s Kitchen earned the top prize. It was among three finalists, including the Lobster Corn Dog and Iowa Sm’oak’ed Roll. Recent winners include the deep-fried brisket mac and cheese grilled cheese from What’s Your Cheez, The Finisher from The Rib Shack, and The Chicken Egg Salad with Indian Fry Bread from Cluck’n Coop. IOWA – A state archaeologist announced the discovery for a prehistoric mastodon. The Des Moines Register reports the University of Iowa completed a nearly two-week long excavation of the fossil reported to be nearly 14,000 years old, which was located in Wayne County. Mastodons were a prehistoric animal that went extinct 10,00 years ago, and were similar to elephants.  

  CRESTON – One person is in custody following a shooting on Thursday. The Iowa Department of Public Safety reports Creston Police Department officers were dispatched after receiving reports of gunshots. Creston police officers and Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation agents arrested 22-year-old Daniel McDowell of Lorimor for the incident, facing one count of attempted murder. While officers were en route, they were notified of an adult male at the Greater Regional Health Center with multiple gunshot wounds. Medical professionals treated the man, who was then airlifted to a Des Moines area hospital for additional treatment. He is expected to recover. IOWA CITY – The man who drowned in an Iowa City Golf Course pond on Wednesday was an employee. KCRG-TV reports 38-year-old Christopher Plowman was found dead at Pleasant Valley Golf Course. First responders found the Tiffin man trapped under maintenance equipment for an unknown length of time. DES MOINES – Governor Kim Reynolds is once again refusing federal aid to feed children in the summer in Iowa. Iowa Public Radio reports Reynolds is opting out of the Summer EBT program through the USDA that would provide $120 per child in need for groceries over the summer months. Reynolds has countered with a program that would deliver monthly boxes of food to families making up to 200% of federal poverty and cited increased state distribution this past summer. PLEASANT HILL – A body was found in the Des Moines River near Pleasant Hill Thursday. WHO-13 reports several area emergency agencies responded to a report of a body near a boat ramp, called in by fishers. No additional details are immediately available, and the incident remains under investigation.